What is the best cordless drill in your opinion?

I have used many Craftsman models in the past, but I burn them up. I have a Dewalt 18v now, and it does pretty good. I’ve used it in construction, or woodworking (I dropped it onto a concrete pad once, from up in the ceiling rafters, still works great).

You may want to think of looking into the new impact drivers. I’ve been hearing good things about them….

....smartest thing you could do would be to check out the Drill-Driver section in the Reviews forum… lot’s of good stuff in there.

—Steve

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

As of this moment my favorite is the only one I have; A Festool C12 which I reviewed here on Lumberjocks

-- Chris

I just bought a Makita 18-Volt Litheon-Ion cordless percussion driver drill and impact driver in a combo set. I also bought a Bosch 10.8-Volt Litheon Pocket driver. Used them alot in my new shop and am very pleased with all of them so far.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

Callum,

The school where I substitute uses the DeWalt 18v models in their maintenance department and in the Construction Trades shops. They hold up very well to the use/abuse the students give them.

Lew

I have 3. I own a old Makita 9.6v pod style that I just love. Since we sell Makita where I work, I can get batteries fairly inexpensive. I also picked up a 13v Craftsman on QVC one year that is a workhorse. I often concern myself with the Craftsman because they don’t “make” anything. It’s all subletted out I imagine to the lowest bidder, and sometimes they are discontinued online, so you can’t get parts (batteries/chargers) for them. I also like picking up disco’ed tools from home centers. My latest drill is a 18v Black and Decker that came with a battery charger/radio that I listen to every day in the shop. I think I found that one for $29.99 on clearance. I keep all the batteries charged, so power isn’t an issue. I guess my choice would be the one you can get batteries for, for a long period. Hope this helps you Callum.

-- Matt, Houston Texas

Currently I’m using a 14.4v Makita and I love the thing, for what I do, boatbuilding, it has plenty of power. I have used Dewalt in the past as well. The school I’m attending now is outfitted with Festool, which are very nice, but way out of my budget. The last framing crew I worked on was completely outfitted with Makita, and I’ve used them ever since. I suppose it’s like asking someone what kind of truck they drive, Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc. etc. Nail down a price range, shop around, read reviews, and go get your hands on some before you buy. Good luck!
There’s an two drill 18v Makita combo that seems to be popular around the school lately, light weight, bult in LED, powerful.

-- Brian S. --- "If you’ve worked on the building of a boat, it belongs to you the rest of your life." -Bob Prothero

panasonic 15.6. I use this everyday all day. It’s the only one I have ever had that got through the 1 year warranty without failure. been using them for 7 years. I do get a new one every year and retire the old one to the shop. I keep 2 there and when another goes to the shop I sell or give away the oldest one. I’ve never had to replace a battery and they hold a charge. never burned out a motor or clutch. triggers last too. I use these to install hardware. I beat the snot out of em and they just keep going. I have tried many brands and have never had 1 that lasted more than 8 months without some kind of repairs needed. they are compact and light weight. I even been known to use the rear of the drill as a hammer almost hourly! try that with the others and see what happens! I have one the wife uses around the house that is at least 5 years old and the battery still holds a good charge. YMMV. I am very pleased and will buy again untill such time as the quality goes down hill. others I have used include PC.bosch, dewally, crapsman and makita.

skeez

-- hey honey! watch this!

Hmmmm….I’ve played with LOTS of cordless drills through reviews/testing for the mags.

My favorite woodworking only drill would be a Bosch in the smaller sizes (10-14.4 volt max) as you need a smaller, lightweight drill for most shop tasks (Although…if you want to “go big or go home”, the Bosch 36V Li-Ion hammer drill I have is sweeeeet!)

The more I think about it…if I were paying for a new drill, I would liook at the Rigid brand from Home Depot. The tools are decent, but the warranty is fantastic. Lifetime. Including…yes, INCLUDING batteries :) Thats pretty hard to top.

-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com

Panasonic 15.6
Tho I dont use mine as a hammer like skeez. he covered most of the other plusses tho he didnt mention it’s a 1/2” drill and has enough torque to dislocate your shoulder. The only negatives are the price and lack of bit storage recesses on the chassis.

-- Use the fence Luke

definatly consider the rigid

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

-- Maplewood, MN

Rikkor… A man of few words!!!

-- Chris

I use Dewalt 18 volt and they work great .

-- John in Cranbrook http://www.extremebirdhouse.com ....http://community.webshots.com/user/cranbrook2

I don’t know…, that was about a thousand, I believe.

-- Maplewood, MN

Hey guys, I was just looking on the web for a good deal on a new drill. I encountered what I belive to be a good deal from tool king http://www.toolking.com/Makita_LXT700R.aspx. What are your views on this item aswell as the makita 18v lithion-Ion drill / impact driver.

Callum

-- Look great, get your TTK merchandise now! http://www.printfection.com/thetimberkid/ Check out my site http://thetimberkid.blogspot.com/

I have had a Porter-Cable 19.2V for years now with no problems.

It has never lacked the torque for anything in all that time. I don’t know if it’s product placement or not, but it seems like this is what is used on most of the home improvement shows on TV.

-- - Ray

I have three but on two really get used. Craftsman 19.2 volt that has two batteries, and it needs them and the quick charger. The power in the batteris do not last long and they die in a hurry. I think it’s time to buy new batteries, they are about 5 years old. Makita 7.2 volt which is great for drilling pilot holes. The third is a Black & Decker 6.0 volt which is only good for 3/4” hinge screws. I like the Craftsman the best becasue the torque is great.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

I have all Craftsman 19.2 drills. They are affordable, powerfull, and the batteries are interchangeable with all their 19.2 V tools. I’ve had one of the drills for about 5 years now and it still works great and the original batteries just recently died. I think that’s pretty good considering I use the $hit out of them. Also the batteries are cheap. $55.00 for TWO! Sometimes they go on sale for less. I know Craftsman gets a bad rap sometimes but you can’t go wrong with an affordable tool that drills and drives screws like all the others. If anything is wrong with them is that they are a little heavy. Also, you don’t have to worry about crying when you drop the thing off the roof as you would with a $400.00 Festool! Although I’ll take a a Festool if someone wants to give me one! The Wood Whisperer has yet to draw my name.

-- Tony, Ohio

I like the dewalt drills. I have a corded dewalt and an 18V cordless. Both are great and do an excellent jog. I just wish the dewalt had a quicker charge time.

-- Steve-o

Hi Callum;

I haven’t bought any Makita tools in a long while however, these recent purchases the larger Makita’s and the smaller Bosch’s are great.

Both Makita’s are powerful, being 18 volt, and are half the weight of most 18 volt cordless drill / drivers.

The smaller Bosch’s are only 10 volt and wouldn’t make a good “only one ” choice, but they’re great inside cabinets and other tight spaces.

Good luck on your purchase;

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Bosch or Makita

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Go to allprotools.com. They have a Makita LCT200W 18V Compact, Lithium-Ion 2pc Combo kit for $239.90 with a 1/2” Drill Driver, Impact Driver, charger and 2 batteries. I got these in a 4pc combo set and love them. There is a rebate on them as well.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

I have a craftsman 19.2 volt drill that has been very durable and is just as powerful as my more expensive Bosch 18v. cordless drill. The Bosch is my overall favorite, powerful, well made, nice chuck, and both and motor and gears are very smooth. But for the money, the Craftsman gets used just as often and has done a fine job for about 80.00 less in purchase price. Both are two years old, we will see which one out lasts the other. Overall I really enjoy anything I have purchased from Bosch and think the quality is a little bit better than Dewalt. I am looking at a sliding miter and the Bosch seems to have the least amount of wobble during its path, for a more precise cut. Have never been disappointed with Bosch but have been with different Dewalt and Craftsman purchases in the past. Seems like with Craftsman each tool needs to be carefully checked out as some are great values like their new routers but others are not to the caliber of Dewalt or Bosch despite their professional lables. jake

In my opinion, the Festool C12 is the best overall drill on the market. Its brushless motor has amazing power; it comes with a ½ chuck, and fits in very small places. The optional accessories give you unbelievable flexibility as well.

I’m also a big fan of Lee A. Jesberger’s choices. By the way, Woodcraft has the Makita drill and impact driver on sale for $249.99.

-- Festool4

I have a 12v and 18v DeWalt. The 12v’s been around a long time. Can’t break it. It’s been droped a few times as well.

-- Bruce from Central New York

I have a hobby shop of sorts here, so I don’t need a drill everyday as some of our contractors do. Just replaced my Craftsman 14 volt with the new Craftsman 19.2 volt version. Torque City here! Used it to run a drill pump the other day…ran for like 5 min solid and the battery still put out great. But what I really wanted to tell ya is that this one came with the 19.2 volt 1/4” impact driver…$99.00 for the kit. The impact is a real blessing for driving screws and bolts. I mean 6” lag bolts into a pressure treated post without any problem.

So if cost factors in and you’re not working pro, you might wanna try this package. I’m very happy with it.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

im a mac man im affraid 14v it does the job and dose it well but i say use what you feel comfortable with and what you can afford times are hard ….

-- cut it saw it scrap it

Home Depot special. Rigid 18v Hammer Drill 4 batteries.

I have burned up Bosch, Dewalt, Ryobi, Craftsman, Makita…...

So far ain’t burned up my Rigid, all that and the fact I got the hammer drill for my home for 99.00
cause the tool guy was mad that the last 18v regular drill on sale for 99.00 was missing the extra battery, and the charger.
Home Depot has changed policy Here where they take the power tool up to the registar, so he grabbed the display tag and gave it to the girl to scan. Saved me 150.00

-- Measure once cut twice....oh wait....ooops.

Probably don’t sell them anymore, but the best I have had is a 9.6v Makita. I have had it 15 years. Still have 1 original battery that still works (came with 2). Dewalt 12v is on its 3rd battery (2 originals quit 7 years old).

-- Ben, Living the good life in Maine now (almost, just need to retire in 2 decades time)

I have the Makita 18 volt…and Like it very much…it was my anniversary gift last summer and has done well over a year…but I am not using it everyday as a professional would be. It came with 2 batteries and a charger.

What is unique about the charging system is that it turns off when done charging as opposed to other chargers…which I understand is a problem because the chargeers heat up the batteries too much and limits their overall lifespan…with this system it fully charges quickly…then shuts down…so I always have charged batteries because one can stay in the charger and the other on the drill…

I dont think it is as strong as an impact driver—-but it by far outperforms all my other cheap drills (three of them)...

-- Matt, Napa, CA...142 days to sanity...

My first cordless was a brace and bit set….......... I bought a $29 Ryobi cordless many years ago and really liked it but I couldn’t get batteries for it. So I bought 2 18v DeWalts and really like them haven’t had to buy batteries for it yet….expensive. I picked up a Kobalt lithium-ion pocket drill at Lowe’s and just love it, it’ll drive a 3” screw all the way into 2×4 stud. The only problem I see with the Kobalt is the battery isn’t replaceable.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

My favorite is this DeWalt:

Its a little heavy when it hangs from my tool belt, though.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

I agree with Blake. The only problem is the belt hook keeps breaking!

-- Bill, Florida

I have to agree with all of the positive posts on the Rigid. I have two of them that get daily use. In the drill the batteries last for ever (not so great in the recip saw) and they charge fast, like 25 minutes tops. I’ve had one of them for 3-and-a-half years. The second one is only about a year old.

Look hard at the rigid.

Matt

-- - If you can't have fun doin' it, it aint worth doin' - Matt

Festool is nice. It beeps when it needs charging; and everytime it charges it reconditions the battery. It’s very flexible and easy to use.

Less expensive and very nice is the Makita lithium-ion.

-- Rich, Seattle, WA

I have a DeWalt 18 V. cordless that I have used and abused for several years and it still works great although it needs some new brushes. I have also recently purchased a Ryobi 18 v. driver that I have been real happy with so far. I have not gotten to use it enough yet to do a true review but have been very happy with so far. Hope this helps.

-- Pyromedic602, free wood is always good wood

Free is best. :-)

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

I guess what you already own is always the best, so here’s my $0.02. I’ve had Makita (and mind you it was an older model), a Black and Decker 9.6v, a DeWalt 12v and a Ridgid Lithium Ion 24v hammer drill. I use the Ridgid for most things although it’s a little heavy,(A side benefit is that it will build up your wrists and forearms), it just goes like the energizer bunny. If you couple that with a lifetime warranty, in my humble opinion, you can’t beat it. I got it with a reciprocating saw, a circular saw and a flashlight, for about $369. Granted, you can’t use it for everything, so I use the DeWalt 12v for the small stuff. When I get a few spare bucks, I’m going to get the 18v compact drill driver which I think will accept the 24v batteries I’ve already got. There you have it.

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

I have 2 DeWalt 18v that I have used for remodeling as well as woodworking for more than 4 years and they are terrific. Dropped numerous times and still running strong. I bought a third back in Feb or March when HD was having a pretty good sale and it is running flawlessly also. So I like DeWalt.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

I love my 18v Dewalt!

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I am proud to say that I have just been given a used 9.6v dewalt, its ok and I am very graetful but I am still hoping to get a 18v Makita drill and Inpact driver

Callum

-- Look great, get your TTK merchandise now! http://www.printfection.com/thetimberkid/ Check out my site http://thetimberkid.blogspot.com/

It depends on what your doing with it..drilling or driving fasteners.For drilling I own a 18vDeWalt hammer. It’s a little big and heavy but it has allot of power and the batteries last fairly long depending on what your drilling. I would say any makita, Bosch, DeWalt, or Milwaukee would work. If your buying new I would recommend lithium ion batteries. They are lighter, smaller and have twice the power of other batteries the same size. If you are going to do allot of fastener driving I would consider getting a combo kit with a drill and an impact driver with the LI battery. makita makes a couple nice ones as do Milwaukee. I also own the Bosh right angle driver with an LI battery. I like it allot for driving screws especially in restricted environments.

-- Women love me.....trees fear me

I am glad to say that I have just purchashed Makita LCT200W Factory Reconditioned Compact Lithium-Ion 18V 2-Piece Combo Kit :)

It is similar to the ones in Lee’s pic

The combo includes:
BDF452HW18V Driver-Drill
BTD142HW18V Impact Driver
BL1815 (2) Lithium-Ion 1.5Ah batteries
DC188RA 15-minute Rapid Charger
Contractor bag

Can’t wait until it arrives!

Callum

-- Look great, get your TTK merchandise now! http://www.printfection.com/thetimberkid/ Check out my site http://thetimberkid.blogspot.com/

I bought the reconditioned Makita LCT200W from Toolking.com – retails for $209 and includes the drill/driver and Impact Driver along with a 15 minute charger and two Li-ion batteries. I love it! It’s nice and lightweight and the batteries really do charge in 15minutes. It’s got a built-in LED light which was really handy for installing our kitchen cabinets:
http://www.toolking.com/products/13600238.aspx?Search=LCT200W

My dad liked it so much that I bought him one for Father’s Day. The LXT700 that you mentioned is a good kit too – especially if you don’t have the other tools included. The Li-Ion batteries are interchangeable if you cut out the tabs on the LXT tools (but i didn’t tell you that ;0)

-- life can always be weaved into a song.

I also have orded mine from tool king, if I bought that set over hear it would be the equivilent of over $1000!! So I am realy pleased with tool kings price!

Callum

-- Look great, get your TTK merchandise now! http://www.printfection.com/thetimberkid/ Check out my site http://thetimberkid.blogspot.com/

I prefer Craftsman cordless, I get a good value for a very good price. Trere are oodles of cordless drills out there, so it’s up to you what you want to pick up, I like the craftsman brand, so what if it’s sub- contracted out. A lot of tools are now since the NAFTA tready was signed. At least a Craftsman drill doesn’t cost a arm or a leg like some of the other brands. This way I can have a cordless drill with a phillips drive in it, another one that has a starter drill bit in it & my 3rd cordless drill has a countersink in it within hand’s reach on the shelf above my conveyor to my miter saw & inline planer. This way i don’t have to keep changing bits & drills for what i have to do. You get what brand you want. I can’t beat my craftsman’s brand.

I liked my DeWalt 12V, but after many many years of hard service it was retired.

I replaced it with the DeWalt XRP 18v hammer drill/drill/driver which I use every day and love it. See my review in the reviews section.

I recently paired it up with the DeWalt XRP 18v impact driver, which will have to be pried from my cold dead hands.

If buying DeWalt always pay the extra for the XRP line- they have metal gears and clutches. The non-XRP are just yellow Black and Deckers.

-- The only easy wood project is a fire

I have the Makita 18 volt LI. Light, powerful, charges quick. I used the driver on a bunch of 5/16×6 lag screws and it didn’t shear off a single screw and drove them quickly. Wow what a step up. I paid $276 6 mo. ago for the drill driver set w/2 bats. Great tools.

-- Days in the shop don't count toward the total.

I have two—Dewalt and Bosch. Both have been solid. I have not used the Makita. You’ll have to write a review …

-- Tim from Iowa City, IA

I’ve had interesting experiences buying drills for some reason. The first was a Makita from a used tool shop. I brought it home, charged it, but found the batteries died within seconds. When I took it back the guy said, “Sorry, I can’t take it back, you may have switched the batteries.” I said, “Listen, if you are that hard up for money that this is the kind of crap business you run then you can keep the drill and my money!” I turned around to walk out. He stopped me and then delt better with me. I left with a corded Craftsman (didn’t trust his batteries!)

The used Craftsman served me well for a few years but eventually jammed up on a bit and couldn’t be opened so I went to Sears and bought their nicest cordless model, 18v something or other. Now funny thing; instead of not being able to get a bit out, this thing couldn’t hold one for the life of it! I’d crank the chuck as hard as I could but bits kept slipping out. So off to Sears I went to get my money back; that was like trying to swallow a camel! We were in the market for three appliances at the time and after returning the drill I was going to look around at their stuff. I told the lady that was giving me such a hard time returning the drill (she had to call her manager TWICE) that I was going to buy my appliances elsewhere!

I ended up buying my appliances and my drill from HD and everthing has been great so far. The Ridgid 18v works really well. They use a Jacob’s chuck that has like a ratcheting effect that clamps right down on bits. Real easy to twist the chuck too. I was getting blisters on that Crapsman (er Craftsman, sorry). They also have a lifetime warranty, even on the battery! That’s top notch.

I almost got a hernia buying my drill press but that’s another story.