I'm about to get a new mains drill, a vanilla non-sds thing, preferably with hammer. Probably will go for the Site
Thanks, NT
NT wibbled on Tuesday 20 October 2009 12:25
Can't comment on that link. about 3-4 years ago I bought one like this:
Probably a good deal if you need that sort of thing... Metal gearbox and a makita speed control should be a good combination.
I find I never really use my mains percussion drills any more - my 18V combi performs as well[1], up to the point I need the SDS.
[1] The exception would be if I needed something unusual on the end like a flap disc or die grinder, where long duration operation against low resistance is required.
Maybe you're right. My codless kit isnt 18v and really doesnt replace the power and speed of the mains drill, but perhaps I'll be ok without it. I'll wait & see, if not I can always get it. I did today's job with a combination of the cordless and an sds, and it went fine. I ran out of battery well before it did.
Thanks, NT
I did look at their bosch 550 watter, and was tempted by its light weight at 1.5kg, and the price is low. But I was quite disappointed by the poor life of the last bosch drill I bought, so I'd sooner go with a Makita. I dont need any great performance off a mains drill, but I do want something that'll last, and a couple of years was pretty disappointing for what wasnt a cheap drill.
cheers, NT
Was that a blue or green bosch? The green ones are IME pretty poor reliability wise - especially those with two speed electronic control. Most seem to find the blue ones at least equal to the Makitas.
I carry a Hitachi on the van
You won't go wrong with the Site/Makita though. Mak speed control is excellent.
I thought I was getting a blue, but ended up with a green :( I had to get on and get the job done so kept it... It still runs, but the mechanics are in a bad way, and I cant rely on it.
The other one that died yesterday I opened up, but its nothing straightforward to repair. The speed control has 5 output wires, which then go to another circuit board. The motor itself is fine, just not getting anything. Maybe I should see if I can get an on off output from the trigger, and run it like an old drill, but I just got other things to do, and I know it wont happen.
I used to use it as a screwdriver before cordless tools became the done thing. I still remember using a 2.4v screwdriver!
NT
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I looked at those, big question is longevity/reliability... I just dont see the point paying half the price for something that lasts 1/4 as long. Those days are past thankfully. If I knew more about hitachis I might.
NT
"NT" wrote
Just bought a Black and Decker 703 from Homebase £50. Single speed (variable) with hammer. Being an office boy, weight was an issue for me and I found that the 2 speed jobbies were well nose-heavy. Would rather take longer to drill a hole with a manageable piece of kit when atop the old ladder!
Phil
They are up there with the better kit IME. My 9" grinder is a Hitachi, and has spent its life cutting masonry. Takes plenty of abuse and always works flawlessly. Their big circular saws are among the best available, and they have a good reputation for SDS drills especially. The only slight criticism I would aim at them at the moment is the power ranger style livery they clad them in!
uck..
That's handy, ta. But it leaves me wondering, you dont get owt for nowt, so why are the hitachis a lot less kopeks for a similar tool?
Percussion? Go for a Ryobi SDS.
housing rather than all metal gearbox construction (i.e. gears may still be nylon in the Hitachi) - so that probably covers it. I think also Hitachi are trying hard to become more mainstream, so are probably pricing more aggressively.
LOL. I have that very thought every time I use mine!
Right, ta. The 2 things that put me off it a bit are single gearing and plastic gears. I've decided to live without a nice mains drill for now, see how far I get.
NT
Right, ta. The 2 things that put me off it a bit are single gearing and plastic gears. I've decided to live without a nice mains drill for now, see how far I get.
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