drill advice

[embee]

Originally Posted by Razor

I stick with Bosch and Dewalt. Why buy cheap and replace it when it keeps breaking?

My choice is Makita or Bosch.

Have a look here for a start, or maybe here .

The first decision is will you want to drill masonry (hammer action), in which case you'll want a "combi". If not then don't waste money, and stick with a drill/driver. Cordless drilling in masonry is limited anyway, so unless it's a real feature requirement don't bother, get a corded (mains) SDS+ drill for that.

More Volts is generally better, but I'd put a 12V Makita against an 18V cheapo any day. Battery capacity depends on how many holes you want per charge, the more Volts the less Amp-hours you can get away with.
12V and 1.3Ah is a bit mean really, but for occasionaql use you can live with it.


Check out the price of batteries, they are the biggest cost, but having said that good makes will last well. I'm about to get a new combi because my 6yr old Metabo (which I got cheap in Austria and gets plenty of use) has killed a battery, and it's more cost effective to get a complete new drill set than replace one battery for an old machine.

Hey dpn't throw away the old drill. Stick some wires out from the battery connections and plug them to a car/bike battery. Its great to use in the shed if you've got no electricity there. I'm using an old bike battery which is great as its light and portable. Will go on for ages!

so...what do you think of this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/24V-HAMMER-DRI...QQcmdZViewItem

just for very light DIY work.......... go for about £25

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I think it depends, if you're going to be drilling two or three holes in a few bits of wood, then IMHO theres no point spending out for Bosch or Dewalt, its just a waste of money to leave it sat in your toolbox, when a own brand one will do the same job and costs less.

i must agree with fizzwheel on this one, i've got a cordless drill/screw driver that cost me £19.99 and ive had it ages and it does everything i want it to do, if i needed it as a daily trade tool then yes i would buy an expencive brand.

[fizzwheel]

Razor and Matt, hey don't blame me product selection is not my bag

You're right though our cheap stuff is just that its cheap i.e rubbish.

[squirrel_hunter]

Was in Tescos the other night and they have some drills (and other DIY stuff) for under £10.

Been thinking about one of the vices and a drill for my garage. The vice would be very useful and the drill will save my Dremmal from what I've got planned...

And at the end of the day your not going to need a power drill alot (unless your a builder) so if it doesn't last that long you haven't wasted much and if it does you've saved alot?

[northwind]

Makita would be my choice, but not cheap. So I use a Black and Decker 18V cordless drill as a sort of massive electric screwdriver- it'll also do wood, I wouldn't even attempt any serious metal with it- and my antique black and decker mains drill for proper work- it's about 15 years old but still works a charm.

TBH for light DIY work around the house I would go for the cheap Tesco/B&Q/Screwfix/e-bay stuff because even if it only lasts 12 months, you're still quids in. Dewalt, Makita, Bosch, etc are good stuff but if its just going to sit in the shed or garage then theres no point to spending all that money. A mate of mine is a carpenter and he swears by the the B&Q stuff.

[Sid Squid]

Unless you really really need a cordless because of where you'll be working don't get one, no matter what you spend a mains drill almost certainly will be more use and won't be flat when you need it, and the batteries, (again no matter what you spend), will have a certain life, and the more sparing their use the shorter that will be.

[embee]

How about this?