I'd like your opinion for my corded drill purchase

[Ken Nagrod]

I like having a high speed (around 2500 rpm) 3/8 inch chuck corded drill for things like pocket hole drilling where I want a quick clean hole.  I have a Makita 6408 that's given me very good service, but seems to be a little light duty for my jobsite use.  I recently bought the Milwaukee 0240-20.  It's built like a tank, weighs it too, but very hard to hold and balance properly with one hand for extended use.  I tried the De Walt DWD115 in the store (not powered) just to get a feel and I loved the low weight and balance.  Does anyone else have some feedback on the De Walt or maybe another drill for me to consider?

Thanks!

 

[RONWEN]

I have that same model of Milwaukee drill -- I just compared it to my T15 on a scale, the Milwaukee drill is 6 oz lighter than the T15 but doesn't fit the hand like the "T" shaped T15.  The Milwaukee is a great drill. I hold it high on the body so that my finger & thumb lay in the groove they designed into it and squeeze the trigger with my lower two fingers. That tends to balance it out better so it doesn't feel so top heavy when using it.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Thanks Ron.  Maybe it's my big fingers that are making it tricky?  I tried every which way other than standing on my head, but I can't find a good method for holding for an extended period of time balanced with a good grip due to the front biased weight.

 

[wnagle]

Ken,

I have an Hitachi 3/8 electric drill that I bought just for pocket holes.  It is a model D10VH I believe.  It's only about $50.00, 2500rpm, and light and balanced, key-less chuck and reversible.  I wanted to trigger my vac and have higher rpm for drilling pocket holes as well.  I asked the same question on here and it was recommended to me by others that have used that model for some time with good success.  I bought mine at Home Depot.  Here is an site I found at Sears.  It's really a decent drill especially for the price.

Also, the variable speed has a roller limit switch on the trigger that is pretty handy as well.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00922872000P?vName=Tools&cName=PortablePowerTools&sName=Drills&sid=IDx20070921x00003d&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=24-103731565-2

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Thank you Wayne.  I'll definitely check out that model.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Ken,

I have an Hitachi 3/8 electric drill that I bought just for pocket holes.  It is a model D10VH I believe.  It's only about $50.00, 2500rpm, and light and balanced, key-less chuck and reversible.  I wanted to trigger my vac and have higher rpm for drilling pocket holes as well.  I asked the same question on here and it was recommended to me by others that have used that model for some time with good success.  I bought mine at Home Depot.  Here is an site I found at Sears.  It's really a decent drill especially for the price.

Also, the variable speed has a roller limit switch on the trigger that is pretty handy as well.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00922872000P?vName=Tools&cName=PortablePowerTools&sName=Drills&sid=IDx20070921x00003d&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=24-103731565-2

I've got one too, decent drill, good price.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Thanks Brice.  I had never considered Hitachi before, but I'm open minded enough to give them a fair shake.

 

[nickao]

I have  all of the Rigid drills except the drywall gun (I got them in 2002-my model may be older) before they went Chinese, none have ever failed me. They have the 90 days return for any reason and 3 year warranty. You won't need the warranty though. Plus, the one thing about a big box store is if you complain loud enough they are going to help you. I have returned Rigid tool(sander) well after the warranty period and they just gave me a new one. I have done this for craftsman tools as well.

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Drills/EN/index.htm

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Thanks Nickao.  I did look at the one current model from Ridgid while I was in the Home Depot and thought, hey, that looks like a Milwaukee.  Then I remembered the parent Chinese company also owns Emerson who makes the Ridgid line.  Anyway, it's up for contention also.  These drills are cheap enough, I might just buy several models, use all of them in my own long term test, then just sell off the ones I don't want.  There's also a big manufacturers tool show beginning of October where I can really test their stuff out.

 

[nickao]

Oh I forgot these have a lifetime warranty now!

 

[Ken Nagrod]

That's a very good point!

 

[Ken Nagrod]

In response to Nickao's post, I found out for corded, cordless and pneumatic tools, Ridgid has a 90 day return policy, 3 year warranty against mfg. defects and workmanship and a lifetime service agreement that is for a limited time only and you must register your tool within 90 days of ownership, non-transferable.

There is no lifetime warranty from them and I always wonder just how usable "lifetime" offerings really are.  The company can claim you did something to violate it, and then what?

 

[nickao]

I believe that is exactly what I posted. 90 day return for any reason 3 year Warranty and lifetime guarantee(service).,. No one covers anything but labor or just parts, but never both. At least Rigid covers everything for 3 years.

With Home Depot it is simple  they give you a new tool. I have done it twice. Only with the sanders.

None of the drills I bought in 2002 and let my crew use and abuse have ever broken down or needed warranty work at all.

With home depot you are safe.

They have been offering it for 5 years so "limited time" just covers their butt.

PLUS, in many if not most, states requiring a card for any kind of warranty work is against the law, I never sent in anything at all. And because its Rigid I did not even need a receipt for the exchange.

Just choose carefully, I would stay away from the 6 Inch sander, though when it works it is amazing! The corded drills I have had great luck with.

 

[zapdafish]

I got a black and decker corded drill from walmart for the same reason, to use with my ct22. The main reason is it was the only corded one with a clutch that I could find. That way if I wanted too, I could dial it down and also drive the pocket hole screws without them stripping out.  I haven't gotten a spare battery for my cordless drill yet so now and then it does run out of juice on me so I grab the B&D and can keep on going.

 

[wnagle]

I just got 10 new batteries form rigid on the lifetime warranty.  No charge at all and they were all 5 years old. 

 

[nickao]

Wayne I just remembered I have like 6 cordless Rigid(they were tools for my crew) I never use, I am going to try to get the new batteries. Now that is fantastic service and you saved a ton, the batteries are expensive! And you verified the lifetime warranty works on cordless stuff too!

 

[wnagle]

Nickao,

I had to call Rigid to get the a number that is associated with all of my registered tools.  Luckily, Hartville Hardware is a repair center for Rigid and is close to me so I don't have to deal with Home Depot or shipping the tools out.  I just take them to Hartville hardware and give them the warranty number.

I know Rigid tools aren't a top notch brand but I have to say I have really got my moneys worth out of them.  I got them all at sale prices and five years out of the first set of batteries.  So no complaints here.  I have the older non lithium battereis so the batteries don't last that long.  If I were a contractor they might be a pain.  Since I'm in my shop with lots of chargers and spair batteries I have no problem.  I imagine their higher voltage lithium batteries have last longer between charges.

Joe,

I hope you were able to return it.  If so did you get the same drill for replacement or something else?

 

[nickao]

Yeah, the Ridgid stuff all have nice long cords. Does that have the lighted cord end? I don't think yours came in a box did it? In 2002 when I got a similar older model I got a box. Actually, your new model appears a lot nicer.

I did verify the RIDGID Lifetime Service Agreement does include Free Parts and Free Service for Life.