[Woodworkers] Cordless Drills

[Herb Treuil via Woodworkers]

I have to admit that I am something of a cordless drill junkie.  To date I
own two 14.4 volt Ni Cad drill sets, one 18 volt Ni Cad hammer drill, one
light weight lithium ion drill and matching heavy duty 20 volt lithium ion
hammer drill and impact driver.  The last two are brushless.

My observations include the following:
1.  Lithium Ion batteries beat the socks off Ni Cad units for offering
maximum torque for the full battery service charge.
2.  Most combo kits offer lower amp hour capacity than drills bought
individually with dedicated case and charger.  You have to specify the amp
hour capacity of the batteries at the time of purchase.  There is a code to
let you know what you are getting.  It is not obvious.  As with most things
in life you get what you pay for.  I bought three 4 amp hour batteries for
my two 20 volt drills.  Best investment I ever made.  You can get days of
service on a charge.  My light weight 18 volt Lithium Ion one amp hour
battery powered drill needs to be changed daily.
3.  Brushless drive units work as advertized. They deliver 50% more screw
driving capacity that the last generation brushed armatures.
4.  Buying Chinese knock off Ni Cad replacement batteries is a waste of
money.  They are poorly made and fall apart before you can get the price
tags off.
5.  There comes a point where buying replacement batteries is throwing good
money after bad and like a faithful dog you have to put them down and go
buy new technology.
6.  If you are buying a new drill buy the industrial model with a good
steel friction chuck.  It will not open up on you while gang drilling holes
leaving the drill bit stuck in the board.
7.  I find that pre-drilling holes with a separate drill makes the
batteries and drills hold up better than pushing in self tapping screws.

I buy Dewalt drills because they hold up and are typically industry leaders
in innovation.  I am also trying to convince myself that I could eventually
get some synergy out of having a standard battery size.  (That has not
worked out.)

My drills have been used to drive a lot of screws.  I don't do a lot of
finish work.  Instead they are used to build decks, tables, benches and
bridges.  I have been very happy with my purchases to date.  I am not
pushing Dewalt.  I would however suggest that you avoid the Swiss Army
Knife combination units and buy dedicated tools of good quality with as
much battery power as you can afford.

Herb

*Herb Treuil*
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