Which drill should I buy?

[alkemyst]

Haha, i noticed a lot of the replies were asking what I am going to do with it, and I think i checked most of the links and they were mostly way above my price range (which I apparently didn't initially gave).

I agree. Most didn't answer your questions and instead presented you more questions and incorrect solutions.

 

[rudeguy]

Haha, i noticed a lot of the replies were asking what I am going to do with it, and I think i checked most of the links and they were mostly way above my price range (which I apparently didn't initially gave).

even if you did give one, it would be ignored.

My favorite was when someone asked about buying a used Keurig for like $50 and someone linked to a $1500 machine and said that was the one to get. People here are getting dumber by the day.

 

[stormkroe]

That's a typo, many of the 'KMART' specs are wrong on Craftsman tools.

I thought you implied that you looked into other C3 drills and found that as a max.

Yeah I didn't trust the kmart specs either, but it looks like they just cut/paste them from craftsman. http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman_ProductDetails.jsp

 

[alkemyst]

Yeah I didn't trust the kmart specs either, but it looks like they just cut/paste them from craftsman. http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman_ProductDetails.jsp

Wrong link, but I looked it up on Sears. It's wrong there too and actually a lot of their specs are off. I think someone did a search and replace for inch vs foot or something.

I had that drill mentioned and it did more than 125 in/lbs.. I prefer the C3's with the one handed chuck though like the 17310.

I have a ton of C3 tools. The Lithium batteries are much better than the Diehard if you need long lasting capacity. That said you can buy two C3 non lithiums for the price of one lithium. However the lithium lasts longer.

I went to the Professional Lithium drill and it's been great.

If I did more and had some cash to burn I'd definitely to the $300-500 drills. I have used some and they can do everything my Craftsman can do, but are more agile, lighter and even comfortable.

It's like comparing a Honda to a Ferrari though. Both will get you back and forth to work on time. Everything else is just subjective.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Just went out to the truck, my old nimh c3 is a 1/2" not a 3/8", and is marked on the side with 400in" lbs torque.
Gee Whiz, I'm losing my mind, AND I need a nap.

 

[phucheneh]

Most of the recommendations for the OP are still valid. $100 can buy a decent drill.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DC970K-...eywords=dewalt

For poster's needs, that's probably the last time he'll ever have to buy a drill. Or he can save 30-40 bucks by getting much lesser Craftsman drill. It will not perform as well and in a couple years one or both batteries will be dead and he'll buy a new one 'cause the batteries cost as much to replace as the tool.

It's kind of like buying a cheapo printer from Walmart that you will throw away when it needs ink. After a couple of those you start to consider just paying $100 for an entry-level laser.

 

[Humpy]

...However, if you need to drill a hole 9/16" or larger a 1/2" drill is needed. The most common job for this size is putting a peephole in a front door.

Yeah, you would need a 1/2" chuck... unless you are using a spade bit, or a hole saw, or a forstner bit, or one of the self feeding augers with a small hex shank, or a step bit, or any of the other reduced sized shank bits, all which could work just fine in a smaller chuck to drill a bigger than 9/16" hole.

I love that you are able to define the most common job for for a 9/16" drill bit! :biggrin: And it's putting in a peep hole! Who knew?

 

[ManBearPig]

deleted

 

[Red Squirrel]

You can never have too many drills, buy a cheap dewalt (Dewalt is a good brand so even a "cheap" one will be good, it will just have less features) and if you find you need a feature such as a clutch, or hammer drill mode, or simply more power then go look for that.

When I'm doing any big job where I'm screwing in lot of screws I like to have two drills, one with a hole bit and one with a driver bit. One drill to predrill and one to drive. That way I'm not switching bits all the time. It's faster to put one drill down and pickup the other. Though I sometimes get lazy, and don't predrill at all, but that can make the wood crack.

 

[Staples]

I learned the hard way. Figured I'd get a corded one because I use my nimh one so rarely that the batteries hold only enough charge for 10 screws or so. Anyway, corded ones are impossible to drill screws in. So I say, a cheap cordless one can do it all.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Corded is good for those long projects or when you want something that "just works" but cordless is nice too for those quick little jobs where having the cord can be a pita, like hanging curtain rods or maybe even fixing a deck or fence outside.

I have a 12v cordless mastercraft I occasionally use, the batteries are done (the drill is over 10 years old) but it STILL works. I should actually look at getting some replacement batteries for it. It's handy for those quick little jobs where you don't want to drag an extension cord with you.

 

[BoomerD]

Lowe's, Home Depot, and other places have been running the Dewalt 18v cordless drill for $99.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_185475-70-D...ct_qty_sales_dollar|1&page=1&facetInfo=DEWALT

OR, a bit better...for the same price:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_506283-70-D...ct_qty_sales_dollar|1&page=1&facetInfo=DEWALT

Either one will be more than you need...but you won't regret purchasing the quality.

 

[dawp]

or

 

[highland145]

Actually have one like this. Belonged to my Grandfather.

 

[TXHokie]

I'm wary about the rechargeable batteries now and have reverted to corded drills. I had a Dewalt and was charging the battery one weekend. Walked into the garage and smelled something burnt and all smoky, come to find the Dewalt charger was defective and was melting the battery. Could've started a fire and burned the house down if I hadn't caught it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Wait for the Ryobi Drill/Impact driver combo set to go on sale. (It could be now for Xmas)

I paid $99 for 2 Li-Ion Battery packs, a charger, a Drill, and an Impact Driver back in April. It's not my first Ryobi Impact driver....I own two other ones that use ni-cad packs and love them too. I've used them for building decks, a few boat docks, and now my garage. Soon to be using it for drywall installation.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-On...406854?N=Z12l3/Ntk-Extended/Ntt-ryobi%2Bcombo

I'm wary about the rechargeable batteries now and have reverted to corded drills. I had a Dewalt and was charging the battery one weekend. Walked into the garage and smelled something burnt and all smoky, come to find the Dewalt charger was defective and was melting the battery. Could've started a fire and burned the house down if I hadn't caught it.

Yikes! There are tradeoffs when you go cordless over corded. I typically don't like the power of a cordless compared to a real drill. Since the set I bought was that Ryobi One battery pack, for wiring I needed a right angle drill to fit between the studs. I saved about $40 since I was able to buy a cordless version that has enough power to do the job easily. When you don't have direct power at the site, it's convenient to charge 2-3 packs and have them on standby. It's nicer using a cordless drill when on a ladder too. I used my impact driver to install soffits, for example. I was 28 feet up on a ladder....I can't even imagine the pain it would have been to deal with a cord. Conversely, when using a masonry bit going through concrete or concrete block....or drilling through wood using a 2 foot auger bit, I wouldn't consider cordless.

 

[alkemyst]

Yeah, you would need a 1/2" chuck... unless you are using a spade bit, or a hole saw, or a forstner bit, or one of the self feeding augers with a small hex shank, or a step bit, or any of the other reduced sized shank bits, all which could work just fine in a smaller chuck to drill a bigger than 9/16" hole.

I love that you are able to define the most common job for for a 9/16" drill bit! :biggrin: And it's putting in a peep hole! Who knew?

Glad you edited your post after you realized you were both wrong and tried to insult me for it.

My drill has been borrowed 3 times now because of that bit for that purpose. They are not the standard little peep hole but the larger ones that give a better view below and to the side.

Also almost none of those bits will work as well as a simple twist bit for enlarging many holes especially in metal. Also almost all rely on having material dead center so they can be centered.

I wouldn't say most common of all needs, but most common for homeowners.

 

[Humpy]

Glad you edited your post after you realized you were both wrong and tried to insult me for it.

My drill has been borrowed 3 times now because of that bit for that purpose. They are not the standard little peep hole but the larger ones that give a better view below and to the side.

Also almost none of those bits will work as well as a simple twist bit for enlarging many holes especially in metal. Also almost all rely on having material dead center so they can be centered.

I wouldn't say most common of all needs, but most common for homeowners.

Not sure what you mean by both being wrong but, in the spirit of the holidays, I did remove some unnecessary crap from my post.

My point stands though. Most of the absolute statements about what is needed or can and can't be done are total BS and obviously from people who rarely do any actual work with the tools discussed. Which is expected here for sure but the stating of a weak opinion as fact gets ridiculous. Your post struck me as one of the most ridiculous.

 

[alkemyst]

Not sure what you mean by both being wrong but, in the spirit of the holidays, I did remove some unnecessary crap from my post.

My point stands though. Most of the absolute statements about what is needed or can and can't be done are total BS and obviously from people who rarely do any actual work with the tools discussed. Which is expected here for sure but the stating of a weak opinion as fact gets ridiculous. Your post struck me as one of the most ridiculous.

That a 3/8" drill chuck can be limiting?

Yeah fucking ridiculous.

 

[Puppies04]

i'm generally a dewalt fan but major oversight on the design of these drills - no place to hold a screwdriver bit! what kind of a drill doesn't have a place to hold a screwdriver bit?!?! i don't know how they overlooked this.

If you are actually serious about your work and aren't just pissing around in your shed then this makes up exactly 0% of the decision making process of buying a new drill.

I could go on a full page tirade about how dumb this is but I will leave it at that.

 

[alkemyst]

If you are actually serious about your work and aren't just pissing around in your shed then this makes up exactly 0% of the decision making process of buying a new drill.

I could go on a full page tirade about how dumb this is but I will leave it at that.

umm bro, this is a tech forum...we are going to be just D-I-Y-ers and hobby types.

Most expect to grab their drills and have the combination bit at least attached.

I do believe you are capable of a full page tirade on this, but that is why certain meds were invented.

I'd seek some.

 

[rudeguy]

If you are actually serious about your work and aren't just pissing around in your shed then this makes up exactly 0% of the decision making process of buying a new drill.

I could go on a full page tirade about how dumb this is but I will leave it at that.

I'll help:

That's what tool boxes are for dumbass.

 

[alkemyst]

I'll help:

That's what tool boxes are for dumbass.

As a tool yourself you are a trusted spokesperson on this.

 

[ManBearPig]

deleted

 

[Humpy]

That a 3/8" drill chuck can be limiting?

Yeah fucking ridiculous.

LOL. Why not just say that instead of all the other pseudo-expert shit you you pulled out?