Electric Bloody Drills

[dr_gn]

I bought my Dad a Black and Decker drill back in about 1989. Used LOADS until the switch packed up in about 2004 when I was building my house. So, I bought a new Black and Decker equivalent(orange thing). After 2 weeks, the switch went. Replaced it. Same story: switch went. So I bought a replacement switch for my Dad's original drill, fitted it, and... a month later it went again.

OK, so...money back for all the knackered Black and Deckers, and I bought a Bosch. Another month...switch went. Money back, bought a Bosch Professional one, had that now for, ooooh 4 years, hardly used it and last week...the effing switch went.

What is going on with these switches/speed controllers? I realise that they are designed for use twice a year for about 30 seconds a time, rather than house building, but a hardly ever used Bosch Professional one too???

What's the best drill to buy that will last me? Don't want to spend a fortune, won't be building another house anytime soon, but I want something that will be servicable when I need it.

Cheers!

[Globs]

No one fixes drills anymore, and no one uses the mains either

You need to get yourself a real drill:


Like THIS

[dr_gn]

Globs said:

No one fixes drills anymore, and no one uses the mains either

You need to get yourself a real drill:


Like THIS

Believe it or not I bought a Wickes 7.2V cordless hammer drill back in '05 for about £50 and it's still going strong. I always forget to charge it though which is why I still like mains ones for those spur of the moment shelf-fitting sessions!

The Black and Decker cordless I had at the start of my self-build did some pretty hardcore work too, but the gearbox disintegrated eventually.

Thanks very much for the advice.

[Simpo Two]

Mains is just a really powerful battery that never runs out...

[Globs]

Simpo Two said:

Mains is just a really powerful battery that never runs out...

Also the power is not affected by freezing temperatures - batteries do not like them!
The main issue with a power cord is speed and mobility I found, plus the battery ones seem to have a lot more torque.

That Hitachi set above though is pure class and priced less than an AEG pair I saw (and IMO far better). I did of course have to buy a set , and it scores over my Makita/Site by having more clutch positions and a better chuck that is easier to tighten. Currently the best value drill(s) on the market bar none IME.

[NiceCupOfTea]

My dad's Wolf Sapphire circa 1970 will probably outlast me. They don't make 'em like they used to!

[Globs]

NiceCupOfTea said:

My dad's Wolf Sapphire circa 1970 will probably outlast me. They don't make 'em like they used to!

I still have an earlier Bosch professional 9.6 drill-driver that is fine, what I found out however was that over the years the battery capacity dropped until they were no longer usable, and the batteries cost more than a nice new power-drill set!

If the environmental brigade really wanted to do something they could investigate why a 12V 2Ah LIPO battery costs $7 retail but a genuine big-name replacement battery for a drill costs £85.
I know they want to sell more drills but when I can buy a Site/Makita drill + case + charger + 3 batteries for less than one replacement battery it's starts to get silly!!

There are aftermarket batteries for the big brands though, which is where I'll be looking when I want replacements at 1/2 price..

[Morningside]

Globs said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

My dad's Wolf Sapphire circa 1970 will probably outlast me. They don't make 'em like they used to!

I still have an earlier Bosch professional 9.6 drill-driver that is fine, what I found out however was that over the years the battery capacity dropped until they were no longer usable, and the batteries cost more than a nice new power-drill set!

If the environmental brigade really wanted to do something they could investigate why a 12V 2Ah LIPO battery costs $7 retail but a genuine big-name replacement battery for a drill costs £85.
I know they want to sell more drills but when I can buy a Site/Makita drill + case + charger + 3 batteries for less than one replacement battery it's starts to get silly!!

There are aftermarket batteries for the big brands though, which is where I'll be looking when I want replacements at 1/2 price..

:rolf: Wolf. Dad left me all his tools and it may be an old style drill (challenge 1960s. The electrical safety of the metal casing does scare me and its more of a collectors item.

What happened to Wolf anyhow.

[dr_gn]

Morningside said:

Globs said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

My dad's Wolf Sapphire circa 1970 will probably outlast me. They don't make 'em like they used to!

I still have an earlier Bosch professional 9.6 drill-driver that is fine, what I found out however was that over the years the battery capacity dropped until they were no longer usable, and the batteries cost more than a nice new power-drill set!

If the environmental brigade really wanted to do something they could investigate why a 12V 2Ah LIPO battery costs $7 retail but a genuine big-name replacement battery for a drill costs £85.
I know they want to sell more drills but when I can buy a Site/Makita drill + case + charger + 3 batteries for less than one replacement battery it's starts to get silly!!

There are aftermarket batteries for the big brands though, which is where I'll be looking when I want replacements at 1/2 price..

:rolf: Wolf. Dad left me all his tools and it may be an old style drill (challenge 1960s. The electrical safety of the metal casing does scare me and its more of a collectors item.

What happened to Wolf anyhow.

My Dad's got a Wolf 'Cub' and also a Wolf "something" (white, silver & gold) from god knows how long ago. They both still work, but are very basic (one speed, no hammer action).

[B17NNS]

Loads of DeWalt haters on here but I've got loads of their kit that hasn't let me down for years. Takes daily abuse and just gets thrown in the back of the van.

Personally I'd go with 2 drills - an SDS and a cordless drill/drive.

Surprised you had trouble with blue Bosch - good kit.

[dr_gn]

B17NNS said:

Surprised you had trouble with blue Bosch - good kit.

Same here: press the trigger and there's now either a delay until it starts, or it doesn't start...

[Simpo Two]

dr_gn said:

Same here: press the trigger and there's now either a delay until it starts, or it doesn't start...

Loose wire? Open it up and have a look.

[dr_gn]

Simpo Two said:

dr_gn said:

Same here: press the trigger and there's now either a delay until it starts, or it doesn't start...

Loose wire? Open it up and have a look.

Doubt it: it was exactly the same story with the previous 5 drills I've had recently (including the modern replacement switch for the original B&D). Anyway, I don't really think it should be necessary to fart about stripping a supposedly high quality drill down to fix it after probably less than a total of 10 minutes' continuous use.

[Simpo Two]

dr_gn said:

Anyway, I don't really think it should be necessary to fart about stripping a supposedly high quality drill down to fix it after probably less than a total of 10 minutes' continuous use.

Absolutely, throw it away and buy a new one.

It does seem odd that it's always the same thing and so soon - any quirks in your use of them?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Morningside said:

Globs said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

My dad's Wolf Sapphire circa 1970 will probably outlast me. They don't make 'em like they used to!

I still have an earlier Bosch professional 9.6 drill-driver that is fine, what I found out however was that over the years the battery capacity dropped until they were no longer usable, and the batteries cost more than a nice new power-drill set!

If the environmental brigade really wanted to do something they could investigate why a 12V 2Ah LIPO battery costs $7 retail but a genuine big-name replacement battery for a drill costs £85.
I know they want to sell more drills but when I can buy a Site/Makita drill + case + charger + 3 batteries for less than one replacement battery it's starts to get silly!!

There are aftermarket batteries for the big brands though, which is where I'll be looking when I want replacements at 1/2 price..

:rolf: Wolf. Dad left me all his tools and it may be an old style drill (challenge 1960s. The electrical safety of the metal casing does scare me and its more of a collectors item.

What happened to Wolf anyhow.

Subject to several takeovers in the 80s/90s and the name disappeared. My dad's Wolf was a grey plastic case with a green stripe IIRC, never had any worries about safety. Came in a red plastic moulded box! Basic, yes, but beefy as hell. Was a wedding present from his dad who knew his onions (was a metalworker).

[Globs]

Black and Decker did a metal cased drill in the 80's too (or maybe it was from the 70's) I recall. Big metal gears that you could re-grease too!

It was single speed (I think - unless there was a clunkey pull-out lever), needed a chuck key and had no brake, amazing how drills have advanced.

[Laurel Green]

Globs said:

Black and Decker did a metal cased drill in the 80's too (or maybe it was from the 70's) I recall. Big metal gears that you could re-grease too!

It was single speed (I think - unless there was a clunkey pull-out lever), needed a chuck key and had no brake, amazing how drills have advanced.

I had one of those in the sixties and, as far as I know is still working (passed on to my sister some six or seven years ago).

[Gaspode]

B17NNS said:

Loads of DeWalt haters on here but I've got loads of their kit that hasn't let me down for years. Takes daily abuse and just gets thrown in the back of the van.

Personally I'd go with 2 drills - an SDS and a cordless drill/drive.

Surprised you had trouble with blue Bosch - good kit.

Ditto. I have had a DeWalt 925 like this http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...
for the last 3 years, and it's been great. Seriously powerful with good battery life. Metal frame, so it's a bit heavy, but that's ok as I'm not a girlie

[Globs]

Not convinced by NimH batteries but that Dewalt looks a nice spec. Reminds me of a rather cool Makita I saw the other day with 3 speeds, I think that also has a led to light up the work. I need a LED on my drill/driver now

[thinfourth2]

Pah who needs electric