Cordless Drill Recommend please?

[Psymon]

Hi guys - want to tap into your planetary knowledge...
I have to get a hand held cordless drill/screwdriver. For doing stud walls and general stuff.
I am stearing clear of black and decker after 2 angle grinders died within a month or two of each other.

Next contenders for consideration are

A)WORX (new brand I have no idea about)
B)Challenge (new brand I have no idea about)
C)Bosch

Yes all argos brands as its the nearest shop and I really have to get on with this job today (Wife says anyway)... Time is ticking!

 

[madkayaker]

Worx is supposed to be OK but never used it my self. Green Bosch is OK for diy but lot less performance than the blue Bosch. Challenge might last one job but expect to take it back for replacement! Don'T forget the charge time can be three hours! for some of the cheaper stuff so you might be faster to drive to local screw fix get decent drill and drive back!!

 

[Bullyterrier]

Makita cordless drill/drivers are about the best. I bought a small 12v one when I was double glazing a few years ago, and it is still going strong now. I got it as it was light and well balanced in the hand. My mate had a couple of Dewalt's, they were very heavy and way over priced. I had a bosch years ago and the small 9.6 v blue bosch lasted years, I still have a bosch 24v sds drill, which is brilliant, but I think the Makita is a better cordless screwdriver.

 

[Psymon]

Wow - thanks for the rapid replies guys... Forgot about charge time! Maybe I can get it and use that as a reason to do something else today!
Wanted to do the job on Monday as I have some spare time but I had enough of the moaning...

 

[Psymon]

Sod it - just realised the local argos doesn't have them in stock anyway! Will probably look for another stockist. More research needed, Makita you say?

 

[Bullyterrier]

Yea I found my Makita to be great. They have 2 batteries, and a good charge time. Depends on what you will need it for, depends on the size. But general screw driving/drilling the 12v or 14.4v would be fine. I would thought the state the market is in at the moment you could get a good deal.

 

[Nardini]

I second the idea that Makita are probably the best out there. I kept three of mine after I retired, ten years ago - and they were not new even then. They are all working perfectly and I can still get batteries for them without any problems at all (I have had to replace just 2 of the batteries in that time).

 

[chunkolini]

Dnot buy cheapo drills, it took me years to learn this one. Very frustrating when they blow up. The last one caught fire when I was putting in dozens of screws into a workbench. Also dont buy one with NiCad bateries, they die slowly and horribly. Watch out for the battery capacity, a lot of drils have 'THREE BATERIES' yipee, but they tend to have very small capacity

I bought one of these about a year back see ebay number 180309965030 A Dewalt 14v combi drill with 2 2.6amphour Ni MH* batteries. I have abused it horribly with no problems, it even drills 10mm holes in stainless steel without to much hassle. Reccomended.

Chunko'.

NiMH=Nickel Metal Hydride whatever that is, basically they last for ages and dont stoop holding a charge like Ni Cad's

 

[irondarren]

Metabo cordless are good, the 18volt one is a real animal 65nm power, but expensive £200+

 

[daf45]

Hitachi are impressive. 10v and 14v impact drill drivers with plenty of torque, good build quality, and Li-ion batteries which charge in 20-30 mins.

I have an old dewalt with the metal 'gearbox' too, which is good (but heavy as someone said) and sadly the newer ones are built down to a price.

Please dont buy one from Argost! Also see this recent thread:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=9420&highlight=cordless+screwdriver

 

[lincoln17]

cordless

Hi there, I use the dewalts 18volt and find them good although I have had several batteries fail. I have drills, impact gun, jigsaw grinder ect. If I was replacing anything I would get Milwaukee as I have started to move over to them. Makita and Aeg are also good bets. Whatever you go for don't go for cheap, the batteries are hopeless on most cheap machines and ensure the batteries have a high AH rating. you need at least 2 AH but 3 is much better. Its also worth looking at the chargers cycle I have a 12 volt one so I can fast charge batteries in the van. I hope this is of help. Regards James

 

[ROFL2K9]

Yup, Makita all the way for me, I've used them for work, installing ductwork for the last 20 years almost (used to use the old brace before then /), they're in constant use and never let me down, the latest one is about 10 years old and still going strong. I only got this one because I wanted the newer model and the old one is still going strong in my garage! B&Q are currently doing an offer on Makita, you get a drill/driver and also a combi hammer drill, with batteries, in a case for £99! Shocking value! Dunno how long they'll be in stock though as I can imagine they'll be quite popular....

 

[zzr1200]

Psymon, check out Screwfix theres a few in Essex, depends on where your located...

 

[Garreth]

We use only Milwaukee stuff at work - V28 Li-Ion batteries.

Excellent gear but expensive. !

Garreth

 

[TechnicAl]

Has to be Bosch blue

You cant stop em

guaranteed not to break even if dropped from 2 metres high

batteries last ages

I got 2 top class drills on ebay for less than £150


If screwing timber make sure you get good screws, they are powerful enough to break the cheapo ones.

 

[Weldingartisan]

We use only Milwaukee stuff at work - V28 Li-Ion batteries.

Excellent gear but expensive. !

Garreth

I replaced my V28 tools last year (having had the van spring cleaned by some little toe rag) new recip, drill/driver, hammer drill, 4 batts 2 chargers. Since had two of the batts go down, looks like some are being made in the 'east' now. Fortunately Milwaukee do give a 2 year guarantee on batts, so they've been replaced OK. Have you had any problem with yours?

 

[Mikey D]

W/A ive had trouble with a milwaukee battery dead aftrer 3 months , that was NiMh , recently got a milwaukee impact wrench with Lithium ion and thats been fine so far ...

AS for drills id go for the new makitas 18 volt lithium ion , 20 min charge time ,

Depends how much you have to spend tho

cheers ,mike

 

[Garreth]

I replaced my V28 tools last year (having had the van spring cleaned by some little toe rag) new recip, drill/driver, hammer drill, 4 batts 2 chargers. Since had two of the batts go down, looks like some are being made in the 'east' now. Fortunately Milwaukee do give a 2 year guarantee on batts, so they've been replaced OK. Have you had any problem with yours?

No problems so far - but like you say 2 year guarantee is peace of mind. We always used Makita before but like yourself had it all pinched from a site. The Milwaukee stuff has a good range - I've got a drill, grinder, impact wrench and a Sawzall. Cant't fault them so far !

Garreth

 

[andy pen]

You could try RYOBI ONE+ Ive had mine for over a year and its great 18v and plenty of power.Was recomended to me by a couple of chippies at work and been really impressed.not as expensive as some and tough as old boots(has to be to servive me).You can build up a complete power tool set all off the same batteries and charger nice system.

 

[madkayaker]

did you get the job done then?