It's dead!

Mike Davis · 04-29-2008, 07:38 AM

I only had it 30 years, I don't understand why it had to quit on me.

So, I'm looking at Bosch and Milwaukee hand drills. Any other I should look at?

I don't want batteries, I just need a drill for around the shop, high torque stuff, drilling steel, driving tons of screws, drilling big holes in wood. It needs to everything like my old one did.

And I'd like to last longer this time!

NCPete · 04-29-2008, 07:42 AM

Mike, I have a Skil that has been surprisingly strong and durable, and certainly more budget friendly than the other big names.

LeftyTom · 04-29-2008, 07:43 AM

Er, Craftsman??

Seriously, look at DeWalt and Makita.

Mike Davis · 04-29-2008, 07:47 AM

This was a Skil, I looked and couldn't find a corded drill like the one I had. Didn't B&D buy them out, they look like crap now.

Do you know a good place to look?

I killed three craftsman in two years, that's when I bought the Skil.

Dewalt - maybe, know a good model to look at?

Mike Davis · 04-29-2008, 07:48 AM

Anybody have an old Skil for cheap? I want one of the old black ones like I had.

NCPete · 04-29-2008, 08:09 AM

darnit, you are right. Mine is a black Skil. best guess is about 18 years old? The new ones are all red, and can be found in Walmart, probably not a good sign that they will be as durable as they once were.

LeftyTom · 04-29-2008, 08:49 AM

Mike, I have the DeWalt D21008 (3/8" VSR, 0-2500 RPM), and the Makita HP1200 (1/2" VSR, 0-2800 RPM). I've gotten good used out of both.

scsmith42 · 04-29-2008, 10:34 AM

Mike, if you don't already have a nice, cordless drill, you really ought to consider one. They will spoil you!

Scott

Mike Davis · 04-29-2008, 10:43 AM

Scott,

I have an old Makita 7.2 cordless that i use for on the roof and out at the barn, most of the time I would rather use a hand powered drill or Bit & Brace for that kinda thing.

I don't like to spend so much on a tool that I know will be trash in a few years. The batteries always run down right when I need them and then they wear out and then I can't find replacements. I just can't depend on a battery. I can't see spending $200 or $300 on something like that.

This will be my main shop drill and need something that will always work when I need it for as long as I need it.

scsmith42 · 04-29-2008, 10:54 AM

Mike, you've got a point, but the newer lithion ion batteries usually last longer than a couple of years. Still expensive though.

Personally I like Makita and Milwaukee drills - you usually can't go wrong with either one of them. I have an old Craftsman that's about 20 years old - still going strong too.

Scott

Don Sorensen · 04-29-2008, 11:02 AM

I'll throw in my vote for either DeWalt VSR or Milwaukee - had nothing but good luck with both corded varieties.

JimmyC · 04-29-2008, 12:19 PM

I have an old Milwukee model 0234-1, I think it's about 3.5 amps. I have used it for about 20 years and it takes a kicking and keeps on ticking. If it died now, I would buy a new one just like it.

Jimmy

Mike Davis · 04-29-2008, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by JimmyC

Milwukee model 0234-1. I would buy a new one just like it.

Jimmy

Where would you buy that? I haven't seen that model anywhere.

Edit:

OK I found a 0234-6 the new version of that model.

I keep hearing bad things about the cord. Have you had any problems with the cord or the switch?

AndyBarnhart · 04-29-2008, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Davis

Anybody have an old Skil for cheap? I want one of the old black ones like I had.

They do still make a "classic". This is just an eBay listing I stumbled on; I don't really know anything about it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Skil-6360-44...QQcmdZViewItem

I got Skils.

I love saying that; but in this context I can state that it is absolutely true. I have a 3/8" and a 1/2" and they are not red and I understand why you want them and you understand why you can't have them.

Again, just to be clear, I have no experience with the drill above and I don't know how accurately it represents the classic Skil, but it might be worth looking at.

JimmyC · 04-29-2008, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Davis

Where would you buy that? I haven't seen that model anywhere.

Edit:

OK I found a 0234-6 the new version of that model.

I keep hearing bad things about the cord. Have you had any problems with the cord or the switch?

Mike,

I haven't had any problems with it at all, and it is my go to drill. I have a 14.4 v Dewalt I use mostly as a screwgun, and for light drilling. But all large holes and metal work, which I have done a fair amount of over the years, are done with this drill. I refer to it as the beast as it has a 1/2" chuck and eats everything fed to it.

But I have had it since 1990, so I don't know if they are made the same anymore.

Hope it helps.
Jimmy

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