Battery drills.

[JayinNY]

I have a craftsman 18v battery drill, it's maybe 6-7 years old it works great but now the battery won't hold a charge very long. I was looking at a new drill, I always liked Milwaukee corded tools, 3/8 drill, sawzall and angle grinder I have, I also have a dewalt chop saw, what do you recommend for a reasonable priced battery drill? I see a local hardware store has a dewalt lithium ion drill 2 battery's and a carry case for $99.99. Prolly good enought for my needs? Just looking for some opinions. Thanks

 

[Dick2]

I got rid of my DeWalts and bought Hitachi; like them much better than the DeWalts that I had.

 

[co_mike]

As Dick2 said I got rid of my Dewalts and Porter Cables and went to Ryobi 18V very inexpensive, batteries are cheap and the run all Ryobi equipment. Watch Home Depot for deals. Mike

 

[wd9garymn]

I have had ryobi 18 volt set for 10 years with good luck on the tool side. Batteries don't last the best, but are cheap. Batteries plus will rebuild them for double the price of a ryobi new one--haven't decided to try it or not. Like Mike said, watch Home Depot for a sale.

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

I bought a Ryobi 18 volt drill which came with 2 Lithium-ion batteries, charger, and a separate impact driver at Home Depot for $100 earlier this year. I used it a lot putting concrete forms together and then taking them apart after the pour, and then continuously for two days while putting up a fence with 1X6 cedar boards using 2-1/2" screws into hemlock 2/4's. Although I had to recharge the batteries several times a day, a newly charged battery would keep working much longer than it took to recharge the other one. The batteries don't gradually lose power, they provide full power until they just stop, which I like.

I have used (but didn't own) two other brands of cordless drill---DeWalt and Hitachi (I think it was Hitachi), both of which seemed heavier duty and more powerful than the Ryobi. But the Ryobi works well for me, and it comes with a two year warranty which covers the batteries as well as the equipment. If I remember correctly, the replacement under warranty is provided at Home Depot, so I won't know if that is good or bad until it happens.

If you make your living with your tools and use a drill a lot, it would probably be better to buy a heavier duty drill. I use a drill more than occasionally, at least several times a week, and I am quite satisfied with this one.

Stan

 

[thurlow]

Sub-c batteries can be had (e-bay and other places) for less than 2 bucks each; rebuild your own batteries..........

 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

I had to buy a new soldering iron, but it works. One I did was a Craftsman. turned out better than new.
How to repack a battery pack

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I got my son and SIL a two pack of 18v dewalt 1/2 drill, only 2 speed, a 1/4 inch impact, 2 Li-ions and a charger. I figure it's a starter pack for them. Can add sawsall and rt angle grinder later. I have extra lights and circular saw.

That said, the new dewalt Li-ion batteries look rather small compaired to the older ones.

However, the best battery for dewalts are after market Ni-Mh batteries. They are made in china. Require the newer charger that the Li-ions use. 3000mahr and only cost $37 shipping included. Best battery available. Dewalt doesn't sell that battery. If they do I've not seen it.

So just the 2 batteries and charger are worth $100.
George

 

[Steve@Advance]

I've used Ryobi for about 10 years now. Switched them over to lithium batteries, no complaints. Seems the 18v system is here to stay. That's what sold me on them, they don't change the design every couple years to make them obsolete.

Milwaukee corded tools used to be top of the line. Not anymore. Hecho en China! Drastic decline in quality!

 

[smallercrawler]

Second on the Hitachis.

 

[Grampy]

I'll throw out another one, I've stayed with Makita for many years, Bought one of their first Lithium Ion 18V drills when they came out. I now have quite a collection. Have worked well for me. Also used Makita grinders (110V) for over 25 years. That's all I've owned for a long time, just my $.02.

 

[MSD]

Panasonic makes a really good drill and driver with good batteries.

 

[showcrop]

Have you tried ebay for a new battery? There are also places that put new cells in them for a lot less than new. Someone here put up a post a week or two ago about rebuilding batteries.

 

[504]

My new Hitachi lasted about three months(stripped the gears out of it) and I gave up trying to use their three year warranty. I went with Maketa.

 

[Wemedeeres]

(quoted from post at 19:45:37 12/17/14) I'll throw out another one, I've stayed with Makita for many years, Bought one of their first Lithium Ion 18V drills when they came out. I now have quite a collection. Have worked well for me. Also used Makita grinders (110V) for over 25 years. That's all I've owned for a long time, just my $.02.

I'll second the Makita's I bought the big 18volt lithium ion kit about 5 years ago. I've gotten a lot of used out of the whole set and have been really happy with it.

One thing to keep in mind lithium ion batteries don't like cold weather. I know a couple carpenters that won't switch from ni cad batteries for that reason.

 

[T in NE]

The craftsman lithiums have a timer in them. So much constant run time and they cut power to the tool. Even though they are still cool.

 

[ChrisWI]

I have had really good luck with milwaukee m18 lineup. I know you said inexpensive, but in my opinion right now milwaukee has the best battery packs. I have about 3 years on my xc battery's and they still hold an amazing charge. I wish I had their fuel (brushless) version of my tools. Longer run times, better durability. I have had the dewalts, craftsman, ryobi and ridgids. I got tired of the batteries failing on me or terrible run times. Ridgid had lifetime warrenty on the batteries but even swapping them I could never get near the run time I can on my milwaukee..

 

[mkirsch]

Another vote for the Ryobi here.

They haven't changed their design in well over a decade, and the Lithium Ion batteries are phenomenal for holding a charge and durability. My three original Lithium Ion batteries are still going strong. I've had them since they first introduced the Lithium batteries. That must be 4-5 years now.

Last year I bought the drill and impact driver combo which came with a small lithium battery. I ran the drill one time until it was hot and smelled funny, boring a 3/4" hole in steel. I thought I ruined it, but it still works fine. The impact driver is my favorite tool.

Home Depot just had a special where you could get two of their highest-capacity batteries for $99. One battery is normally $99. They dropped the price to $89 right before Christmas. I bought four new batteries, so I'm set for years.