opinions on corded hand held drill

[CaptnA]

My DeWalt drill is dying. Hasn't quite stopped but it isn't doing its job any longer. I'm looking to buy a corded, 3/8", VSR drill. Doesn't sound like much of an undertaking but I've been looking online and shaking my head.
This is just an all purpose drill. I've got a 1/2" heavy duty Milwaukee holeshooter for BIG jobs, access to a 1" monster if I ever need it. I've got cordless so I want this to be corded.
This needs to be moderate in weight - up to a little over 4 pounds seems a bit heavy but I've not weighed my old ones.
I've found top speeds from 600 rpm to over 4000 - no load.
Amps from 2.3 to over 7.
Middle mount handle - new to me - any input?
< $40 - >$400. WHEW. Doesn't even come with an operator for that much.
All metal chuck and combination plastic/metal.
Keyed and keyless.
The options seem enormous.
I've had or have B&D, Craftsman, Bosch, DeWalt (before and after BD), Milwaukee, and Makita so I'm not a brand snob -(finally something I'll give on).
What would you buy today- and why?

 

[Marlin]

I usually buy what ever was onsale that was light. I have a skil and black and decker that do what you are asking for. I like the skil a little better as its smaller. I have never found a time that it could not do the job of a basic 3/8 drill. I have a 1/2 hammer drill for HD stuff.

I think to many people go overboard on some tools and this is one. If you need to drill 20 holes out or put in a couple dozen screws you don;t want the biggest most heavy one, but a light one that does the job.

For this I like chuckless and cheap. That and if it breaks I am not to worried about $40 or less.

 

[gator]

I think that any of the major brands would work for you. For the best deal, in today's economy, don't overlook the pawn shops. There are a lot of construction industry tools showing up there. Just be sure to check them out closely, some have been abused but there are some good good deals out there.

George

 

[NCPete]

I am happy with a B&D I picked up at BigLots for $39.95, it has done everything I have asked of it. plenty of power for most jobs.

 

[Mike Davis]

I went through this same exercise last year and wound up with a Bosch.

I am extremely happy with it and would not hesitate to buy another one or recommend it to anyone.

 

[McRabbet]

I'd agree with Mike Davis that Bosch is a good choice, but I'd look hard at Industrial models by Milwaukee, Makita and Dewalt in that order. I have two 20th century corded drills that have served me well -- a 1980's vintage Craftsman Industrial 1/2" drill (VS up to 625 RPM) and a metal bodied Black & Decker drywall screwgun that must be 35 years old and it will last another 35.

 

[Gofor]

I'd agree with Mike Davis that Bosch is a good choice, but I'd look hard at Industrial models by Milwaukee, Makita and Dewalt in that order. I have two 20th century corded drills that have served me well -- a 1980's vintage Craftsman Industrial 1/2" drill (VS up to 625 RPM) and a metal bodied Black & Decker drywall screwgun that must be 35 years old and it will last another 35.

I have a B & D 3/8 VS (not reversible) low speed metal bodied drill that has drilled long ways through ball joints on a '66 Chevy, been misused and abused and still keeps going even after it gets too hot to hold onto without gloves that I bought in 1970. That said, I do not think the current models will hold up as well.

Thanks for the post because I am looking for a reversible alternative as well.:gar-Bi

Go

 

[boxxmaker]

If you can swing it ,go bosch,DeWalt,if not Go with B&D,depends on the work you do and how hard you use it.I have used them all and liked them all.I buy what I find at flea markets (I'm cheap) have a 1/2 " B&D hammerdrill pd 10 bucks for it two yrs ago,no complaints,same goes for a 1/2" reg B&D pd 3 bucks 4 yrs ago and work the heck out of it,still screamin. :gar-Bi
Ken

 

[davejones]

Just saw this on Tooliday.com. I don't really have a recommedation for it, other than the price.

DeWalt D21008KR Factory Reconditioned 3/8 Inch Variable Speed Reversible Drill Kit


Price:$111.00 Sale Price $30.00
+ UPS $5.00 shipping

http://www.tooliday.com/



HTH,
Dave

 

[boxxmaker]

Thats a heck of good deal,as there reconditioned tools usually have a new tool warranty with them.
Ken

 

[JimD]

I have two reconditioned DeWalts. One with a keyed chuck and one keyless. The keyless slips under heavy load but is handy for frequent bit changes when the load isn't so high. The keyed takes the bigger loads. I normally use a cordless but when they are not powerful enough or the batteries are both discharged, the DeWalts get the job done. I also have a 1/2 (a Craftsman) and a light duty hammer drill (a Skill) and an old 1/4 somewhere but I normally use one of the DeWalts. I gave my daughter an old B&D 3/8 when she moved to an apartment. The B&D worked but the DeWalts are more powerful and fit my hands a lot better.

Jim

 

[Glennbear]

Crazy as it sounds, I have gotten good use from a HF 1/2" corded hammer/rotary drill with detachable drill chuck. I have used it with everything from a 9/16" ship's auger bit to driving concrete screws. YMMV but it has served me well so far (2+ years) for the price. :wsmile:

 

[adowden]

For a lighter duty corded drill, I went with a Companion drill at Sears because it was one of the few ones that was 2500 RPM and it was cheap. The Kreg pocket hole jig recommends > 2000 RPM. I saw this drill on sale at Sears a week ago for $17. I think I also bought the replacement plan, but I have used it for at least four years now. I also have a heavy duty Makita 1/2 drill that I use for really big jobs.

Amy

 

[Robert]

Amazon has the bosch 1005VSRK 5.5 Amp 3/8 on sale for 49.23. see thier Gold Box Deals....or less depending on where the link takes you....gotta have my PC looked at.....after the deals
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002246N..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1C3JQH6PW13RTXDMVXW8

 

[mike_wood]

I would not recommend the DeWalt. I have the 1/2" corded drill with a keyless chuck and the chuck is a major problem. The chuck is about 2 1/2" long but the inboard part of the grip is only about 1/4". Not enough to get a good grip. Chucking a bit tight enough for drilling in metal is a real problem. It is really irritating. For this reason, and several more, DeWalt has moved down my list of brands to check out when buying tools.

 

[JOAT]

I've bought only one drill, inexpensive B&D in about 1975. Still works, still use it. My sons abandoned about three VS drills, all used, B&D and Craftsman I believe, all work. I'd recommend any fairly inexpensive drill, no keyless chuck. Works for me.