(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best power drills

Here are the basics, I will edit if I think of any more essential tools, but you can go an awfully long way with these.

Hand Tools:

• Hand saw- I prefer Japanese style pull saws, meaning they cut on the pull stroke. My go to utility saw is a Vaughn bear saw, which is a robust package, with several types of interchangeable blades. There are countless types of saws, for different uses, but a fine toothed Japanese saw will get you by for most things.
  
  
• Combination square- A sliding ruler square, perfect for marking and layout. you will also want a speed square eventually, so you might as well get one.
  
  
• Tape measure- Start with a basic 25' tape, and get more as needed.
  
  
• Basic chisel set- Most of the entry grade chisels are pretty much the same, this Irwin set is a pretty good buy. to start with a set of 1/4", 1/2", and 1" are all you really need, but you can never have enough chisels.
  
  
• Block plane- A low angle block plane will get you a long ways breaking corners and trimming pieces. Stanley makes a great, affordable, option. As time goes by you will need a jack plane, but a block plane will do for now.
  
  
• Sharpening equipment- A fine diamond stone like this will get you a long way keeping your chisels and plane sharp. You should do research into sharpening methods as you use your tools more, and build a system that fits you.
  
  
• Hammer- A cheap smooth face hammer. Build a wooden mallet as a starter project.
  
  
• Clamps- You always need more clamps. Big clamps. Small clamps. Weird clamps. I like bar clamps. Harbour Freight has good deals on fair clamps, but don't expect too much out of them. To start with get a couple with ~8" throat, and a couple with ~18" throat.
  
  Power Tools:
  
  
• Cordless drill- If you're willing to spend the money for a good, reliable, tool I recommend Makita, but a Ryobi or Rigid will serve you well if you're just working on small projects. Everyone has their favourite cordless tool brand, and, for the most part, it really is just preference. I highly recommend adding an impact driver and circular saw to whichever system you choose.
  
  
• Circular Saw- If you want to work with plywood or larger sticks, you will want a circular saw, which is the most basic power saw. Most of the major tool companies make fine starter saws, Skil is the original, and is quite cheap, but there are plenty of others, browse a store and see what takes your fancy.
  
  
• Jig saw- A jig saw is used for cutting curves, and you will eventually need it if you build enough things. I prefer Bosch but there are cheaper options. See what feels right to you.
  
  
• Miter saw- You don't need this right away, but if you start doing more projects you will want one. I recommend going right to a sliding compound miter saw, like this Dewalt. You will never need more miter saw than that, and if you get a small one you will eventually end up buying a the real deal.
  
  
• Table saw- Again, you don't need this right away, but eventually you will feel you need the precision and ease that a table saw brings. The Rigid portable table saw is a great saw if you're working in tight quarters and need to pack up, but you'll appreciate the appreciate the stability of a cast iron topped cabinet saw if you have the cash and space for it.
  
  Misc:
  
  
• Drill bits- Get a cheap twist drill set that goes from 1/16" to 1/2" and a basic spade bit set. Later you will want a set of forstners and hole saws.
  
  
• Utility knife
  
  
• Driver bits
  

Don't buy anything until you actually need it. You'll go through that $300 really quick once you actually start working on projects.

That being said, you'll definitely end up with a decent hammer, a few screwdrivers, a stud finder, a step ladder, a tape measure, and a cordless drill. Everything else is project-specific and depends on the type of materials in your house.

Your cheap wrench set and current screwdrivers will take you far. Wear them out before buying new.

For serious painting, a lot of cheap rags to wipe down spills. Get the roller kit that fits directly in the 5-gallon bucket. Don't skimp on your paint brushes for trim work. A cheap brush can work fine too, but a nicer one makes it easier for newbies. A few of those those cheapie foam brushes are excellent for small touch ups.

This Makita drill is nice because it's lightweight and will fit your wife's hands too. Excellent quality.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LZ5I02O/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495679684&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=makita+drill&dpPl=1&dpID=51%2BY1lbrzcL&ref=plSrch

If you have about $60 you could just buy them and have some tools that will serve you well as a renter and then you could help out your friends (and maybe get free beers or food off them).

I think you mean a stud finder.

https://www.amazon.com/CH-Hanson-03040-Magnetic-Finder/dp/B000IKK0OI/

It's less than ten bucks.

An adjustable wrench is about the same price.

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-23002-6-Inch-Adjustable-Wrench/dp/B00FFUPS98/

For a cordless rechargeable you're talking about $40 for this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Cordless-Variable-Position-Masterworks-MW316/dp/B07CR1GPBQ/


I know you said borrow, but if you're renting it's good to have some basic tools for stuff like this and it's an investment to be honest. If you honestly can't get anyone to help, I already have the stud finder (metal detector), and wrench. It would be an excuse for me to finally get a drill. Let me know if nothing else works out.

A Schroeder eggbeater style drill. It only has a quarter inch "chuck" (more like a bit holder), but it works pretty well for light duty stuff if you buy a set a hex mount drill bits. And if you happen to need to keep a hole straight, it's really easy.

Schroeder Hand Drill 1/4-Inch Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JRDLVY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_1HSwyWHoZKVGU

Is size a concern?

The Makita subcompact has been great for me and it shares batteries with the larger 18V tools. As a more casual homeowner use case, it was much more attractive to me than Milwaukee's M12 line as I can still grab a recip saw or 1/2" drive impact on the same platform.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-CX200RB-Lithium-Ion-Sub-Compact-Brushless/dp/B01M1BYJAG

If you need something larger or more robust for heavier duty work, honestly just pick a color. Milwaukee seems to have better deals for bare tools and combo kits that make picking up additional tools and batteries (sell the charger) a little bit more affordable.

It completely depends on your financial situation, but I would recommend just buying your own tools. You will get more than your moneys worth if you hang on to them for 5-10 years. Which is very easy with proper care.

Here are some cheaper yet not terrible options on Amazon. These should get most jobs done around the house.

• Orbit Sander $28
  
• Assorted Sanding Disks $20
  
  
  Total of $48
  
  
  
  If you want to go with another method outlined here you can use a regular drill. Tons of uses for a drill other than sanding down your skillet.
  
  
• Drill $30
  
• Coarse Wire Brush attatchment $9
  
• Fine Wire Brush attatchment $6
  
  Total of $45
  

There's a great deal going on the makita 12 volt max brushless drill. It's $145 and then another $25 off of that. Great deal for $120. Mine arrived a few days ago and it's been great.

Also, you can send $50 via text to yourself (or anyone) and you'll get a $5 credit added to your account. I did this knowing I was buying the drill and it brought the cost to $115.

Deal info

I have a Worx Switchdriver and it’s awesome. It doesn’t address the things you mentioned, but it is super convenient and works great.

WORX WX176L 20V Switchdriver 2-in-1 Cordless Drill and Driver with Rotating Dual Chucks and 2-Speed Motor with Precise Electronic Torque Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015XBO2E0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TWS0BbB758JDT

It depends on how much you use it. Seriously. Having worked quite a few jobs using everything from ryobi to festool it is all about use. If you plan to use it 10 hrs a day festool and hilti are the number one brands, all drills/tools wear out but they last longer and can be replaced by the company if it is normal wear. The normal guy will never notice the extra power of a hilti but when you are drilling steel for a few hours it is definitely noticeable.

Now maybe you don't plan to use it every day maybe you want a weekend drill that you use for a few projects. I would go with makita or milwaukee, dewalt is touted as the best but for some reason the rubber grips ALWAYS break on me and make the tool uncomfortable for long periods of time that being said they are all about the same quality(dewalt,makita,milwaukee) but i prefer the dewalt battery style( and the 200 other accessories that use the same battery and everyone seems to have a dewalt so if you are on a job everyone has batteries). If you do buy a cordless make sure the batteries are interchangeable (about $45 each) so you want to have spares for as many as possible.


With tools there is no free lunch but buying a dewalt should be more than enough for the average to above average user. If you use it every day then hilti is probably where it is at.

Edit:
Hilti

and

Dewalt(20v)

Dewalt 2(18v)

Notice the battery difference if you get more than one tool try to keep it to the same brand.

Also on the dewalt I couldn't find a combo with a charger+battery but you will want at least 2 batteries (one to charge one to use)

I highly recommend the brushless 20 volt kit. It's more of a premium drill and might be excessive for your needs. I'm a contractor and I just recently upgraded to this for my every day drill and I love it. The light is perfect, the belt clip is nice for climbing ladders with it, it's lights and much slimmer than the old 18v models. The battery gauge is cool too. My only complaint is there's no where to store bits on it without buying an add-on bit clip.

Snappy is a small US tool manufacturer. I have a couple of kits similar to this one that make swapping drills and drivers really easy. The seat in the adapter with just a push, and to remove you need to pull back a spring-loaded collar so they don't just fall out.

A chamfer or deburring tool looks just like the angled portion at the end of a countersink bit, just without the hole down the middle. I use them when I don't have a countersink bit that's properly sized for the hole I'm drilling. They look something like this and I've found them in both big-box stores and my local woodworking shops.

I use Ryobi for my cordless brands largely because they're cheap and I have a bunch of batteries accumulated over the years. The standard driver without a battery is showing $38.49 on Amazon right now. I have about a dozen of their various lithium batteries, a couple of the standard one port chargers that came with some tools, and a six port charger hanging on the wall.

I'm one of those guys who tends to think that a drill is a drill. I'm not a heavy enough user to notice the performance and reliability increase available in something like a Makita driver. Two of my cordless drills, for example, were purchased about 12 years ago when Ryobi first debuted their 18V line of tools and they're both going strong.

Another thing to keep in mind is the cost of the batteries. My batteries run between $60 and $100 each depending on when I purchased them and how the sales line up at the local Home Depot (Ryobi is their "house brand"). The batteries tend to lock you into the manufacturer's system, as a Ryobi battery isn't going to fit anything else; likewise Makita, DeWalt, and all of the others. The rest of the tools in that Ryobi line are pretty crappy. I won't even use the jigsaw any more because it won't track perpendicular in even 1/2" Baltic birch ply; the circular saw is anemic and underpowered and sits permanently attached to my Kreg Rip-Cut jig for quick rough cutting. The angle grinder is OK, but chews through batteries like they're candy.

(EDIT: added that last paragraph.)

I’ve had really good luck with my DeWalt drill. It would be perfect for all the task you describe above. You can find it here. I’m not sure how difficult Amazon international shipping is though.

I am also a new homeowner and I just bought a Ryobi One+ 18 volt drill (and set) that I am loving. It's lithium ion battery and Ryobi has a huge line of tools that all work with the same battery. I bought a set that included a drill, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, an LED worklight, and two batteries. I bought it around father's day (in America) for $129. I like it so much that I told my husband that I want to buy several other tools to go with the set. Here is the drill tool only link on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-Lithium-Keyless-Batteries-Included/dp/B007WGET4S/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ryobi+one%2B&qid=1571245230&sr=8-4

I'm sure there are better or less expensive brands, but for what I need (basic home maintenance, simple DIY, emergency flashlight for power failure) this has been a great product.

• Pumie Scouring Stick - Best cleaning tool EVER. Seriously. Works great on toilets and tile among other things.
  
  
• Black and Decker 129 piece Home Essentials Tool Set - a good set of tools comes in handy.
  
  
• A Drill - I use mine all the time

What's your budget? This set is awesome, and will handle basically everything you might throw at it around the house. In fact, its definitely overkill if you just need to hang a picture frame once a month, but the price is amazing for what you get. If cost isn't a huge issue, that set won't let you down.

I used my Craftsman cordless drill virtually exclusively, but I do have the Hitachi drill below. The power, compared to a cordless, is amazing. The cord, of course, is annoying.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000EI97B/

Now, all drills are "the same size" if you buy one with the 3/8" chuck, which is virtually all consumer drills.

I can't speak to dewalt, but I just bought a pair of Chinese batteries for my craftsman off amazon for half the price of craftsman batteries, and they're actually seeming to be better so far.

go to your local home depot and look for this kit on the makita shelves and the clearance rack. The two stores near me have them at $90. I picked the non hammer drill and its brushless impact up a year or so ago. they are great tools.

I have also been seeing this kit for $250 on their shelves.

Makita Brushless Drill kit

Makita 12v brushless Impact

Makita 12v Brushed kit


the Milwaukee m12 stuff is also good. I prefer the handle design on the makita stuff and how you can set the tool down standing up without the larger 4.0ah battery. Milwaukee does have a lot more tools in its 12V line up.

check the clearances and then wait till black friday if you can. there are always deals.

Thanks, for the advice. The lags were only 1.5"-2" so doing them by hand with a socket wrench wasn't that bad. If I'm going to get the impact driver I might as well get a combo kit.

Once again I'm looking at the Dewalt or Mikita. It's only a $20 difference, which should I go with?

Nearly all the plumbers (and electricians too) in my area use Milwaukee 12v, and a few use the Bosch 12v stuff. I would 100% check those out because a 12v will fit in tight spaces (like underneath a sink) much easier than a 18v


Edit: something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BYFND22/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HvHszb2BG3848 /) should be right up your dads alley. Grab him a 12v sawzall and he will be set

So Milwaukee makes this famous drill: http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-0234-6-Magnum-2-Inch-Drill/dp/B0000223HF/ref=pd_cp_hi_2

However, a super version of this drill was released for its 75th anniversary that is built with better components than the new drills you buy today. I just bought one used for $35 on ebay and they come up for sale fairly often. For example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Milwaukee-0234-75-Magnum-75th-Anniversary-Collectors-Edition-1-2-inch-drill-/281188820340?nma=true&si=w4CLvls3noHdFRRWhoS36c1aLI0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Search for the model: 0234-75

Jigsaw - http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-JS515-Variable-Jigsaw/dp/B001CL4ZHK/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1405629429&sr=1-3&keywords=jigsaw

Bits - http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-71-081-Screwdriving-10-Piece/dp/B000RH3DW8/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1405629356&sr=1-5&keywords=power+drill

Power Drill - http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-DR260B-8-Inch-Driver/dp/B004FRXWRW/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1405629356&sr=1-4&keywords=power+drill

Tape measure - http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-33-115-10-Foot--4-Inch-PowerLock/dp/B00009OYGH/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1405629447&sr=1-7&keywords=tape+measure

Square - http://www.amazon.com/Swanson-SO101-7-inch-Speed-Square/dp/B00002255O/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1405629470&sr=1-1&keywords=square

You actually will have some more money for clamps and wood to make projects. There's a lot you can make for yourself with just these things and some creativity. Plus, it'll let you be pretty handy around the house.

I make less than $10k per year, my house and land cost me $4k to buy. I'm not going to hire or rent my way to a solution -- either I buy the tools, or I work by hand with what I've got. If I had a good manual method I'd do it that way, but my manual method is both tedious and gives poor results. 26 hours of labor is nothing to me. I spent over 200 hours this year terracing / building dry stone walls.

I think two closely spaced holes with a 2" chisel bit would give me the maximum desired post-hole diameter for pretty much all my jobs. This isn't granite I'm cutting into, it's crumbly shale.

I think a rotary drill/hammer or a jackhammer under $1k is probably the ticket but I'll probably need to rent one or two for a few hours to see if they can actually outperform me with my wrecking bar and sledge and pickaxe. They may not be much faster than me.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-11335K-35-Pound-8-Inch-Hammer/dp/B000PWCNVW/

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-11245EVS-2-Inch-SDS-Max-Rotary/dp/B00004SUPS/

I have this Hitachi and love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005LEY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1453386236&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=hitachi+corded+drill&dpPl=1&dpID=4128Sg8IPbL&ref=plSrch

I like the electric brake.

Why go through so much trouble? They already sell cordless versions you just need to find the right attachment. Or if she likes it rough you could try this one.

edit: Or this

edit: something /r/steampunk might enjoy too.

I recommend the Milwaukee brushless M12 fuel. Small, lots of power, and well-built. Arguably the best battery technology among cordless tools, and a lot of other tools in the m12 line that use the same batteries.

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2403-22-Fuel-Drill-Driver/dp/B00BYFND22

EDIT: Or as people above said, for more power get the m18 fuel.

I really like his work. His drill sure gets a workout!

If you want to drill a hole into concrete, block wall, ceramic tile or any other kind of masonry you'll need a hammer action drill with a Tungsten bit, a regular bit will heat up and melt.

If you're planning on keeping the drill for a long time spend a few bucks more and get the right one, Amazon have some great drills, I bought a Milwaukee similar to this one 15 years ago and I can't kill it.

Well I'd vote for the M12 in this case because its Brushless. If you were looking at the Makita Sub-Compact Brushless it would be a toss up. I'd decide based on what other kind of tools you would consider in the future. The Makita 18v opens you up to larger more powerful tools. The M12 has a wide offering of smaller tools - you are not going to find a big circular saw in M12.

I've had this for quite a while, since before I started building, but have spun plenty of kanthal with it. Honestly just about any drill that's variable speed and reversible will work for twisted builds.

I used this: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-HM1810X3-Lb-Breaker-Hammer/dp/B000N5Y7JW

It worked wonderfully.

Thank you for the reply. Sorry I'm very new to power tools. I noticed the brushless DCD790D2 is more expensive. Is it because it is brushless? And what advantage is there between brushless and with a brush.

Oh and the DCD790D2 says it uses lithium also: http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCD790D2-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Compact/dp/B00CSDIIXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413910182&sr=8-1&keywords=DCD790D2

Is there another model without lithium batteries?

Take my well meaning reply. No you don't. :) They don't work well with twist bits. The are designed for auger type bits. Like this; https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Tools-43616-1-Inch-Braced/dp/B000CD1MPW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1492027142&sr=8-7&keywords=hand+drill+auger+bit
Try one like this; https://www.amazon.com/Schroeder-Hand-Drill-4-Inch-Capacity/dp/B000JRDLVY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1492026929&sr=8-5&keywords=hand+drill

Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-5380-21-2-Inch-9-AMP-Hammer/dp/B000MYC91W/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_b

Or is that way overkill? I want to buy tools that will last a very long time rather than cheapos that break in a few years.

I have this one and I really like it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J7UPHIS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DEWALT DCD790D2.
$228 on Amazon

Brushless (more efficient) + compact but longer life batteries. Combines to a relatively lightweight but longlasting cordless drill

Whatever brand you go with, make sure it's a lithium ion battery.

DEWALT DCD777C2 20V Max Lithium-Ion Brushless Compact Drill Driver https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01J7UPHIS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Pu.SBbND2XFXZ I like this 😚

Buy an old Milwaukee. Shouldn't be too expensive. The cords can easily be replaced on some of them.

My dad has several that I beat the crap out of when I was younger.

I'm thinking of something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-0234-6-Magnum-2-Inch-Drill/dp/B0000223HF/

I get more use out of my manual drill than my power drill. It is really handy for crafts, where the holes are small the materials soft, and control is more important than power.

I know Dewalt gets slammed around here but I just had to replace my 18v dewalt drill a month ago, it lasted 8 years. I picked this one up on amazon, so far so good.

Rent a jackhammer man. $65 bucks got me this for 24 hrs a month back - worth every penny.

http://smile.amazon.com/Bosch-11335K-35-Pound-8-Inch-Hammer/dp/B000PWCNVW/

18v dcd790 2x2.0ah batteries. From a local hardware/It's a black thing that sticks out a bit from the part where the battery attaches. On the opposite side there's a belt hook. Here's an amazon link to a similar model showing the magnet holder and belt hook.

the actual pic showing the magnet holder

UbiGear New 200ft 60m Blue 200' Ft Rj45 Cat6 Ethernet LAN Network Internet Computer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNKV60O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_g8mXDbY7YQ73R


Avid Power 20V MAX Lithium Ion Cordless Drill, Power Drill Set with 3/8 inches Keyless Chuck, Variable Speed, 16 Position and 22pcs Drill/Driver Bits https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CR1GPBQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_e9mXDbECH2X1Q

Voila... Enjoy

Ps... Im being a jerk for fun... I know the struggle

I've been using probably the same General Precision Screwdriver as you for awhile now and it works great for most small screws. There are a few that require a bit of a wrist flick to loosen. I havn't broken it yet but I was lucky to get this PLUS the General Cordless Engraver for $10 for both so not a big deal if it gives out.

For larger screws I either use a Black and Decker 7.2v Lithium Cordless Drill (very lightweight but powerful) OR a Ryobi Tek 4 Cordless Screwdriver (a bit heavier but has light on the chuck, removeable rechargeable battery, and a '2' speed setting for quick removal of loose screws).

A drill! So very practical of me.

Or how about a dart board

Worx Switchdriver

Get this instead. Black & Decker LDX172C 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LTNLDI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_Z-pRwb9BYDFSK

> normal household hammer drill.

This is a 'normal household drill'. It is not a hammer drill.

If you don't need 1/2" chuck, I suggest (this Hitachi)[http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-D10VH-8-Inch-Drill-Keyless/dp/B0000EI97B/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1333056227&sr=1-1] for about $40. I've abused mine and it's never made an odd noise about it. It doesn't have a clutch, but that may or may not be important to you, I don't really miss it.

Your cordless charger most likely stops trickle-charging after a certain number of on-hours. Buy a timer and set it to run for an hour-or-so a day or even an hour a week and plug the charger into it; now the charger thinks you just inserted a slightly used battery and will keep topping it up.

Under $200 I would go for this Makita set. They're not quite as nice as the more expensive brushless models, but they are the 18V LXT series so they're compatible with other LXT tools in the lineup.

One thing on the DeWalt products: There's a durability gap between their low end home owner type tool and their professional models. They cheaped out in the last several years on their production but the brushless sets still, as far as I've heard, hold up really well.

Example: This drill is likely to die on you after only moderate use. This drill will last much longer for $40 more.

Personally I run mostly Dewalt 20v tools. Was sold a rigid miter saw by a Milwaukee salesman (he was off duty) and he swore by it. I've loved it and have had 0 problems, plus they run a lifetime warranty on their products. Milwaukee is IMO at the top right now but you also pay for it.

Co worker has somthing like this
Schroeder Hand Drill 1/4-Inch Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JRDLVY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bHBjzb73XVW55

But his is 25 years older. Don't have to worry about batteries going dead.