Comments on: Selecting Your Next Cordless Drill http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:11:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Chris http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-391496 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:20:54 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-391496 Paul, you might want to look into a cordless Dremel. A huge amount of torque certainly isn't a concern with tiny drill bits like that, and it's likely that the chuck in most cordless drills will be too big to handle bits that small. cl Paul, you might want to look into a cordless Dremel. A huge amount of torque certainly isn’t a concern with tiny drill bits like that, and it’s likely that the chuck in most cordless drills will be too big to handle bits that small.

cl

]]> by: Paul http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-391478 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:01:18 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-391478 I want a cordless drill which will handle minature drills from 0.3mm so what should I look for? I want a cordless drill which will handle minature drills from 0.3mm so what should I look for?

]]> by: Jeff http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-213787 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:18:54 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-213787 I have had a Craftsman 19.2v cordless drill for a few years now. It works good, but like everyone says - the batteries are short-lived. If I were to go and purchase a new drill (which I may have to do soon), my first choice would be a drill with a LIFETIME BATTERY WARRANTY. I have heard of a few brands that provide this, one being Ridgid. A few extra dollars for a lifetime of replacement batteries - count me in! I have had a Craftsman 19.2v cordless drill for a few years now. It works good, but like everyone says - the batteries are short-lived.
If I were to go and purchase a new drill (which I may have to do soon), my first choice would be a drill with a LIFETIME BATTERY WARRANTY.
I have heard of a few brands that provide this, one being Ridgid.
A few extra dollars for a lifetime of replacement batteries - count me in!

]]> by: Steve http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-204439 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:47:57 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-204439 For some interesting cordless drill reviews visit <a href="http://cordlessdrillworld.com" rel="nofollow">CordlessDrillWorld.com</a> For some interesting cordless drill reviews visit CordlessDrillWorld.com

]]> by: Brad L http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-95445 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 02:24:41 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-95445 I too bought the Craftsman 19.2v about a year ago with the so-called Ex batteries for "extended life". Turns out that the batteries for this unit are notorious for a very short life span. The drill itself is great; the batteries are terrible. I would not buy this drill if I had to do it over again. I too bought the Craftsman 19.2v about a year ago with the so-called Ex batteries for “extended life”. Turns out that the batteries for this unit are notorious for a very short life span. The drill itself is great; the batteries are terrible. I would not buy this drill if I had to do it over again.

]]> by: Rabbit Fufu http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-75155 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:31:34 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-75155 It would be nice to have complete data on the amperage of these batteries. Amperage equates to the quantiy of power a battery stores, different than voltage. Perhaps as important as anything with NiCad is the quality of the charging system. How much smart logic and cooling is built into the charger? I happen to be looking at replacing my 12v Dewalt batteries and am stumped on which charger to buy. Dewalt sells a 1 hour 'smart' charge, a 3 stage charger and at the high end a fan cooled charger. Based on Dewalts limited information it is unclear which of these 3 competing chargers would be my best choice. Additionaly I have not seen any information on knock off batteries. Do I really need to buy a Dewalt brand battery as a replacement for my Dewalt 12v drill? It would be nice to have complete data on the amperage of these batteries. Amperage equates to the quantiy of power a battery stores, different than voltage. Perhaps as important as anything with NiCad is the quality of the charging system. How much smart logic and cooling is built into the charger?

I happen to be looking at replacing my 12v Dewalt batteries and am stumped on which charger to buy. Dewalt sells a 1 hour ’smart’ charge, a 3 stage charger and at the high end a fan cooled charger. Based on Dewalts limited information it is unclear which of these 3 competing chargers would be my best choice.

Additionaly I have not seen any information on knock off batteries. Do I really need to buy a Dewalt brand battery as a replacement for my Dewalt 12v drill?

]]> by: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Carl Golden’s Afraid of Home Depot http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-9606 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 18:26:28 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-9606 [...] One thing I do agree with Carl about:  &#8220;The power-tool section is particularly bewildering. The selection is so vast that I can&#8217;t understand how anyone could possibly choose the proper one.&#8221;  Well, Carl, we&#8217;re here to help.  If you get a chance, check out our guide to selecting your next cordless drill.  And, in late January check out our Ultimate Drill Test where we&#8217;re putting together a massive test of dozens of the market&#8217;s most common drills. [...] […] One thing I do agree with Carl about:  “The power-tool section is particularly bewildering. The selection is so vast that I can’t understand how anyone could possibly choose the proper one.”  Well, Carl, we’re here to help.  If you get a chance, check out our guide to selecting your next cordless drill.  And, in late January check out our Ultimate Drill Test where we’re putting together a massive test of dozens of the market’s most common drills. […]

]]> by: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Finds: Craftsman 19.2V Drill/Driver w/LED Light http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-4789 Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:26:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-4789 [...] I picked up one of these a while back when my previous (really cheap) drill/driver gave up the ghost.  I was on an extremely tight budget, so I did some serious shopping, which lead to our &#8220;Selecting Your Next Cordless Drill&#8221; post, and sort of the beginning of Toolmonger.  (I know, I know &#8212; that post needs an update, and I promise one before Christmas, ok?) [...] […] I picked up one of these a while back when my previous (really cheap) drill/driver gave up the ghost.  I was on an extremely tight budget, so I did some serious shopping, which lead to our “Selecting Your Next Cordless Drill” post, and sort of the beginning of Toolmonger.  (I know, I know — that post needs an update, and I promise one before Christmas, ok?) […]

]]> by: Ruben http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-1639 Thu, 05 Oct 2006 01:34:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-1639 LiIon is definitely the way to go. Ridgid seems to have the best deal - lifetime on everything including the batteries! If your livelihood depends on your tools, or you just love a good investment, then thie Ridgid combo is for you. Just think, for the next 10 years you'll never have to buy another power tool combo or batteries again! From what Philip Iadevaia lays out, I think the Ridgid combo fits perfectly into his criteria. I'm saving up for mine now! Also, yeah, this article rocks!!! I'm an information monger and this is like a dream come true. Thank you Toolmonger! LiIon is definitely the way to go. Ridgid seems to have the best deal - lifetime on everything including the batteries! If your livelihood depends on your tools, or you just love a good investment, then thie Ridgid combo is for you. Just think, for the next 10 years you’ll never have to buy another power tool combo or batteries again!

From what Philip Iadevaia lays out, I think the Ridgid combo fits perfectly into his criteria. I’m saving up for mine now!

Also, yeah, this article rocks!!! I’m an information monger and this is like a dream come true. Thank you Toolmonger!

]]> by: Philip A. Iadevaia http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-969 Thu, 07 Sep 2006 22:50:12 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-969 For electricians, here's the criteria for selecting a combo kit: (1) ease of use: not too heavy vs. torque and speed for metal drilling and hole-sawing. (2) performance in the field: battery life vs. charge time (Li-Ion batteries are the ones to go with!) (3) affordability: cost vs. versitility. In other words, if your tools make the work easier, the sooner they'll pay for themselves in time saved and labor expended. (If you've ever drilled concrete or stucco with a drill/driver instead of a hammerdrill, you'll know what I mean. And boring a hole through a top-plate in a 180 degree attic with a tool that has the power of a hole-hawg or a 5.5 or 8.0 amp magnum would be nice without humping a cord along with you. For electricians, here’s the criteria for selecting a combo kit:

(1) ease of use: not too heavy vs. torque and speed for metal drilling and hole-sawing.

(2) performance in the field: battery life vs. charge time (Li-Ion batteries are the ones to go with!)

(3) affordability: cost vs. versitility. In other words, if your tools make the work easier, the sooner they’ll pay for themselves in time saved and labor expended. (If you’ve ever drilled concrete or stucco with a drill/driver instead of a hammerdrill, you’ll know what I mean. And boring a hole through a top-plate in a 180 degree attic with a tool that has the power of a hole-hawg or a 5.5 or 8.0 amp magnum would be nice without humping a cord along with you.

]]> by: Philip A. Iadevaia http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-968 Thu, 07 Sep 2006 22:29:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-968 I am shopping for a combo kit, and like a kid whose eyes glaze over at the sight of Lincoln Logs, or a teen with his glazed eyes drooling over an X-Box, I pine for the 4 and 6 tool combo kits at the displays in Home Depot. The Marina Del Rey, CA HD has a display case featuring DeWalt, Milwaulkee, Ridgid and Makita. Since I am an electrician, the drill must have the hammer feature, and this is almost universal in all the kits by all manufacturers. But I don't need THAT much power, only enough that I don't have to haul a Hole-Hawg 60 feet under a house to bore one hole for new outlet. (Yet, I'd like enough power to bore a two-inch hole through a double 2x4.) My Makita 12v is great (just need a new battery), but it lacks the hammerdrill. So, with the combo kit, I can cut pipe, unistrut and drill concrete and stucco. I'm leaning toward DeWalt, because it's 18v XRP drilled 18 anchor holes in reinforced concrete (parking structure concrete, which is harder than impossible), and still had ample juice to spare. The 36v is lean and mean, but too much money. Milwaulkee's 28v monster is a dream to handle and fits my hands better than DeWalt's, and the Ridgid 24v comes with a lifetime free parts and service agreement. So which one should I go with is a quagmire, and I am kind of stuck. I am shopping for a combo kit, and like a kid whose eyes glaze over at the sight of Lincoln Logs, or a teen with his glazed eyes drooling over an X-Box, I pine for the 4 and 6 tool combo kits at the displays in Home Depot. The Marina Del Rey, CA HD has a display case featuring DeWalt, Milwaulkee, Ridgid and Makita.

Since I am an electrician, the drill must have the hammer feature, and this is almost universal in all the kits by all manufacturers. But I don’t need THAT much power, only enough that I don’t have to haul a Hole-Hawg 60 feet under a house to bore one hole for new outlet. (Yet, I’d like enough power to bore a two-inch hole through a double 2×4.)

My Makita 12v is great (just need a new battery), but it lacks the hammerdrill. So, with the combo kit, I can cut pipe, unistrut and drill concrete and stucco.

I’m leaning toward DeWalt, because it’s 18v XRP drilled 18 anchor holes in reinforced concrete (parking structure concrete, which is harder than impossible), and still had ample juice to spare. The 36v is lean and mean, but too much money. Milwaulkee’s 28v monster is a dream to handle and fits my hands better than DeWalt’s, and the Ridgid 24v comes with a lifetime free parts and service agreement. So which one should I go with is a quagmire, and I am kind of stuck.

]]> by: Matthew http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-165 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:19:04 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-165 Fun to stumble across this. My new drill, Tikka, comes up near the top in power (and price!) That's why I bought it! Reassuring... Matthew Fun to stumble across this. My new drill, Tikka, comes up near the top in power (and price!) That’s why I bought it! Reassuring…

Matthew

]]> by: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » PowerBlade Drill-Powered Cable Cutter - all tools, all the time. http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-20 Tue, 23 May 2006 22:36:27 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-20 [...] The minimum requirement for this cutting attachment is a 12 volt drill system when using it with a cordless drill.  (You can use it with corded drills as well.)  However, as we have found in our cordless drill comparison article, not all cordless drills are created equal. So your results may vary with lower torque drills. [...] […] The minimum requirement for this cutting attachment is a 12 volt drill system when using it with a cordless drill.  (You can use it with corded drills as well.)  However, as we have found in our cordless drill comparison article, not all cordless drills are created equal. So your results may vary with lower torque drills. […]

]]> by: Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms » Blog Archive » Cordless Drill Review http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-19 Sat, 20 May 2006 18:36:03 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/05/18/selecting-your-next-cordless-drill/#comment-19 [...] Toolmonger has a detailed post on Selecting Your Next Cordless Drill. Whether you need a drill for an upcoming project, or just for your sweetie&#8217;s birthday, you&#8217;ll find lots of information here. Voltage, battery type, torque&#8212;it&#8217;s all covered. (Thanks to MAKE for the tip.) by D &#124; posted in In the Workshop, Essential Tools [...] […] Toolmonger has a detailed post on Selecting Your Next Cordless Drill. Whether you need a drill for an upcoming project, or just for your sweetie’s birthday, you’ll find lots of information here. Voltage, battery type, torque—it’s all covered. (Thanks to MAKE for the tip.) by D | posted in In the Workshop, Essential Tools […]

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