Best light-duty rechargeable hand drill?
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JohnW63
Enlightened Member
Do you want a 90 degree drill shape or the inline screwdriver shape?
A co-worker who did alarm installs for 16 years likes Milwaukee, like this one , for small stuff.
A co-worker who did alarm installs for 16 years likes Milwaukee, like this one , for small stuff.
Milwaukee M4 4V Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Cordless Hex Screwdriver (Tool-Only) 2101-20 - The Home Depot
This cordless 4-Volt Screwdriver incorporates the latest Milwaukee core technologies in motor and Red Link Intelligence electronics, increasing the tool's power and run-time, while shrinking its size.
www.homedepot.com
fronobulax
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Mrs. Fro uses the power tools here. She ended up with a Dewalt because it was in stock locally. She has used it extensively including for rebuilding a picket fence. She has several other Dewalt power tools (sander and a small saw come immediately to mind). The fact that they all use the same battery pack is huge. I can look for model number if I remember.
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The only power tools I'll buy any more are Bosch
Guildedagain
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Dewalt 20V stuff is unbeatable for cost, durability, versatillity, the batteries can run anything from a hand held light, to a vacum cleaner, blower, skill saw, Sawzall, etc, etc, etc, killer lightweight pole saw, etc, etc, etc. Also have a 40V chainsaw and trimmer, workhorses.
Midnight Toker
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I have lots of Bosch power tools, including my old trusty 18v drill, and the only Bosch hand tool that still stands out above the field is honestly their jig saws (and their commercial grade hammer drills). They truly are the best of the best. As far as their drills, I bought the last of the ones that were still made in Germany/Holland. In the last 20 years, they too have dropped in quality now being made in China. Their 30 degree angled design still easily puts them above dewalt. (Just a fancy black and decker) Everyone I know that is loyal to Dewalt says, "I've had 6 Dewalt drills and I loved them all". Meanwhile, I've had my one Bosch during that same time!!
As for small lightweight power drills, I'd definitely go w/ Milwaukee. I have the 12 V that I use EVERY DAY, and have for many years w/ no fail. It's a combination drill/ hammer drill/ ratchet-torque driver w/ 16 strength settings. The batteries last a long time for light use. It has the power to drive a 3" screw into wood (but not many). It's very comfortable, built tough (have dropped mine off ladders!) and they have loads of others tools that use the same battery system.
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Guildedagain
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After doing intense research actively using Dewalt through FOUR really intense "Firewise contracts" totaling easily ten acres of deeply forested woods, I can only recommend Dewalt, and I have, to multiple neighbors who have so far bought several 20V chainsaws, poles saws, mower, trimmers as well as neighbor who bought the 20/60Volt flex mower, trimmer, and chainsaw.
Out of all those tools there have been two failures.
One was a saw that was run out of oil, hurt the oiler, fixed by Dewalt for $28.
The other was a pole saw that came from Amazon, and the ensuing cockup of a return fiasco, easily avoided, go buy your Dewalt local and avoid Amazon like the plague that it is.
Out of all those tools there have been two failures.
One was a saw that was run out of oil, hurt the oiler, fixed by Dewalt for $28.
The other was a pole saw that came from Amazon, and the ensuing cockup of a return fiasco, easily avoided, go buy your Dewalt local and avoid Amazon like the plague that it is.
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I've had great luck with Rigid. Affordable and has help up really well.
jp
Senior Member
Having used and purchased a host of power tools for pretty rigorous, and demanding manufacturing settings, my best experiences have been with Festool, Bosch, Milwaukie Tool, and Atlas Copco. We went through Makita, Atlas Copco, Panasonic, AEG, Metabo, etc. Certain brands excelled in some categories, i.e., (AEG grinders), but for cordless tools, Bosch, and Milwaukie always outlasted everything. Their light duty gear were of the same caliber.
Midnight Toker
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jp
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Oh yeah! I forgot them. They made great tools back in the day.
geoguy
Senior Member
I have numerous corded power tools, but only two cordless drills. A Milwaukee & a Bosch. The Milwaukee is old enough that it uses NiCad batteries, but is more than robust enough for a homeowner.
The Bosch is much lighter, but is nicely balanced & also seems fine for home use. It came paired with a cordless impact driver that is a bit on the wimpy side, roughly $250 for the pair of tools. If you are considering either a Bosch drill or a Bosch kit with both a drill and impact driver, I would recommend buying only the drill.
The Bosch is much lighter, but is nicely balanced & also seems fine for home use. It came paired with a cordless impact driver that is a bit on the wimpy side, roughly $250 for the pair of tools. If you are considering either a Bosch drill or a Bosch kit with both a drill and impact driver, I would recommend buying only the drill.
Nice to see all the love for DeWalt. 22 years ago (time flies) I was VP for design at Black & Decker (who owned the De Walt brand since the 60s) and had a hand in re-introducing the DeWalt brand to the world in the early 90s. Very interesting story. B&D made some serious pro tools that were not sold to consumers at the time and Makita got a leg up in a deal with then-new Home Depot. We re-branded the B&D tools with the DeWalt name and the rest is history. Some of my personal designs you might recall: the original DeWalt cordless circular saw, and my favorite - the job-site radio/charger with the roll cage.
I should look into what they have now, but honestly I'm not doing that much work now, and the tools I have are still going strong.
Marty
I should look into what they have now, but honestly I'm not doing that much work now, and the tools I have are still going strong.
Marty
Marty, apart from / in addition to the normal stuff that one gets to deal with in any VP position, I would venture a guess that you have some fond memories from those days...
Indeed. Some of my fondest career memories for sure. The VP part was not all that. I was never good at the politics and got swept out one day when a change happened at the top. Despite all that, I enjoyed working with my hands, and a tool company gives you the chance to do exactly that.
FNG
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I bought a Rigid bundle of a variable speed drill, impact driver, radio, and charger with 2 batteries. I think it was a holiday sale deal, pretty good price. It works great, probably have used the radio the most! The batteries have held up pretty good so far, they seem to fade out over time.