[Woodworkers] Cordless Drills

[via Woodworkers]

I bought the Ridgid OSS then became ill. By the time I tried to register for the warranty, I learned my 30 days had expired. I had no idea there was a 30 window to register. I like the OSS but was disappointed in the warranty rules. As for drills, I have the PC set. They work fine for me but I probably don't run them as hard as most of you. 

Karen 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Clint Warren via Woodworkers" <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> 
To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org 
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2015 12:29:29 PM 
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] Cordless Drills 

My Rigid cordless tools started life with the NiCad batteries. I finally wore the battery packs out. When I bought them on sale many years ago the advertising touted the replacement warranty, but when I tried to register them I was told 'not those batteries from that package'. Ok. Fine it was a still a good deal. I have several drills, a recip saw, and a cut off saw. I bought a new charger and a couple of LiOn batteries to extend the life of the tools. When I went to register those batteries I got the message that they were only warranted for 2 years, not the longer period (can't remember what the longer period is). So while I'm happy with my Rigid tools I'm not as happy with their bait and switch warranty behavior. There isn't any way to tell from the package what the warranty terms are going to be before you buy them. 

I also have a several of the Dewalt drills. I have been pretty happy with them as well. 

clint 





Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2015 17:08:08 -0600 
To: woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org 
Subject: [Woodworkers] Cordless Drills 
From: woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org 

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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