Well, built greenhouse [lots of bolts and screws], a shop and lots of other things with a Rayobi 14.4 [had to replace old battereies]. Gave it to my son as his old Dewalt 9V was worn out from doing vehicle electronics. He is using it to do car disassembly as he is now on drug taskforce. I bought a new 19.2 V Craftsman [1/2 inch chuck] on sale. Got battery warranty too. This one is so strong, it will turn you around it you lock it into something solid. Have to set the clutch to keep from driving screws too deep into wood. Has a neat LED light that shines up on the area you are drilling or screwing. Has DieHard batteries with one hour recovery.
I have one like your grandpappy’s, Bob. It was my father’s. Wanna talk heft? That sucker is dangerous AND heavy!
Jim
I haven’t used my corded 3/8" Milwaukee drill in ages. My 14.4 volt DeWalt hasn’t failed me yet, and while heavier, it has better balance and will stand upright on the battery - no accidental gouging the work surface with the bit while laying it down. I love the convenience of cordless so much that I went and bought an 18 volt Bosch set - circular saw, recip saw, jigsaw, 1/2" drill, light - and cut and built all the benchwork without ever plugging in an extension cord (did drag the air hose around for the finish nailer though - but no power cords to tangle it up with [:)]). Cordless saws are simply fantastic when you just need to make a few quick cuts - no wasting far more time unravelling and pulling back up the cords than it takes make the cuts. I have corded versions of all the saws as well, but they’ve sat gathering dust along with the drills since I got the Bosch set.
It is correct though - with the high cost of new batteries, it can cost only slightly more to replace the entire drill than just the battery. However, if you have several tools using the same battery (like my Bosch set), then the battery replacement cost is easier to swallow (Although I really don’t know that yet - my batteries just keep taken a lickin’ and keep on tickin’).
GPJ
GPJ is right on cost of batteries. BUT, I refuse to throw away an excellent drill when all I need is a new battery. Our US society, throw away everything. So far, the only thing we don’t throw away is electric trains.
Hello All: A lot of good replies, From someone who came from driving 3" x #10 screws by hand to some of the first cordless, The last 3 years is where the biggest progress has been. I have a 18volt Milwaukee with hammer & two batteries, will last most of the day on constant use. Most of the Contractors are using DeWalt, The big outfits are buying 2-300 drill kits at a time. My company assigns every electrician with thier own. (We sign them out & return them when the layoffs begin). The good old days might sound great but you can’t beat some of the new stuff. Regards Steve
[2c] On the subject …
I’m at the stage in life where the major projects are over 'n done. Basement trainroom and remodeling is all finished. Model railroads are as constructed as they’ll ever be. House is in good shape. Soooooooo, no need for me to run out and purchase the leading edge in cordless tools, although I’d love to have 'em! I’ve got tools from way back and then some.
I’ve had some good and not so good experiences with cordless tools. So, even with extra batteries at the ready - I wind up using both the cord and cordless for major projects. I too have one of those all metal 3/8 drills from the early 60’s - B&D, when it made quality stuff. I pull it out when everything else seems to let me down.
One thing though, the days (daze) of SEARS and the old trusty CRAFTSMAN brand tools are over for me. Never, never again. Been burned too many times and they just ain’t what they used to be. But then again, I’m not either! [swg]
See ya!
Remember to never run your cordless drill with a weak battery or you might scramble the chip. (Sorry I couldn’t pass that one up!) Heeheehee
I buy cordless drills at garage sales for a few bucks, usually have weak batteries but work. I usually get two batteries and charger. Wind up getting another every couple years. Last one was a Porter Cable for $7 with two pretty good batteries. It is in the DeWalt Class $200 new.
Some times saw the old battery packs apart and check the cells. Often only one “C” cell is bad and I can replace it with one or combine two packs into one with the best cells.
I take the keyless chucks off the old ones and install them on my older cord drills with keys.(I have about 4 or 5 drills as I hate to keep changing bit sizes on a project).
The motors on the drills make good reversable drives for turntables and other things. Some use them to drive model boats or subs. Same for the garage sale cordless electric drills like B &D ones.
Charlie
PS - new issue of American Woodworker came the other day - don’t store your batteries in the garage or leave them in your car or truck - if they hit 100 degrees, they start to break down!