Suggestion for a good corded drill for a light DIYer.

S

Squashfan

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Jun 6, 2012
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I have a cheap cordless Craftsman drill and that is all the cordless drill I need. However, I want something with more power but I don't need to pay for an expensive cordless drill when most I my work is done within my house. What would you guys recommend for around $100? If I could go less that would be great. I drill wood, plastic and probably will drill a little metal some time. As far as what I am looking for: I have no clue. Except that I think I would like it to have a keyed chuck. I saw someone talking about having a keyless chuck come loose on a cheap corded drill.
 
I have a Bosch 1014VSR corded drill that I bought probably 10 - 12 years ago. 1/2", variable speed, reversible, keyless chuck. I have had no problems with it at all, including the keyless chuck.

I was putting a deck on my house at the time, and started out with a Craftsman 1/2" cordless drill. It was probably 6 - 8 years old, but wouldn't "keep up". Went to Sears to buy new batteries - none in stock; new models used different batteries; they could order the ones I needed but the cost was ridiculous … could have bought a whole new cordless drill for about the same money. I said the heck with cordless drills and bought the Bosch instead. No regrets.

I googled Bosch 1014VSR and it looks like they don't make that model anymore, but I imagine there's a comparable replacement in their lineup. Looks like there's one for sale on a well known auction site though.
 
Coyote, I think we may have the same model of Craftsman drill. I tried out a new 1/2" spade bit today and my drill lost power and needed to charge half way through a small board. It was less than an inch thick. This drill does super for drilling holes but I don't think it would run a hole saw for very long. I found a really interesting website: http://www.cordless-drill-reviews.com/power-drill-reviews.html that I have been trawling through.

And may I ask a stupid question? What is a hammer drill?
 
Wow, that looks like a great site for researching drills. I'm hoping my Bosch runs "forever", but if it doesn't I'll know where to look for a new one!

When you finish reading this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammer_drill, you'll know as much as I do (which is not much) about hammer drills. ;)
 
A basic 3/8" DeWalt should be just right for your use, and cost about $65. Mine has lasted fifteen years so far with no problems. Mostly drilling holes in wood, but also some metal drilling. And we used it with a wire brush attachment to strip an entire metal roof.

The next step up would be a 3/8" Makita for about $85.
 
Buy the cheapest one you can find, after about 4-5 uses, you will then go buy the most expensive drill you can find.
 
Orv said:
Buy the cheapest one you can find, after about 4-5 uses, you will then go buy the most expensive drill you can find.
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Haha! You are right about that though. It is better to have one really good drill than 5 so-so drills.
 
Squashfan said:
Bob W, do you think this would be a good drill? http://www.lowes.com/pd_150087-70-D...pl=1¤tURL=?Ntt=dewalt+corded+drill&facetInfo=
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They have so many model variations, constantly changing, and many model numbers may be made for only one retail chain, so it's hard to know which ones are good and which ones are better, and making it difficult to comparison shop directly. Honest, for household use, almost any drill from a reliable company will be sufficient.

You might get a 'feel' for the differences by visiting a home improvement store in person. The very cheapest drills (Black and Decker, etc.) will feel obviously Chincy. Some will have a more comfortable grip too.

Just from glancing at that stores online selection, I'd buy the DWD110K or DWD112.

I have purchased many DeWalt tools over the years, and never had to replace one yet. Every single one is still kicking strong. :thumbup:

I saw someone talking about having a keyless chuck come loose on a cheap corded drill.
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I wouldn't be concerned about that with an at least mid-range brand like DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, etc.

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If you really want to spend more money to feel like you're getting a better tool, there's nothing wrong with Makita. Our Helpful Friendly hardware store stocks a full selection of Makita tools as well as DeWalt, and their prices are competitive with ordering online. Maybe stop by and see for yourself if you have a preference in grip, weight, or features. Heck, maybe you'll just like the blue better than yellow. :) Some folks will undoubtedly say the extra $15-$20 for Makita is worth it. There's no wrong choice, it's only fifteen dollars, and both brands are well within your stated budget.
 
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Haven't needed to get a new corded drill for years. I still have a 3/8" and 1/2" Sears Craftsman drill that are 30+ years old. Get a good one and it will last for a long time.

Ric
 
Bob W said:
They have so many model variations, constantly changing, and many model numbers may be made for only one retail chain, so it's hard to know which ones are good and which ones are better, and making it difficult to comparison shop directly. Honest, for household use, almost any drill from a reliable company will be sufficient.

You might get a 'feel' for the differences by visiting a home improvement store in person. The very cheapest drills (Black and Decker, etc.) will feel obviously Chincy. Some will have a more comfortable grip too.

Just from glancing at that stores online selection, I'd buy the DWD110K or DWD112.

I have purchased many DeWalt tools over the years, and never had to replace one yet. Every single one is still kicking strong. :thumbup:


I wouldn't be concerned about that with an at least mid-range brand like DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, etc.

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If you really want to spend more money to feel like you're getting a better tool, there's nothing wrong with Makita. Our Helpful Friendly hardware store stocks a full selection of Makita tools as well as DeWalt, and their prices are competitive with ordering online. Maybe stop by and see for yourself if you have a preference in grip, weight, or features. Heck, maybe you'll just like the blue better than yellow. :) Some folks will undoubtedly say the extra $15-$20 for Makita is worth it. There's no wrong choice, it's only fifteen dollars, and both brands are well within your stated budget.
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Honestly, I think the Dewalt will do fine. I am going to stop by a store and look. I can't tell a difference between the two Dewalts though. Unfortunately, I do not have a helpful hardware near me.
 
I am not a diy'er I make my living with tools dewalt is always the first brand I look at when I need a powertool
Roy
 
Another vote for Dewalt. I'm diyer but use my tools alot building cars, home improvement, etc and always try to buy dewalt.
 
Might want to be aware of chuck size as well. While the vast majority of drilling jobs are under 3/8" if you need to go larger reduced shank bits are not cheap. For this reason 1/2 chucks are mandatory for me (after purchasing a 3/8" dewalt cordless!).
 
If you are on a budget, nothing wrong with the Rigid brand, it has a warranty if it fails. I own a Dewalt and a Makita (both cordless 18V, 1/2") and use both. The Makita has been a workhorse for 3 years straight and it won't die.
 
Buck268 said:
Might want to be aware of chuck size as well. While the vast majority of drilling jobs are under 3/8" if you need to go larger reduced shank bits are not cheap. For this reason 1/2 chucks are mandatory for me (after purchasing a 3/8" dewalt cordless!).
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Yeah, check out those 1/2" drills if you want. You'll notice they are a lot heavier, and a lot more expensive, but they're better suited for heavy-duty work day after day. The motors are a lot stronger so they'll gank your wrist pretty badly if the bit catches. :D
We have both at work, but unless it's for a heavy job I always grab the 3/8".
 
coyote711 said:
I have a Bosch 1014VSR corded drill that I bought probably 10 - 12 years ago. 1/2", variable speed, reversible, keyless chuck. I have had no problems with it at all, including the keyless chuck.

I was putting a deck on my house at the time, and started out with a Craftsman 1/2" cordless drill. It was probably 6 - 8 years old, but wouldn't "keep up". Went to Sears to buy new batteries - none in stock; new models used different batteries; they could order the ones I needed but the cost was ridiculous … could have bought a whole new cordless drill for about the same money. I said the heck with cordless drills and bought the Bosch instead. No regrets.

I googled Bosch 1014VSR and it looks like they don't make that model anymore, but I imagine there's a comparable replacement in their lineup. Looks like there's one for sale on a well known auction site though.
Click to expand...

This has pretty much been my experience. As the quality of Craftsman tools and their warranties declined, I replaced my power tools with Bosch. I have both corded and cordless in that brand and use them hard in a construction environment. No failures yet. It really is only a slight gulp on the initial price, easily forgotten years down the road, just as it used to be with Craftsman power tools. Milwaukee is another brand of corded power tools I can recommend. Dewalt is on par now with Craftsman and other lesser regarded brands as far as durability.
 
Corded drills are not common anymore and it's routine to find some old stock in the clearance bins at tool and hardware stores. For occasional use you can easily get away with buying homeowner-grade stuff like Bosch or Black & Decker (who also happens to make the highly over-hyped deWalt tool brand as well as (formerly excellent quality) Porter-Cable brand). Makita and Milwaukee make durable and affordable tools. Home Depot carries it's own Rigid brand that have warranties that are much better than the actual tools. But don't lose that receipt!
 
Just got back from the local big box blue hardware. I picked up a Dewalt DWD110K. But beware, the Rollback Store has a very, very similar drill is $10 cheaper. But I am quite happy with my Dewalt. (This was written about one o'clock EST.) UPDATE: Used the drill for the first time. Mom got a new to her desktop but she didn't have an ethernet cable running to it from the router. I got to crawl around under the house for about two hours. Mom wanted dad to do the work but he was busy putting Christmas decorations up. And his football game was on. Nuff said. Finally figured out were we wanted the cable to come up and I thought about drilling the hole with my cordless. Then I decided, why suffer? The Dewalt worked very well with the 3/4" spade bit. Cut through the floor quickly and with plenty of power. I look forward to using it again. Oh and a Photon Freedom was indispensable. I had it clipped to my safety glassed.
 
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