Please recommend a cordless drill!

KompetentKrew said:
Isn't that the same for all the major brands?
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I don’t know.
The ryobi market as a 1 for all battery and they have a huge range of tools including a wetodry vac, electric mastic gun, even a lawnmower (2 batteries at a time).
Prices reasonable too. Unfortunately B and Q no longer do them. I buy in the US where the wetodry vac is $99 for example.
 
I have a Ryobi which is OK. The thing I like is the 2 speed gearbox so speed control to low speed gives more torque. Many just use power reduction to get lower speed. ol'will
 
Elessar said:
I use my tools in a heavy domestic way.
My recommendation is Ryobi as they have so many different tools that all use the same battery.
I have about 6 batteries currently and multiple chargers. And lots of different tools.
Probably a bit lightweight for every day trade use but none have let me down so far.
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That's the type I went for. I converted all my old 12 VDC for replace the battery with a lead to power from boat 2VDC system and I also have an old 18VDC nicad that I made m adaptor to the Ryobi 18VDC l-ion.
 
I have something similar to this and find it excellent. Having a dedicated drill and dedicated screwdriver make many jobs so much easier. The drill struggles with hard concrete or engineering bricks, but that's what my Lidl SDS drill is for but, that apart, does pretty much everything I've ever asked of it. Having two batteries is handy, as they always go flat at the wrong time!
 
Stemar said:
I have something similar to this and find it excellent. Having a dedicated drill and dedicated screwdriver make many jobs so much easier. The drill struggles with hard concrete or engineering bricks, but that's what my Lidl SDS drill is for but, that apart, does pretty much everything I've ever asked of it. Having two batteries is handy, as they always go flat at the wrong time!
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And the case is exactly the right thickness to make a footrest for my wife when seated in our motorhome. Which is where it currently lies.
 
I live on a small holding and the brand of choice for me is............ Aldi. Cannot fault it. Puts up with all sorts of cr@p. Sheep, pigs, goats and even a trip to the bottom of the cesspit!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::)
 
Well, someone did say buy cheap the first time. If it works, great, you've saved money, if it breaks, you know you need a decent one, either because the cheap one was rubbish, or you're working it hard enough to justify spending the money.

I have several Aldidl tools and the only one that died was a small angle grinder that my son killed doing something that would have challenged a pro tool. You do have to be a bit careful now, because a lot of their tools are sold without batteries or charger, so not the bargains they appear on first sight. OTOH, that does allow you to have a dozen tools with as many interchangeable batteries and chargers as you need
 
I used to use a 14v aldi workzone drill my dad gave me. It was rubbish, struggled with anything beyond basic drilling and the chuck kept slipping. I kept it so as not to offend him but eventually bought a makita 18v when the Workzone drill couldn't handle the holecutting for my new autopilot head. So no I'm not a fan of cheap drills. I would offer up the observation that drills without hammer settings are more expensive (though a few grams slighter) than the equivalent ones with, but note that the OP is looking for something that would handle masonry (which isn't a common requirement for boat drills, ferro owners possibly excepted). I'm happy with my DDF482Z (there are newer models now) which I decided on after sitting through many annoying youtube videos of exuberant american DIYers explaining the relative benefits of brushhless vs brushed and many tedious hours looking at torque figures and other specs.
 
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pcatterall said:
My old one is beyond repair.
This is for general purpose work around the house and on the boat. Including masonry metal etc.
I would like something which had a good speed control and I really want one where the chuck can be locked so you can tighten it with just one hand, ( ie not a chuck key and not one where you need to twist two parts by hand.)
Any recommendations please?
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KompetentKrew said:
Loads of 3rd-party ones on eBay, 2 for £30.
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I would also recommend Makita especially for their Guarantee.
When I bought mine (£100 inc 2 batteries) it had a 2 year guarantee.
I noticed that if I registered it on line they would extend the Guarantee to 3 years.
Two years and 11 months later it went wrong.
Rang Makita and they sent a Courier round the following day to collect it. Three days later another Courier delivered it back Repaired.
No charge.
 
I smile when I read about cutting through holes .... I have a 1975 Sunrider that is solid 50mm GRP ... no sandwich for hull or deck ... its solid !

I had to cut a through hull .... it destroyed three ... yes 3 .... hole cutters ... I went through 3 batterys on the cordless and ended up having to use my mains drill !!
 
Thanks all.
I did check with Lydl ( my corner shop now) I note that their current offerings in the tool line are 'Parkway'. Is this range any good?
I checked Ryobi out on ebay, there seemed to be a range of prices and a variety of packages ranging from 'drill only' to sets with 2 batteries and charger. I think I may go down the Ryobi route so just need to get the right package for me.
 
The Ryobi set up I have, have 1500mAh and/or 3000mAh batteries. Go for the biggest you can even if you buy the tool and battery separate
 
pcatterall said:
Thanks all.
I did check with Lydl ( my corner shop now) I note that their current offerings in the tool line are 'Parkway'. Is this range any good?
I checked Ryobi out on ebay, there seemed to be a range of prices and a variety of packages ranging from 'drill only' to sets with 2 batteries and charger. I think I may go down the Ryobi route so just need to get the right package for me.
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Before you buy, have a look at prices for aftermarket batteries on ebay, it may be worth buying bare tools and batteries separately. Ryobi have different drills, some have hammer some not, some are drill drivers and some have adjustable torque for screwing.
 
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