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First time drill buyer! NEED HELP!


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I'm looking to buy a cordless drill/ screwdriver for the first time. Does anyone have any helpful info, hints, suggestions, etc. on what to and not to buy? I'm willing to send money for quality but I dont want to overspend. I need some help from my AU fam! :wareagle:

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The wife bought me a Ryobi set with a drill, small circular saw, saws-all and a flash light.  Came with battery charger, two 18v Lithium batteries and a carry-all bag.  Got it on sale at Lowes.  Terrific buy.

Note: get a minimum 18v battery.  The lithium batteries tend to hold their charge longer and charge faster.  Good luck!

BTW, love the saws-all, use it for pruning shrubs and trees among other things.

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Dewalt. don't even bother with anything else.

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Dewalt. don't even bother with anything else.

Thats all you need to know.  I work with drills quite a bit. Dewalt just sells itself.

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Slight difference of option here....

To me DeWALT once made a very good drill, but IMHO is no longer worth the price (nor the best).  I've worn out multiple flavors of these and no longer even consider them as an option.  My favorite at the moment is the Makita 18v Lithium, which is available with two different size batteries. I prefer the longer charge of the larger LXT battery, than the other smaller white battery.  Although you might also consider a Hitachi 18V, they make a really nice lithium for the price.  Not saying the first drill mentioned would not suffice (just a difference of opinion), but over the years have gone through multiple Bosch, Porter Cable, Milwaukee, Ryobi, and DeWALT cordless drills. 

One word of caution.... check amperage when comparing from store to store.  Some big-box stores may carry lower amp tools with only a slight variation in model number.  Not sure if this holds true for their cordless drills, but have certainly noticed variances with corded power tools.

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IF buying for extended or professional use go with the Makita or DeWalt lithium.  If for moderate-homeowner use the Hitachi 18 volt (green) is hard to beat.

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I don't have all that extensive experience with drills, but I did work in a frame shop. Off hand I can't remember the brand we used (*EDIT* It's Black and Decker, which should be used only for basic jobs and should not be relied upon too much without a backup), but one of the guys who worked elsewhere in the store (and he's a gear head who knows a great deal about all kinds of tools) told me that Makita is top of the line. He came into the frame shop because his drill had broken (actually, I think it was the bit, but I don't remember for sure), and he was ranting about how whatever brand it was sucked, which was when he voiced his opinion about Makita.

I'm pretty sure my father has a DeWalt, and he's a bit of an amateur carpenter with some good tools, so I'm sure that it is a good brand, but I'd go with Makita. My boy is rather eccentric (former Marine, rough around the edges, little crazy), but he knows his stuff.

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I couldn't be happier with my DeWalt 18v. If you look around, you can find them at decent prices.  I got mine on sale at True Value for around $80.

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Why does it have to be cordless.  Cordless is great for small 5 - 10 minute projects but for all day work it will just frustrate you.  I have left cordless to the plug in drills and and found getting the extention cord out is well worth it.

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Because ... several of the new lithium's charge in about 15 minutes.  Which is faster than most people can drain them down.  They also have a little LED light in just the right spot.  And if you get the Makita dual set (2), the impact driver will snap 3/8 lag bolts if you're not careful. 

Still for most do it yourself'ers the Hitachi is worth checking out for the cost.  It has a nice high quality feel, and drills -n- screw as well as the more familiar or better known.  The charger is just a bit slower than the higher priced.

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Why does it have to be cordless.  Cordless is great for small 5 - 10 minute projects but for all day work it will just frustrate you.  I have left cordless to the plug in drills and and found getting the extention cord out is well worth it.

I've not run into any sort of battery issue using my cordless.  Yeah, those little Black & Decker $30 cordless drills suck, but those 18v drills don't have that issue.

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For the price and quality of drill, Porter Cable is tops in my book. Outperfromed my bosses Dewalt when "we" (as my wife likes to say) were screwing down concrete board to lay my tile with. The Dewalt almost burnt up. Bought mine at Lowes on black friday last year and gave under $70 for an impact driver, drill, and flash light. Also bought the 4 piece set (drill, flash light, circular saw, zaw saw) for around $100. Thats 2 flash lights, 2 drills, circular saw, zaw saw, impact driver, 3 batteries, and 2 chargers for under well under $200. Good luck finding a deal like that with Dewalt.

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Believe it or not, but the Ryobi at Home Depot is a good impact drill. Don't get anything that isn't an impact drill. You can drive a three and half inch decking screw without stripping out the head.etc.. Drill and charger with two batteries are around $70.00.

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ive got the Ryobi set, like the saws and drill but batteries last no time. i have a dewalt drill and ive not run the battery down yet, it can sit in the toolbox unused for a month and still be strong. the ryobi dies when idle.

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So what did you buy?

I have a huge Ryobi set.  they are great.  I have like 5 batteries and all kinds of neat tools.  Some that cut, some that drill, some that chop.  My favorite is the IMPACT DRIVER.. sooo good.

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