I’m about to embark on building a deck at my new house and in need of drill. I could borrow but I don’t like borrowing others tools. Was looking at either harbor freight or Walmart for cheap drill. Doesn’t have to be cordless, but variable speed a must. I know you get what you pay for, been there done that. But after my deck project it’s most likely going to sit and collect dust. Anyone have any experience with cheapo drill?
I've been loving my harbor freight. Baur brand, the black and red. 20v lithium battery, half inch Chuck drill and hammer drill. There's a coupon to get it for $90 floating around.
Works better than my last rigid did, with a bigger chuck to boot.
There's also this one that isn't a hammer drill
And this one for under $20, but that might be too cheap to be useful
Don't buy the $20 Harbor Freight cordless if you want to use it on actual deck screws. Not sure about the new $40 18V Lithium drill, but I've heard good things about the Bauer 20V Lithium kit. Should be able to find a coupon for $59.99 for it.
Speaking of HF, anybody know when the next 25% off coupon comes out? Do we have to wait until Labor Day weekend?
My folks bought me a B&D from walmart cordless. IT's been great for about 3 years.
In reply to bobzilla :
I also have a black n decker cordless li-ion that I bought a few years ago for around $50 on sale. It's been great.
I think the big thing here will be to get an extra battery or two.
For one time use, I'd be looking at a name-brand used (corded) drill off the local classifieds.
As far as cordless goes...I bought a Milwaukee cordless a few years back. Until then, I hadn't ever had an off-brand cordless that would be at all helpful in something like a deck project.
Speaking of that...for the deck, we'd be using the little cordless impact. I never knew what those were good for until I read a thread here (and subsequently got one). Driving deck screws is what they're made for, evidently.
In my experience with deck building, I would look at corded or having multiple batteries. I know things are better now, but being limited to laying 3 boards a day due to battery life sucks. This was with a late 90s B&D 12v.
I'd go with a corded drill, since you won't be using it much after the deck project is over. When you do need to use it next the batteries won't be dead.
Personally I'd go with a Milwaukee or a Makita; they'll cost a little more but should last you for the rest of your life.
I think for your application (build a deck) and specs (cheap, able to build a deck), an inexpensive corded variable speed reversible drill would be ideal. For cordless, you'll need at least 2 spare batteries and chargers (not cheap anymore) and the cheap ones like the $20 HF may or may not work out. Nice flashlights, though.
I don't buy Black & Decker anything if I can avoid it. Screw me once, shame on you....
The Harbor Freight cordless stuff is pretty worthless, but they do have a corded drill thats sometimes as low as $10 that would work fine for you.
If you do wanna go battery its gonna cost you a lot more, Ryobi is what i use on the jobsite and i have 6 batteries in rotation. That would be pretty spendy
Are you buying this to drill or drive screws into the deck? If you are driving screws then a 1/4" impact driver will be easier on you.
Something along these lines (I have no idea if this particular unit is any good, just an example) - https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-lithium-cordless-14-in-hex-compact-impact-driver-kit-63380.html
Pick up a set of these and use it around the garage after you're done with the deck, it won't have enough torque to break lugnuts but it'll spin them out and back on once you have freed them - https://www.harborfreight.com/Hex-Drill-Socket-Driver-Set-3-Pc-68513.html
And any bit that has the appropriate end can be used so you can do some drilling (and it won't twist your wrist when it catches) - https://www.harborfreight.com/Titanium-High-Speed-Steel-Step-Bit-Set-3-Pc-60379.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMzMxMTc1ODEiLCJza3UiOiI2MDM3OSIsImlzIjoiOC45OSIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQi%0D%0AOiIxMDEzNyJ9%0D%0A
Admittedly I've avoided working with wood for the most part so those with more experience may disagree but I know for myself I use my impact a lot (Rigid in my case).
Adam
In reply to adam525i :
Instead of the Harbor Freight impact, get the ryobi kit:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-Drill-Driver-Impact-Driver-2-Tool-Kit-w-2-1-3-Ah-Batteries-Charger-Bag-P1834/304231335
Has a brushless impact, and a brushless drill. And a pair of batteries. Brushless means longer battery life and no brushes to ever wear out and replace. Also gets you started down the Ryobi rabbit hole, which has a thousand different tools that all work with the same damn battery.
I'm a fan of Porter Cable cordless tools. The 20v lithium set with the 2.0 or 4.0ah batteries is a good value. I use mine pretty much daily and have no complaints.
Find an old Milwaukee corded drill at a garage sale. Never look back.
In reply to the_machina :
Yeah, I think the Ryobi stuff is great for around home stuff and the number of accessories is great.
Dewalt 1/4" cordless impact driver and one spare battery. Not the cheapest, but I bet if you buy it, you will use it after the deck is finished.
I've got a corded drill (I think Ryobi) that I would pretty much give away. I don't know where you are but it's probably not even worth shipping.
I'm sure there are many many many more people like me.
Robbie said:I've got a corded drill (I think Ryobi) that I would pretty much give away. I don't know where you are but it's probably not even worth shipping.
I'm sure there are many many many more people like me.
USPS. Flat rate box.
FWIW, Home Depot has a pretty decent sale on Milwaukee combo kits until the end of the month. I just got one that has a drill, impact driver, ratchet, hacksall, and flashlight, two batteries (M12) and charger for $200 shipped. They have some with circular saws too, which may be of use in your project.
I have the cheap HF Drill Master corded drill and will vouch for it. I’ve abused it drilling through brake rotors (stuck rotor removal, not DIY “drilled rotors”) and more pedestrian use as well. If the goal is cheapest thing that will work, it will. Beyond that, I’ve personally gone up to the better HF Chicago Electric brand for corded power tools. I haven’t decided on a cordless ecosystem yet.
probably B&D 20v or ryobi. if you dont use the drill much the ryobi has tons of other tools/gadgets that you can use the battery with.
Just stepped in here to say M18 Fuel and one of my favorite sayings "Buy Once, Cry Once".
When its only $350 for the absolute best tool available, it doesn't really make sense to buy anything else. Not a big enough price break to warrant the Horrible Freight struggle.
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
Ive known 2 people with that exact impact driver. Both died in 6 months, hope you have better luck.
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