cordless drill recommendation

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:04 pm

I'd like to get a new cordless drill to double duty for house work and autox. Some of the web reviews I've seen are as old as '08 and I don't have a consumers report account. What do you guys like or what have you read about in regard to cordless drills? This will be a Christmas present and I need to keep cost to $200 or less. I did read on consumersearch where they liked the Makita BDF452HW and it's in my price range.

Also, I need to get rid of 2 old drills. They work, but the batteries are done and don't hold a charge. What's the best way to dump these short of a yard sale? Don't really want to chunk them, but maybe recycle them. 2 replacement batteries are $100+ so, not interested in buying replacements when a few more coins will buy you an updated drill.

Let me know what you like and any reviews you're read please.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Not exactly what you're asking for, but I have this kit and love love love it. The little impact gun is probably the most useful tool I own.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_306201-67702-KC ... facetInfo=

I decided long ago that my drill and impact gun need to use the same batteries, makes life really easy. Go Li-Ion

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:18 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

I'd like to get a new cordless drill to double duty for house work and autox. Some of the web reviews I've seen are as old as '08 and I don't have a consumers report account. What do you guys like or what have you read about in regard to cordless drills? This will be a Christmas present and I need to keep cost to $200 or less. I did read on consumersearch where they liked the Makita BDF452HW and it's in my price range.

Also, I need to get rid of 2 old drills. They work, but the batteries are done and don't hold a charge. What's the best way to dump these short of a yard sale? Don't really want to chunk them, but maybe recycle them. 2 replacement batteries are $100+ so, not interested in buying replacements when a few more coins will buy you an updated drill.

Let me know what you like and any reviews you're read please.

Another option for you Rodney - take the batteries to a Batteries Plus and see if they'll rebuild them for you. Some of the tool batteries are not rebuildable, but some are. If they can rebuild, it should underprice new batteries or a new drill by a good margin.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:19 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

Not exactly what you're asking for, but I have this kit and love love love it. The little impact gun is probably the most useful tool I own.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_306201-67702-KC ... facetInfo=

I decided long ago that my drill and impact gun need to use the same batteries, makes life really easy. Go Li-Ion

Will that impact gun bust off lugnuts?

I will concur, go Li-Ion, they are that good.

I have this impact Wrench and it has yet to not laugh at anything I have thrown at it.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-prof ... 929297000P

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:06 pm

That thing looks stout! ^^^

I usually use my $12 HF torque wrench as a breaker (a big no-no of course) and my old 18V Dewalt variable speed drill which isn't the best option.

Not to hijack, but are there sub $200 impacts that do it all, breaking lugnuts loose and install them without over tightening?

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:41 pm

Matt McGrain wrote:

That thing looks stout! ^^^

I usually use my $12 HF torque wrench as a breaker (a big no-no of course) and my old 18V Dewalt variable speed drill which isn't the best option.

Not to hijack, but are there sub $200 impacts that do it all, breaking lugnuts loose and install them without over tightening?

I got it at a semi-local Sears as an open box for ~$120, check the searsoutlet website, they pop up from time to time, as does ebay.

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:56 pm

I have the Dewalt from Toolup

http://www.toolup.com/dewalt_dw059b_12- ... -tool.aspx

Right now it is $99.99 without a battery - you can't beat that. I rotated four tires yesteday (and the battery wasn't fully charged). It removes the lugnuts no problem then I use it to just zip the nuts back on kinda hand tight - then use my torque wrench. I bring it to autocrosses and it works perfectly.

I have serveral other 18V dewalt tools - sharing the battery packs was key for me.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:34 pm

I don't have the Hitachi impact but I have the drill that comes with that set. I've only used it to replace a storm door but it's a very nice unit. I took the old door off and hung the new one on a single charge.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:45 pm

Cash Davidson wrote:

I have the Dewalt from Toolup

http://www.toolup.com/dewalt_dw059b_12- ... -tool.aspx

Right now it is $99.99 without a battery - you can't beat that. I rotated four tires yesteday (and the battery wasn't fully charged). It removes the lugnuts no problem then I use it to just zip the nuts back on kinda hand tight - then use my torque wrench. I bring it to autocrosses and it works perfectly.

I have serveral other 18V dewalt tools - sharing the battery packs was key for me.

Ditto for me. I have the 18V Dewalt drill as well and the battery sharing is indeed nice.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:18 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Cash Davidson wrote:

I have the Dewalt from Toolup

http://www.toolup.com/dewalt_dw059b_12- ... -tool.aspx

Right now it is $99.99 without a battery - you can't beat that. I rotated four tires yesteday (and the battery wasn't fully charged). It removes the lugnuts no problem then I use it to just zip the nuts back on kinda hand tight - then use my torque wrench. I bring it to autocrosses and it works perfectly.

I have serveral other 18V dewalt tools - sharing the battery packs was key for me.

Ditto for me. I have the 18V Dewalt drill as well and the battery sharing is indeed nice.

Agreed. Love my DeWalt drills et al. Worth the price premium.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Ryan Holton wrote:

MikeWhitney wrote:

Not exactly what you're asking for, but I have this kit and love love love it. The little impact gun is probably the most useful tool I own.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_306201-67702-KC ... facetInfo=

I decided long ago that my drill and impact gun need to use the same batteries, makes life really easy. Go Li-Ion

Will that impact gun bust off lugnuts?

98% of the time, yes, it will crack lug nuts. It's at least as strong as my old 24v NiCd cheapie impact guns. Best thing about the Hitachi is how small and light it is. I grab it 75% of the time I need to spin anything on or off.

Mark Senior has one, I used it, and bought one the next week, then Rob used mine and bought one too. At the kit price with 2 batteries, it's hard to beat.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:11 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

Ryan Holton wrote:

MikeWhitney wrote:

Not exactly what you're asking for, but I have this kit and love love love it. The little impact gun is probably the most useful tool I own.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_306201-67702-KC ... facetInfo=

I decided long ago that my drill and impact gun need to use the same batteries, makes life really easy. Go Li-Ion

Will that impact gun bust off lugnuts?

98% of the time, yes, it will crack lug nuts. It's at least as strong as my old 24v NiCd cheapie impact guns. Best thing about the Hitachi is how small and light it is. I grab it 75% of the time I need to spin anything on or off.

Mark Senior has one, I used it, and bought one the next week, then Rob used mine and bought one too. At the kit price with 2 batteries, it's hard to beat.

How long have you had this Mike? I've had my other drill for a little over a year and the batteries are done. This looks to be exactly what I need.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:34 pm

Depending on if you believe what you read on the internet, here is some interesting info on the NiCad vs. Li-Ion debate:

Quote:

Although Lithium gives between 2 - 3 times more energy per charge, NiCads can be recharged between 3 - 5 times more in their lifetime.

If the above is true, it seems though Li-Ion is the latest and greatest, it may not be the best long term value. A quick search finds the 18V Hitachi Li-Ion battery replacement is ~$140/pair vs. the 18V Dewalt XR, which can be purchased for $100/pair.

I have 4 of the Dewalt 18V XR batteries and two chargers, so buying something else makes no finacial sense in my case.

YMMV

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

RodneyWright wrote:

How long have you had this Mike? I've had my other drill for a little over a year and the batteries are done. This looks to be exactly what I need.

Had them for about 6 months ... no issues so far including a lot of abuse.

Glowing reviews over at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-KC18DHL-1 ... roduct_top

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:32 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

How long have you had this Mike? I've had my other drill for a little over a year and the batteries are done. This looks to be exactly what I need.

Had them for about 6 months ... no issues so far including a lot of abuse.

Glowing reviews over at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-KC18DHL-1 ... roduct_top

I have a hitachi driver/drill combo and it kicks ass. I've beat the crap out of it for three years now and it still works.

THSCC Forums

cordless drill recommendation

Who is online