Corded vs Cordless Powertools
 

Im in the market for a new drill.
Whats your take on Corded vs Cordless drills?
Non porn related use.

Well, if it in non-porn related I would always go with a cord. Low batteries suck unless the tool doubles as a hammer.

depends on what you're doing.. if you have a drill with a cord, cordless would probably be handy

if you have no drill, get a cord, deal with cordless later

get both for a solid toolbox. if you need torque and consistent 100% power go with cord. For using as a screwdriver and quick jobs, go with the 20v li-ion cordless.

Just asked a contractor friend, get a lithium battery powered DeWalt impact driver 20 volt-max impact driver. Bought the combo kit for $229 at Home Depot.

Batteries are as much as a drill, when you get the combo pack you are basically getting a free drill.

(case, 2 different drills, 2 lithium batteries, charger)

See link ....... DEWALT 20-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit (2-Tool)-DCK280C2 - The Home Depot

We have cordless everything at this point, including my lawn mower. We have an 18v MAkita drill.

I just replaced my bulky cordless sear's drill with this schnazzy compact B&D, it's super sweet! about 1/2 the size of the sear's one it replaced. it gets most jobs done. I stalled it out drilling through some aluminum though.

Amazon.com: Black & Decker LDX120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver: Home Improvement

Depends on the job, I have both. Like the freedom of the cordless for some applications.:2 cents:

Battery operated tools do not have the torque required for heavy duty use.

Battery operated tools are convenient for limited time light to medium duty use.

Battery operated tools' batteries have limited operating time use.

Right tool right job.

I have both as stated before they both have their purposes.. It's not fun dragging a cord up a ladder. Lithium batteries are overrated. It goes dead immediately rather than letting you albeit slowly finish that last cut, screw or whatever.

Corded drills are fairly cheap, so it pays to have one. If you're screwing down sub floor or hanging drywall, or using it as a drill, you'll want it. If you think you will ever need to drill concrete spend the few extra bucks and get one that's a hammer drill. Often you can find a corded drill at a garage sale with very little use on them.

For projects that are not so convenient to run an extension cord, the cordless are nice. Get a decent one, Millwaukee, Bosch or Dewalt. Sometimes they will come with a cordless driver as well, which are handy.

not sure if many in this thread have actually used a heavy duty cordless drill. Used them 10+ years ago while an aerial/satellite installer/engineer and no problems whatsoever drilling holes in masonry, then doubling up as a boltdriver. I'm sure they've come even further along since then.

edit: Ah ok I see now, I think of these as drills Makita BHR202RFE 18V LXT SDS+ Rotary Hammer: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

and those others as basically cordless screwdrivers that you can also do light drilling with.

Yeah, usually the cordless drill is all about ease of use and something you want to be able to holster in a tool belt if need be. For more strenuous tasks or repetitive ones that may strain the battery, its best to be corded if possible. I couldn't imagine having that Makita hanging off my waist :winkwink:

I like the Idea of the cordless, but I've found in the past even when its small jobs Ive had to go borrow a corded drill to get through some petrified studs. Do any of the cordless drill come close to the torque of a corded one?

Hey Matt,
When I worked with my hands all day, I used a cordless Makita, I've used other brands, but they take the most abuse and just last longer. You can pick up a corded drill pretty cheap at places like Harbor Freight, they just opened one on Sepulveda and are having a big sale today.
Also if this is just to used every once in a while, I would get a corded drill because unless you use a cordless often, the batteries will not last very long and they will be dead when you need them.

Pretty much every drill has a hammer option and it isn't good for anything other than soft as butter concrete and a bit of masonary. Rotary drill if you are going to drill concrete :2 cents:

Go cordless 100%, they are extremely powerful these days and the batterys have a good life, plus most if not all kits come with 2 batterys. Also most have fast chargers too - 20 to 40 minutes for a charge.

I've got a lot of mates who work all kinds of trades and all of them use cordless for their drill. Tools that use big power such as grinder / circular saw are better suited to corded setups.

Ive run Makita for the last 15 years. Im on my second drill, only because I wanted to move to lithium, my originally is still kicking it. Ive dropped it on concrete, off roofs etc and it just won't quit.

I am not a contractor by any means but I do a lot of shit around the house, build things, help friends construct things. The new Makita LXT series is pretty nice. Batteries charge in 15 minutes via a digital charger. I have 8 batteries right now, 4 Makita, 4 Chinese knockoffs. Honestly I cant tell the difference between the 2. The Chinese will run about 1/2 the price. You can get 2 packs on ebay for around 60 bucks.

LXT X2 About - Makita X2

On a side note - I picked up the LXT chainsaw this last fall. While it will never replace my Stihl - its nice to slap 2 batteries on it and go. Its also super light and great for climbing and trimming up my trees.

That all being said, I have not used a corded drill in 15 years and have yet to run into a problem. Ive drilled concrete, steel and just about every hard wood with a cordless.

/thread

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A lot of projects I work on, I'm using several drills at once. Whatever the easiest part is, I keep a bit in my cordless drill for that, such as drilling a pilot hole. Then I have a larger bit and countersink in my corded drill. Things move faster that way because i dont have to change bits.

If I'm drilling small holes in sheet metal, I use my air drill. For larger holes in sheet metal or plate, I use the drill press.

M18? Cordless LITHIUM-ION 2-Tool Combo Kit | Milwaukee Tool

Just bought four kits for my shop that uses them every day, Hard......fuck a cord. Incredible torque and battery life. Fantastic investment on the business side.

^^^^^ this

Yeah, cords are a pain at times - but I'll put up with the inconvenience rather than lose torque as a battery dies.

tie yourself to the wall, much better use of time.....:error

Before discounting it, try using the newer cordless gear. I'll be the first to admit that the first cordless drills etc were utter shit with terrible torque and battery life.

Now with 18v and up tools, lithium batterys, they have a tonne of power and amazing battery life.

I'd have to see how they hold up after a full day of puttin' in 3 1/2" decking screws. We've gone with Makita, Ryobi, Dewalt, Skil and Milwaukee over the years. So far my corded Makita hammer drill still get the job done all day long.

Makita is tough.

If we own a corded drill I've never used it.

Milwaukee is the best,just got the M18 fuel myself.one of the best out there

Well if that works for you, go for it, I prefer being about to walk around my shed or house without having to hook any cords up :thumbsup