Tell me what cordless drill to buy.

[Don B.]

Clint, I agree to get a brand you're comfortable with. I have a 5 piece set of 18V Rigid from Home Depot that I got a couple years ago. Lifetime warranty - whatever that would mean nowadays. They have been bomber. Impressed enough that I got the same set for my son. Wound up get the impact gun, too, which has been good, too.
I just don't recommend Makita. The batteries are extremely poor - died in no time due to a questionable design. I have never felt such great jubilation as when I slam-dunked my drill, batteries and charger into the trash. (I would have gone from the 3-point line but they weren't worth that much effort.)

[clintmo]

Thanks, everybody. To be honest, it didn't occur to me that I have a Kobalt cordless impact I could match to. So since I already have a 4AH battery and charger for that, I I think I'll get this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-1-2-in- ... 1000604955

I don't see anyone mentioning Kobalt tools, but I've been happy with the impact. A hammer drill for $99 seems like it's worth a shot.

Clint

[dgrapes59]

Clint, if you are happy with your impact, go for it!

One advantage to the more popular brands (i.e. DeWalt)is the availability of bare tools for sale on marketplaces. I have picked up several new, unused tools for people who had sets and didn't need specific tools that were included.

Sounds like the Kobalt drill will fill your needs, good luck,

[Gary Dotson]

Excellent analogy, on the 8 track versus cassette, David! I certainly remember and relate to that! (I still have a bunch of 8 tracks)

[Don McCombs]

But... do you have the player?

[dgrapes59]

Excellent analogy, on the 8 track versus cassette, David! I certainly remember and relate to that! (I still have a bunch of 8 tracks)

And the younger members are asking "what's an 8 track and cassette"...

[dgrapes59]

But... do you have the player?

No, it stayed in the '76 Custom Chevy Van when I sold it, along with the CB radio..

[Gary Dotson]

Actually, Don, I do! It's a player from my old home stereo. It's been a couple years since I tried it, but it still worked them.

[ajhbike]

while it isn't contractor grade, I have ryobi and must have 20 tools or implements that all use the 18v. I have ryobi 24v for the hedge trimmer and weed whacker. Love'em

[Mht]

I use hitachi which is now metabo I believe. Metabo has made high end woodworking tools for years. I’m in the remodel business and have an 18 volt set that gets used almost daily and have had great service out of it. Lowe’s carries this brand and when I bought my last set it was significantly less expensive than other name brands. My neighbor has the Ridgid brand and the warranty has been good for him as it even covers batteries. From what I see daily in the construction business is that all the name brand stuff is good and it only makes sense to build on a brand that you already have just for the extra batteries

[tmays]

although I'm a Milwaukee guy.

So am I for the most part, but a friend gave me a Dewalt 20V drill and impact and gotta say, I love the drill much better than the Milwaukee drill.

[ricky racer]

although I'm a Milwaukee guy.

So am I for the most part, but a friend gave me a Dewalt 20V drill and impact and gotta say, I love the drill much better than the Milwaukee drill.

I'd love a free one too!!
No doubt, DeWalt make good stuff too.

[Gary Dotson]

Clint, you've had all week to figure this out! Which one will it be?

[clintmo]

Clint, you've had all week to figure this out! Which one will it be?

Sorry for being so quiet on this: I've been working too much to get to sit down and respond. But I did enjoy the 8-track/cassette sidebar. BTW, We still had 8-tracks when I was a kid (I'm 41), and I was still using cassettes well into the 00s. You all probably know that vinyl has made a strong comeback. Some people have been trying to make that happen with cassettes, with mixed results. No one is trying that with 8-tracks.

Anyway, I went with the Kobalt. It arrived a couple days ago. Haven't gotten a chance to put it to work but it seems like it's of the same high quality as my impact. Definitely a giant leap forward from my 25 year old Craftsman (RIP.) Also, I like the blue color.

Clint

[ricky racer]