Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

[Drowned Rat]

Hi guys. I'm looking for a new cordless drill and wanted to get some opinions from you guys. I don't want to spend a fortune on it though. Home Depot has an 18V Ryobi for about $60. They also have packs of tools that all use the same battery. Tools like a small circular saw, chainsaw, sawsall, jig saw, etc... Anybody ever use these other tools in the battery powered version? Just wondering how they perform. Are they even worth having? Also what're your thoughts on Ryobi? A local auto parts store has a 19.2V Kawasaki kit that has a drill, and some other tools too. I'm sure Kawasaki doesn't actually make it, but it looks like well made stuff. Meanwhile I'm drooling over the Milwaukee stuff and the De-Walt stuff, but Dang! It's pricey.<br /><br />Any thoughts? Thanks for your time.<br /><br />DR

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I bought the Harbor freight model for like $39. It does the job and if I break it, I can buy a new one and still be ahead. The battery lasts for a long time and charges in an hour. I found that the speed control is not as precise as other more expensive models, but that is not a big deal to me..

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

We have has both Milwaukee, Dewalt and Ryobi. Milwaukee was the best by far but the Ryobi for the price is not too shabby. Just be sure to get two battery packs.

 

[JB]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I think this is one type tool where top quality is really worth top price.<br /><br />Mine is a DeWalt, but I think the Milwaukee is an even better value. Had some brand X and they always let me down at the worst possible time.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I like Makita.Charlie

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I needed a new cordless jigsaw, the local store had an 18v kit that contained jigsaw, recipricating saw, drill, torch & 3 batteries - all for $80.00. Yep, chinese GMC. The batteries are not 'quick charge' and they only last about 1/2 hour but the tools work great and they have never let me down (so far!), and they have a 3 year replacement warranty. The recipricating saw is brilliant.<br /><br />I'd love to buy dewalt but the bank balance won't let me .<br /><br />Aldo

 

[ndemge]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Milwaulkee drill is the most amazing I have used.<br /><br />will spin the nuts off a rhino in .2 seconds.

 

[dtherrien]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Stay away from cheap tools no matter what it is.The ryobi- there whole line- is good value for home owner use and light professional use.All of your major brands...makita,portercable,panisonic,hitachi-(another good value), millwakie, bosch...personally i dont care for dewalt tools.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Here's a 3/2005 consumer article that may help. It really depends on your level of use (trades, home use, etc.).<br /><br /> http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/cordless-drill-reviews/fullstory.html <br /><br /><br />I'm still enjoying my 1996 Dewalt 12 volt. It has enough power for most of my jobs and recharges fine on the original 2 battery packs. I've abused and used it. Today the 12 and 14 volt units are bargains and a lot less weight. The 18 volts are nice if you need big power.<br /><br />Stay away from consumer and cheap import junk. You'll cuss them everytime you use them and end up buying something better down the road. With a tool like this it pays to buy quality. You'll have it the rest of your life if you do. Milwaulkee, Dewalt, Makita, Hitachi, Bosch, Sears, etc....

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I have a 12v Skil that I gutted and filled with 14.4v lithium ion batteries. The extra voltage really adds alot of power and the lithium batteries last longer. They're lighter weight too!<br /><br />I've heard that these are good drills. For the price you could buy a new one every year...or have several spares. I want to buy one but I can't justify buying a 6th drill. <br /><br />Whatever brand and model you get, it's cheaper on ebay than anywhere else.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

We've gone through a lot of cordless tools in the last five years. Porter Cable, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Ridgid, Makita, Panasonic. The Porter Cables are by far the toughest tools we've had. Makita is my personal favorite with the NMh batteries that last forever. I've had a lot of trouble with Milwaukees for some reason although I like the feel of them. DeWalts are good but feel a little cheap compared to the above, though we've not killed a DeWalt tool yet. Ridgid tools are allright but pretty clunky and heavy I think and generally lower in quality than the above. And the boss loves Panasonic.<br /><br />I'd buy another Makita in a heartbeat. I've been tempted to buy some of the Ryobi tools in the past because they look like a bargain but we'd destroy them quickly I'm sure.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Thanks for all the great advice guys. I was contemplating buying the tool "pack" with a variety of things, but I already have all those tools with cords. I think I'll pool my money and buy a really nice drill, maybe the Milwaukee if I can talk the Missus into it. I'll check ebay too like ZM suggested.<br /><br />Thanks guys!

 

[Pony]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I bought one of those cordless packs from Black and Decker.....It came with a drill, mouse sander with conversion kit to orbital, jigsaw, and work light (all 18 volts) It came with two batteries. Bought it on clearance for 35$. Each battery is worth 40$ and the drill alone is 60$. I love the drill. 18 volts packs quite a punch.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I use the dewalt 18volt,drill and sawzall i love the sawzall for plumbing you can cut pipes and not worry about getting electricuted.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I will also give my 2nd $.02<br /><br />For my own business I would buy the Milwaulkee.<br /><br />For my own garage and my personal finacial situation... It wouldn't happen. <br /><br />I have Riyobi 12 Volt, and a *shudder* Black and decker 12volt.... the B&D has twice the battery duration. Get yourself the 18volt for the power, Get anything but the harbor freight special, they are good for a few screws or holes, but not much more.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

I got the full Ryobi kit for Christmas last year. 18 volt/2 battery packs/5" circular saw/vacume/light/sawzsall/drill +++ and have been very satisfied with it.

 

[brine]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

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.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Stay away from Milwaulkee 14.4 volt drills, killed 3 or 4 of them last year, only had them for 6 months or so. Milwaulkee 18v kit we have is awesome, their 14.4 drills are just cheap.<br /><br />Cant kill the Dewalt 14.4 volt. Ryobi 18 volt has been a great kit as well and has outlasted the Milwaulkee 14.4 drill line.<br /><br />I work for one of new englands largest electrical contractors so I get to play around with a wide range of tools depending upon the job site, just letting you know my thoughts.<br /><br />If I was to buy a new drill? Milwaulkee 18V with hammer option <br /><br />I want to try the new Ridgid line, their corded tools are nice.<br /><br />-John

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

Aren't B&D and deWalts drills the same or same w/ minor differences?<br />Perhaps brine could order up some pretty yellow housings for his old drills.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Cordless drill Got a Rigid!

b&d are made in the same place and the batterys are interchangeable on some modle