cordless power tools

Batteries losing their ability to charge after a couple of years is the biggest issue. I have a Makita 9V that is still going. My newer DeWalt's batteries crapped out after only a couple of years. Those smaller Ryobis seem to be pretty good.

I use cordless drills all the time, but keep a corded one handy (another old Makita) for the "serious" jobs.
 
wagdog said:
My opinion: I hate cordless drills and drivers. I'll take a corded tool with some oomph behind it over a cordless one that always seems to lose its charge when I need it the most. That, and I got more stuff with chargers and whatnot than I can deal with.
Click to expand...
Much truth to this. Corded drills are pretty cheap and worthwhile to have one around. But it's hard to beat the convenience of the cordless, so I have both.

A lot of the cordless kits come with 2 batteries and a rapid charger, so the dead battery thing isn't too big of an issue if you're doing a big/long job. It usually comes into play when you haven't used it in a while, then when you want to, it's dead. However, since replacing my old NiCad cordless with a Lithium-Ion one, this has been much less of an issue. I guess the Lithium-Ion holds a charge way longer.
 
We have an old corded skil brand drill as well. It is nice to have, but much less convenient due to the cord, and also the old style chuck with a key I have to keep track of. So nice to have the cordless around, which does the vast majority of I need.
 
I had a cordless drill back in the NiCad battery days and when it died, I didn't bother to replace it. I find that the convenience of a cordless drill is not worth the keeping track of batteries and the added weight.
 
I've had good success with a set of Ryobi stuff I use at the house for personal use. For professional use, I'd go with Dewalt. They sometimes blow those things sets out for black Friday.
 
I have a B & D 18 volt I use inside the house for everything. Came with two batteries and was around 50 dollars, like below. Have used it the past 5 years with no problems. Growing up with a dad who ran a metal shop I used a lot of tools for different things. Fact, you simply must have power tools that have power if you are going to embark on challenging tasks. That's why I have a cheap house drill and a couple of electric drills of different size and power. Each for under $50. How hard are you actually going to use this battery drill? For example, I worked on my rain gutters the other day and used my cheap 5 year old drill to make the rivet holes and screw in the 3 inch wood screws to secure the drain pipes to the house. Used one battery with no problem over 4 hours. If I'm going to cut holes in doors and install locks I'm using electric. If I'm putting up drywall in a room in my home I'll use the cheap drill all day. If I re-floor my deck and run 3 inch screws in boards all day I'm using an electric drill. Now, after 5 years if I need a new battery I may get one, but I doubt it cause they're like 35 dollars. I'll toss the cheap drill in the trash and pick up another new drill with a couple batteries for 50 bucks and press on. I'll still be money ahead. IMO.
51TFTHFXgKL.jpg
 
shoeless said:
Much truth to this. Corded drills are pretty cheap and worthwhile to have one around. But it's hard to beat the convenience of the cordless, so I have both.
Click to expand...
FWIW, I have both as well. I like the portability of the cordless drills, especially for outside, away from the house jobs. Inside, I always use the power corded drill.
 
wagdog said:
My opinion: I hate cordless drills and drivers. I'll take a corded tool with some oomph behind it over a cordless one that always seems to lose its charge when I need it the most. That, and I got more stuff with chargers and whatnot than I can deal with.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on your application, but I rarely use mine within range of even a 100' extension cord. And I don't like dragging cords around. And the cordless ones have a nice weight balance between the battery and the motor. And even the 18V has enough torque to nearly pull the drill out of my hand on a stubborn screw.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top