Cordless Drills

[alan40]

Just tore the insides out of my Craftsmane 19.2 volt cordless drill. Going to check on getting it rebuilt but proberly better to get a new one. I need a good drill not for just around the house but I'll use it to tap 70 trees during maple season. Has anyone had any experiance with the new 24 volt Dewault drill? Are there any other brands out there built to last?
Any input is appreciated and thanks.

 

[Junkman]

I have heard that the 24 volt De Walt tools were being discontinued because the battery is too heavy and they were not well received by the tradesmen... I have an 18 volt De Walt and just drilled two 1 3/16" holes in my Kubota loader to install a tooth bar and it didn't even get warm. Has plenty of power and doesn't need recharging too often....... It sure beats the Makita that I had previously.....

 

[GaryM]

I recently bought a Bosch Brute in 14.4 volt. It has more power than the DeWalt 14.4 volt it replaced. The Brute is also available in 18 volt. It's a really nice drill. You ought to take a look at it.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We run all DeWalt equipment and have had good luck with it so far. Either the 14.4 or 18v drill will do what you want. The 14.4 is considerably lighter though so that might be something to consider if you are carrying it through a woods. Also, Home Depot here started carrying the Rigid hand tools. As part of Rigids intro program as they just started this new line of hand tools they are offering lifetime warrantys on all new hand tools if bought before the end of this year. They even spell out free battery packs for life if your battery dies on your cordless tool. Price wise they run about the same as DeWalt but I have not used the Rigid yet as we have too much invested in DeWalt to add a different tool that won't allow us to swap batteries back and forth but I did think of getting one to try and see how it held up but do not need another drill.

 

[BubbaJr]

My DeWalt 12v drill control switch just bit the big one. Instead of variable speeds, I have on and off. Not very good for starting screws. I don't use it every day, but I have used it a lot. I expected it to last longer without problems, but then why should it be any different than anything else you buy nowadays. I did order a new switch, but they are on backorder until 10-24, and I have a lot of screws to drive. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I will have to admit that this is my 2nd favorite tool, you know what my favorite is!!! and it's <font color="orange">ORANGE </font> /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[thcri]

Most of my employees run with the Dewalt. They seem to like them. I had a brochure sent to me a while back with a bunch of test and comparisons of the different manufactures. To my surprise in the 14 volt Panasonic beet all by a long shot. The battery life was twice the others. But my guys still by the Dewalt as I am not sure Panasonic makes the 18 volt yet.

murph

 

[pruntyc]

I don't know if there is any truth in it, but I have heard that Panasonic maked most of the batterys for the portable drills, no matter who makes them.

 

[F350Lawman]

Dewalt has treated me very well. They seem to dominate the contractor market so that should say something as well.

 

[SimS]

Alan;

I have the DeWalt 24V Drill and Saw Combo. The drill is a 1/2" with lots of power. I was drilling with a 3/8" X 10" auger into Oak trees with no problems (Tree House construction!). I have heard that the batteries don't last long but that has never been a problem for me. The combo kit came with two batteries so I always have one on the tool and one in reserve when I'm in the trees. They seem to recharge quick. I have also heard that there is new a "fan cooled" battery with more amp hours and quicker recharging. The saw is 6 1/2" and to my mind has "cord-like" power also. My .02 cents.

Sim

 

[cowboydoc]

I'll chime in on Dewalt. I've got about everything dewalt makes in the 18 and 24v category and I love them. They are about all I use and I haven't had one go bad on me yet.