Soulive
Well-Known Member
Can someone recommend a good all-around drill in the $150 price range? I need it for anything from running my Barley Crusher to remodeling the kitchen. I'm thinking torque is important. Any ideas?
Let's talk cordless drills
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zoebisch01
Well-Known Member
Well I know Rigid, Bosch, Makita (although I think they are a little overrated) are good brands. Big on the Volts is a good idea. Those monsters will crank away all day.
First I used my Ryobi. Worked great.
Then I found this gem my Dad gave me umpteen years ago...works even better:
Then I found this gem my Dad gave me umpteen years ago...works even better:
buckeyebrewer
Well-Known Member
I just bought a 18v Craftsman on sale for $89. It's heavy duty and crushes grain without a problem. Its got alot of torque, when I start crushin grain I have to hold on or it could break my wrist. I tried to get the drill to remodel my kitchen but it didn't work. The drill just sat there.....let me know what you find out........
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Soulive
Well-Known Member
buckeyebrewer said:
I'm kind of leary of the Craftsman. I have the 14.4v now and it was useless for remodeling. I don't even know if it could crush grain...
ohiobrewtus
Well-Known Member
I've got a Porter Cable 19.2 (drill, circular saw, reciprocating saw & flashlight) set that's been rock solid for 5 years now.
Germey
Well-Known Member
+1 on the newer Craftsman. They recognized that their reputation had pretty much gone down the toilet, and have been working to restore it, one tool at a time. Every tool they have overhauled has been getting honorable reviews in woodworking magazines. The new cordless drills have decent drive mechanisms and single sleeve chucks. The chuck is the big seller for me.
I got the 14.4 and have used it for the kitchen remodel. It powered a 3/4" spade bit through cherry planks very easily, and easily drove the 3" screws for mounting the upper cabinets. I have yet to stall it, other than a few wrist-wrecking bit binds.
I also have the newer Craftsman table saw and like it a lot.
I got the 14.4 and have used it for the kitchen remodel. It powered a 3/4" spade bit through cherry planks very easily, and easily drove the 3" screws for mounting the upper cabinets. I have yet to stall it, other than a few wrist-wrecking bit binds.
I also have the newer Craftsman table saw and like it a lot.
Without any hesitation, I have to recommend the DeWalt XRP series with a 1/2" chuck (any voltage you can afford). The XRP is all about torque. This one looks like a good deal at a price close to the 12v retail versions...
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DeWALT-DC92...ryZ42272QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and I'd put this thing to a torque-of-war against almost any other cordless in the price range.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DeWALT-DC92...ryZ42272QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and I'd put this thing to a torque-of-war against almost any other cordless in the price range.
lackofstyl
Well-Known Member
check out this hitachi impact driver. Great drill for everything. It decides how much torque to deliver. If its just for a grain mill its probably overkill, but if you will use for other projects its worth the money.
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Soulive
Well-Known Member
Bobby_M said:
Do they carry that at HD? I'm getting this drill with gift cards...
Yeah, I think both Lowes and Depot carry them. I ordered a reconditioned one from toolking.com (actually through their Ebay store) and then I found the exact same one NEW was on a blowout sale at Lowes. DOH!
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Soulive
Well-Known Member
Bobby_M said:
Ok cool. Hopefully HD will have it on sale soon...
buckrogers71
Well-Known Member
Just a suggestion, but maybe a corded? I own a dewalt and it has been flawless. Granted you take a cordless all over but....
brauhaus
Well-Known Member
def DeWalt, or Ryobi...
stay away from Black and Decker, I've heard they use plastic gears in all of their drills (corded and cordless)
DeWalt is hands-down the best you can buy for the money.
stay away from Black and Decker, I've heard they use plastic gears in all of their drills (corded and cordless)
DeWalt is hands-down the best you can buy for the money.
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Soulive
Well-Known Member
buckrogers71 said:
I've considered it, but not mobile enough for me...
Bernie Brewer
Grouchy Old Fart
Bobby_M said:
+1 Take it from someone that uses a cordless drill every day on the job. I will never buy anything but DeWalt XRP.
Philip1993
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Never used a Dewalt cordless, but I do not know anyone with a Makita that doesn't love it and been using it strong for years. My buddies 5yr old makita runs rings around my brand new Ryobi. Without hesitation, my next purchase will be a Makita.
Well... hesitate just a minute and check out the Dewalt XRP. Seriously. I tried maybe 5 or so models in a row (Sears actually had them all running off a power supply on the display at the time) and when I pulled the trigger on the XRP version, I almost sprained my wrist because I wasn't expecting the torque. haha, cue the jokes about my limp wrist.
Philip1993
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Bobby_M said:
I'll do that for sure.
One thing that I've noticed about Makita is that they are still very torque'y after years of use and abuse. My Ryobi was good and strong when I bought it, but after 6 months it was just another so-so cordless drill... Generally speaking, that's battery and not the drill motor, so obviously Makita is doing something right in that dept.
TheJadedDog
AFK ATM
I'm a DeWalt guy myself. The have a nice 12V for around $140 that's good for everything but heavy duty work. If you're just talking about home improvement projects and brewing projects it should do everything you need.
uglygoat
Well-Known Member
how much is an electric motor and pulley setup? i'm thinking that might be the way i'd go, if we build the grain mill.
i've got a dewalt 18v 3/8 inch. it does what i need it to do, which isn't crushing grains.
i've got a dewalt 18v 3/8 inch. it does what i need it to do, which isn't crushing grains.
Fingers
Well-Known Member
My 9.6V Makita finally died and I was hesitant to replace it because it was such a good reliable tool for so long. It had gotten to the point that the replacement battery was worth more than a new drill. I bought a Dewalt 14.4 with two batteries and have no regrets at all. I work my tools pretty hard.
And keep in mind you can pop the cases open on the battery packs and replace the cells with generic NiMH C cells for really cheap.
MA_Brewer
Well-Known Member
Bobby_M said:
Really? Can you make a video tutorial for us???
Seriously, I didn't think to do that. Where you do get the batteries from?
SuperiorBrew
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Bobby_M said:
+1 on the Dewalt I have one and we have several at work. The Dewalt and Makita seem to be popular with the contractors as well.
Fingers
Well-Known Member
Bobby_M said:
Yeah, I do that all the time with other devices. I get my batteries from an electronics supply store. I didn't bother with this one because the drill was pretty old and it was time for a replacement. It's just hard to part with an old friend you've gotten so used to.
We also have a rejuvenator at work. It goes through various cycles to try and break up the crystals that form over time and cause memory issues and such. The problem with the rejuvenator is that you have to be diligent because once the crystals get too large they puncture the separation between the two materials and short out the cell. There's no fixing that.
shafferpilot
Well-Known Member
I gotta backup the makita AND the dewalt guys and gals here. Both are very high quality tools, and high quality companies. Everything I've heard is that when you have a problem, they focus on dealing with the problem, not trying to "deal" with you.
SwAMi75
Well-Known Member
BierMuncher said:
My dad has (had?) that same drill motor. I'm glad for the reminder, because I've been meaning to ask him about it. It's a tank.
I have an 18V Skil. I didn't pay a lot for it, but it's a pretty solid drill. If I had the $$ and the need for it it, I'd buy DeWalt.
RICLARK
Well-Known Member
The best "Cheap" Cordless I have used was a Dewalt but I prefer Porter Cable everything because that is all my dad ever used growing up, he still has a damn Porter Cable Saw hes had since the early 70's.
Evan!
Well-Known Member
Bobby_M said:
+1000!!
I have a 14.4v. The 18v XRP is so heavy that it impedes efficient work in a lot of situations.
Get the 14.4v XRP. Get it from Lowes. Keep the receipt. If anything ever goes wrong with it, including the batteries not holding as much of a charge, Lowes replaces it.
Evan!
Well-Known Member
RICLARK said:
I don't know if P-C makes stuff like they used to, though. I had an orbital sander that crapped out in no time.
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Soulive
Well-Known Member
Evan! said:
I'm gonna go with the 14.4v XRP. Thanks all!
Evan!
Well-Known Member
Good call...
kinison_fan
Well-Known Member
I've had a 14.4 Ryobi for about 8 years now, and have been very happy with it. Its been through a kitchen remodel and built a deck, and numerous other projects.
I replaced one of the batteries last year and the other one is on its last legs. But the drill itself has been flawless.
I replaced one of the batteries last year and the other one is on its last legs. But the drill itself has been flawless.
Yeah, I started with the 12v XRP and it actually had plenty of power. I only upgraded to the 14.4 because it was like $10 more. You do trade off in weight and size. I think the 14.4 is a good compromise.
RICLARK
Well-Known Member
Evan! said:
I have never used one of there sanders, I use Air Sanders Did P-C Replace the sander for you?
