Cordless Drills

from RJ Bell

When You go into the store looking for drills, it is display after display of tools. Stacked side by side, for you to look at, touch, squeeze and inspect. Taunting you, in all their bright colors, to "BUY ME". If you've done some research reading reviews before shopping you are a little more prepared. Most people just buy on impulse and if your "impulse" leads you to purchase the wrong brand you will be very disappointed.

When a consumer looks at reports about cordless drills the reports can look too detailed for the average consumer. Most consumers just want a drill that will take a beating, isn't too heavy and will last a long time on one charge. A consumer report can provide you with that if the consumer focuses on the specific columns in the consumer report that has that criteria. The bright colors of the tools are there to catch your eye, it has nothing to do with performance.

Please Note;

I am discussing General Use and Heavy-Duty Drill/Drivers.

I will not waste your time talking about cordless screwdrivers.

• I have been given them as gifts over the years and they all sucked!
• Yes, they charge fast, they're light, and they're quiet, but they have no speed, no power and battery life is shorter than most jobs, so you end up finishing the job with a screwdriver anyway!

Most consumers of Cordless Drills are not Contractors, but just a Home-Owner. They are not informed from consumer reports or practical experience. They buy the one that "looks good". Also, pay attention to model numbers. My review and consumer report is "model number specific". All companies manufacture many different model numbers that, when you look at them appear the same, but inside these models are totally different. There are models made by companies to sell cheap and that's what you'll get! Disappointment.

What I have found from experience that the best General Use Drill/Driver is the DeWalt.
Dewalt has a nice 14.4 volt (model DC728KA) that runs around $160 that is the best value.When comparing the most important features in choosing a tool, this model has a good "run time" , recharges in about an hour, weighs 4.3lbs. and costs a lot less than the competitors. For the Home-owner or Contractor, this is a tool that they will be very satisfied with. I've had mine slide off a roof, dropping 30 feet to the ground and is still working today ( with a few "battle scars") There is nothing more satisfying than picking up your drill with all the scrapes and scratches from your completed projects, ready to work on the next one.

In the Heavy-Duty Drill/Driver I prefer the DeWalt 18 volt (model DC759KA ) over the DeWalt (DC900KL) for the average consumer. There is a difference of $250 between the two models and for the Home-Owner the model DC759KA is more than enough. If you're a contractor, you may want to invest in the DC900KL. During my time trying out these two models I didn't notice any real difference, but in a Contractor position I would spend the extra money on the DC900KL. There are companies that have models that some consumer reports say are better, but I ask you,"Are you willing to spend your hard earned money on a tool that may not be rugged enough to be tossed and dropped. That may not last as long as a DeWalt Drill/Driver will?"

The DeWalt DC900KL is about $450, the DC759KA is about $200. You will have to decide which one is the right one for you.

You can shop for the right DeWalt for you at DeWalt Drill/Drivers.