[Shop-talk] Cordless drill/screw driver

[Paul Parkanzky]

On Mon, Jan 11, 2021 at 12:23 PM Karl Vacek <stearman809 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Power is incredible.  The impact won't take off lug nuts, but then I
> haven't actually tried.  I'm sure (once I buy one) the 1/2" will beat the
> pants off my disappointing HF Earthquake 1/2" impact.
>

You'd be surprised. The 1/4" impacts make 100-120 lb-ft of torque. So
they'll remove lug nuts on most cars if they haven't been over-torqued or
on there forever. They won't break them free on my 3/4-ton truck or
anything like that. But my friend has the 1/2" high-torque impact gun
and... 1400 lb-ft of removal torque. We call it "The middle finger of God"
because when you put it on a fastner and set the torque to "all of it" then
_something_ is going to give.


> Close to a religious experience. Highly recommended.
>

Agreed. I've been a Bosch cordless guy for years but Milwaukee if
light-years ahead right now and I'll have a bench covered with red cordless
tools when I set my new shop up this summer.

-Paul


> On January 11, 2021 10:45:30 AM Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Others have said it, but I'll reiterate: Pick a battery/voltage, then
>> acquire the tools that go with it. If you get a cordless drill, eventually
>> you'll want a cordless impact 'wrench'--for lug nuts if nothing else--a
>> 'sawzall'  (equivalent), a circular saw, etc. Buy a combo kit, with a
>> battery and charger included, to start.
>>
>> I went with DeWalt 20V 'XR' brushless, because of mostly positive reviews
>> and, whether it's merit or good product placement by the marketeers
>> (probably both), they seem to be the most popular among the mechanics,
>> farmers, etc. on the quasi-reality TV shows (Stihl gets the nod for gas
>> chainsaws, with Husqvarna second). I bought a cordless DeWalt hedger,
>> slightly discounted because it was a display model, thinking "Sure, it'll
>> do a couple bushes then quit," but we did my mom's whole (large) backyard
>> on a single 4Ah battery. The tool that drains the battery fastest is my
>> 4&1/2" angle grinder/sander/wirebrusher, probably because it runs more
>> continuously and has an 'open circuit' load; I get about 20mins on a 4Ah
>> battery.
>>
>> I have a full complement of pneumatic and corded electric tools--many are
>> Harbor Freight, for occasional use--that are mostly collecting dust these
>> days; it's just not worth unraveling an extension cord or firing up the
>> compressor for a quick, one-off job . One of my faves is an old Makita 9V
>> driver/drill, which can't hold a candle for power to the DeWalt--and
>> replacement Chinese batteries are hit-or-miss--but it keeps soldiering-on.
>> Makita stuff is top-notch, but I haven't seen the variety of tools--doesn't
>> mean they don't have them--that DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc. have on display.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> On 1/11/2021 5:38 AM, Tim . wrote:
>>
>> I didn't say I was going to spend 320. I said "if necessary".
>>
>> I already have a mitre saw. In fact, I have a full shop including
>> 80-gallon compressor, blast cabinet, parts washer, panel beating tools, and
>> a boat load of hand tools.
>>
>> I simply want the best cordless drill/screw driver out there. My
>> experience with ryobi is that they don't hold up to even how much I use
>> them.
>>
>> tim
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* John T. Blair <jblair1948 at cox.net> <jblair1948 at cox.net>
>> *Sent:* Sunday, January 10, 2021 10:09 PM
>> *To:* Tim . <tims_datsun_stuff at outlook.com>
>> <tims_datsun_stuff at outlook.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: [Shop-talk] Cordless drill/screw driver
>>
>> At 10:58 AM 1/10/2021, Tim wrote:
>>
>> >I have a $100 menards rebate check and a $60 rebate visa card that are
>> both
>> >burning a hole in my pocket. Also, I have the 15% "anything you can fit
>> in the
>> >bag" sale bag. I figure $160 is a good starting point and am willing to
>> at least
>> >match that 160 or more if necessary to get the best out there right now.
>>
>> ......
>>
>> >I am not worried about a little heavier than most as I am not contractor
>> and this
>> >won't get used every day. I am just getting tired of dragging cords. I'd
>> like
>> >whatever I get to be the start of going all cordless (skill saw,
>> Sawzall, etc).
>>
>> Tim,
>>
>> If you are not going to be using it every day, why do you want to spend a
>> ton of
>> money on a cordless drill.  You say you have $160 burning a hole in your
>> pocket
>> and are willing to put another $160 to that.  Man that $320!!!!  You can
>> get a
>> Roybi or such for say $100.  Usually around Xmas which you just missed,
>> you can
>> get a Roybi kit with a drill, saw, and another tool for less than $150.
>> That's where
>> I'd put the first $160.  Then I'd look at something else like a sliding
>> compound
>> miter saw, or a nail gun or two, or some other tools.
>>
>> Now that being said, let me say I buy a lot of Harbor Freight tools.  And
>> for the
>> occassional use they work well.  I have a $25 ish oscillating saw, which
>> I've used
>> for something over 5 yrs.  It just died in the middle of a remodel in a
>> bedroom.
>> So I bought another.  Especially if you don't know what you're going to
>> use it for.
>> I also have a cheap $20 H.F. recriprocating saw that has paid for it's
>> self.  If I'd
>> have bought a $100 to $300 version of either of these tools, I'd never
>> had really
>> gotten my money worth out of the tool.  I'm 72 and it's getting harder
>> and harder
>> every day for me to do a lot of the things I used to do, like bend over.
>> :)  So why
>> should I pay for a tool that would last me for the next 30 years or so,
>> if I'm only
>> going to be around for another 10 years?
>>
>> Spend a little less money on a tool, and get more of them.  Especially if
>> it not your
>> bread and butter.
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>  2
>>
>>
>>
>>
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