Help Me Write a Cordless Drill Review (And Watch a Video of a Drill-Powered Mini-Bike!)

comments (4) June 1st, 2009 in Blogs

Justin Fink, Senior Editor

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We don't do lab-coat tool testing like Consumer Reports, but we do care about how your tools fit your real-world demands. Now's your chance to help direct us.

Photo: Michael Smith

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It’s my job to shepherd the tool reviews for Fine Homebuilding, focusing them to suit our audience. So when Brian called me into his office to suggest we do a full round up of cordless drill/drivers, I said "sure, which voltage?” His answer? “all of them.” So, I quit.

Ok, I didn't really quit, but the rest is true. You may have read my earlier post "Is the Cordless Tool Market Overpopulated?"...where do you think the inspiration for that blog post came from? It was the product of a long and sobering look at how many tools I would need to test in order to satisfy Brian's request.

So, I'm asking for your help. This is your chance to tell me what you want to read...

A head-to-head on every voltage would be close to impossible (and the market line-up, I swear, changes by the hour) - but if you want it, I may try.

Do you want a narrow slice? Perhaps a comparison between "slim pack" and "fat pack" li-ion setups (difference being amp/hrs)?

Do you want me to look into all of the voltages and help you decide which best suits the type of work that you do?

Do you want a thorough "what's important" tutorial on a larger scope? Helping you figure out exactly what to consider when choosing a li-ion drill/driver (ie: acceptable applications, voltage, amp/hrs, chuck, functions, battery recharge time, etc)?

or...and this is definitely my vote, we get FHB to buy me one of these and see which drill drives it the farthest before needing a recharge:

I will be checking back for comments regularly, so let's hear 'em!

posted in: Blogs, cordless drill, li-ion, lithium ion, drill/driver

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Comments (4)

RoddHall writes: In order to cut down on my ever-expanding collection of batteries and chargers, I plan to start making cordless tool purchase decisions based at least in part on trying to zero in on a single brand, with interchangeable batteries. I would love for you to include a short description, or even just a list, of all the other tools that use the same battery as each cordless drill you review.
Posted: 3:49 pm on July 21st

doorboy writes: It seems to me like you have a series of reviews here.
Different sized batteries.
Different types of batteries
Different types of drills--hammerdrill, drill/driver, impact driver, etc.
Today, people may be interested in the environmental impact with the various batteries. But in the working world, the most important issue may be how to find an outlet in the temporary power pole to recharge the things.

Posted: 12:34 pm on June 4th

RichMast writes: How about impact driver vs drill/driver? can an impact driver replace a drill/driver, or do you need both? just an idea. the higher torque makes me ponder whether there are some jobs that an impact driver just can't do.
Posted: 10:33 pm on June 1st

RYagid writes: I don't know what this post is about.(I accidentally went straight to the video) All I know is that I'm changing the way I commute. Do you think anyone will mind if I buzz the shoulder of I-95 during rush hour with that thing?
Posted: 12:01 pm on June 1st

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