Cordless drill/driver

[artie]

For many years now I have been using a dewalt 12v. Nice and light and handy.

BUT the batteries seem to be the weak spot.

I am at the point now where I need two new batteries, so I am considering my options.

Should I move to a costlier make. Open to advice.

 

[Bod]

Look out for deals.
Its often as cheap to buy a new drill with 2 batteries, as to buy just the batteries on their own!
Having the old ones recelled is often no cheaper than new.

Bod

 

[paulm]

Hi Artie, might depend on how often you use the drill and what for, trade, occasional diy etc?

Cheers, Paul

 

[artie]

Look out for deals.
Its often as cheap to buy a new drill with 2 batteries, as to buy just the batteries on their own!
Having the old ones recelled is often no cheaper than new.

Bod

I thought about re celling them as you say, but good quality cells are just as expensive

 

[artie]

Hi Artie, might depend on how often you use the drill and what for, trade, occasional diy etc?

Cheers, Paul

I use it in my work for driving mostly 3 by 60 wood screws but it doesn't get used everyday,

 

[paulm]

I bit the bullet recently and changed from my old 12v NiMh Makita gear as the batteries were dying on me. Loved the kit and had a fair few batteries and other tools to work with them too, so it was something I kept putting off.

Decided to go with the Bosch blue stuff this time, liked the current li-ion battery tech they have, led worklight, case system etc, but you'll find supporters of all the different main brands, it's almost down to just personal preference really.

What has been a revelation for me since changing though is the lightness of the new batteries and with the 4.0 amphr ones just how long they last in use, and how quickly they recharge.

Very glad I made the change now and can just pick up the tool and use it without worrying about the battery state. I've added some other naked tools as well to get the most benefit from the batteries, and well pleased with the Bosch stuff so far.

Cheers, Paul

 

[DiscoStu]

I had the same Makita 12v Nicad. I moved to Ryobi 18v Li on. I have 4 batteries and about a dozen tools. It's a great system. The impact driver is stunningly good and costs about £59 without a battery. I didn't think the original green jigsaw was great but they have recently replaced that. I'd also say the chucks are better than my Makita one.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I can echo Paul's Bosch experience except with Makita 18v. I also waited and waited until Li-ion was well established and sensible price then jumped. I would have naturally gone Dewalt as they were my preference before but they were a lot more expensive and didnt have half the naked tools that Makita have in their range. Since going 18v Li-ion I too have been amazed at the leaps forward in the battery technology which makes life a hell of a lot more convenient. Two other naked tools I wouldn't be without now are the blower and the mini vacuum. Each has become indispensable.

I'm also exceedingly impressed with the little 10.8V tools. The torque on those diddy little drivers is stunning......way more than you expect. I'm yet to own one myself but I will get one for generally bench screw driving because they're easily good enough, power wise and very light and easy to use.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I have an 18v Hitachi with Li ion batteries - they are only 1.5ah, but unless you're using it hour after hour that doesn't matter. It's fine. £90 a couple of years ago.

 

[artie]

Thanks guys,

Is anyone else of the opinion that the "brand name" that you buy in B&Q is not of the same quality that you buy at the "brand name" main dealer

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The stuff that's sold cheap is usually made specifically for that purpose (plastic gearboxes and so on). You have to weigh up the price against the intended usage. My Hitachi is fine because I don't use it much and I have a DeWalt SDS for anything heavy.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Hitachi used to be known for very good tools. I don't know if that's changed recently but there was a time when Hitachi power tools were well respected by the professionals. It wasn't always dewalt on site!

 

[paulm]

Thanks guys,

Is anyone else of the opinion that the "brand name" that you buy in B&Q is not of the same quality that you buy at the "brand name" main dealer

Some brand names have different ranges for different markets if that's what you mean Artie ?

An easy example is the sheds tend to stock Bosch "green" tools for the diy market, perfectly adequate for occasional diy use but a different quality of product to the Bosch "blue" range aimed t professionals using their tools all day every day. Even within the Bosch blue ranges there are different specifications of cordless drill/driver for example, can get quite confusing !

Other brands may do similar, but Bosch came easily to mind because of the distinct green/blue approach.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Have a look here for a guide to buying a DeWalt drill and here for a guide to buying a Makita drill.

Richard at ITS has done an excellent job.

I hope that helps.

Neil

 

[rafezetter]

If I may sort of hijack this thread - a builder friend has asked if I can get feedback on the state of quality of new DeWalt batteries. His last set were made in Mexico and lasted 14 years (so he says) and he's a little concerned about buying a new set, at least 5, and how they will last by comparison.

I did say 14 years is unbeleiveable reliability and that nothing will match that now, but he insisted I ask Can anyone weigh in on this please? Usage would be heavy, full professional, every day.

 

[Doug B]

14 years would take you back to nicad batteries, what was he getting in the end 6 revs per hour.

I bought a Festool cordless drill a few years back, I've been very impressed & have just ordered my third drill this time it has a 5.2 Ah battery & is brushless so looking forward to seeing how that performs.

That said I also bought a set of Makita brushless drills about a year ago & I've not had any complaints about them. Though it is a concern as to how long Makita will keep making the 3Ah 18v batteries as I have quite a few tools in that range but their new batteries won't fit the old tools

 

[artie]

I was using DEWALT 12V for a number of years with their 2 ah xr I think was the designation.

None lasted more than two years.

A point of clarification, I considered them useless when they wouldn't drive more than 25 60mm by 4 screws on a charge.

 

[artie]

I bought the 10.8v Li on to replace the old 12v it seems to have similar power but feels like it is much better made.

Haven't had a chance to see how the batts hold up yet.

 

[Mar_mite]

I bought a 14.4v dewalt impact and driver set from screwfix for £200. Got them because my brother inlaw (home DIY user) has them and I was very impressed. They are lovely drills, but the 1.5ah batteries are awful. I now need to invest in the 4ah batteries. Looks like it was a false economy buying a cheap set.

 

[No skills]

Just buy one 4ah battery for now, depending on what you use the most (drill or driver) stick the big battery on that and use the 1.5's for the other one.

FWIW