Cordless Drill

macfanboy on 14/05/2014 - 16:27
Last edited 14/05/2014 - 16:32

Looking at getting another cordless drill for a birthday present from my wife to me.
My last one was pretty much useless, never held a charge and I could physically tighten things up quicker and tighter than the drill….

Looking at the best bang for buck for under $75.

I need one that is only used infrequently but delivers when needed.

I rarely use them but my wife is looking at hanging up some new curtains in all bedrooms with new fixtures and I think I'll need it by then..

Thanks

PS

Only Ones sold in SA (so no Masters).

Also would I be better with a electric drill?

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • battler on 14/05/2014 - 16:38

    the key here is this: I need one that is only used infrequently but delivers when needed.
    predicting that you will need to use it and remembering to have it fully charged is the issue.
    240v is painful, but having a dead cordless is more painful

    this 18v Li-ion maybe: http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/18V-L…

  • shadowarrior on 14/05/2014 - 16:50

    Get a proper corded drill.
    I have this:
    http://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-professional-600w-13mm-cord…

    Does everything I want to do for DIY house work, automobile work etc. And Bosch Trade are good quality tools.

    • daewoo on 14/05/2014 - 17:07

      I bought a similarly priced 240v Makita drill a few years ago, the quality is awesome. However, this drill, like mine, has a variable speed trigger only (it is missing a 2 speed switch). It just means you have to be ultra sensitive on the trigger when screwing is involved…

    • macfanboy on 14/05/2014 - 18:13

      This looks interesting, Thank You.
      So it will be fine to drill the fixtures for the curtains….:)

  • fruit on 14/05/2014 - 21:01

    Do what I do, get one that supports AA batteries and fill it with Eneloops. (I use this for fixing the occasional computer)

  • eug on 14/05/2014 - 21:30

    What will you be using it for most often?
    What is the wall that your curtain rod is going onto, made of?

    • macfanboy on 15/05/2014 - 16:17

      Screwing in things, putting holes in window frames for locks etc.

      Interior walls are all Plasterboard

      • eug on 15/05/2014 - 17:24

        Sounds like you just need a medium-powered cordless drill.

        I assume when you say screwing things, you're screwing in a plasterboard anchor, a self-tapping screw into a wooden door/window frame, or assembling Ikea furniture rather than driving long decking screws into hardwood.

        This is my favourite small one, but is a bit pricey and includes a hammer function. The non-hammer version is the same price. 30Nm torque.
        http://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-10-8v-2x1-3ah-li-ion-cordle…

        This will be perfectly suitable to those tasks above. It has 24Nm torque which is lower than the Bosch above, but plenty for those tasks.
        http://www.bunnings.com.au/makita-10-8v-lithium-ion-cordless…

        This is about half the speed and torque of the above (700rpm, 12Nm). It's good enough for plasterboard and short screws into soft wood. It'll be a bit slow if you need to drill larger holes (maybe >8mm) in soft wood. The slower speed might be annoying if you have lots of screws to drive, but if it's just the occasional one, it's probably ok.

        http://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-12v-li-ion-drill-driver-lcd…

        Missed this earlier, it's right within your price range:

        It's Ozito's version of the $199 Bosch. It has less torque and lower speed (20Nm/1150rpm), but if those specs are accurate, it should be fine for your use.

        http://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-12v-li-ion-cordless-drill-w…

        Hmm, the Ozito website says 20Nm, the manual says 15Nm. Flip a coin, I guess!

        The problem with the older type of cordless drill is that they use NiMH or even NiCad batteries which have a high self-discharge rate. You can fully charge it and keep it in a drawer and a few months later when you want to use it, it'll be just about flat. All the ones above use lithium-ion batteries which can hold their charge for a lot longer. I don't know what quality batteries the Ozito uses, but it does have a 3-year replacement warranty.

        • macfanboy on 15/05/2014 - 22:29

          Thanks the Ozito $79 one looks ok.

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