Hi All,
My 30 years old Craftman drill is running it’s last spin. The chuck key teeth are worned. It over heats when driving long screws. The trigger sometime … don’t trigger.
So, what should I buy?
- It will be a corded drill.
- I use it more often to drive screws than drill holes. Slower speed higher torque would help. Will it affect my wood and steel hole drilling?
- I think I’ll need a 3/8″ chuck again. I’m concern if I get a 1/2″, it’ll be too heavy and too big to get into cramp spaces. I got away without a 1/2″ for 30 years, I shouldn’t need one now. However, this is to be another 30 years commitment …
- 90 degree seems nice. Never use one before so I cannot be sure. It can get into tight spots. Do they cost more?
- I recently purchased a Bosch worn drive circular saw. Nice! Something in that order of quality would be nice.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bill
Replies
I've got a 1/2" Milwaukee Mag, that's indestructible it will eat wood with large forsenter bits or drill holes with fine accuracy with small bits. Have never had a problem driving screws.
I've used it to mix drywall mud, thinset, mortar and just about anything else that I have put in its way.
It is very well balanced and I do not find it at all to heavy.
On the other hand, since I went cordless 18v Milwaukee drill with hammer action and 14v Milwaukee Impact, it doesn't seem to see a whole lot of use. Curious as to why your not considering going cordless, sure seems to make a tool that much more versatile.
Thanks you very much for your recommendation. The reason for not going with cordless is that I do not do that many big projects. I ended up charging up the batteries and use it down to maybe 3/4 to 1/2 charge at best. By the time I need to use it again, the battery is no longer sufficiently charged. I think that is why all my battery tools ended up collecting dust. I reach for my older corded tools.
bill
If you mostly drive screws, and you don't like cordless much, then a corded impact driver might be the thing. Makita have a clearance on theirs, I've seen them for $70 CDN ($50 USD). The torque is much superior to any conventional drill and they don't strip the heads unless you're holding the drill way off centre. Lignum est bonum.
Where?
I paid $180. (U.S.) for mine.6 16 17 97 99
My local Home Hardware has had the Makita corded impact driver marked down to $69.99 since Christmas. I guess the advent of potent cordless impact drivers has made the corded ones less desirable. Not sure what US sources have deals like this - maybe they dumped them all in Canada?
WallyLignum est bonum.
I know the bosch hammer drills are great, no sure about the regular corded. I have a 1/2" milwaukee mag hole shooter and it an animal. Its mostly low end torque but lots of it. If you go with the milwaukee, for another $15 or so you can get the one with the switch for hammer action. I didn't get that and wish I had, I would use it for concrete instead of borrowing my buddies big bosch hammer drill.
If you don't mind a refurbished, amazon.com has the 1/2 milwaukee mag without the hammer drill for $89, new is $130. I'd go for that, good deal.
Are the RPM's high enough on that for drilling steel? I have a big clumsy Dewalt that I must have bought in a blackout four or five years ago, and it's great for hogging out wood, but too slow for steel. I usually just grab my little Milwaukee 3/8" hole shooter for steel, but I often ask a bit too much of it. Been eyeballin' that Milwaukee 1/2" hole shooter for awhile.
I save the Hilti for the concrete work.
Metal drilling are always low rpms, wood are high. The milwaukee is either 750 or 850 rpms. I use it for any type of rough wood work and all metal drilling. If I were doing trim/finish work and wanted nice clean holes then I'll use a cordless on high speed or any POS high rpm wood drill I have. This is from Irwin, http://www.irwin.co.uk/safety.htm. I alway drill at lower rpms to keep the bit heat down and get them to last longer. In hard stuff like stainless, I'll start with a smaller bit and step up a few times. Lower rpms keep the heat down, increases bit life and makes a cleaner hole.
Recommended Drill Speeds
Hole Size
RPM Mild Steel
RPM Stainless Steel
3/4" - 1" / 20 mm - 25 mm
1300 - 1750
325 - 450
1" - 1-3/8" / 25 mm - 35 mm
950 - 1300
230 - 325
1-3/8" - 2" / 35 mm - 50 mm
650 - 950
160 - 230
2" - 2-1/2" / 50 mm - 65 mm
500 - 650
125 - 160
Now that's service! Thanks. See, I'm a framer.... we put the bit in and squeeze the trigger..... it either goes through the stock or it doesn't! Now I've got me an edumacation to work with and know better. Right on.
I got a nice Craftsman high-end corded drill as a gift 10 years ago and like it a lot. It has a 3/8 chuck, ball bearing mechanism, variable speed, and clips for a couple of driver bits. And a nice long 10' cord. It's much lighter than a battery powered drill with much more power. Being one of their ball-bearing models it is noticeably more powerful and smoother than their homeowner level drills.
Well, I made my purchase. I got a Milwaukee w/ 1/2" keyless chuck & replacable cord. Motor was 8A if I remember correctly. Went back to check out my old Sears Craftman drill. It was a 3A motor, much heavier than the new drill's 5.5 lbs. Balance is also wierd, now I have the new drill to compare with. How can I live w/ that old drill for all 30 years. The Milaukee is technologically superior ... well, 30 years more superior ! Got it at Home Depot for $140. 10% discount on top of that by applying for a HD credit card.
Next project ..... Drill bits ... replace or sharpen? Going to find a thread ....
Thanks all for your advice.
BillNJ
My vote is the Milwaukee 3/8" Magnum hole shooter. I've had mine for years and use it for everything.
I have a Milwaukee 302 Magnum,it maxes out at 850 rpm. As far as power the only thing that can beat it is a spade handle drill. I doubt if you will need more power than the magnum offers. They make a great single sleeve keyless chuck. Once you use one you will never want a keyed chuck again.
Good Luck
I've got that one you just bought, plus a twin look-a-like with a 3/8 chuck. These are legacy tools, you can use your new one for another 30 years and then pass it on. Don't forget to use the side handle for the bigger bits, or you'll be sorry.
I agree with the others about the cordless drills and the cordless impact drivers; I reach for them first unless I need the extra power.
Might as well treat yourself to a set of new bits while you're at it...
Dusty and Lefty
Ridgid. It's a 1/2 inch.
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