Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 24, 2002 06:02am | #1

   Larry,

   Three requirements:

   1. Milwaukee
   2. slow speed
   3. Milwaukee

   Jeff

2. 
   chrisindiana | Oct 24, 2002 06:25am | #2

   I have a 12 volt & a 14 volt Dewalt cordless angle drills. I am very happy with them.  I also have a Milwaukee Hole Hawg for the big jobs.

   Chris

1. 
   davamoore | Oct 24, 2002 06:53pm | #8

   Ditto the Dewalts... I'm very happy with mine.

   DavidLook, I made a hat -- Where there never was a hat!

3. 
   vanderpooch | Oct 24, 2002 06:58am | #3

   one of my co-workers had the 14.4 dewalt. great tool, we all borrowed it a lot. just wish it had a clutch mechanism. haven't seen one yet that does.

4. 
   ToolDoc | Oct 24, 2002 07:42am | #4

   Larry ; I have a Craftsman 3/8 mini T  right angle drill  $139.99, and I love it, works great..  check em out at;  http://www.craftsman.com   at work we have the Milwaukee 3/8 right angle drill there nice too. buy the way the Milwaukees are made by Sioux,

                                    ToolDoc

5. 
   ETG | Oct 24, 2002 02:18pm | #5

   Using a cordless drill in close quarters is a contradiction to me.  No matter how well they are designed, battery drills are ackward, unbalanced and heavy.  The right angle drill made by Sioux and sold under both Sioux and Milwaukee labels  puts your hand right behind the chuck in a truly balanced operation.  I use the machine for all my drilling operations.  I also teach a high school woodworking class and we use only the Milwaukee right angle drill - it gives the students more control of the process.  Pistol grip corded and battery drills can't give the same control that you get with your hand directly behind the drilling operation.

   The new Sears drill looks very interesting but there is one problem - it's Sears.  That means a limited warranty (Milwaukee is unlimited), lack of technical expertise and repair stations (Milwaukee has dedicated repair centers that repair tools, not lawn mowers, air conditioners, etc.).  And while Sears has parts availability on-line, their prices and shipping costs are extremely high.  And you risk having model changes after a few years - the Sioux design has been around for a long time.

   Try the Milwaukee or Sioux - they are excellent machines!

6. 
   RW | Oct 24, 2002 04:14pm | #6

   I have the ancient Makita 9.6v : Pros - boy it's small. That was the only reason I got it. Some real tight areas are accessable, and it's light and portable. Cons - power. This is fine if all you're doing is putting on, say, hinges in an awkward place. Dont try deck screws. If I need power, my votes the corded Milwaukee.

7. 
   ETG | Oct 24, 2002 05:10pm | #7

   Dave:

   I understand the appeal of Sears.  However, the only Sears tools with a lifetime warranty are the mechanics and some woodworking hand tools.  Yes you can return a power tool and they will take it back within a reasonable period of time - but after some months and particularly some use, you are dependent upon the knowlege (or lack thereof) of the salesperson.   Try returning a drill bit that didn't perform - or a tap - you'll find no warranty on those products!

   Periodically, Sears does come out with an interesting tool - but the entire support system - from the sales staff to technical support leaves a lot to be desired.

   I owned a Sears portable plane - made by Ryobi - worked fine.  However, two sets of replacement blades including shipping was $98! (the stores stopped carrying the blades for my machine).  Two sets of blades for Porter Cable, DeWalt, etc. added up to less than $40.  I sent the blades back, sold the plane and bought a PC.

   I bought a Sears drill press - made by Emerson - as I found out later, probably the last of the Emerson machines.  I tried to purchase the table raising mechanism - a gear assembly with a handle.  No longer available - Emerson and Sears parted company and Emerson was already tooling up for their Ridgid line.   How long will Ryobi stay in favor?

   Sears has the potential through its many stores and its Craftsman branding to really move product.  One of these day, they might figure this out and begin to function like a real tool purveyor.

8. 
   MarkRoderick | Oct 24, 2002 07:29pm | #9

   I own a Makita corded 1/2 inch drill with a right angle attachment, which I've used with great success to drill holes in rafters, studs, etc. to re-wire my house. It's a monster. I'm not sure that's the kind of application you have in mind.

1. 
   ToolDoc | Oct 24, 2002 08:42pm | #10

   I bought the Sears/Craftsman mini T 3/8 RA drill because it fits in my hand better than the Milwaukee/Sioux RA drill does there a little Fatter and are more Bulky,I have large hands but they dont feel as comfortable as the Mini T does, plus the rev switch is right in line with your fingers, as far as it working it is just as good as the Milwaukee/Souix drills.. and Im not a Sears/Craftsman fan either<G>...When I went to get a RA drill I checked out the Makita and really didnt care for it..plus the Dewat.. the new Hitachi looked nice,but was costly $189.00..

                          ToolDoc

2. 
   mitch | Oct 24, 2002 08:49pm | #11

   Amazon may still have reconditioned Milwaukee 3107-8 RAD's on sale for $179.  Try this link-

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000040JPH/qid=1035480951/br=1-3/ref=br_lf_hi_3//104-5620535-9633503?v=glance&s=hi&n=531586

   I have one and it kicks a. s. s. (any solid substance).  I was drilling a bunch of 1" holes thru studs for new wiring the other day and found that it will run a cheap spade bit thru a 16d nail in about 2 or 3 seconds.  Make sure you pay attention to the warnings about using the auxiliary handles- it is powerful enough to hurt your hand or wrist if you bind up the bit in something.  A plumber I know has one and he swears by it- he's a big guy and he hung up a big self-feed bit drilling in a ceiling once and it yanked him off the ladder and spun him around a kid on a merry-go-round.

   With the removeable/reversible right angle attachment you can change speeds or use as a compact, very powerful straight D-handle drill.  You will not be disappointed if you get one.

   mitch

3. 
   Poiyay | Oct 25, 2002 07:40pm | #14

   I have a Makita 1/2" corded w/right angle attachment too.  I've had it for about 20 years I think.  It's been through a home building and three remodelings and various other projects with no problems whatsoever.  I really like being able to use it as a sttraight drill too.  I don't know if it's still available though.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Oct 25, 2002 10:44pm | #15

   Big - Hole Hawg, period.

   Small, Corded - Sioux

   Small Cordless - Makita 9.6 (That purchase was predicated on the fact already having 2 Makita 9.6 drills and no other cordless tools.  For me big, heavy cordless drills are as usefull has you-know-what on bacon and the KISS principle suggests 1 kind of battery and charger is optimal.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

9. 
   LarryPile | Oct 25, 2002 01:11am | #12

   Thanks for the advice so far.

   Sounds like Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt and (maybe) Sears.

   Any others?

   lp

10. 
    mitch | Oct 25, 2002 04:13pm | #13

    Dave makes an excellent point- what are you going to use it for?  the big (although not by far the biggest they make) Milwaukee I recommended is great for electrical and plumbing work but overkill for drilling or driving the occasional screw in a tight spot-  it'll work, but the hummer to church analogy would apply.  on the other hand, I've always thought it better to buy more than you think you'll need and you'll be surprised how often it comes in handy.  I've found this is especially true for my right angle drill and my hammer drill (btw- a bosch).

    mitch

11. 
    sharp | Oct 26, 2002 09:27am | #16

    i just got a festool cordless that comes with a right angle adapter. Its all very high quality, german made.  You have to see it to understand the design benefits. I was quite suprised at the quality. Their sanders and vacs are great too. and no i dont work for them.

    j

1. 
   ian | Oct 26, 2002 04:15pm | #17

   BTW, you don't have to but a whole new drill.  Metabo, a German manufacturer, makes a right angle adaptor.  I've got one, the system is a bit like the Festo, you take the chuck off your drill, screw the adaptor onto the spindle, attach the chuck to the end and you now have a right angle drill.   It's not as well balanced as the Makita, but for ocasional use it's OK.   

   Ian