Recommended battery operated drills

[Rasputin]

Not pro stuff but I can't fault the Ryobi one+ stuff so far. Mine get mostly infrequent but quite heavy use ( mostly drill and impact drive) and have lasted well - at least 10 years so far for some of it.

I've been tempted by the erbauer brushless stuff when its on offer a time or two though.

I have the impact driver and it’s decent but the drill has died after moderate use. Wouldn’t get another one tbh.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

With battery drills there are three separate components,
From memory,
the battery
the trigger
the chuck

I have been told that some large buying companies who have a unit on every industrial unit in every town will go to the likes of the manufacturer and say, we would like to buy 60,000 sets of these. They use the lowest grade of each of the above so they can knock them out at a super price. I have been told of one manufacturer who does it. I was told that the likes of Makita and bosch don't. But no evidence either way.
The reason they do it I suppose is that most people will use them for light use so only a few will come back with issues.
So here is the thing, if you buy it from said store and it comes cheap with an2 or even 3 year warranty then, buy it, the warranty will cover it. If you are going to be using it hard then spend the extra and buy top quality.

i will refer back to my chain saw. I bought a draper, used it for 4 years, um, maybe 5, now it has stopped working, I will sell it on evil bay. Maybe get £20 as a non runner. Total cost, £100 minus £20. £80 all in. I have had my money out of it, I could buy one of the higher end items and have it serviced every year but, for me, £80 for someone to look at it then charge me more to do any work, just not worth it.

 

[Crowstalker]

Do you want something really good? This one in the photo but expensive.
I can also suggest Dewalt 996 which is cheaper alternative.

Good luck.

I've always wondered what makes festool so good?? Genuine question I've never used one bit have alwaus heard they are good but never heard why they are good or better than the other professional brands?

 

[Crowstalker]

What ever you go for make sire you they are a brand that has been about and will be about for a while eg dewalt, Panasonic, makitia and then stick to that brand so you can buy bare tools and swap the batteries between them.

 

[nicowilson]

+1 for Makita

 

[User00035]

Hitachi always used to be good tools. Now rebranded Hikoki. Still Japanese but manufactured in various places in south east Asia, including some in China. Got a 240v Hikoki grinder which is absolutely fine but haven't tried the latest cordless tools. I do know Hitachi and Hikoki batteries are interchangeable.

 

[TundB]

I've always wondered what makes festool so good?? Genuine question I've never used one bit have alwaus heard they are good but never heard why they are good or better than the other professional brands?

I am not a tool junkie, and I have all professional grade tools from different makes including Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and Mafell but majority of my tools are Festool.

For Festool what I can say;
Precision of circular saws and their ability to work with track system, it's like table saw. Dominoes are now industry standard for joiners. Dust collection abilities are great and with some specific tools you work with almost zero dust. The batteries have built-in bluetooth devices which connects tools with the dust extractor so the dust extractor only works when you start using the tool. They are refined tools with good ergonomics which you easily feel while handling. Trigger sensitivities are good on drills and drivers. They are mostly durable(not all of them are good eg; mitre saws and jigsaws), made in EU.

Last but not least all come with 3 year warranty with theft protection.

 

[Crowstalker]

I am not a tool junkie, and I have all professional grade tools from different makes including Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and Mafell but majority of my tools are Festool.

For Festool what I can say;
Precision of circular saws and their ability to work with track system, it's like table saw. Dominoes are now industry standard for joiners. Dust collection abilities are great and with some specific tools you work with almost zero dust. The batteries have built-in bluetooth devices which connects tools with the dust extractor so the dust extractor only works when you start using the tool. They are refined tools with good ergonomics which you easily feel while handling. Trigger sensitivities are good on drills and drivers. They are mostly durable(not all of them are good eg; mitre saws and jigsaws), made in EU.

Last but not least all come with 3 year warranty with theft protection.

Thank you

 

[paultap]

With battery drills there are three separate components,
From memory,
the battery
the trigger
the chuck

I have been told that some large buying companies who have a unit on every industrial unit in every town will go to the likes of the manufacturer and say, we would like to buy 60,000 sets of these. They use the lowest grade of each of the above so they can knock them out at a super price. I have been told of one manufacturer who does it. I was told that the likes of Makita and bosch don't. But no evidence either way.
The reason they do it I suppose is that most people will use them for light use so only a few will come back with issues.
So here is the thing, if you buy it from said store and it comes cheap with an2 or even 3 year warranty then, buy it, the warranty will cover it. If you are going to be using it hard then spend the extra and buy top quality.

i will refer back to my chain saw. I bought a draper, used it for 4 years, um, maybe 5, now it has stopped working, I will sell it on evil bay. Maybe get £20 as a non runner. Total cost, £100 minus £20. £80 all in. I have had my money out of it, I could buy one of the higher end items and have it serviced every year but, for me, £80 for someone to look at it then charge me more to do any work, just not worth it.

Do you mean screwfix or toolstation? And I would guess the brand is Dewalt?

 

[Fair Hill]

I am not a tool junkie, and I have all professional grade tools from different makes including Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and Mafell but majority of my tools are Festool.

For Festool what I can say;
Precision of circular saws and their ability to work with track system, it's like table saw. Dominoes are now industry standard for joiners. Dust collection abilities are great and with some specific tools you work with almost zero dust. The batteries have built-in bluetooth devices which connects tools with the dust extractor so the dust extractor only works when you start using the tool. They are refined tools with good ergonomics which you easily feel while handling. Trigger sensitivities are good on drills and drivers. They are mostly durable(not all of them are good eg; mitre saws and jigsaws), made in EU.

Last but not least all come with 3 year warranty with theft protection.

Isn't technology great.

 

[Magnificent 7]

I've at work tried every type the only one to stand up to the job is hilti and working in the mining industry these lads would break a cannon ball

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Do you mean screwfix or toolstation? And I would guess the brand is Dewalt?

I couldn’t possible comment.

 

[curlyrobs]

I use makita brushless.
I’m a carpenter and really punish my kit and have found them quite robust for the money. The other advantage is they have a large range of battery tools so you can add to your kit by purchasing bare body tools which is quite cheap for what they are.

 

[Westley78]

I had Erbauer and it was ok for light/DIY use, but the batteries went and I was using them a lot when I replaced I went for Dewalt which are much better and nicer to use but obviously more expensive.

Make sure whatever brand you go for that you can get spare batteries as they will usually go first…

 

[tattie]

Something else to consider and I see this a lot on jobs. Is that you see trades using a battery drill etc, that is totally unsuitable for the job/ task they are trying to do and you think I'm glad that is not my drill you are using to drill a 75mm hole in a 6" x 2" etc and more often than not the hole cutter they are using (blunter than a boot springs to mind) would go through quicker if they put it in reverse the younger lads seem to be worst for it. its all and not a great use of the grey matter.
If it is a brute of a job you are going to be doing then get the 110v stuff out.

All in all a lot of the stuff available is pretty good and if looked after reasonably well, should last for a good few years.

Cheers