[Shop-talk] Cordless drill/screw driver

Bob Spidell bspidell at comcast.net
Mon Jan 11 10:41:33 MST 2021 

My DeWalt 1/2" impact wrench has to work at it, but it'll spin the 
lugnuts off my Mustang wheels (torque spec for the nuts is 150lb-ft).

On 1/11/2021 9:20 AM, Karl Vacek wrote:
> About 2000 I decided to take the plunge into a decent cordless 
> drill/driver.  I opted for a 14.4 volt DeWalt over their much heavier 
> 18 volt.  Built my hangar, did loads of remodeling, on and on.  
> Battery life was ok till the NiCad haunts set in, and after one 
> replacement set of DeWalt originals I switched to Amazon or eBay NiMH 
> knockoff packs and had great luck.
>
> Recently we've been adding onto the house and remodeling, and after 
> watching various subcontractors I just had to have a 1/4" impact 
> driver and a hammer drill.  Old loyalty to DeWalt was strong, but I 
> eventually spent a touch more for Milwaukee Fuel.  Before Christmas I 
> got a combination kit with the best hammer drill and best impact 
> driver, three 5AH Red Lithium batteries, and a charger.  $450.
>
> I felt bad about spending the money, but after installing a floor in 
> the attic, rebuilding a wall downstairs, running loads of screws, and 
> then taking the impact out to work on the cars and snowblowers a few 
> times, I wish I'd bought this years ago.
>
> Battery life is incredible.  Hours of work and I've only recharged 
> batteries once, when I got down to 2 bars, and I still haven't even 
> opened the third battery.
>
> 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.
>
> Close to a religious experience. Highly recommended.
>
> 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>
>>> *Sent:* Sunday, January 10, 2021 10:09 PM
>>> *To:* Tim . <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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