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I am looking to replace an old Craftsman cordless drill. I am an active DIYer, woodworker and sometimes carpenter repairman. All of you on Breaktime have tool experience beyond mine and I would like to here your vote for a “last one” purchase. I presently use a Milwaukee 3/8″ Hole Shooter as my corded utility tool for drilling and driving. The cordless tool will supplement the Hole Shooter. Also, on the memory effect, do I need to look for any clues on the package, or are all NiCad batteries exempt from the memory thing? Thanks!
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I've been real happy with the DeWalt 14.4, which I bought reconditioned from Harbor Freight Tools. It was lighter than the 18 volt, and works very well. The only thing I don't use it for is drilling any plug hole 3/4" or larger in diameter. You really, really need two batteries. The quick-flip drill/driver bit helps, as does a drill holster.
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Ditto DeWalt. I went with the 12 volt and haven't ever wished I'd gotten a bigger one. Now, if I ever get out my old original 9.6 Makita, (a damn good tool) it feels like I have a club in my hand.
*I use the Bosch 3615 14.4 volt. They are in the latest Harbor catalog reconditioned for 89.95 with a case, charger and battery. It is lighter and better balanced than the dewalt which I have used along side it. No matter what you do get a good holster to use with it and tie a lanyard to the drill so if it does fall it will only fall so far--
*I use a 12V Skil that I bought back when it was the biggest you could get and it has always had enough power.I am thinking about getting on e of those wimpy but light jobs from sears(I think they are about 7v)They only cost $40 or so and that price who cares if I drop it off a roof while zip screwing gutter?
*Major agreement on the Bosch 14.4, when they were introduced, the Bosch Cordless had drivetrain problems, and would slip into neutral when overstressed in the non-clutch (drill) mode.The new models have that beat, and most DeWalt owners are willing to "test" my Bosch for a few hours...I drill up to 4" holes using a Starret Hole Saw.A bit much, but when you're working ahead of the electricity...
*I also like the Bosch drill, but I question the concept of this being your "last one," unless you're in your nineties or have a terminal illness. Cordless tools just aren't lifelong like some corded ones will be, plus today's hot 14.4 volt drill will be considered weak in a few years. Only major complaint with the Bosch is that the forward/reverse switch is easily bumped into neutral. The recharging station works handily, something that Milwaukee and Makita haven't figured out yet.
*I think that it is possible for a tool like the Bosch to be a lifetime tool for a casual user. I still have my original 7.2 volt Ryobi that I got about 14 years ago that still works last time I ran across it and pulled the trigger. I agree that there will be a better cordless drill available in the near future and another one after that but planned obsolescense does not mean as much if a tool is only used on an as needed basis, rather than as a part of how you make a living day after day. Two batteries and a charger are good for casual to moderate use, but if you really want to get the most out of your Bosch spend the extra $100 for the Fuzzy Logic charger. It charges a battery in under 15 minutes at a cyclic rate that will prolong the life of the battery. One other part of the cordless drill repetoire that I highly recommend is a magnetic tip holder that has a sleeve. The stubby model is fine and it sure saves on the bandaids. They are made by Craftsman, Dewalt and Makita but the one I like the best is the new one Makita is making that has a copper colored sleeve with knurling on it. The other ones get sticky after hard use.
*No one mentioned Panasonic - seems like every electrician has one. Maybe it's becasue they have the charger board all set up to plug in on site - no panasonic, no fast charger already set up.Look at the battery packs. The manufacturers are now coming out with 2 Amp-Hour batteries. They all used to be 1 Amp-Hour. The cheap kits at the home centers are usually 1 amp hour. The 2 A-H batteries allow you to have twice the torque, or drill twice as long for the same weight. A friend in the tool biz thinks you will see a shift away from 18 volt now that the 2 A-H batteries are getting better. He sees alot of 14.4 and 15.6 volt in the future.-Rob
*One vote for the Porter Cable pistol grip 12v, excellent tool. I'm driving screws with it mostly; couldn't ever get on with the t-handles.
*I'm with you there,Adrian. I do not understand the t-handle appeal and had to look all over for a pistol grip.
*lonecat, I had to special order mine. I went to a toolshow a couple of years back, the reps were all really pushing t-handles. When I ever so politely told them i thought they were crap for my purposes, a couple of them from different companies said it was mostly the DIY market was driving the whole thing.I hope some makers continue to offer a choice.
*I prefer the pistol grip too in the heavy duty tools. I went with the 12V DeWalt because of the right angle drill and the drywall drivers which are only both made in 12V. I have the 12V saw too. It is the only tool of the bunch that I wish had more power.My most used cordless tool is the $99 Makita single range variable speed 9.6v red battery drill. It allmost allways has a 1/8" pilot bit in it but I have driven a few 3" deck screws with it in a pinch. Light and small and well balanced. I like the origional version with the front battery clip better than the newer version with the side buttons.By the way, Makita came out with a 2.0 AH stick battery for the old 9.6v drills. Needs a different charger thou.
*But the saw has the blade on the wrong side! When I grab one, I just have to put it down. Years ago I accumulated the whole range of Makita 9.6 tools, and they will not die. The most useful may be the little backnforth saw. It has cut miles off sheetrock, metal plastic plaster oak. Been dropped 5 hundrred times.
*I've gotten good service from my 12V DeWalt. Yes two batteries and a charger are a must. As long as you have power available (i.e. you're not working on the boat or at the fishing camp) Your Milwaukee will do any really heavy work the 12V cordelss won't.
*My Lefty sister uses my right blade porter-cable and I use her left side blade one.Actually I prefer a left blade for sheet goods and a right blade for lumber.
*Last year my 1/2" hole shooter went belly up again and the technician told me "bearings, armature, who knows" I finally had an excuse to buy a cordless. Bought the 18 volt Dewalt an love it. Ballanced great and works forever between charges - also worth noting is the reciprocating and circular saws that use the same batteries and you can purchase the whole bunch for 400.00 or something.
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I am looking to replace an old Craftsman cordless drill. I am an active DIYer, woodworker and sometimes carpenter repairman. All of you on Breaktime have tool experience beyond mine and I would like to here your vote for a "last one" purchase. I presently use a Milwaukee 3/8" Hole Shooter as my corded utility tool for drilling and driving. The cordless tool will supplement the Hole Shooter. Also, on the memory effect, do I need to look for any clues on the package, or are all NiCad batteries exempt from the memory thing? Thanks!
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Another vote for the 12v Porter Cable pistol grip ..... nice combination of power and weight.... don't like t- handles either.