Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

[dhud64]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Sears has a good bargain on a 19.2 drill or combo. kit.<br /> I got the drill, circular saw (which ROCKS), and a handheld light for under $200.<br /><br /> http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00911496000

 

[one more cast]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

My Porter Cable 12v is still going great after 5 years and I use it a lot around the house. I went with 12v to save weight because of my arthritis. My drill came with 2 batteries and a quick charger.The charge lasts a long time and recharges in maybe a half hour or so.It also came with a flashlight that I absolutely love.<br /><br /> EDIT: I just recharged a battery that was drained to the point that my flashlight was dim and it took 1 hour to fully charge.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

"Dissapointingly good"<br /><br />Yup... My dad gave me this 12 volt almost 8 years ago, still using the same pos Nicad battery. <br />Only think I hate about mine, it's LEFT HANDED. Right index finger puts the dern thing in reverse.<br /><br /><br />

Originally posted by brine:<br /> I have two b&ds that I have been trying to kill for about 10 years. They have a crappy feel and they arent bright and shiny like a dewalt but they hold a charge forever and recharge in about 40 minutes. They really are dissapointingly good. We use dewalts and milwakees at work and find them quite good.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I personally feel the Dewalts are over priced and over rated. Nothing but marketing hype. For heavy usage (contractor etc) I prefer 1)portercable 2)milwaukee 3)hitachi 4)ridgid. For home use I buy the Canadian Tire brand Mastercraft. They come with a 3 year over the counter replacement warranty which I have taken advantage of twice now. For the price you can't beat it but I would not consider them for heavy usage. Probably wouldn't last a week.

 

[coleman kayak1]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I have a craftsman 19.2v 75th anniversary drill/light combo kit. Only takes 1 hour to charge, and lasts quite a while.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

RIGID....RIGID...RIGID. <br />I know they are a bit more money, but they are guarenteed for life....even the batteries! I am not kidding. <br />I work in the hardware section of Home Depot and all my tools will now be Rigid. <br />Ryobi is alright, for a "around the house" tool, but don't depend on it to last. And do not abuse it, or it will start smoking on ya and burn out. <br />WorkForce has a combo pack too. If memory serves me correctly, there is a 18V Cordless drill, Recipicating Saw, small Circular saw, Right Angle drill, flashlight, 2 batteries and a charger. Here in a Canadian Home Depot....that goes for $99, but I am sure it is cheaper in the USA. <br />And definetely do not rely on WorkForce for too long. <br />My honest opinion...spend a another couple bucks and buy a Rigid...you will not be disappointed....and in 5 years when the battery dies, they will give you another one for free.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

dewalt, dewalt, dewalt. yellow and black is cool.<br /><br />regardless, make sure you buy the right size for the job. i see too many people buy 18v and then expect to handle it all day from a ladder and overhead. thing gets heavy.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Note: Different model numbers of same brands rate very differently.

 

[KM2]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

The black & decker 18v combo kit has worked well for me. I just use it around the house but has plenty of power and battery life.

 

[BF]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I'm doing the same thing now... trying to decide whether to go cheapo, or better quality. I wouldn't buy another craftsman... mine's 4 or so years old, 16.2 V one... I was never overly impressed with the battery life or torque.. It's seen light use... both battieries croaked, I had one redone by a local battery place... works, but barely. I paid $150 for the drill, but I would've been better off going through 2 or 3 cheapies.<br /><br />Does Makita make 2 lines? Homeowner vs. contractor grade? Cdn tire had a Makita 12V on for $110 last week. I didn't buy it when I saw it only had 1 year warranty.<br /><br />FWIW, I had a 9.6V B&D Quantum that lasted much longer than the Craftsman... It saw heavy use (built a couple decks with it), and the battery lasted much better than the craftsman's. But, their current firestorm stuff seems really cheapo to me.... I like the idea of getting a lighter one. The 16.2 started to feel heavy after a while. A 12V with good battery life would probably be about right for me I think.

 

[cart7]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I recently bought a Ryobi Sawzall, not the battery one, and it ran great. I was taking apart a deck and it didn't let me down. As for tools, I've always leaned towards Dewalt. Solid tool that feels good in my hands.... hmmmm, that doesn't sound right.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I guess it really depends what you want to use it for and what price point you are considering.<br /><br />Around the house, Ryobi, B&D etc work great and the price is reasonable for what you get. My first cordless was a B&D 14.4v. Still use it for light work. I started to use it for building decks and found that the battery lasted long enough to have the second fully charged. But on some of the longer screws, I could feel the case on the drill start to torque abit and heat up. I also found that the battery got too hot to start charging rightaway. I would have to let it sit for a half hour before the charger would accept it. Felt like I was pushing it a little too far.<br /><br />I got the DeWalt 18.0v kit last Christmas and I am very happy with the tools. Mind you if I didn't get it as a gift, I probably wouldn't have bought it. If you are using/carring them all day, they get pretty heavy. But dang are they nice.<br /><br />After speaking with some of the Reps, I found that the major differences are in the area of batteries and transmission in the the tools. Most focus on the drills because they are the most used, generally speaking. The contractor grade equipment use the best batteries and in the transmission, they use metal gears. The mid-line and lower generally do not. <br /><br />If your budget allow it, I would have to recommend Rigid products for a few reasons.<br /><br />1. The batteries have built in cooling fans. Definately used when high speed charging, not sure if they are activated when tool is being used normally.<br /><br />2. The quality is there. Metal gears are used in the transmission of the drill and the case of good\high quality impact plastic.<br /><br />3. Ridgid is a brand name of Home Depot. No warrenty issues. Just take it in and no hassle repair or replacement.<br /><br />4. Price. Better value than the high end contractor grade stuff. Just as strong.( I think ) Not as expensive. The Ridged line is ranked and marketed along side DeWalt and Milw. products.<br /><br />Just a thought.<br /><br />Buy the best that your budget will allow or that you are willing to spend. My friend bought a $40 off brand 18.0v drill and a fresh battery didn't last long enough to put in two 4 inch lag bolts that were predrilled. The batteries were on a year old.<br /><br />C04

 

[roscoe]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Best cordless drill OPTION.

 

[BF]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Brother Chris...<br /><br />I went to the homedepot.ca and it lists only a 3 yr limited service warranty on the rigid cordless drills. The idea of a lifetime warranty on the battery sounded great, but are you sure about that? Might it be only on corded tools?

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Here in the USA its just 3 year warranty on batterys.... still a great deal.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

at roscoe. I actually have one of those that was my grandpa's. It must be 60 or 70 years old and yes it really works good. The original keyless chuck. You wouldn't think you could drill a straight hole with it, but you can. I'll never get rid of it.<br /><br />brother chris, I had no idea rigid power tools were guaranteed for life! Does the same hold true in the US? Or maybe that's what you're talking about. I will definitely take a look at them now. Thanks.

 

[Marc J.]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Just checking to see if this had turned into an oil thread. I agree with B.F., the higher volt models feel heavy. A solid 12V model with a long battery life sounds good. The 12V Rigid is highly rated. Home Depot had a "special purchase" on them a while back. They sold out before I got there....no rainchecks. Bummer. Most contractors use Dewalt, that's gotta mean something.

 

[technostingray]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

At the risk of putting the Rigid company back one hundred years in TX I "gotta" say Penny for Penny (copper of steel)there is none better.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Hi Guys.<br /><br />Just reread my post. Didn't mean to sould like a PR guy. Just did a lot of looking and asking. I was on the verge of upgrading some tools and the wife surprised me with the Dewalt stuff. BTW, have a cousin that sets up cell sites in Northern Ontario and uses his 18.0v impact Milw. to drill 1/2 inch holes into Granite for seismic anchores. Says it awesome. He used to use Dewalt but it blewup on him.<br /><br />Just depends I guess...<br /><br />C04

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I have a black and decker firestorm 24V hammer drill I just picked up at lowes, on sale for $99 with a free 7.2V drill included (good for a screwdriver, not much more). <br /><br />Love it. <br /><br />Also have a Ryobi 14.4v that I've had for 8 years now and still runs like new.<br /><br />Had a 18V craftsman that I paid a good penny for, and first a battery crapped itself (after warranty) then the charger stopped charging. Found another power supply I was able to use to charge the remaining one battery, but it'll be the last craftsman cordless I buy. Love the hand tools though.