Cordless Drill
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 Craftsman 192 Volt 1 2 in Drill Driver and 3 8 in Drill Driver Combo Set $79.98 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 56m Buy It Now for only: $79.98 |
 Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18V Cordless 1 2 Hammer Drill Driver Kit Model 2604 22 $171.27 (19 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 44m |
 Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18V Cordless 1 2 Hammer Drill Driver Kit Model 2604 22 $171.89 (21 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 45m |
 Milwaukee M18 1 2Hammer Drill Driver 18V 2602 20 Cordless Red Lithium Li Ion $22.72 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 22h 48m |
 3 8 CHUCK CLOSE QUARTER RIGHT ANGLE ELECTRIC DRILL UL $32.67 Time Remaining: 27d 5m Buy It Now for only: $32.67 |
 DeWALT 18V XRP Hammer Drill DCD951B 1 2Chuck Cordless Power Driver DCD951 NEW $15.50 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 22h 48m |
 Makita 18V Li Ion Cordless Hammer Drill BHP452 LXT 1 2 Chuck BHP452Z Driver NEW $36.77 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 22h 49m |
 Milwaukee M12 12V Hammer Drill 3 8Chuck 2411 20 Compact Cordless Red Li Ion NEW $82.99 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 29m Buy It Now for only: $82.99 |
 Milwaukee 2602 22CT M18 Cordless 1 2 Hammer Drill Driver Kit $120.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 15m |
 Ridgid 18V 1 2Compact Drill Driver Cordless R86005 accepts X2 X3 Hyper X4 NEW $2.85 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 22h 48m |
 DEWALT DCD775 1 2 18 Volt 18V Li Ion Cordless Compact Hammerdrill Drill Driver $69.95 Time Remaining: 9d 16h 48m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 |
 Makita 108V 1 4Drill Driver LED Light DF030D Lithium Li Ion Cordless Compact $20.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 22h 51m |
 Ryobi 3 8Drill Driver 18V P205 One+Plus Cordless Power 18 Volt Electric NEW $5.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 22h 48m |
 Makita DF010DSE 72V Li Ion Cordless Driver Drill Kit with Auto Stop Clutch $180.64 Time Remaining: 17d 17h 8m Buy It Now for only: $180.64 |
 MILWAUKEE M12 2410 22 3 8 DRILL DRIVER KIT NIB $69.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5d 22h 45m |
 Craftsman 3 8 inch Cordless Drill Driver owners manual model 315111280 booklet $5.00 Time Remaining: 45m |
 Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1 2Hammer Drill Driver 18V 2604 20 Brushless Red Lithium NEW $129.99 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 3m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Dewalt DC925 18v XRP 1 2 Hammerdrill Hammer Drill Driver VSR Cordless $34.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 36m |
 Makita 18V 1 2 LXT Li Ion Cordless Hammer Drill BHP452 $54.90 Time Remaining: 2h |
 Ryobi 3 8Drill Driver 18V P205 One+Plus Cordless Power 18 Volt Electric NEW $28.99 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 20m Buy It Now for only: $28.99 |
 DEWALT DCD 775 KL HAMMER DRILL DRILL DRIVER $200.00 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 21m Buy It Now for only: $245.00 |
 Makita LXFD01CW 18V Cordless Compact Lithium Ion 1 2 in Drill Driver Kit $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h 46m |
 Makita 108V 12V 1 4Drill Screw Driver FD01 Cordless Compact Li Ion LED Light $49.99 Time Remaining: 8d 15h 41m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Makita 18V 1 2 LXT Li Ion Cordless Hammer Drill BHP454 $79.90 Time Remaining: 2h |
 DeWalt DCK340X 18V Cordless Hammer Drill Sawzall Impact Driver Combo MINT $199.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $279.99 |
 Ryobi 1 2Drill Driver 18V P204 One+Cordless Power Drilling 18 Volt Lightweight $29.99 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 13m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 DEWALT Compact Cordless Drill Driver Kit 18 Volt 1 2in DCD760KL $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h 46m |
 Milwaukee 2601 22 18V Cordless M18 Lithium Ion Compact Driver Drill $90.00 Time Remaining: 19h 46m |
 DEWALT CORDLESS XRP SDS PLUS ROTARY HAMMER DRILL 18V MODEL DC212 $199.00 Time Remaining: 27d 20h 56m Buy It Now for only: $199.00 |
 Dewalt DC900 Cordless 36V1 2 Hammer Drill NEW $124.00 Time Remaining: 2h 2m |
 Craftsman 192 volt ex drill charger Bundle Battery not included $0.99 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 13m |
 NEW 1 2 Prof Variable Speed Reversible Hammer Drill $32.29 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 33m Buy It Now for only: $32.29 |
 Ridgid Cordless 18v 18 Volt Cordless X4 Hammer Drill 1 2 inch R8611501 $20.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 11m |
 Ridgid Cordless 18v 18 Volt Cordless X4 Impact Driver Drill 1 4 inch R86034 $22.50 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 13m |
 New Makita 18v cordless Drill driver LXFD01 18 Volt $58.00 Time Remaining: 7d 22h 8m Buy It Now for only: $58.00 |
 DEWALT DC720 18V Cordless 1 2 Inch Drill Driver NEW $49.00 Time Remaining: 2h |
 DEWALT DCD760B 1 2 Inch 18 Volt Cordless Compact Drill $44.99 Time Remaining: 2h |
 Porter Cable 3 Tool NiCd Combo Kit Drill Driver Impact Driver and Flashlight $107.95 Time Remaining: 27d 15h 15m Buy It Now for only: $107.95 |
 DeWALT DC970 18V Cordless Drill Driver NEW $44.99 Time Remaining: 2h 2m |
 Dewalt 18v 1 2 cordless drill driver with battery box and charger $76.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 42m |
 NEW MAKITA BHP454Z IN BOX 18 VOLT CORDLESS BATTERY HAMMER DRILL 18V HAMMERDRILL $99.00 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 45m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 DeWalt DC720 18V 1 2 Cordless Drill Driver $0.99 Time Remaining: 6d 23h 15m |
 DeWALT Heavy Duty Cordless DRILL DC900 36 volts $187.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 1m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 DeWALT 18V XRP Hammer Drill DCD951B 1 2Chuck Cordless Power Driver DCD951 NEW $94.99 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 57m Buy It Now for only: $94.99 |
 DeWalt 18V XRP DCD950 Cordless Drill Driver Hammerdrill Bare Tool w Battery $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 1h 1m |
 Metabo MAG DRILL NEW Item Number MAG28LTX Magnetic Cordless Core Drill $1,595.00 Time Remaining: 12h 1m |
 DeWALT DCK290L2 20 Volt MAX Li Ion 30Ah Hammer Drill Impact Driver $289.95 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 45m Buy It Now for only: $289.95 |
 New 18 Volt Dewalt Cordless 1 2 Drill Driver Model DC970 $49.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 28m |
 BOSCH BRUTE 18V CORDLESS DRILL 2 BATTERIES CHARGER AND CASE $100.00 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 45m |
 Makita BHP454 18 Volt LXT 1 2 Inch Lithium Ion Cordless Hammer Drill Kit $195.00 Time Remaining: 16d 23h 5m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 |
 DeWalt DC927KL 18 V Li Ion 1 2 Cordless Hammer Drill Brand New Sealed $232.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20m Buy It Now for only: $256.99 |
 MAKITA BHP454 18V CORDLESS LITHIUM ION HAMMER DRILL DRIVER New NO REFURBISHED $89.99 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 23h 49m |
 Makita 108V 1 4Drill Driver LED Light DF030D Lithium Li Ion Cordless Compact $45.99 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 48m Buy It Now for only: $45.99 |
 Makita 6313D 12V CORDLESS DRILL W CHARGER CASE AND BATTERY $233.99 Time Remaining: 18h 42m Buy It Now for only: $259.29 |
 Cordless Drill Driver Black Decker GCO18SFB 18 V Ni Cad 3 8 w Storage Bag $31.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 49m |
 Milwaukee M18 1 2Hammer Drill Driver 18V 2602 20 Cordless Red Lithium Li Ion $79.99 Time Remaining: 26d 9h 42m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 New 18 Volt Dewalt Cordless Drill Case Model DC970K 2 $4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 30m |
 Senco Duraspin DS200 144v Very Lightly Used Nice Clean Piece $150.00 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 33m |
 New Milwaukee 2410 20 M12 12V 3 8 cordless Drill Driver Tool Only No Battery $60.00 Time Remaining: 21d 16h 13m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 DEWALT 18V CORDLESS XRP 1 2 HAMMER DRILL DCD950 2 BATTERY 1 CHARGER $129.95 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 9m |
 Snap On CDR4450 Cordless Drill Set $227.51 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 34m |
 Hilti TE 7A Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill TE DRS M Package NEW With Bits $999.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 6m Buy It Now for only: $999.99 |
 DEWALT 20VMAC DCD985 20 VOLT CORDLESS DRIVER DRILL BATTERY CHARGER SPRE CLEAN $222.22 Time Remaining: 20h 14m |
 New 18 Volt Dewalt Cordless Drill Case Model DCK235C $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 28m |
 MAKITA 18V LXT HAMMER DRILL BHP452 BL1830 BATTERY LITHIUM ION CORDLESS 2 SPD 30 $144.00 Time Remaining: 29d 17h 15m Buy It Now for only: $144.00 |
 DeWalt 144v 1 2 cordless drill $64.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 21m |
 Makita 18V 1 2 LXT Li Ion Cordless Hammer Drill BHP454 $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 48m |
 191825 MAKITA 1 2 Inch 18 Volt Cordless Compact Drill Driver $149.99 Time Remaining: 23d 2h 4m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 BOSCH 12V Li ION CORDLESS DRILL DRIVER 2 BATTERYs 1 CHARGER w CASE $74.95 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 9m |
 DeWalt 18V XRP DCD950 Cordless Drill Driver Hammerdrill Bare Tool w Battery $60.99 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 13h 46m |
 NEW MAKITA 18V BTD141 CORDLESS 1 4 IMPACT WRENCHDRIVERDRILL 18 VOLT LXT $78.97 Time Remaining: 14d 3h 35m Buy It Now for only: $78.97 |
 RIDGID 18v CORDLESS DRILL DRIVER VSR Fuego R86008 for impact kit $49.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 13m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 Makita 18V 1 2 LXT Li Ion Cordless Hammer Drill BHP452 $56.90 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 48m |
 MAKITA 8443D 18 V Cordless 1 2 Hammer Drill Driver $124.46 Time Remaining: 9d 19h 4m Buy It Now for only: $124.46 |
 DURATEST 18V CORDLESS 3 8 IN DRILL DRIVER + BITS 83525 $19.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 6m |
 Dewalt 18 V cordless SDS Rotary Hammer Drill DC213 XE $152.50 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 22h 31m |
 New Milwaukee M18 18V Cordless Compact Drill 2601 20 2601 22 BELT HOOK CLIP $6.74 Time Remaining: 12d 11h 19m Buy It Now for only: $6.74 |
 LK MAKITA BHP452 18V LXT 1 2 CORDLESS HAMMER DRIVER DRILL $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 25m |
 Dewalt Impact Cordless Drill 18 Volt DC825 $34.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 21h 1m |
 DEWALT DCD710S2 R 12 Volt 12V Max 3 8 Inch Cordless Drill Driver Kit $109.95 Time Remaining: 19d Buy It Now for only: $109.95 |
 Dewalt DC900 Cordless 36V1 2 Hammer Drill NEW $125.90 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 48m |
 RIDGID Hyper Lithium X4 1 2 in 18 Volt Cordless Hammer Drill Kit $179.99 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 33m |
 HITACHI 18 VOLT 1 2 IN CORDLESS DRIVER DRILL DS18DMRPS $134.95 Time Remaining: 24d 47m Buy It Now for only: $134.95 |
 Milwaukee Power Plus cordless 1 2 0524 20 Hammer Drill 2 Batteries Charger Case $149.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 57m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 DEWALT DC720 18V Cordless 1 2 Inch Drill Driver NEW $49.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 48m |
 HITACHI 18V COMPACT PRO LI ION DRIVER DRILL DS18DSAL $119.95 Time Remaining: 16d 17h 19m Buy It Now for only: $119.95 |
 DeWalt XRP DCD950KX 1 2 Cordless Drill Driver 18 Volt NiCd NEW $167.51 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 19h 26m |
 NEW HILTI SFH144 A CORDLESS HAMMER DRILL DRIVER BARE TOOL AND CASE ONLY $149.99 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 18m |
 MAKITA 18 VOLT BHP452 LXT CORDLESS BATTERY HAMMER DRILL 18V HAMMERDRILL BHP452Z $99.00 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 25m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Makita 1 2 Cordless Drill BDF440 144V NEW $129.99 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 19m |
 BOSCH 11225VSR CORDLESS HAMMER DRILL ANNIHILATOR 24 VOLT W BATTERIES CHARGER $200.45 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 26m |
 New MILWAUKEE 2602 20 18V M18 cordless Hammerdrill 18 Volt HAMMER DRILL $69.00 Time Remaining: 27d 12h 31m Buy It Now for only: $69.00 |
 DeWalt DC930 144 Volt Cordless 1 2 Drill Driver NEW $49.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 48m |
 BLACK AND DECKER 12V CORDLESS DRILL SCREW DRIVER BATTERY POWERED TOOL $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 38m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 HITACHI 144V LI ION CORDLESS DRIVER DRILL KIT DS14DSFL $104.95 Time Remaining: 12d 2m Buy It Now for only: $104.95 |
 DeWALT DC970 18V Cordless Drill Driver NEW $49.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 48m |
 DEWALT DCD760B 1 2 Inch 18 Volt Cordless Compact Drill $44.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 48m |
 Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18V Cordless 1 2 Hammer Drill Driver Kit 2604 22 $249.99 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 2m Buy It Now for only: $249.99 |
 Makita BDF452 18V Li Ion 1 2 Cordless Drill $32.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 21h 57m |
 LK DeWALT DC759 18V 1 2 Cordless Drill Driver BATTERY DW9099 $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 30m |
Cordless Drill
The Low Down on Cordless Drills
Today, you'd be hard-pressed to find an old-house owner who doesn't capitalize on the current cornucopia of cordless implements. As I write from my 1778 farmhouse, I sit at my laptop computer attached wirelessly to the Internet with my cordless phone at my side. If I launch into any one task on my long old-house to-do list, I will have a cordless drill nearby. If the drill conks out on me, however, I'll face the challenge of deciding what to buy, given that over just three years, the choice of manufacturers, tool types, battery technologies, and product options can shift dramatically. Because it's easy to get bogged down by too many choices, here's a short course on the most important points to consider if you'll be shopping for a cordless drill anytime soon. Makita 1222 battery
PRODUCT PRIMER
Before you start crunching numbers for individual tools, it pays to get a handle on the variety of cordless drill types now sold. Drill/drivers are the most common, all-purpose choice. They are equipped to accept drill bits for boring holes, as well as driver heads for fastening, and are available in models ranging from 9.6 volts to 19.2 volts to support almost any need. A drill/driver's gears are always engaged, so when the tool strains you can squeeze the trigger harder to speed up the motor to increase torque. Or, you can switch to a lower gear (low speed) or adjust the clutch setting if you're doing repetitive fastening. Some applications need more mechanical advantage, such as driving in hundreds of screws as fast as possible or drilling into masonry. Because so many households now have cordless drills, manufacturers are supplying cordless tools for specialized purposes or repetitive conditions to make our lives easier. Dewalt de9091 battery
Impact drivers (also called stick drivers) are designed for fastening. Although there are adapters for drilling, they're not practical for this application. Impact drivers have lower voltage and are light and compact but deliver a lot of torque. They are tailor-made for easy fastening, such as screwing down deck boards or making and installing cabinets. Their compact size makes them easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The impact action stems from how the tool is engineered to make small turns in rapid succession, allowing it to deliver a lot of torque-sometimes twice as much as a larger tool. Impact drivers usually have the speed control in the trigger, allowing the user to vary the power precisely.
Hammer drill/drivers add a percussion action to assist the drill/driver in going through masonry and cement. In the tool's drive train are two gears shaped like poker chips, with teeth that work over each other to create a bouncing, up-and-down action in each stroke. In most products, you can switch the hammer action off at the clutch, thereby turning the tool into a regular drill/driver, so that it can be your everyday drill if you have masonry and light concrete work in your mix. sony bp-l40a battery
SIZING UP THE SPECS
Comparing the technical specifications for cordless drills can be daunting. It's truly a numbers game with manufacturers constantly working to outdo one another. Bigger is not always better, and some specs, such as speed and torque, are inversely related to each other. You may be making trade-offs depending on which characteristic is most important to you. Here's a rundown of the most common specs and what they mean in practical terms.
Voltage is one of the most familiar and prominently marketed features associated with cordless tools. In simple terms, volts are the force with which electricity flows from point A to point B, and while voltage is technically only part of the measurement of electrical power (watts), it is often an indication of the tool's brawn. The higher the voltage is, the bigger the battery pack and motor must be, resulting in a heavier (and usually larger) tool. A 12-volt or 14.4-volt drill/driver weighs around four pounds, whereas most 18-volters are more than six pounds. Big voltage is necessary if you're doing a lot of wood or timber boring or if you want the extra power to put down 100 decking screws. For tougher or longer jobs, more voltage means the drill doesn't have to work as hard as a lower voltage tool doing the same task. If you're not putting the tool through its paces all day long and body fatigue is a concern, most homeowners (and many contractors) meet their needs very well with 12-volt or 14.4-volt models.
Torque is not marketed as deliberately as voltage, but it's another critical spec to consider. Torque output in cordless tools is measured in inch-pounds and is a number that denotes the amount of force available to produce torsion or rotation-literally twisting. Ample torque is always a good thing because, whether you are boring holes or driving fasteners, you want enough twisting force to get the screw or bit into the material. The catch is each manufacturer rates torque differently.
Many go for the highest number, known as 'hard joint' or 'hard case' torque-the amount of torque the tool exerts when it's pushed to its performance limit. Most of us don't use a tool that way. What we're interested in is 'soft joint' or 'soft case'-real-world running torque, which allows the tool to continue when it encounters resistance.
Speed, or the range of rpms (revolutions per minute), is another useful rating for sizing up the tool's utility. Speed, however, is also an important factor in the torque capacity of a cordless drill or driver. Quality cordless drill/drivers have gearboxes with two (and sometimes three) separate speed ranges that allow the user to gear the tool up or down like a car's transmission for mechanical advantage. Slower speed ranges are around 400 rpm to 500 rpm, providing increased torque for driving large screws or making large holes. Higher speed ranges now reach 1,500 rpm to 2,000 rpm for rapid fastening or drilling. Some specialty products and lower priced drills have a single speed range with the trigger as the only control.
Most drills also have a variable speed feature. The more you squeeze the trigger, the faster the drill spins. Variable speed is usually associated with a break that stops the chuck from turning as soon as you release the trigger. This feature allows you to get a screw or a drill bit started, helps prevent over-torquing (which can break the head off a screw), and is also nice for delicate work.
Clutch settings limit the maximum amount of torque exerted by the tool. Virtually all cordless drill/drivers now have anywhere from 12 to 25 clutch settings. They assist the user in preventing the drill from driving a screw too far into soft wallboard, mangling a screw's head by turning too fast, or breaking off a soft metal, such as brass, by forcing it through too much resistance.
Manufacturers tout that more settings mean more precise torque control. Professional users, however, often say they rarely use clutch settings and prefer to go by the feel of the tool and their familiarity with the materials. Homeowners will probably want a tool that falls somewhere in the middle.
Chuck capacity indicates the largest diameter bit shaft that a drill's chuck can hold. Smaller (lower voltage) drill/drivers are fitted with 3/8 capacity chucks, while larger tools come standard with 1/2 chucks. Once considered strictly industrial, a modern 1/2 chuck is ideal these days because it can accommodate a greater variety of bit sizes. Many manufacturers have a 'caming chuck' or 'ratcheting chuck' that permits extra tightening of the bit, making it more dependable and stable so it won't skip when working through resistance (using extra torque).
Weight is a hot topic of conversation when shopping for cordless drill/drivers. Although it's primarily a function of total voltage (the higher the voltage, the greater the battery size and weight), higher power components also require more heavy-duty materials and more mass. An 18-volt powerhouse needs a larger and therefore heavier motor to support it; larger chucks (going from 3/8 to 1/2) need more and heavier housings to control the additional torque. The newest battery technology boasts comparable weight to its lower voltage counterparts, but the tool itself must be sturdier, and therefore weighs more, to handle the additional power.
Other components to consider include product housing, switches, bearings and gears, and the motor and transmission. More professional-grade products are designed for tougher conditions and harsher use and usually have a housing that can survive at least a 10' drop test. A dusty environment (and what old house isn't dusty?) will take its toll on switches and motors. Many manufacturers design motor and gear housings to shield them from dust and moisture. Look for tools with heat shields and cooling fans for motors if you're going to be running them for extended hours. A high-powered drill/driver needs a motor that won't burn out from the additional power and a transmission to keep up with the speed. It's worth doing some homework online or talking to the manufacturers' technical support people to find out about the many specifications that are available and how each manufacturer's product differs.
HOW MUCH POWER?
Of course there wouldn't be cordless tools without rechargeable batteries. Battery capacity is measured in ampere-hours (Ah) or, to use a crude analogy, the quantity of electricity that is delivered over a period of time. For example, a car battery rated at 10 Ah can deliver 10 amps for one hour or one amp for 10 hours. In cordless tools, the higher the amp-hour rating is, the longer the tool will run per battery charge. Any battery is actually a pack comprised of multiple cells, each supplying about 1.2 volts of electricity. Weight is a factor of battery size because each one of these cells adds mass. A 12-volt drill has a 10-cell battery; a 24-volt tool has 20 cells-and twice the weight. Depending on the battery technology, most battery capacities run between 2.4 and 3.5 Ah. No manufacturer is willing to say how long a battery will last or how many times you can charge it because that depends on battery use and care. The average is 1,200 to 1,500 charge-discharge cycles. Some batteries will fail at 500; some will go to 3,000. A high quality tool will probably outlast its batteries, and then you'll need to decide whether to buy more batteries (anywhere from $25 to $100 each, de-pending on the manufacturer) or spend $80 more and upgrade your entire drill.
It's a shame to think we're living in an age of disposable tools. Some manufacturers offer new tools that use older battery technology or one battery for their entire cordless line.
OTHER FEATURES
The warranty says a lot about a product. The longer the warranty, the longer the manufacturer expects the tool to last without developing problems that the company will have to pay for. Many drill/drivers offer only one- to two-year warrantees and some go to three; expect different warrantees for the tool and its battery.
Repairing old houses is demanding enough that you don't need to expend energy on a tool that's hard to position, doesn't adjust easily for settings or changing bits, is difficult to fit into tight spaces, or has switches that aren't in the right places for fingers to maneuver. Assessing the ergonomics or the hand of a tool is important. Carefully consider how it fits your grip, balances in your hand, and whether it allows your fingers to reach switches and the battery release easily. A comfortable grip and well-distributed tool weight will make a big difference when you're holding a building part in one hand and trying to maneuver a drill with the other. Visit tool retailers and actually feel different tools with different components. If possible, run the tool or one that is equivalent. On paper, a drill/driver may have perfect specs for your applications, but you may find it too powerful to control or not versatile enough for different tasks.
I saved price for last because it won't matter if you buy the wrong tool. I prefer to buy the highest quality tool I can afford. Manufacturers making professional-grade tools run more endurance tests, often offer longer-lasting batteries with shorter charging times, and focus on ergonomics for the user's comfort and safety. Ultimately, you want a product that feels good in your hand, is easy to use, and helps you do the best job possible around your old house, whatever that job may be.
About the Author
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Whats the best kind of cordless drill?
I have one of those cheap (Jobmate 14.4V) cordless drills $40. I'm starting to use it a lot more and wanna buy a new better cordless drill. I didn't want to spend to much, but I relize I'm gonna have to if I want a good one. DeWalt $200, Bosc $200, Black & Decker $100. Is Black & Decker decent? And what Volt do you recommend? I know they have 12V-36V 36V sounds unnecessary. HELP THANKS
DeWalt
Choosing a cordless drill