Power tools

Christopher · Feb 5, 2002

I am looking to buy a cordless drill, mostly for drilling through 6" fence posts and some rr ties, and the usual farm drilling, most of which will be at least 1/2 mile from any electricity, I have been using my old reliable Makita 9. something volt drill and it is completely underpowered for the work I am doing. So, what 18 volt drill would you guys reccomend? I want something that will last and that has a decent warranty, have looked at DeWault and Milwaukee, which one's a better buy, or are there any other comparable ones? Also I have seen these cordless skill saws, that look like they would be really handy, throw it on the tractor and go to work, are they worth considering? I would think they would be underpowered but I have never used one so I don't know, I would be cutting lots of 2x4 and plywood, I have been using the generator and a regular A.C. saw but the generator died so... I really appreciate the information on this site, it's great! Thanks, Chris

Thomas · Feb 5, 2002

I've had better luck w/DeWault than any other battery tool.
Have you check out a converter in which you wire to your tractor than plug in your power tools.
I'm not sure if some converters are powerful enough to run a skillsaw.

Robert_in_NY · Feb 5, 2002

We run mostly DeWalt tools and you can get the 18v combo pack that has the 18v Hammerdrill, reciprocating saw, and skill saw. it also has a flashlight with it. The DeWalt drills put any other cordless drill to shame and I have used most, they have more power even if the other drill says it is 18v check the tourqe ratings and rpms of the drills. We currently have two 18v drills and one 14.4v. I had the 14.4v for 3 years now and use it almost everyday on our construction sites ranging from 1" drywall screws to 6" lag screws. It has trouble with the 6" but the 18v doesn't. The 18v's we have had for over a year now and never had a problem. The batteries last forever except on the skill saw as you will have trouble cutting a lot of plywood but you should be able to cut all the 2x4s you need with one charge it is the sustained strain of ripping plywood the 8' way that kills them. You should be able to cut 24' with one battery charge if you rip them the full length. The reciprocating saw is one of the most useful tools I have and it is used almost as much if not more than the drills and is great, it doesn't have the speed of an electric saw but is still fast enough if you have a sharpe blade on it you will amaze yourself. DeWalts cost more but are worth it and don't even waste your money on the Sears drills as they are too weak. We had a 14.4v craftsman and gave it to my grandfather because it was useless on sites. It couldn't even drive a 4" Drywall screw and was extremly slow. He just bought a 16.8v and it is just as bad but they are considerbly cheaper so people buy them. If you are going to use them any amount buy the 18v 4 pack and get one extra battery and you will be good for a day.

DocHeb · Feb 5, 2002

I originally had a Porter Cable 12v system, but after two battery packs and two chargers failed, I switched to the 14.4 Dewalt tools. They've never let me down. I have used a 14.4v DeWalt 3/8" right angle drill as my everyday drill for years and I love it. The right angle head can fit almost anywhere. I just recently bought a 14.4v DeWalt 1/2" drill with two batteries. I'm amazed how long the batteries last and how sturdy the drills are. The 1/2" drill will generate so much torque in low gear that you need two hands to hold it. I haven't had my corded drill out for quite some time. If I wasn't so happy with the 5 year old right angle 14.4v drill, I might have gone to the 18v since there are more types of tools in the 18v system. The disadvantage with the 18v is that the tools are heavier.

gotrocks · Feb 5, 2002

Well, since you asked... I bought Dewalt 12v. a few years ago and the box stated the batteries were good for 1000 charges or some number in that range. After a fraction of the stated number of charges the batteries would not hold a charge long enough to bore holes in a dozen donuts.
(Not really that bad but not satisfactory) When I called Dewalt the guy said something to the effect that "Oh you have to use them regularly or they wont hold a charge....." Since two batteries cost about what a new drill with 2 batteries cost I did without for a while. A few months back I purchased a Riobi kit (drill, 2 bats, case) right now this outfit is working great. I feel the Riobi case is better design than Dewalt since I can put drill into the case with driver bit in the chuck and cannot do that with Dewalt.
All that said I love my Dewalt compound miter saw but it plugs into 110 v.
That's my two bit, two cents worth.

Harv · Feb 5, 2002

Chris -

Take a tour through the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=off&Number=62674&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post62674>"Best" first tool"</A> thread. Quite a bit of chat about cordless drills.

Spencer · Feb 5, 2002

I have stuck with the Makita brand. I still have my original (2) Makita 9.6 volt drills that I bought 13 years ago. One of them has been retired to only household chores but the other on is still in my work truck and gets used all the time. I also use their 12 volt model and their 9.6 volt right angle. I bought both their newer 18 volt drill and their 18 volt circular saw. I have had great luck with both of them. The 18 volt drill I don't end up using unless I absolutely need the extra power, it's just too heavy for my normal use. The 18 volt circular saw was quite a jump up from the 9.6 model I have. It is extremely handy, I hardly ever pull out my worm-drive corded model. What evey you buy make sure it is the newer Nickel Metal Hydride instead of the older Nickel Cadmium.

Spence

cowboydoc · Feb 5, 2002

No doubt dewalt is the best i've ever owned.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 5, 2002

<font color=blue>...Quite a bit of chat about cordless drills...</font color=blue>

Harv,

You took that post... right out of my hands... /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

(just getting ready to re-post that.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)