looking for corded drill opinions - Dewalt and Milwaukee

[andynewhouse]

It's time to get a corded drill - the old craftsman cordless is pooping out, and it will probably be Christmas before I can get the Panasonic or Makita NiMH cordless I'd really like. So I'd like a tailed drill for use in the meantime, and I want a heavier-duty drill at some point anyway. My priorities are: powerful but lightweight enough to use with one hand, good-quality keyless chuck. My top choices are (all are 3/8", 0-2500RPM or so): Dewalt D21008K (6 amp, $42ish refurbished online) Milwaukee 0233-20 (5.5 amp, $89 locally) Ridgid R7000 (6.5 amp, $57 locally)

From what I've read, Milwaukee is top of the line in terms of drills.

However, I'm a hobbyist woodworker and occasional home repairer, so I'm wondering if the red drill is really worth twice as much as the yellow one for non-daily use. I have a refurbished Dewalt router that I've been extremely happy with, but no experience with either of the other brands. The main reason I'm interested in the Ridgid is the lifetime warranty from HD - I can't find any reviews of this model online, and it doesn't seem to have the brand reputation or history of either Dewalt or Milwaukee. Has anyone used any of these specific drills? I'd appreciate any informed opinions. Thanks very much, Andy

[Doug Kanter]

A lifetime warranty's useless if the store's closed and you really want to use the drill NOW. And sometimes, it's an indication that the item's made so cheaply that the manufacturer can afford to give away a significant percentage of the production run for free, as warranty replacements.

[RayV]

If you are going to buy a drill with a cord, consider buying a hammer drill with the option of regular drilling. You never know when you are going to need to make holes in concrete...

I have a 1/2 DeWalt hammer drill and have had no problems. Not much to a drill, I don't think you need to worry that much about the name if it is not going to be used everyday. I have a 15 yr old 3/8 Craftsman

*professional* grade that is still going strong. That said, I have a 15 year old Milwaukee drywall gun (read drill without a chuck) that was used everyday for the first ten years and still works great.

[Big Al]

Have a Skil 3/8" hammer drill that's over 35 years old and still going strong. Think it's called an extra tool??

Bought a Harbor Freight hammer drill and it started smoking on the first hole I drilled in cement. Still works but it smells like it's burnt. The movable handle broke off in the first minute:)

Al

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Buy the one with the best chuck. If they are equal, go with the DeWalt and take your wife to dinner with the difference compared to the Milwaukee. Win - Win

[RayV]

I love my wife but would rather have two tools than one tool and a dinner.

[andynewhouse]

I like the dinner idea - thanks, Ed. It's my wife's overtime pay that'll be buying the tool, so I think that would be a wiser choice than 2 tools. From what I can see on their website, it looks like the Dewalt has a Jacobs keyless chuck - from what I've heard, I think that's good. Is Jacobs a specific brand, or just a type of chuck? Thanks, Andy

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Jacobs is the brand. They make some of the best chucks available, but also have some cheapies. Try it out and see what you think. It may even be the same as the Milwaukee. The DeWalt rebuilt stuff is not really rebuilt in

99% of the cases. It is in most cases, the exact same tool sold through an outlet store at a lower price making it a very good value.

[Chris Lewis]

According to Edwin Pawlowski :

Or where somebody bought it, opened the box, and then returned it. Or the box got mucked up.

"Jacobs" is also a chuck _type_. Jacobs invented the 3 tooth self-aligning chucks we see on virtually all drills. Prior to the jacobs chuck, we were stuck with the ones on brace-and-bits, collet chucks etc.

[Steven L Umbach]

I don't think you can wrong with any of them. I bought the Milwaukee last year and am very satisfied with it plus it is also made in America for those who care about such. If you can try them out - at least plugged in to check the switch action. The Milwaukee is great at that. I had to drill some holes in laminate flooring and I could easily start it at a couple RPM. Not all drills are like that. The reviews on Amazon can also give some good information though Rigid would not be there. --- Steve

[Hogwild]

I've got the Milwakee 1/2 hammerdrill. Love it.

It's drilled thousands of holes through concrete over the last year and never skipped a beat.

[harleyron]

I've owned both the Holeshooter (stolen from my garage) and the Dewalt(my current drill) and have had no problems with either one. You should be happy no matter which one you choose.

H.R.

"I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and than advise them to do it." Harry Truman