Cordless Power Tools: Brands to absolutely positively avoid?

[SoupOrMan]

In setting up my small basement workshop/ tool collection, the one thing I need is a decent cordless drill/driver. It's not going to be a heavy-use item as most of the work done in the basement will either be light repair work or "make it run until I can get someone who knows more about the subject to do a proper repair" work. In the rest of the house it'll be mostly for re-hanging things with wood screws that were originally hung up on nails, like curtain rod brackets, removing and re-installing safety rails when I do rust removal and repainting, drilling new access holes in paneling, stuff like that. Some sheet metal drilling may be involved in working on ductwork or adding some anchoring bolts to a storage locker. I have access to corded power tools for major work like masonry drilling; most of the stuff is as old as I am and still works as well as when Dad bought it for his heavy equipment mechanic job. Like I said, this will be for minor stuff that won't wear a battery out in a few minutes.

I've noticed in research that each brand is pretty much the same in terms of the drill I'm looking for: 18-volt battery (20 to 36-volt versions are above my price point at the moment), keyless 3/8" chuck, multiple speed and torque settings. But out of all the brands there, some are more equal than others in terms of slower wear and tear on the motors, battery issues, and the like. I've got no brand loyalty when it comes to power tools, and the only three companies whose drills and electric screwdrivers I've had to borrow from my dad have been Bosch, DeWalt and Ryobi. They've all worked pretty well. Out of the myriad brands out there, which are the real problem children to avoid in terms of parts availabilty, repair, replacement or refund?

[rightisright]

Soup, here is the best deal going right now: http://www.cpoworkshop.com/factory-reco ... id=&start= Unfortunately, they are out of stock. Other places have it for similar pricing. I bought a few of these kits as backups for my jobsite trailers and home use a while back. I thought they would be decent backup units. But they are getting used a lot! For $100 you get a great drill, decent sawzall and circ saw and a nice light.

Ridgid makes decent stuff. I have several of their battery powered tools. The great upside to them is a lifetime warranty. Including batteries. I recent had 4 batteries replaced free. No hassle.

I'd stay away from Ryobi or any of the no-name crap from Horror Fright. As for batteries, Lithium is better. But for occasional homeowner use, not really worth the extra $$.

[Rich]

I've had good luck with Black & Decker for light home workshop stuff, you know, similar to the kind of work you would use a Dremel tool for, but a little heavier.

Definitely not contractor grade.

[Denis]

the drill I'm looking for: 18-volt battery (20 to 36-volt versions are above my price point at the moment), keyless 3/8" chuck, multiple speed and torque settings.

I'm not well up on US brands. I usually buy high-end Bosch consumer drills. For professional-grade, I'd go for Festool or Makita.

Keyless chucks are the devil's own spawn. On any drill with decent torque, they won't hold the bit tightly enough. Trying to get cordless drill with a proper keyed chuck is like looking for hens' teeth, though.

[rightisright]

Keyless chucks are the devil's own spawn. On any drill with decent torque, they won't hold the bit tightly enough.

A good quality metal keyless chuck will do the job quite well. Most of the plastic ones are are crap. Jacobs sells replacement knurled metal chucks that are great.

With a good metal keyless, I have no problems drilling 5/8" holes in ironwood using a smooth shanked bit. If I need more torque than that, I'm going to one of my keyed chuck 1/2" (or bigger) electric drills.

[Steamforger]

We were a Fein dealer at the yacht yard I worked at. Ridiculously expensive, but everybody swore by them.

Similar to buying jewelry

[Denis]

Keyless chucks are the devil's own spawn. On any drill with decent torque, they won't hold the bit tightly enough.

A good quality metal keyless chuck will do the job quite well. Most of the plastic ones are are crap. Jacobs sells replacement knurled metal chucks that are great.

Ah, yes. What I should have said was "the plastic keyless chucks on consumer-grade drills". Now, where can I order a Jacobs replacement for my Bosch chuck?

[SoupOrMan]

That Porter-Cable deal was pretty good, rightisright. The new stuff is also pretty inexpensive, too. Are those saws as good as their corded brethren, or are they better for just chasing kids off of my lawn? Rakes and garden hoses are so passé, don't you know.

[rightisright]

The cordless circ. saws are OK for a few cuts through plywood or a few 2x4s. They suck in wet pressure treated wood or any sort of hardwood. We mainly use ours when cutting something overhead (like a plywood soffit or pine fascia board) or for cutting sheathing on an existing structure (because their table/fence lets us get closer than a corded saw's). For any sort of extended cutting session or hard materials, they won't work well.

The reciprocating saw in that package is ok for doing light demo work or cutting some PVC pipe. If you need to cut more than a few studs, etc., go w. corded w. orbital action.

[rightisright]

Now, where can I order a Jacobs replacement for my Bosch chuck?

Denis, believe it or not, I got a great deal on 10 of them from an eBay seller a few years ago. Trouble is finding a reputable dealer that ships to Europe.