Electric screwdriver / drill

robatwork

Hi,
I am a very part time DIYer, so don't use tools much. However my very old Bosch cordless screwdriver has given up the ghost finally. It didn't have many features, just clockwise, anticlockwise and a few power settings, the final "drill" one being just about strong enough to put a 1 1/2" wood screw into a blancmange.


I also have a more ancient mains powered drill that has a chuck key and a copy of Newton's Principia as instructions,


In any case I imagine cordless technology has come on a lot and can now power a proper drill so am after some recommendations on a cordless drill/screwdriver, or at least a pointer on what technology I should be looking for - to replace both drill and power screwdriver.


many thanks

Rodney_Trotter

How much do you want to spend?

£100 plus?

If so go for 18 volt lithium ion batteries.

Sub £100 then go for a screwfix or DIY shed offer.

nickcc

I bought the Makita LCT 204w drill and driver kit a couple of years ago and can honestly say it's the best piece of kit I've ever bought. It cost just over £140 from Amazon, gets used most days and beats all the other cordless drills and drivers I've previously owned. I'm not trying to compare with larger more powerful drills/drivers obviously but for most of my smaller jobs I find them invaluable.

robatwork

If I was using it every day I would spend big. But I am using it a couple of time a year and this is MSE....so I won't be spending > £100. Thanks for the advice so far......

Stooby2

This looks to be a good offer from Screwfix at the moment, two batteries, case and a charger. It's got very good reviews.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dc100ka-gb-18v-1-3ah-ni-cd-cordless-combi-drill/73596?cm_sp=Tools-_-CordlessCombiDrills-_-DC100

MoneyMate

Hope you find the right one ?

http://www.toolstation.com/documents/search/index.html?searchstr=DeWalt+DC100KA-GB+18V+1.3Ah+Ni-Cd+Cordless+Combi+Drill&submit=Go

MamaMoo_2

This one has been great for my hubby. He uses it around the house and quite often uses it at work too. We've managed to do as much as drilling into concrete to lay a door divider, so it's not bad at all.
http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-tools/drills-drivers/hammer_drills/DeWALT-18v-Combi-Drill-and-2-batteries-10668127?skuId=11168715

Rodney_Trotter

I would have said something like this

http://www.directbrandtools.com/Detail.asp?qsFullScr=Yes&qsProd=PSR%2012%20(2%20Batteries)&qsCat=52&qsSubCat=351&gclid=CNuik8DR9rsCFSKWtAodUTEAsQ

But the £99 dewalts are a better buy.

Trade drill just as long as you are aware of the limitations of ni cad batteries.

chrisw

I found the drill/drivers were a bit too big and cumbersome for most simple household tasks and I've never had much luck with cordless drills so I bought the Bosch lithium ion screwdriver from b&q for £20 (usually £40 but currently at £25) and I'll stick with a corded drill.

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-tools/power-screwdrivers/Bosch-IXO-IV-Cordless-Screwdriver-12297505

Ben84

robatwork wrote: »

If I was using it every day I would spend big. But I am using it a couple of time a year and this is MSE....so I won't be spending > £100. Thanks for the advice so far......

Personally, I'd buy a corded drill then, maybe just something from the car boot or eBay second hand. No point getting anything too fancy for twice a year. I spent £5 on an old black and decker and use mine most weeks. Besides, a mains powered drill will never need you to plan ahead and charge it, which is a major plus when it's rarely used.

I find cordless a bit over-hyped anyway. Great for places where running cables is hard, like people who work in places with no power, or up on roofs, or who just do many small jobs over a wide area and don't want to waste time hunting for sockets and using extensions. They still cost a lot more for the same quality corded equivalent though, and for anyone who does a lot of drilling they're much heavier thanks to the battery and will tire your hands much faster.

nickcc

robatwork wrote: »

If I was using it every day I would spend big. But I am using it a couple of time a year and this is MSE....so I won't be spending > £100. Thanks for the advice so far......

Unfortunately the old saying that goes buy cheap really does apply, I've tried most of the cheapo options but find that I've usually wasted my money so paying that bit extra and having something that lasts and still does the job must be the way to save money.