New drill

[Chippygeoff]

Hi Guys. I have a dewalt 12v cordless drill that I have had for many years. Sadly the two batteries are no longer holding their charge. I would like to replace the drill with a new one but not sure what to go for. It is so useful round the workshop for many little jobs, mainly drilling pilot holes and using small screws. With the new drill I would like it to be quite powerful with a good torque and I don't want to be charging it several times a day and I would like it to be fairly small as well. Any ideas anyone of what to go for.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

If you only use it in the 'shop, run it off a 12v transformer? - there's a post by CHJ somewhere that shows one. :idea:

 

[Ed Bray]

Have you tried to recondition the batteries? I did it on some old 18v ni-cad batteries for my Ryobi One+ and they still work well now after doing it over 12 months ago.

The NiCad batteries are not as good as the Lithium Ion batteries I also have for the Ryobi One+ tools. The Lithium Ion Batteries are lighter, give more torque and last longer but at the end of their charge they just suddenly die.

If you have the option and can afford it, go for Lithium Ion over either NiCad or NiMh types.

 

[Waka]

I'd go for a Festool, but then I really like their gear.
I have a couple of their drill and the youngest is 12 years old and still going strong.
Yes, I know they are expensive, but you pay for what you get.

 

[JJ1]

I went for the DeWalt DCD785 18v drill/driver and can certainly recommend it. It may possibly have been superseded by a newer model but I believe there is still stock available according to a Google search.
I've had mine for about two years now and have used it virtually every week and I have no complaints whatsoever. I've only got the one 1.5amp battery and have never really felt the need to get another one. It lasts very well and only takes 30 minutes to fully charge from empty. The drill was about £130 with the one battery, charger and case.

Recently, I decided to get a smaller, more compact model to use alongside the Dewalt. I went for the little 10.8v Bosch and find this excellent too.

 

[petermillard]

I'd say pretty much any 10.8v Li-ion drill/driver would do the jobs the OP listed; Festool CXS if you can run to it (it's excellent, 3 year warranty includes the batteries) but the 10.8s from Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee etc.. etc.. are very capable.

Pete

 

[DiscoStu]

I'm a Ryobi fan, but for 10v or so, the Bosch seems to be very nice. I had a play with one recently and was tempted to get one for the small jobs that don't need a big heavy 18v 4amp hr battery etc.

 

[Stu_2]

I'd steer clear of Bosch. I've had 2 where the chuck bearings let go. Using a CXS now, instead.

 

[powertools]

I would say that if the drill is only for use in the workshop forget the cordless and buy a mains drill. There is a massive choice at a cheaper price and you won't have the problem of failed batteries again.

 

[aesmith]

I went for the DeWalt DCD785 18v drill/driver and can certainly recommend it.

That's what I got last winter, £149 complete with two smallish (1.5Ah) batteries. I started off thinking I didn't really need 18V since my dead drill was only 14.4, but the Dewalt is actually smaller and lighter than my old drill. It was a bit more than I'd hoped to pay, but there you go, and I'm very happy with it. That exact kit is DCD785C2, there are other DCD785xx kits with for example a single 3.0Ah battery etc etc. Last time I was in B&Q they also had a cheaper Dewalt 18V kit, lower speed and not sure if it had one or two batteries but was about fifty quid less.

 

[Chippygeoff]

Many thanks guys for all the replies. A lot of food for thought there and I will certainly look at all the suggestions. Thanks again.

 

[petermillard]

I'd steer clear of Bosch. I've had 2 where the chuck bearings let go. Using a CXS now, instead.

Not disputing that you've had issues, but for balance I'd say that's unusual; I currently have four of the Bosch 10.8v drills that have been used hard without any problems at all, and have bought two others as gifts, they've been that good. Also have the CXS, so no arguments there

Cheers, Pete

 

[Stu_2]

Yep, it's a shame, as their stuff has always served me well. The little impact driver is excellent, and I still use it. I don't use a jigsaw very often, and the little green one I've had for 20 years is still working.

I guess I've been unlucky, or maybe they went through a cost-cutting phase and tried using cheaper bearings a few years ago. Either way, it put me off. Kind of glad it did, since I ended up with a CXS

 

[petermillard]

...Kind of glad it did, since I ended up with a CXS

Ah, well, every cloud, and all that.

 

[Graham Orm]

I use one for site constantly. I wouldn't consider anything but 18v minimum. I had Makita for years but their quality has slipped, now on DeWalt and happy.