Please recommend a cordless drill!

[KompetentKrew]

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. … . So no I'm not a fan of cheap drills

I has similar experiences with Lidl / Aldi bargains a few years ago.

I was enthusiastic about them until I had 3 failures within a short time period - the 3-year guarantee required shipping them back to their warehouse, and returning a jump-starter battery cost me a fortune. An electric screwdriver turned out to be very cheaply made. I still have a good little 1/4" socket set from them which I use daily, but I swore off them. Due to their popularity on here I assume the quality has improved, but I'll stick with main brands now.

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 assume it's their own brand. I see a lot of Workzone tools, mentioned above, at Aldi and have never seen them anywhere else.

My socket set is Powerfix and when I google that name the only place that stocks them is Lidl. I guess they use Parkway Parkside for power tools and Powerfix for hand tools?

 

[AEMD]

I have a DeWalt 18v which came with two batteries and a very nice carry case some years ago. The batteries seem to be lasting very well and the drill has been used quite a bit for drilling holes in wallsas well as boat jobs and woodwork. Having had repeated bad experiences with Bosch batteries for cordless garden tools, I'd avoid them like the plague. Most of the odd job guys around here ( France ) seem to swear by Makita, but so far I'm happy with my cheaper De Walt.

 

[fredrussell]

Pah! You’re all a bunch of paupers. I have a Festool cordless drill on the boat. Not the most current one but still an amazing piece of kit. My friend bought it at a car boot sale for ten quid from someone that had never heard of Festool (!) and gave it to me.

 

[coopec]

AEG has a good name. You can buy just the drill for $A399 (212.83 Pound sterling)

or complete set for $A1500

 

[doug748]

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. ......

Those chucks do let the drill down. I tighten them with two Mole wrenches a lot of the time.

Are Makita any better? Can they cope with hammer drilling without the bit coming loose? I rate Makita but shelling out 7 times as much cash is against my most cherished precepts.
.

 

[laika]

Are Makita any better? Can they cope with hammer drilling without the bit coming loose?

Not being aware of anywhere on a boat I'd need a hammer drill I bought one without a hammer setting which is clearly not what the OP wants. It does serve to underline the point that recommendations for boat drills depend on your personal situation as much as what you want it for. I don't have a house so I don't need anything for masonry. All my tools live on the boat so space is at a premium. If I had a garage for my "other tools" a cheapo drill for the boat would make perfect sense: I could just bring my "good" mains drill down to the boat or anything heavy duty. For me though, a single, quality 18v cordless seems optimal.

 

[gus]

The word on the street is that Dewalt are not a good as they used to be and the preferred choice in the trade is Milwakee.

 

[Hydrozoan]

A SiL uses mainly Makita for work, but recommended Ryobi for my domestic/hobby use many years ago. I’ve since made the switch to Li-ion batteries but the original drill and circular saw are still fine. I‘ve added a detail sander and a right-angle drill, invaluable for one particular boat application. The lot plus charger and two batteries fits into an excellent holdall (better than the current one, I think) which IIRC came as part of the original set - as others have said, you need to keep an eye out for good deals on the tool and battery combinations you want.

 

[Amulet]

I have a Makita 18 volt. I've bought into their system and have a wee circular saw too. I have had lots of success with Makita tools. It will do easy masonry but not real tough stuff. If you expect to drive hundreds of screws I'd recommend a lighter drill. I have two smaller ones as well!

I was sceptical about the notion of a battery powered saw, but it was bought naked with no battery quite cheaply. It can't do any serious work but is a real godsend for quickly chopping a bit of a plank or cutting a sheet of plywood.

 

[[176172]]

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?

I have used Clas Olsen products for years. Their cordless is the best I have ever had, it comes with charger and battery which also fits all their other battery power tools, saws, sanders etc. They also have a larger capacity battery, I have one of each with one always on charge, particularly when doing a lot of sanding, but they do last quite a long time.
For quality and reliability and easy on the pocket I can heartily recommend them.

 

[[176172]]

I have used Clas Olsen products for years. Their cordless is the best I have ever had, it comes with charger and battery which also fits all their other battery power tools, saws, sanders etc. They also have a larger capacity battery, I have one of each with one always on charge, particularly when doing a lot of sanding, but they do last quite a long time.
For quality and reliability and easy on the pocket I can heartily recommend them.

Clas Ohlson

 

[Gentleman of Leisure]

I have a small Bosch cordless that I got when I first got a boat about 18 years ago. I've had a replacement battery but that's all. It's compact, light and reliable. Iv also got a Ryobi SDS which has revolutionised drilling in masonry. If I used them every day, I'd get Makita which is what my son in law (sort of) uses as he's a builder. I'm glad no one has quoted the old saw - buy cheap, buy twice - as there are many reasonably priced options around these days.

 

[russ]

The only drill you need. Dewalt impact driver. Great for drilling also to tighten and loosen stubborn screws and bolts.
Can only use quick release bits though, which are better in my opinion.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I’ve got a Makita which came with 2 batteries. Can’t remember the model but it’s ten years old now and still going strong (second set of batteries though).

Another vote for Makita. I’ve got the 18v versions so the drill, multi tool and impact wrench all share the same batteries and charger. I’ve no experience of Milwaukee but at this end of the tool quality spectrum, I wonder if the average or above average DIYer is going to notice the difference.

I’ve got a DeWalt cordless drill on the boat but I like the Makita so much I always end up taking it with me and leaving the DeWalt in its case.

 

[Daverw]

I’ve had DeWalt for the last 10 years, on second one now as the later ones 18v have loads of power and well made, the Milwaukee are very good but are being pushed into the uk market by trade offers and branding offers like jackets, most are bare units and the batteries cost loads for sensible capacities

 

[Ruffles]

I replaced my old DeWalt with the current DeWalt 18v offering as the old batteries were no longer obtainable.
Unimpressed with the new one. The chuck collet slips and even when it doesn't it has nowhere near the holding ability of the old one.
Also the case is larger than the old one even though the contents are smaller.
Seems to be a consumer product - form before function.

 

[Little Dorrit]

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned Hitachi, I've had an 18v one for 5 years and it's done me proud. Marginally cheaper than some of the other options although my reason for the purchase was because a shipwright who I knew used one... and liked it!

 

[Stemar]

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.

Parkway are adequate DIY kit. You can pay a lot more for similar quality from B&Q and their ilk. I have a big SDS drill that simply does what it says on the box, and a "Dremel" that I've had for years. I use it a couple of times a year and it just keeps going, I got a big angle grinder for less than £20 an the basis that, if it lasts to cut the slabs for a patio I was laying, it didn't owe me anything and, if it didn't, there was a warranty. No 3 son has it now and it's still going, 10 years later.

 

[Gentleman of Leisure]

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned Hitachi, I've had an 18v one for 5 years and it's done me proud. Marginally cheaper than some of the other options although my reason for the purchase was because a shipwright who I knew used one... and liked it!

My son has just bought a Hikoki SDS drill which is apparently a rebranded Hitachi. I can't understand why they would change the name as Hitachi is a well respected brand. Any road, he's well pleased with it.

 

[lw395]

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned Hitachi, I've had an 18v one for 5 years and it's done me proud. Marginally cheaper than some of the other options although my reason for the purchase was because a shipwright who I knew used one... and liked it!

I've used a Hitachi at a client's site, I thought it very good, I was drilling 0.8mm holes in something and I was impressed with the lack of 'wobble and slack' compared with other drills. For most work, a drill is a drill is a drill, unless you're talking about the really cheap stuff with no speed control. I bought a £10 Argos drill which was fairly poor TBH, but did the job in hand and at least it could be bought on the way home. The motor is still in use doing something completely different and the DC adaptor is powering an LED light.
I think I gave the chuck to someone who'd got theirs full of plaster or something!
I regret not buying a Parkside drill to match my hedge trimmer and mini-grinder, one drill is never enough. One for pilot holes, one for countersink, one for screwdriving....
The hedge trimmer has seen quite hard use, I am impressed!

I still sometimes use this type of stanley cordless drill circa 1970, never any issues with bat flattery:
Vintage collectable 1950's Stanley 803 Hand Drill, Good, working Condition. | eBay