De Walt DC100KA 18v

[peter99]

That metabo looks good though smudger, 2x2 amp batteries and a 15 min charge time and conditioner for £160, +metabo is really good stuff. I know it looks all plain and ordinary but then so does a screw

 

[Smudger]

Thanks all, but I'm sticking to my budget! (I want a new iPod amongst other things, and I've just bought a new telly. I'm a pensioner you know!)

My first thought is to get the Axminster (cheap and good reviews) and keep back the hammer action Bosch for if I ever need it. Either that or use a hand drill in the workshed! If I find I really need hammer action I can get a larger Axminster, or use my corded Bosch, which is old but excellent.

Or go back to the DeWalt. Or possibly keep the Bosch drills and buy new batteries...

Or give up woodwork and take up macramé.

In general I'm as confused as hell now.

 

[RogerS]

Dick, I've got a range of battery drills. 18v gives you more torque and often can take a larger max drill size. My 14.4 v Makita won't take 1/2" drills nor does it have a hammer action. But it is light and easy to use. But for heavy duty work I turn to my 18v Bosch.

I have both 1.3Ah and 2Ah batteries in the makita and to be honest don't really notice any difference between charge duration. My usage is similar to yours, I'd guess. Both NI-MH

The trouble with my Bosch is that the batteries are oldish Nicads and have the same problems that you're getting. Nicads are great when new but over time develop memory effect etc. They develop little tendrils or whatever that grow between the cells and this gradually discharges them if left unused. One suggestion has been to 'flash' them...saw it in another UKW thread somewhere....or to keep them on a slow (few mA) trickle charge when in storage.

I reckon that Axminster is underpowered Chaiwanese tat. For a few quid more, Screwfix have the 14.4 Makita on offer (but unsure if this model has hammer action).

 

[filsgreen]

I've just got one for Xmas Smudger, i think it's good value for the money. I'm not a builder it's only for DIY, but at that price can you go wrong? Incidentally the electrician who works in the hospital I work in has just done a few jobs for me around the house and he uses it; he said that it is good enough for him. He had to drill into brick to put up a shower and although it was slow compared to a corded drill, it still did the job.

Phil

PS I've got a 10% voucher if you want another £10 off, I bought a set of DeWalt masonry bits with the discount

 

[gidon]

PS I've got a 10% voucher if you want another £10 off, I bought a set of DeWalt masonry bits with the discount

Just sign up to the email newsletter and you get 10% discounts constantly!

Cheers

Gidon

 

[filsgreen]

Every third day Gidon

 

[Jake]

Dick, I've got a range of battery drills. 18v gives you more torque and often can take a larger max drill size.

Probably true in most cases comparing like with like (eg same manufacturer) and a reasonable rule of thumb, but there is no reason a 12V tool cannot be as powerful as a 18V tool, it just requires more current from the battery (i.e. better batteries).

Voltage used to be a better guide when everyone used more or less the same sub-C NiCads with more or less the same current capacity, so adding current capacity meant adding more cells and upping the voltage supplied. These days, batteries are much more capable at delivering high current - if you pay for it - so the rule of thumb is less useful.

 

[RogerS]

Good point, Jake.

The other 'nice to have' I forgot to mention is the ability to remain stable and upright when you put it down as opposed to falling over and snapping the bit.