Cordless drills

[jwilson]

For batteries Li-ion is the way to go: Nicads lose too much charge when unused, and once the batteries die at 1-2 years old new battery packs are almost as much as a new complete drill. Bought a Screwfix £99 Hitachi with two Li-ions about 3-4 years ago, had a lot of use and still works very well but the drill now making a bit of a burning-brushes smell.

Prior to this had three cheaper cordless with Nicad batteries: all chucked out after batteries died although the drills themselves were fine.

I have two big mains Makita hammer drills also a Makita saw and planer, all very well used and now 30 plus years old, never a problem, so Makita are clearly good kit.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

My Makita NiCd batteries have done 10 years of standard domestic / home workshop duty which to be honest I think is fine. It's right to say that replacement batts are v costly.

 

[GrahamM376]

For batteries Li-ion is the way to go:

Agreed, lithium by far the best. One of the reasons I chose Ryobi one+ drill with 2 batteries is that they're standardising batteries across a wide variety of tools, many of which can be bought cheaper without battery so can use my spare. Also, lots of cheap unbranded one+ lithiums around.

 

[NickRobinson]

I would be interested in people's experience regarding battery life. My problem is that my usage is so infrequent, often just a few times a year or even less, so that the older NiCad batteries would always have run down by the next use. I suspect that with new batteries things could be even worse, since they last best when part charged. For the time being I will keep my ancient mains-powered job and borrow my neighbour's battery one for the very occasional use near water.

So true- My dead 18v no-name lives on the boat converted to croc clip via a lead to the ship's batteries (12v). Works well and no charging regime.

 

[Skylark]

For occasional use, around the house, for aero modelling and on the boat, I use a Black & Decker 18v. It cost about £35 and is good value for money. For anything more robust in need, I'll use 240v.

I have every admiration for anyone buying one of the better brands but I don't have enough holes to drill to justify the premium expense.

 

[d4dunmor]

Nobody has suggested to check the amp hours rating this is what gives longer life to using the drill between charges nothing to do with the volts
3 AH batteries are common now

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Pretty much anything with a keyless chuck and a lithium battery will be fine for stuff around the house, or boat.

 

[Humblebee]

Here's an alternative suggestion, I have a couple of mains and battery powered drills at home but on the boat I keep an old fashioned Stanley hand drill. Never loses its charge, totally reliable, doesn't take up much space and adequate for all my needs.
Not the quickest or the best if you have a lot of drilling to do but suits me and my boating ideally.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've got a Ryobi 18v one+ with 2 batteries, bought on a special deal(including oap discount) several yrs ago and it's excellent. Also got a very old 12v B&Q drill on which the battery had died and I've converted to a trailing lead with a 12v plug which lives on the boat, useful but I always use the Ryobi which is far superior. Also got other Ryobi tools which use the same battery.

 

[{151760}]

I like my Ryobi one+ like this. http://www.diy.com/departments/ryob...i-drill-2-batteries-llcdi18022l/196738_BQ.prd They also do one a bit cheaper which is just a drill/driver but no hammer action.

+1

 

[philwebb]

If you've got the money and the work for the drill, buy a DeWalt 18volt. I've had most of the common makes and I have found this the best. Makita are OK but the DeWalt batteries seem to last longer. Try Screwfix for a good price.

 

[lw395]

You pay your money...

I have a Bosch cordless which is excellent.
I have an Ikea one which was great value, is nice and light, has paid for itself, gets in places the Bosch won't... It's not as good, but it was only £35! LiIon battery lasts for dozens of big screws.
I have an argos own brand which was 12 quid. Bought to do one job. Bargain!

Depends what you do. The other day I was putting flooring in the loft. One drill pilot hole, one clearance, one screwdriver. Why change bits every minute or two?
Anything my cordless won't cope with, I've got mains drills.

 

[gjgm]

You need 18v, lithium and pref above 1.5ah ,one hour charger and two batteries.
Cheaper ones might be fine for occasional use.
Think the offer has now gone but b q had bosch pro range with all that for about 60 quid a week ago. Ryobi and Worx are solid as well as the usual makita and dewalt. Just look about for deals.
Nimh is cheaper but go for lithium these days

 

[William_H]

I have never bought a new cordless drill. I seem to find them everywhere discarded due to dud batteries. I open them up and replace NiMH batteries. My favourite current one has a 2 speed gear box. I love the low speed high torque for screw driving etc. I have contemplated replacing batteries with Lithium needing then a lithium battery charge controller board and suitable DC charge supply. All do able with a bit of fiddling. good luck olewill

 

[Kelpie]

Might be over the OP's budget, but just add a point of reference, Makita 18v is very good and the charger works happily off a cheap (£30) eBay inverter. They do a 12v charger too but the inverter is much cheaper and more versatile, if slightly less efficient.

 

[JerryHawkins]

Probably OTT for the OP, but I think Milwaukee are the best (beating DeWalt and Makita too). Check out https://www.milwaukeepowertools.co.uk/m18/m18-drivers. Even the 2AH batteries last incredibly and hold their charge for months.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If you are looking for quality and longevity which will not be cheap:

Brushless motor
Metal Gearbox
Lithium ion batteries
Higher voltage = more power
Higher Amp Hr longer usable time between charges

 

[kalanka]

I got fed up of Bosch's policy of selling drills equipped with batteries that last a few charge cycles and cost more to replace than the original outfit. I tried a Titan and have been thoroughly impressed so far. Cheap and powerful. I am on a mooring so keep the drill and charged battery on board and rotate the battery with the spare one charged at home.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-tti...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CK2P24ff4tMCFYSP7QodKZIFZQ

 

[macd]

I got fed up of Bosch's policy of selling drills equipped with batteries that last a few charge cycles and cost more to replace than the original outfit.

...and their after sales "service" absolutely sucks.

 

[MonniotC]

When the NiCad battery pack failed in my B & Q cheapie, I opened it up & replaced the cells with NiMH AA cells soldered together. It now has greater AH capacity, loads of grunt, & I still haven't had to recharge it after 6 months and a fair bit of use.
I also have a truly ancient Skil cordless which I wired to croc-clips when the batteries failed, and has been in use on the boat for about 10 years.