Help a Home Improvement Noob Pick a Drill

[WhipperSnapper]

I'm going to be putting up blinds in my new house here shortly and will need to get a cheap drill. But which one should I buy? Here are the candidates:

Walmart Brand X: $18.73
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-18V-Ni-Cd-Cordless-Drill/45467646

Menards Brand X, corded: $18.73 (same price as the Wallymart version, go figure)
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...4448111290-c-9072.htm?tid=5967960963700331465

Menards Brand X, cordless: $19.99
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...dless-drill-driver/p-1444448117717-c-9072.htm

Black and Decker cordless (at Menards) $21.99
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...4425540852-c-9072.htm?tid=4913981185534012640

 

[ctk1981]

I worked at a Menards in highschool/college. Don't buy anything that's Tool Shop brand.

 

[Jaepheth]

I'd instantly disqualify any cordless ones in that price range.

 

[boomhower]

When I buy electronic tools I buy the good stull and don't worry about it again. Been down the cheap tool route with Black and Decker and some other brands, now I own Dewault. Lots of yellow in my building.

 

[PingviN]

You are going to use a drill for more than putting up a few blinds. Get something that will last for more than two weeks. Makita, Dewalt, Hitachi, Milwaukee, Panasonic, etc

 

[DaTT]

If you're planning on spending less than $20 on a cordless drill, it doesn't matter which one you pick. They're all shit.

 

[gorcorps]

If you're planning on spending less than $20 on a cordless drill, it doesn't matter which one you pick. They're all shit.

Pretty much

For home use there's a lot of brands that are decent, but I'm starting to become partial to Ryobi.

OP, either spend a little more and get something worth a shit or just rent one for this job.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Here are three corded options. I figure that corded might make more sense since I'm liable not to use it for a long time, risking that the batteries will die and that I'll be unable to recharge them (been there, done that with other stuff):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-5.0A-3-8-Electric-Drill/45466956
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Skil-6239-01-.-37-inch-Vsr-Keyless-Drill/40669521
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Decker-DR260C-5.2-Amp-3-8-in.-Drill-Driver/45736075

 

[Darwin333]

If that is your budget buy a corded drill.

 

[ctk1981]

Spend a little extra, get a corded Bosch drill. I'm sorry to say, if we are talking 20 dollar drills give me a center punch and I'll use a screwdriver to drive it in by hand....done it many times. Pay up or just regret your purchase.

 

[evident]

Ryobi +1 series is actually very good for the home owner. My impact wrench is a beast, and the drill is good too

 

[SearchMaster]

If you've gone this long without needing a cordless, I'd probably get the corded. The problem with cordless is the batteries - they just don't last that long especially at least in my experience. I have had a DeWalt for about 10 years - the original battery lasted about 4 years, then I got a 2 battery pack for ~$50 and those aren't doing well now either (hold a charge for about 25% as long as they used to). Maybe the better brands have better batteries and charging systems...I don't know.

Someone "borrowed" my corded a while back and never returned it, so my next tool purchase will probably be a corded. Corded aren't always convenient (who wants to pull out 100 feet of extension cord for a yard project?) so there will always be a use for cordless.

 

[RLGL]

Don't cheap out on tools. Spend some cash and get the GOOD QUALITY

 

[Greenman]

With disposable tools the brand doesn't really matter.

 

[lsd]

You're a new homeowner so spend the cash now and get a decent battery drill. You will regret buying a corded drill later.
http://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-20-V...3c:Tools:Merch:Dewalt_20V_Cordless_Drill_FW19

That is on sale plus there are $20 off 100 coupons floating around.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I worked at a Menards in highschool/college. Don't buy anything that's Tool Shop brand.

Don't buy anything from Altocraft either.

I've got a couple of these that I've beat to hell, dropped, left outside overnight, etc.

Still work.

Otherwise, the above comment about a decent cordless is truth, money permitting.

 

[evident]

If you've gone this long without needing a cordless, I'd probably get the corded. The problem with cordless is the batteries - they just don't last that long especially at least in my experience. I have had a DeWalt for about 10 years - the original battery lasted about 4 years, then I got a 2 battery pack for ~$50 and those aren't doing well now either (hold a charge for about 25% as long as they used to). Maybe the better brands have better batteries and charging systems...I don't know.
.

I disagree. A cordless drill is probably the most useful tool a homeowner can have along with the impact driver. battery tech w/ Li-Ion has become very good.

Try to invest in a battery system where you can use the batteries for multiple devices.

 

[tortoise]

I figure that corded might make more sense since I'm liable not to use it for a long time, risking that the batteries will die and that I'll be unable to recharge them (been there, done that with other stuff)

CORRECT! A corded clutch driver will be very useful for future tasks . . especially with socket adapters.

Include Ryobi in your research.

 

[sswingle]

Dewalt with a lithium battery. No reason to do NiCad anything nowadays.

 

[bruceb]

Buy all means get a good cordless drill. Be sure to get a minimum of 18V model. The brands that are best are:

Ridgid

Hilti

Ryobi

Makita

DeWalt

Hitachi

Milwaukee

Porter Cable (formerly known as Rockwell)

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Is your house wood or block? Block, it is better to just rent a hammer drill given your sparse need for a drill.

 

[zinfamous]

Here are three corded options. I figure that corded might make more sense since I'm liable not to use it for a long time, risking that the batteries will die and that I'll be unable to recharge them (been there, done that with other stuff):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-5.0A-3-8-Electric-Drill/45466956
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Skil-6239-01-.-37-inch-Vsr-Keyless-Drill/40669521
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Decker-DR260C-5.2-Amp-3-8-in.-Drill-Driver/45736075

You own this house, you say?

You are liable to use it many, many times down the road.

get a good drill.

Home Depot/Lowes often have nice bundle deals from their major brands from time to time, usually have to talk to the reps for those brands that hang out in their respective tool section.

I got a very nice Cordless Milwaukee Drill Driver and Impact driver, with extra battery, for about $75 last year. Awesome deal.

 

[gorcorps]

I disagree. A cordless drill is probably the most useful tool a homeowner can have along with the impact driver. battery tech w/ Li-Ion has become very good.

Try to invest in a battery system where you can use the batteries for multiple devices.

True story, the modern lithium batteries have made cordless drills much more useful. Old batteries used to die just from sitting there unused in my experience, but modern ones hold a charge and run longer.

 

[TwiceOver]

You own this house, you say?

You are liable to use it many, many times down the road.

get a good drill.

Home Depot/Lowes often have nice bundle deals from their major brands from time to time, usually have to talk to the reps for those brands that hang out in their respective tool section.

I got a very nice Cordless Milwaukee Drill Driver and Impact driver, with extra battery, for about $75 last year. Awesome deal.

Seriously this. I don't know how many shitty drills I went through. I finally bought a good Dewalt kit and they've been so solid.

Still need a circular saw though...

 

[Kwatt]

Buy good quality - cry once.
Buy low quality - cry every time you use it....



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