Need a new drill

[aznpos531]

I'm in the market for a drill and it must have the following features:

- Corded, plug-in drills only
- Hammer action (with switch to choose between normal and hammer); Preferably the switch is out of the way and won't be actuated accidentally
- Variable speed with speed control dial
- 1/2" chuck; no keyless chuck garbage
- Reversible drilling
- Side handle; if it's removable, even better
- Must have a depth gauge and depth stopper
- Must have a button lock to lock the trigger in the on position
- Preferably 8A+ motor
- Ideally under $200 but can stretch the budget to $300 for the right drill

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

 

[aznpos531]

Well after searching for a bit I've decided on the Hitachi DV20VB2.

 

[Gollnick]

I'm in the market for a drill and it must have the following features:

- Corded, plug-in drills only
- Hammer action (with switch to choose between normal and hammer); Preferably the switch is out of the way and won't be actuated accidentally
- Variable speed with speed control dial
- 1/2" chuck; no keyless chuck garbage
- Reversible drilling
- Side handle; if it's removable, even better
- Must have a depth gauge and depth stopper
- Must have a button lock to lock the trigger in the on position
- Preferably 8A+ motor
- Ideally under $200 but can stretch the budget to $300 for the right drill

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

You have exactly described my Milwaukee which I seem to recall having paid about $250 for, which works well and is a joy to use, and which I honestly expect will give me years decades more service.

One of the local churches bought an elaborate play set for children... some assembly required. And they put out a call for guys with drills. People laughed at me when I showed up with my heavy, clunky drill and my long extension cord. But guess who drilled all the holes in the concrete? Me.

And there were a lot or holes to be drilled in thick steel pipes too.

We literally burned out several cheap drills that day... let the magic smoke out of 'em. And we exhausted the batteries in most of the cordless drills. In the end, it was my corded drill, another corded Dewalt, and a couple of professional-grade drills that made it to the end.

 

[Gollnick]

Double tap.

 

[aznpos531]

Sounds like a great option for me to consider. Do you happen to have the model number?

 

[Bob W]

We use Makita at work that's a 1/2" with keyed chuck and side handle. It doesn't have the hammer feature though, but I'm certain Makita makes one that does.

 

[sykes3170]

Milwaukee drills are hard to beat.

 

[aznpos531]

I was looking at the 0300-20 from Milwaukee and it's the closest to what I'm looking for but I don't think it comes with a depth gauge/depth stopper nor does it seem to have a variable speed control dial.

The HP2010N and HP2050H from Makita look promising as well. I'll have to make a trip to the local hardware store this weekend to check them out.

 

[beau5278]

Another vote for Milwaukee,I've owned mine for a long time end use it regularly but I don't think you'll find any of their models with a variable seed control dial,all of them that I've seen had the speed control on the trigger.

 

[richard thurman]

why cant it be a battery drill?? I have the dewalt 18volt 1/2 hammer drill. it comes with a side handle which you can take it off if you like. I use to be a commercial electrician and that is all that I have used. you don’t have to go and layout a cord. It is a fast drill too.

 

[aznpos531]

I'll check out the Milwaukees since they've been mentioned so much but the speed control dial is pretty much a necessity for me so it could be a deal breaker for me.

As to why I prefer a corded drill, batteries are expensive and new battery technology keeps coming up. This means that before the drill dies, the battery for it will become obsolete and go out of production making my drill useless. In addition, it's not likely that I'll spend the extra $140 for a spare battery and I don't want the battery to die halfway through a project. Both of these situations have happened to me in the past. I only keep a small cordless drill (20V Max impact from DeWalt) for working on the roof or other places where there is no plug. Otherwise, it's corded all the way.

 

[richard thurman]

I'll check out the Milwaukees since they've been mentioned so much but the speed control dial is pretty much a necessity for me so it could be a deal breaker for me.

As to why I prefer a corded drill, batteries are expensive and new battery technology keeps coming up. This means that before the drill dies, the battery for it will become obsolete and go out of production making my drill useless. In addition, it's not likely that I'll spend the extra $140 for a spare battery and I don't want the battery to die halfway through a project. Both of these situations have happened to me in the past. I only keep a small cordless drill (20V Max impact from DeWalt) for working on the roof or other places where there is no plug. Otherwise, it's corded all the way.

the dewalt comes with 2 batterys and a 2 pack of new ones only cost around $100.00. my batterys lasted for 2 years before I even had to replace them. but that is at home depot. I just now see that you live in canda and not the USA.

 

[FingerBlade]

the dewalt comes with 2 batterys and a 2 pack of new ones only cost around $100.00. my batterys lasted for 2 years before I even had to replace them. but that is at home depot. I just now see that you live in canda and not the USA.

+1 research battery technology just a little.

 

[JiffyPark]

We abuse this DeWalt quite frequently. It's hanging in there...
1/2" chuck, 10 amps, hammer option.
Model #: DWD520, $149

 

[Bob W]

We use some cordless tools at work, but what a PITA.

the dewalt comes with 2 batterys and a 2 pack of new ones only cost around $100.00. my batterys lasted for 2 years before I even had to replace them. but that is at home depot. I just now see that you live in canda and not the USA.

So every two years you have to spend $100 on replacing batteries? That's $500 over ten years... No thanks.

---------------

I'm not sure about the heavier-duty drills, how DeWalt compares to Makita or other more expensive brands, but about twelve years ago I bought a DeWalt 3/8" that's still going strong. Even after using it to wire-brush an entire historic metal roof prior to coating.

 

[US-STEEL]

I've had my 1/2" Milwaukee for about 8 years now. Despite its slim profile, it's a beast; plus, the cord is a quick connect, a lifesaver should the cord get severed. I use my cordless DeWalt for most homeowner tasks, but when I need power, it's the Milwaukee. Mine is a model down from the hammer style, but after 8 years, I'd buy that same drill all over again. I've used it for heavy drilling through my gun safes and as a mortar mixer for a whole house tile project. It's a slim and trim, lean and mean drillin' machine!

 

[Gollnick]

As far as I can tell, consumer-grade cordless drills are constructed to match the life of the battery... which is usually about two years. If you are a professional user and use your drill all day most days, then cordless is great. But the typical homeowner who only uses his drill a few times per month is not good for the batteries. If you are that homeowner/hobbiest, you're just not a good candidate for a cordless drill. If you use your drill away from mains power, then cordless is a must. But for typical around-the-house use, setting up an extension cord rarely takes more than a couple of minutes. A cordless drill might save you thirty minutes or maybe an hour per year. But when you look at the cost of a cordless drill and their limited shelf life, that hour comes at a high cost. For most homeowner/hobbiest users, a corded drill is the best investment.

 

[Bernoulli]

Whenever I am in the market for a new tool, I ask my friends - shipwrights who use tools all day long - what to get. When it comes to drills - Milwaukee. I have a Milwaukee that does all you want. It's a two speed, not a multi-speed, but I've had it 25 years and it works like new.

 

[aznpos531]

the dewalt comes with 2 batterys and a 2 pack of new ones only cost around $100.00. my batterys lasted for 2 years before I even had to replace them. but that is at home depot. I just now see that you live in canda and not the USA.

Yea, the batteries up here north of the border tend to run a little more expensive than down in the US. Even on sale I'd be looking at around $100 a battery; an recurring expense I'd rather not pay.

+1 research battery technology just a little.

I don't mean to be rude, but I don't really know what you're referring to nor do I see what your comment has to offer to this discussion. I welcome you to elaborate and be more specific on what exactly you would have me research in addition to what I already have looked into on the topic. Otherwise please keep your comments to yourself. Thank you.

We abuse this DeWalt quite frequently. It's hanging in there...
1/2" chuck, 10 amps, hammer option.
Model #: DWD520, $149

I was looking at that one and it's pretty high on my list. Only problem, like the Milwuakee's, I've yet to see a DeWalt with a speed control dial.

We use some cordless tools at work, but what a PITA.

So every two years you have to spend $100 on replacing batteries? That's $500 over ten years... No thanks.

---------------

I'm not sure about the heavier-duty drills, how DeWalt compares to Makita or other more expensive brands, but about twelve years ago I bought a DeWalt 3/8" that's still going strong. Even after using it to wire-brush an entire historic metal roof prior to coating.

This pretty much sums up my sentiments towards cordless drills.
I quite like DeWalt and, like I mentioned, have a small cordless that I keep for the odd job that is away from a mains plug.

I've had my 1/2" Milwaukee for about 8 years now. Despite its slim profile, it's a beast; plus, the cord is a quick connect, a lifesaver should the cord get severed. I use my cordless DeWalt for most homeowner tasks, but when I need power, it's the Milwaukee. Mine is a model down from the hammer style, but after 8 years, I'd buy that same drill all over again. I've used it for heavy drilling through my gun safes and as a morton mixer for a whole house tile project. It's a slim and trim, lean and mean drillin' machine!

Heh, yet another vote for Milwaukee. I'll really have to look into this brand.

As far as I can tell, consumer-grade cordless drills are constructed to match the life of the battery... which is usually about two years. If you are a professional user and use your drill all day most days, then cordless is great. But the typical homeowner who only uses his drill a few times per month is not good for the batteries. If you are that homeowner/hobbiest, you're just not a good candidate for a cordless drill. If you use your drill away from mains power, then cordless is a must. But for typical around-the-house use, setting up an extension cord rarely takes more than a couple of minutes. A cordless drill might save you thirty minutes or maybe an hour per year. But when you look at the cost of a cordless drill and their limited shelf life, that hour comes at a high cost. For most homeowner/hobbiest users, a corded drill is the best investment.

I would tend to agree with you on this. I plan on using this drill for many years to come. The only thing I would disagree with is that most of the cordless drills I've seen and owned over the years have been quite high quality in terms of their construction. Many have survived many years of use with the battery being the weakest link.

Whenever I am in the market for a new tool, I ask my friends - shipwrights who use tools all day long - what to get. When it comes to drills - Milwaukee. I have a Milwaukee that does all you want. It's a two speed, not a multi-speed, but I've had it 25 years and it works like new.

Aaaaand another Milwaukee fan! The folks at the local Home Depot are going to get lots of questions from me this weekend!

 

[richard thurman]

We use some cordless tools at work, but what a PITA.



So every two years you have to spend $100 on replacing batteries? That's $500 over ten years... No thanks.

---------------

I'm not sure about the heavier-duty drills, how DeWalt compares to Makita or other more expensive brands, but about twelve years ago I bought a DeWalt 3/8" that's still going strong. Even after using it to wire-brush an entire historic metal roof prior to coating.

I just found a place and they have them in a 2 pack for a very good price. I have 2 of them now for about 5 years and they are going just like they did when they where new.