Battery powered drill recommendations please

Makita is my preferred make, although I'm prepared to accept that others are as good. Think about what you see in a builder's van, not what's on the shelves at B&Q :)

Pete
 
We use them day in day out in our business making electrical control panels.

We have used Makita in the past but my guys wont have anything elso other than a Dewalt now.

Whatever make you go for go for a metal gear box and it will not let you down.

Steve
 
I have a number different makes of battery drills and my favourite is Festool. The motor is at right angles to the chuck so can get into small places. It also has various attachments to get into smaller places. Had mine for 12 years so is a Nimh but only replaces first set late last year

The new model that replaces my model has lithium ion batteries

http://www.festool.com/EN/Products/...me=Cordless-drill-C-15-Li-Ion-C-15-Li-3-0-Set
 
Thank you both.

I have been told that DeWalt products have recently gone downhill. Yesterday I looked at a Festool drill, used for 10 years by a carpenter, but the current price is enormous.

The useful comment about a metal gearbox is noted.

P.S. Thanks Rogershaw, I didn't see your post before submitting this one. Will think more about Festool.
 
Boring subject

I did some research and decided to go for a better grade model than one finds on the shelves of the big chain DIY stores. Makita came out tops on my research and I went for an 18v Makita combi with two 3.0Ah Lion batteries, 2 speed variable with reverse. Expensive (£359) but am now able to put holes everywhere above the water line, needed or not. Great drill, highest quality and great batteries. Saw it on line at Screwfix, looked up my local branch which had one in stock and picked it up same day - first class service. Must look out for one of the little drill bit driven pump attachments which used to be available, just in case I do err below the water line.

Happy boring.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
 
A lot depends on the ammount of use you are going to make of the tool. If it is only for occasional use the premium cost of the sort of tools used by those who use them to make a living may well be excessive and better used as beer vouchers. My 3 year old CPC wonders still work fine and hold enough charge to do the work I need and cost me a fraction of the cost of 'proper' tools.
 
This is the best one you can get today, trust me.

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...Chuck GSR1082LiC 3165150534734 GSR 10.8-2-LIC

It is extremely small, solid quality, very strong, and long battery life. For an all round drill/driver why have a big lumpy battery, I have been using the small Bosch's for a few years now and have never found myself needing a bigger and higher voltage one.


I agree that Dewalt has gone downhill.
I agree that Festool probably makes the best quality tools with Bosch and Makita close seconds, but they currently don't have a small 10.8V drill/driver like Bosch/Makita/AEG.

Festools are actually made in Germany while Bosch units are manufactured in many other countries.

Cheers,
Per
 
I used a Makita for years when I had a building firm and for a long time after I quit. It did eventually pack up after about 15 years of hard use so I bought another and it's still going strong.
 
I would get yourself a comblnation box with an impact driver and a driver drill. Should cover all bases for home and boat use.

In 'Tool Top Trumps' Hilti beats Makita easily. The only problem we have with their stuff is stopping it being stolen !
 
Different angle on the advice.

In order of importance

1. Li Ion batteries last longer and give full power until they stop but Ni Cad just slow down.

2. Go for highest voltage/battery capacity you can. Today I would only go for min 18V.

3. Go for the quality /price combination that suits your usage and consider the tool range of the same make that fit the same battery.

I do have a new top of the range Makita 18V that cost about £350 - bought it to replace my cheap Ryobi tools that the NiCad battery failed after 7-8yr but after investigating the other Ryobi tools I would then need to replace (small rt angle drill, jigsaw, circular saw and recipricating saw) I decided to invest in 2 new Ryobi 18V Li Ion batteries and charger and this has transformed the old Ryobi tools.

I also have a Milwalkee 28V rt angle drill that I use with a winch bit to turn my charter boat winches into electric winches but thats another story!!

If you are going to have extended use buy the number of batteries you want in the first instance as part of the deal - cheapest that way!
 
The 18v Makita are one of the best buys - not necessarily with the Li-ion battery which are expensive, but with the NiMH batteries. The cheap offers on Makita are NiCd and quite useless
Festool are easily the best but unless you're using it professionally you'll never justify the capital cost.
Bosch and deWalt are OK but replacement batteries for the latter are prohibitive.
 
Sybaris said:
This is the best one you can get today, trust me.

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...Chuck GSR1082LiC 3165150534734 GSR 10.8-2-LIC

It is extremely small, solid quality, very strong, and long battery life. For an all round drill/driver why have a big lumpy battery, I have been using the small Bosch's for a few years now and have never found myself needing a bigger and higher voltage one.


I agree that Dewalt has gone downhill.
I agree that Festool probably makes the best quality tools with Bosch and Makita close seconds, but they currently don't have a small 10.8V drill/driver like Bosch/Makita/AEG.

Festools are actually made in Germany while Bosch units are manufactured in many other countries.

Cheers,
Per
Click to expand...

What about this festool drill 10.8 V and a right angle drive included for very short/confined operation

http://www.festool.com/EN/Products/...me=Cordless-drill-C-12-Li-Ion-C-12-Li-1-5-Set
 
Rogershaw said:
What about this festool drill 10.8 V and a right angle drive included for very short/confined operation

http://www.festool.com/EN/Products/...me=Cordless-drill-C-12-Li-Ion-C-12-Li-1-5-Set
Click to expand...

Yes it looks very good, but I would still go for the Bosch because of it's really small battery pack.

For me a drill/driver is an all round tool and for that smaller is better. It is the one tool I use just about all the time so it has to be durable and have good batteries.

I don't like the drill/impact drill combinations because they are way to bulky. The few times I need to do impact drill work (very seldom on a boat) I use a corded excellent and trusty Makita.

I don't really see the advantage of a higher voltage. There is nothing I have needed to drill that I couldn't with my 10.8V Bosch and I am talking all types of wood, hole attachments, 16mm bits, stainless steel, aluminium etc.

Cheers,
Per
 
Coaster said:
I need to buy a new battery powered drill, mostly for use at home. I'm prepared to pay for a good quality product with 2 lithium ion batteries etc.

Can forum members recommend particular makes and models please? What about useful attachments?
Click to expand...
Need a bit more info on @FOR USE AT HOME@
The pro tools are that.. 24/7.. do you need that if you mean 30 minutes a week, maybe/
If you mean active DIY, then quite what are you drilling , non stop?
A few bits of wood or heavy concrete?
Even a cheap SDS drill will smash through heavy stuff compared to a rechargeable.
So, I have big cheap heavy SDS and bits
14.4 li-ion ryobi one, as it happens, but good tool
10.8 makita set
Guess what.. the makita is by FAR the best built tool, but then I drill concrete once a year, so the cheapo SDS is perfect. But the I cant use a 2mm drill it in a 4kg hammer drill !18v is too heavy for round the house jobs.
14.4 li-ion is a good compromise ; Ryobi is pretty ok tool, not saying better or worse.
Bosch pro range I like alot, though I dont have one of their drills. Ok, I do, a 20 yr old hammer drill that is still fine.
Try Axminster tools, anglian tools..maybe you get some bits thrown in. Seem alot offers on makita a the moment.
Good DIy drill Ryobi
Want to treat yourself, Makita or Bosch pro range
 
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