Cheapest high(er) powered drill driver

[daves87rs]

Not for me, but for a friend of mine.

His company is sending him to help repair some of the hardest hit places in IL (It's not in his job field, but he offered, and his work will keep paying him while he is away). He is taking some of his tools, and has a few cheap tools out of his tool box that are going with him.

But he has a few real nice Dewalt DDs that he does not want "taken", so he wants to take a cheap one just in case. It does not have to be as good as the Dewalts, but at least have the power to do stuff. I almost told him HF, but I'm not sure how that would do....any suggestions?

I'm proud in the fact that he is spending his holiday helping those in need....

 

[Chris142]

I have the $15-20 hf one and its pretty good.drillmaster I think? I built my mineshaft with it and never ran the battery down. It wont run a bolt into oak but its great for little screws and such

 

[Rand]

does he need an impact driver?

 

[john_pifer]

The 12v LiOn units are pretty powerful now, and the motors are more efficient than the higher-powered 18 & 20v models.

I just bought the Ridgid for my all-around home unit - it's a little pricey at $140, but it came with a very bright LED flashlight that uses the same battery, and it came with 2 batteries. It's also advertised to have the most torque in its class. But probably what sold me on it is the free LSA (Lifetime Service Agreement). All wear items are covered for life.

If I were on a budget, I'd go with the Chicago Electric model in the below review. It's only $50 but it drilled just as many if not more holes as the rest of the models tested, on one charge. Only comes with 1 batt though.

The B&D wouldn't be bad either - and it's a big enough company that you're likely to get good support when needed.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/_mobile/...he-best#slide-1

And here's an 18v review:

http://www.usingpowertools.net/list-of-the-best-cordless-drills/

 

[itguy08]

He could also do Ryobi or Craftsman. Relatively cheap, powerful, and if you need batteries or chargers there's always a K-Mart, Sears, or Home Depot around. You could also say the same about Kobalt from Lowes.

 

[bepperb]

I much prefer my dewalt but I'd buy a black friday Ryobi, I have one of those one+ ryobi drills that's been my second drill for over a decade and still works (original batteries, too).

Another cheap and decent option would be to buy a refurbished Hitachi from big sky tool.

 

[The_Jeff]

My Hitachi drill from the get-go was junk. The gearbox slipped in low gear. The instruction manual prattles on and on about how abusing it by using low gear will cause damage not covered by warranty. It was my first "expensive" drill... no thanks!

 

[john_pifer]

Hmm...that's surprising...usually the Japanese make good stuff

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
My Hitachi drill from the get-go was junk. The gearbox slipped in low gear. The instruction manual prattles on and on about how abusing it by using low gear will cause damage not covered by warranty. It was my first "expensive" drill... no thanks!



They always seem to have refurbs going...

 

[bcossa2001]

I have the Porter Cable and have been very pleased with it...highly recommend it....

 

[IndyIan]

I like my Rigid 18V Li hammer drill, on sale they are not bad. Maybe paint it black so it looks like a HF special?
I hate cheap speed contollers and I like that it puts out 40 ft/lbs, but you can squeek in drywall screws perfectly too.
Its fallen off the roof, bounced once off the scaffold on the way down and just got another scrape.
I used it with an impact attachment to change tires and its destroyed 3 of them, and is not a bad hammer to line up some tight wood working projects.

 

[dirtymudder]

What about going to a pawn shop and pick up a used one that would be a name brand.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: dirtymudder
What about going to a pawn shop and pick up a used one that would be a name brand.



That's not a bad idea!