Cordless drill recommendations

[TurtleDude]

Turtle,

Yeah, I think I found out the expensive way. Still can't get over the "rated for 13mm in masonry". Must be for sandstone or limestone or something similar.

Correct Richie.

They're good 'carry aboot' tools for general work. The second I see any serious drilling application I sling it in the Tote bag and plug in the SDS (makita) or my old (proper) Bosch corded. The Maks do 99.9% of anything I do now.

Golden rule for me is when it's called a drill/driver I weigh this promise up 30/70.

 

[DanielW]

prove it
View attachment 68484

look at the yellow bar just above your avatar.....its the timing. tsk! ruddy amatuer. ...or is it amature?

 

[TurtleDude]

look at the yellow bar just above your avatar.....its the timing. tsk! ruddy amatuer. ...or is it amature?

Amateur.

A mate u r

 

[the snooper]

look at the yellow bar just above your avatar.....its the timing. tsk! ruddy amatuer. ...or is it amature?

nope that's the time of the post, you get so long to edit without it logging the time of the edit, after that period it states, last edited at, ruddy amateur.

 

[TurtleDude]

Back on track.

If I was going to use the drill every day for work, I'd buy an 18v Makita

If I was going to use it a few times a year.....




I'd buy a Makita (on offer) with as many batteries as I can score and start building a collection of Makita cordless tools.

I'm a fussy beggar and I love mine.

If I didnt buy Makita from the start, I'd have Metabo. But I'm in too deep now.

Makita are better value, Metabo (marginally) better quality IMHO.

We're splitting hairs here for a guy who admittedly wants to put the odd shelf up, so I'm out.

 

[ukracer]

You could try the battery restore technique with a mig welder

Which is???

 

[ukracer]

My 18 volt makitas actually snap the drill bits before stalling .....the old band q type. Batteries are still strong but don't last now. Tried a mikwaukee last week.......awesome piece of kit.

 

[Maker]

Which is???

Take the drive roller off and blast loads of amps through it to vaporize something* that "grow" inside.

I forgot what they're called but they're detrimental.

 

[normspanners]

Oi old man take a look at the edited version.

KARM DOWN---KARM DOWN--- ya trackie bottoms L'L pod outta ya socks at this rate.

prove it

will you boys play nice------ or you will have to come in, and have no joy riding, for a week !!

 

[Pete.]

One thing to remember with battery-powered drills is that you shouldn't try 'getting that last screw in' by running them down dead flat. The weakest cell in the pack can get reverse-charged doing this and then it's curtains for the whole battery.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Oops, I've been doing that for years!

Just a thought - not only have they suffered knocks, but one of my Makita's was used to crank a heavy engine without being shown any mercy, there was smoke pouring out of the thing before it was halted.
Still going perfect, years later.

I've also had many times when I thought my wrist was going to be broken when bits snagged. And snapping 13mm steel drill bits is something I've done on enough occasions.

 

[Gareth J]

One thing to remember with battery-powered drills is that you shouldn't try 'getting that last screw in' by running them down dead flat. The weakest cell in the pack can get reverse-charged doing this and then it's curtains for the whole battery.

Think that's the case with li-ion and NiMH batteries, they like to be kept in the mid range and never allowed to fully drain.

Ni-cads on the other hand like to be deep cycled - fully discharged and immediately recharged fully to minimise "memory" effect.

There are loads of online articles that explain the different types, optimum conditions and why. Worth reading up when you get a new bit of kit while you still care enough to care

 

[fixerupper]

I've had a few cordless drills ,I started with a Makita I had two of those still got one of 'em must be 20 years old,I bought a Wicks one worked well loads of power let down by the batteries....when I started working on this house but still living in the UK I bought a Einhell from a local shop total rubbish nuff said ...
Last year I was working in the UK and popped into Screwfix for some bitts and bobs and bought a Hitachi with two Li-ion batteries special offer £99 ...and it's great .....jeff...Edit with the Li-ion how can you tell when it's gonna run out..... with my Hitachi it's on full power and speed then it just stops ....

 

[DecK]

Not too impressed at the moment with Milwaukee. Coughed up for an 18V drill and compact impact gun and the drill popped its clogs inside the warranty period and was replaced so fair enough I thought. Impact gun bit the dust during the week. Never dropped and any nut its ever taken off was loosened first. Carrying it back to where I got it tomorrow but I know its outside warranty so not holding out much hope.

 

[normspanners]

Just a thought - not only have they suffered knocks, but one of my Makita's was used to crank a heavy engine without being shown any mercy, there was smoke pouring out of the thing before it was halted.
Still going perfect, years later.

Ha we where totally becalmed at Cowes one year, we could see the wind on the water a little way off, but you are not allowed to row or start your engine, so I got the makita on the crank pulley with a socket, held the de-comp in on the yanmar and cranked us to the wind

 

[TAITSIE]

I have a Milwaukee 1/2 impact gun and found it really good and battery life is great, going back to drills I have both Bosch pro and Hitachi both good.
The Hitachi is a about 6 or 7 seven years old now and has had a replacement chuck last year, one of the batteries is failing but the other is ok.

 

[Kent]

My 24v *cough - (whispers Rolson) - cough* cordless hammer drill batteries are on their way out and though the drill itself still works ok, rebuilding them is not likely to be cost-effective given the prices of half-decent drills now.
Anyone got any recommendations for a replacement , ideally with two batteries for around £50-60?
It's something I use fairly rarely but it's still handy to have around.
Lack of use probably hasn't helped with the battery life to be honest.

Bang on, if you don't use such an item real regular the batteries go duff. Are we talking SDS / SDS+ here or just the std drill driver with hammer setting?. If its the former get a plug in for sure, the latter if the batteries are too dear to replace Makita but look out for sly tricks with all makes were they add a little lug and the like to stop people being able to use their "older model batteries" often it just takes a few seconds to un-modify them

 

[TAITSIE]

I have a CP 3/8 18v impact gun and found that the batteries were very expensive, after a bit of research found that some of the Milwaukee batteries fitted and were about a third of the price.

 

[pedrobedro]

Can't fault my makita 18v 6390. Was £100 with a case full of associated bits from b&q about 7 years ago. They cost more than that brand new now so I don't know how they were on such a decent offer.

I got one from Axminster tools for £98 and it's still going strong and batteries hold charge well. Older Nicad but still good.

 

[Richard.]

Oops, I've been doing that for years!

Just a thought - not only have they suffered knocks, but one of my Makita's was used to crank a heavy engine without being shown any mercy, there was smoke pouring out of the thing before it was halted.
Still going perfect, years later.

I've also had many times when I thought my wrist was going to be broken when bits snagged. And snapping 13mm steel drill bits is something I've done on enough occasions.

Ha ha me n all
That last screw regularly gets wrenched up with the last living drop of the battery.
The spare is nearly always flat too
I have an 18volt Bosch which is pretty good. I'd love a Milwaukee.