Talking Tools – the Bond of a Good Cordless Drill
I encountered situation a few years back: I was at a “big box” store and I was pondering a new orbital sander when I overhead the sales person talking to a woman who wanted to buy a good drill. She explained that she wanted to build a small deck. This sales person, a young man, directed her to a Black and Decker model. I looked at it and it was a basic 12-volt model! This particular model would not produced the power and handling you would need to build a deck, no matter how small the deck.
I thought I had heard the wrong information, until the conversation continued. She was going to build a 10-foot x 8-foot deck. After realizing I was not wrong, I had to stop this young man. He apparently did not really know the tools, or maybe he felt like she was going to do a “crafty deck”. Either way, I was just a little amazed. I could tell she wasn’t sure what she needed, but also was not sure at what was being suggested. I stepped in to help and I did so as politely as I could, trying not to show my disapproval.
Here is the deal on tools; you will give up on a project if you do not have the right tools. Using the drill that the young man suggested would have had her doing so. I did explain the different drill/drivers and why it was important she buy one with higher power for her project. She was very happily listening and the young man walked away with a very noticeable disapproving look. Not that I cared.
The end of that story was that she bought a very good drill/driver and kept my phone number for future use. She called me with the deck completed, a mention about her new bond with her drill and thanked me. Cheers!
With so many choices out there on different tools to buy, it’s important that you do your research, or ask someone who has more information then the kid at the big box store. Although most folks who work at these stores have some knowledge, not all of them are comfortable enough about telling you they are not sure, and get someone who can really help.
There are your typical names, like Craftsman, Skil and Black and Decker. Most people want a tool to last and usually are purchasing one to start a specific project. The higher priced drills such as; Dewalt makes a terrific drill/driver. The 18v XRP and the 14v XRP have great torque and should last you. Milwaukee makes a very good drill, heavier but still a contender, but I couldn’t find anything to excited about in comparison to the other top cordless drills, except you can buy a reconditioned Milwaukee drill that has a five-year warranty. Rigid also has an 18v drill that will give you good use and has a good warranty, but it too is a heavier drill, even heavier then the Dewalt XRP models. Ryobi is fine for a drill and it’s one of the less expensive models, but it’s for occasional use. I can tell you that I have had to bring the darn thing back twice because of performance and breakage issues, and it did not compare to the others mentioned here for power or battery life. Not a drill I would use on a daily basis, or for a large project. I cannot give you any information on the Bosch line of drills because I have minimal personal experience using them. Some of the lighter weight drills are wonderful. The Panasonic 14.4V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver is lightweight that produced good power and handling. I believe it may be time for a divorce from Dewalt, or at least a trial separation. Amazing how a company that deals in TV and Stereos can produce a cordless drill that stands among the top drills, eh?
My point here is really very simple. If you want a very good drill, one that you can actually bond with, then don’t settle for something that can’t do a range of projects. It’s hard to determine what I mean by a good drill, unless you had the advantage of using several different types. To express what I mean to you first time tool shoppers, it’s much like a good steak. If you have never had the opportunity to taste an excellent cut of beef properly prepared, you don’t know what you are missing until you do. Then you may feel cheated after you do realise the difference.
A friend of mine purchased a drill. I model that I won’t mention here for fear of it sounding as though I have negative opinions about it. She was so proud of her knew drill. I said nothing to her because she does a lot of crafts and very small home projects, so it seemed to be the perfect solution for her. Then, one day I was helping her install a door and had to replace some of the studs behind the jam. I had my drill on me, of course. The battery went dead and she ran and got her drill. I stopped short of telling her what was on my mind, but she read my face immediately. (Friends can do that)
She wanted me to tell her what was wrong with her drill. I told her nothing was wrong with it for light projects. We took a break and I showed her what I meant. I put the new battery in and told her to use my drill on some pieces of scrap studs, then use her drill. She did, and her face looked as though she had lost a large some of money. It took her twice as long and twice the effort to drive a 3″ screw in. She loved the power behind it and told me she always thought the problem with using her drill was because she did not have enough strength. She also made a satisfied grunting sound while using my drill. I totally understood that expression.
My cordless drills are my right arms. I do a lot of remodeling and repairs and never go a day without using them. My Dewalt 14v XRP has been with me four 5 years, and I bought that used after industrial electricians used it for another 5 years before that. My next purchase to replace that Dewalt 14v XRP will be the Panasonic 14.4V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver. I cannot get that one out of my mind and it will be nice to use when I have to do anything above my head and shoulders, which will be about 60% of the time.
Dewalt does have a lighter weight model for a drill/driver. I just have not been able to obtain much review on it, or use one at all. Makita also makes a lightweight model that is supposed to perform very well. I have an Ex that has an older model Makita for at least 10 years, and although it is really beat up, it’s still going strong. I did have a short benefit of using it once, but then it was quickly hidden away from me. I could tell my Ex was just a little worried about me liking his drill too much. There is a real honest feeling of protecting your favorite trusted tool. You can laugh at it, we all do, but it is a real honest feeling.
In conclusion, there is nothing wrong with Skil, Black and Decker, or Craftsman when purchasing a cordless drill. Just remember that if you are going to be doing projects that require you have good power, handling and tough enough to last, spend the money and the time on a better drill. There is a reason you see experienced construction workers with these better tools. Just because you are not a construction worker by trade, doesn’t mean you should suffer with something that will only leave you frustrated when doing a project. Do your homework on the price and the value for the use of the tool.
