Cordless drill drama...

lendaddy · 09:11 AM

For the last 10 years I guess I've had the same Dewalt 9.6V cordless that I modified to accept 12V batteries. It was a great setup, small and strong. The only downside was the 3/8 chuck.

Anyway, it died last weekend and I put her to rest. Given that I have the batteries etc.. I decided to go with another but this time get the 12V version with the 1/2" chuck. All was well, or so I thought.

When I fired her up to install some new cabinets I found that the torque clutch was jacked up. On low speed it didn't even function and on 2nd and 3rd speeds it was waaayyyy too tight. I mean the lowest setting (1 of 22) on 2nd speed would bury a screw deep into wood and strip the head before the clutch ever released and like I mentioned on two it doesn't even function.

So I brought it back for an exchange. I opened the second one and (you guessed it) same damn thing! What the hell is going on here? Do only the small 9.6V models have delicate clutches or something?

Zeke · 09-21-2008, 09:32 AM

I've never owned a DeWalt, so I can't say, but if you've ever watched anyone use a CD driving screws, they "trigger" them in not relying on the clutch. The various grain of the wood would make one setting useless. Let go of the trigger before the screw hits bottom is all I can say.

sammyg2 · 09-21-2008, 09:43 AM

12 volts? I had one of those 10 years ago.

Seriously, I have a riobi 18 volt drill (which is prolly the same as dewalt) and I've never had a problem with it. I don't use the clutch as a stop, I just use the trigger.
Occasionally I'll set the clutch to an approximate setting just in case but I don't use it as a control.

masraum · 09-21-2008, 09:56 AM

I've got a Makita that I really like. I used to think Dewalt was a good brand, but I've read some stuff on the internet where folks have a bad opinion. My guess is that they don't make them like they used to. They've probably lowered the quality to meet the prices that places like HD and Lowes want them to charge.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I had a DeWalt set until it was stolen a few years ago. I tried the newer DeWalts and found they had insufficient torque. I bought a set of Ridgid rechargeables and they aren't any good either.

Zeke · 09-21-2008, 11:05 AM

Ridgid=Ryobi=junk. I'm a Makita man especially since they started making the stuff in the USA. Still, I own mostly Milwaukee, Porter Cable and some odd ball items from Bosch, Skill (saw) and even Harbor Fright.

masraum · 09-21-2008, 12:26 PM

I've got a Makita cordless, and a Makita 5/8" hammer drill. They are both very well made. You can get some good deals on factory refurbished Makita stuff here

http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_center/

onewhippedpuppy · 09-21-2008, 12:30 PM

Always been a huge fan of Milwaukee. With that said, my 2 18V batteries didn't last nearly as long as they should. Same story with my Makita impact driver. Contractor father in law uses DeWalt stuff, he's not impressed with the quality but has too many tools to affordably switch to another brand. Seems like all brands today have good tools, and crappy batteries.

HardDrive · 06:12 PM

I have a Milwaukee 18v that has served me very well for 2 years, although one of the batteries went south for some reason. Excellent speed control and quality chuck.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-21-2008, 05:34 PM

I have a variety of more toward contractor grade power tools from DeWalt, Milwaukee and Makita, all plug, and every one them performs as I would expect or better, never an issue.

On DeWalt, I have a sawzall, 4.5 inch grinder and drill. The former 2 are put through serious paces as I typically cut up at least 2 911's per year along with other various projects, and both are first quality tools.

Just ordered this, have 80 feet of tubing showing up on Tuesday. Research suggested that this Milwaukee model did beat DeWalt, Hitachi, Bosch, Makita, etc. on every spec.

lendaddy · 09-21-2008, 06:03 PM

So do you guys think both of these drills are defective or what?

Heel n Toe · 09-21-2008, 07:35 PM

I dunno.

I never went cordless.

I'm still plugged into 110 volts.

I don't mean to diss your situation, but I have no problems. I totally understand the convenience factor of cordless, but when that battery is dead, and you need to drill a hole, the old corded Black & Decker in my hand is kickin' butt.

As a guy I know says, "A cordless drill with a dead battery is a hammer."

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Ryobi 14.4V (8-9 years old) and the only problem has been needing new batteries every few years.

look 171 · 09-21-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Always been a huge fan of Milwaukee. With that said, my 2 18V batteries didn't last nearly as long as they should. Same story with my Makita impact driver. Contractor father in law uses DeWalt stuff, he's not impressed with the quality but has too many tools to affordably switch to another brand. Seems like all brands today have good tools, and crappy batteries.

How do you think they make money. Why do you think when you get one of those tools they always throw in another one of something for noxt to nothing and always without batteries. They know you gotta go back and buy 2 more.

look 171 · 09-21-2008, 10:07 PM

I have gone through many dewalt batteries. I have a combo hammer drill and sawall that needs both batteries replace now. It is only 6 months old. I really like Mikata. problem is that you need to know which one to get. I always get the industrial ones and stay way away from the home owners stuff. I do not buy them from homw centers. I don't think I would buy another Dewalt tool again. I had their early 12V and that thing went through heck and back and ask for somemore. Milwaukee cordless drill were a real pic of junk 10 years ago. they kept burning. that left a bad taste in my mouth. We use mostly Milwaukee, Porter Cable electrical and Hitachi tool.

We have tried almost all of the profrssional brand cordless tools. If I use it, they last about 3 -5 years. the boys, about 1 1/2 if I am lucky. One guy really likes the Ryobi junk from homedepot. when I started out they used to make a pro grade tool. I always get on my guys, if you need a 18 volt tool, you should go out to the truck and get the corded tool. I laugh at my plumber sometimes when they try to drill a 2" hole through a stud with their manly 18v drill and only have to go through the double top plate again. why not get the real thing?

cab83_750 · 09-21-2008, 10:53 PM

I have a half inch corded Milwaukee, Makita cordless, Sears .5 cordless. Saws-all Porter Cable. From what I understand, De-Walt "was" good and Milwaukee is good.

cab83_750 · 09-21-2008, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

I dunno.

I never went cordless.

I'm still plugged into 110 volts.

I don't mean to diss your situation, but I have no problems. I totally understand the convenience factor of cordless, but when that battery is dead, and you need to drill a hole, the old corded Black & Decker in my hand is kickin' butt.

As a guy I know says, "A cordless drill with a dead battery is a hammer."

Your guy must not know that all units come with 2 quick-charge batteries.

However, when I built the deck, I had 2 cordless drill AND one corded drill being used.

BlueSkyJaunte · 09-21-2008, 11:19 PM

I'm pretty sure all of my power hand tools are Porter Cable. Other than it now being time to replace the batteries on the cordless drill I've never had any problems. I've used it for everything from hanging curtains to putting anchors in masonry to all of my office furniture.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-22-2008, 03:58 AM

Cordless powertools are like inkjet printers.

Porsche_monkey · 09-22-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Cordless powertools are like inkjet printers.

I agree, but only at the low end. I buy Harbor Freight quality, $40 with two batteries and they last a few years. A DeWalt should last a long time.