Cordless Drill

[heath]

Having decided that top fixing is the quickest way to go I want to buy a decent cordless drill that will cover all options. Ideas as to what drill to buy would be appreciated

[RED]

heath said:

Having decided that top fixing is the quickest way to go I want to buy a decent cordless drill that will cover all options. Ideas as to what drill to buy would be appreciated

Not too sure about the cordless option for drilling in to lintels.
One drill I do use for tough concrete though is the chisel hammer action one from Argos. It costs around £30 and is meant for chiseling up concrete like floors but if you put a 5.5 masonry bit in it goes through anything like it was butter. I have only ever had the one drill bit in it in over a year so is cheap to run.
I also use a black and decker corded drill for steel lintels and a cordless hand drill as a screw driver.
I suppose you could combine the latter two but I find just popping out to the car is easier than struggling with an unsuitable drill.
I think to get a cordless drill that will do what you want will be very expensive.

[loneranger]

heath said:

Having decided that top fixing is the quickest way to go I want to buy a decent cordless drill that will cover all options. Ideas as to what drill to buy would be appreciated

I would agree with Red.

If you are drilling into lintels (or, indeed, into the metal fascias of conservatories) I would always use a corded drill. The power required wipes out the battery of a cordless much too quickly.

In the past, I have bought cordless drills from www.screwfix.co.uk . At the very least, a 12 volt gun. My last one from them was a 24 volt Ferme which cost £50 including two batteries and a charger. After about three years, I have had to replace it as the batteries are no longer holding a good charge. This time I bought a MacAllister from B and Q (who now own Screwfix anyway). I had a good chat with the guy in the shop who steered me away from De Walt (which is really Black and Decker) telling me that most of his returns are De Walt ("cheap Chinese sh**e"). Pity. Being a poser, I always wanted a De Walt.

Bosch are okay IF you buy the ones with blue (professional) casings. Green casings are DIY guns and have a limited life.

I, personally don't believe in paying a lot for a corded drill. You will be drilling up into concrete and the dust will foul up the bearings .... cheap drill or expensive drill. Much easier to bin a cheap one after three or four years than dump a £300.00 shot.

I only use my cordless for driving screws, not drilling. As Red says, go back to the car and get your corded drill.

[heath]

Thanks for your comments, but I am going to go for a DeWalt ! I'm fed up being wrapped up in my extention cable. I used to buy cheap and replace, but this time i'm going to go the whole hog.

I found the best deal at www.tooled-up.com for a Dewalt-Dc223ka-24v-Cordless-Sds-Plus-Hammer-Drill-3-Mode-+-2-Batteries - £300

I'm trying to be as sleek as I can and not have to run back to my van for another drill.

Will give you all an update soon.

[ascreaton]

I bought the Hitachi 18v cordless from screwfix for £89.00 comes with two batteries and charger, have used it for 3 months solid no probs, also have two erauber 18v cordless drills in car for back up, don't use corded drills have no problem with metal lintels have 20HSS drill bits in my box they chew the metal out, use drill as screw driver as well does both jobs well, don't think a lot of point in spending a lot of money I could get three Hitachi drills for three hundred pounds if they fail screwfix replace them quickly within the gurantee period

Ade

[blindmansam]

heath said:

Having decided that top fixing is the quickest way to go I want to buy a decent cordless drill that will cover all options. Ideas as to what drill to buy would be appreciated

In My toolbox is a 'cheap' black and decker corded drill , this is used for plastic and metal lintels . It cost less than £20 and i can afford to re-new it yearly if necessary.

Also , alongside an extension cable in toolbox is a blue Bosch SDS hammer drill . Fitted with a decent bit (hardly needs changing!) this will cope with ALL concrete.

There's no need for me to go to my vehicle - all i need is in the box!

[grumperbear]

Corded SDS plus from Wicks £100

Adapter and chuck from screwfix so that l can use the above SDS drill for metal lintels £20

Small cordless drill/driver from B&Q £14

[Steve]

Bosch VRE/VRF is my weapon of choice 24volts of SDS POWER!!!!

[heath]

My new weapon has arrived - she looks lovely and fit for the job but is heavy. She will be used tomorrow. Watch this space for feedback!

[heath]

Had my new weapon for a few weeks and wow !!! She rips through lintels like a knife through butter. No tangled extention cables and no returns to my van for another drill. It is certainly the way forward and has saved me loads of time. Drill drill, screw screw, hang hang, payment please and bye bye !! Would love to hear long term views on top of the range cordless SDS

[Augustus]

Been using a cordless bosch 24vrf for years now , nothing better for me.


Cuts through most things - even blasts through metal if you can bare the noise.

[owl]

Been using the Bosch 36v cordless for 6 months, wow what a piece of kit. If anyone is wondering which one to buy, then wonder no more....... this is the dogs bits!

[thealloydgang]

You boys and your toys hey!!!! How exciting!!

K ;D

[loneranger]

thealloydgang said:

You boys and your toys hey!!!! How exciting!!

K ;D

You girlies and your shoes !!!!!

Zowie !

[simmo]

Having fitted blinds for Hillarys for over 15 years I have gone through a number of drills. The Bosch 24v mentioned earlier is exceptionally heavy but not a bad drill. Black and Decker 18v a lighter drill and lasted me 2 years. I have had approx 6 cheaper versions JCB included and none of them lasted 12 months. DeWalt are renowned for being excellent drills but they are pricey. Makita I believe are as good as DeWalt and are not as pricey. I have had my Makita 18v 24a for 12 months and it is superb. The thing to look for in a drill is not the volts but the amps of the battery. Also I am a fireman and most of the powertools we use at work are Makita.