Cordless Drills

[bobjebb]

Any power tool afficionados out there?

I'm looking at various drills, and am confused slighty with Volts versus a.h and battery types.

Needed for general DIY, looking at 18V but get lost thereafter.

What's always annoyed me about cordless power tools is that when you come to use them, you can't, because it's been a month since you last did and the battery is flat. Am I right in thinking the lithium cells get over this issue?

A recommendation welcome c. £150 or so?

Cheers

[Dippy]

The voltage relates to torque. IMO the lowest to get is 14.4V. If you need it for general use then that should be enough. If you are going to do a lot of building with it then 18V would be better.

mAh or Ah relates to endurance. The higher the figure the longer you can use it before recharging. But also the higher the figure the bigger the battery (in general) and so the tool becomes heavier and bulkier.

All batteries have internal leakage, but lithium cells are pretty good. Certainly avoid NiCd.

If you want a better response, go to www.diynot.com. The forums (or should it be fora?) are very good.

[bobjebb]

Thanks dippy, I'll check the forae...

[JonnyX]

Firstly, don't scrimp if it's going to be something you will use a lot. If it's general purpose get a drill driver.
From personal experience, I would recommend Dewalt or Makita. Hitachi look nice but I haven't used
those. You do seem to get what you pay for with powertools.

The torque is actually a function of the motor fitted, not necessarily the voltage. Get a 14.4v Dewalt kit with
charger and 2* NiMh batteries (2.2 or 3.0 ah) - that should do for just about anything general purpose.

[MCB]

IMHO Dewalt.

[bobjebb]

Thanks again, sold on lithium though, which are generally a lot more cash, but seem to have the no discharge feature which appeals.

Looking at a WHICH best buy Metabo, 14.4v £199.

Never knew drills could be so interesting!

[SteveH]

I work in big building and the boys toys are truly superb (no, I have never grown up), major plant is great, £millions of kit, armed police escorts (it is normally a coincidence that they are armed by the way).

Went on a week long crane course a few months ago , unfortunately it was all legal, british standards, regulations and engineering culminating in an 8 hour written exam with a 20% success rate Was really chuffed (and very relieved) when I got my results and had passed .

[h8cak]

I am a carpenter and house renovator so have all the tools. I am a big fan of Dewalt. I have had all the different makes and always end up back with dewalt. Best hand drill IMHO is the 18v XRP Combi Drill. It comes with 20amph batterys which is good enough for proffesional use.
Hope this helps?

[RSVI]

I would laugh if i was reading this post of mine but here goes

I got one of my work guys an 18v cordless hammer drill today.

Can't tell you much more but it did have just the one battery.

Total cost £28 ! ! ! ! ! !

If it lasts a year great, if not then for £28 i'll get another.


ps it's a "Tesco" own make.

I'll let you know how it gets on.