What battery drill should I buy? The choice is bewildering.

[jimseng]

Hello

I'm building a house and it is a bit embarrassing having to borrow the carpenter's tools all the time. I'm was looking at the Dewalt DCD805 because it seems compact and has a hammer action for the occasions when I need it. I know this is a ridiculous "how long is a piece of string" question but I thought I would try.

I'm not looking for something that can drill a hole through the stonework but I don't want to buy a cheap thing off Amazon and throw it away in a years time. I was thinking the DCD805 with two smaller batteries might be easier to hold than a single bigger battery. But that exclude Makita and all other makes. 
Anybody got a pointers or know of any super deals I can find?

[SimonD]

First things first - what jobs are you looking for the drill to do?

[Mr Punter]

For brands, Dewalt and Makita are good but cheaper brands like Erbauer and Titan can perform well.  You will need more than one decent capacity battery and make sure it will fit any other tools you are considering.  Go for 18V and batteries at least 3.0Ah.  If you get stuff from Screwfix or Toolstation it is easy to return them if they fail.

[JohnMo]

If you do battery powered stick with one brand so batteries can be swapped tools.

 

Brands mentioned above are all good. But get a drill for drilling and a proper impact driver for screws and bolts, makes life so much better. Impact driver doing screws is a world of difference from a drill doing screws.

[Square Feet]

I sold my soul to DeWalt some years ago and I haven't regretted it.  The batteries last forever and stay charged even if you don't use them for a couple of years. The tools are very robust and well made and purr along like a sewing machine. You can pick up second hand tools and they will still work fine, even if the outside shows them to have had a hard life. They hold their value well for selling on later if you find you no longer need them.  Some of the more simple tools like torches and sanders you can get aftermarket versions of that will work fine with the DeWalt batteries. As others have said - pick a good brand and stick with them.

[saveasteading]

50 minutes ago, Square Feet said:

pick a good brand and stick with them.

Agreed. Batteries are expensive.

 

It's not an easy answer as you could spend thousands easily.

 

I've been borrowing deWalt recently. And it is generally the high spec, so hundreds each.  When I can't borrow I use my own Einhell stable.* The difference is apparent but both have their place.

That drill you mention isn't top end so more diy than professional. But maybe that's what suits.

You also have to consider weight. If you have a big drill with heavy battery it becomes a burden in a long day.

Some tools need big batteries or always 2 more on charge.

 

So yes try that. I'd also consider one with SDS. It depends what you want to do.

 

The own brands are not such a great bet. I have 3 I really should throw out because they are broken down, out of alignment or just a pain to use.

But I bought a Titan circular saw and a heavy breaker. The latter cost the same a 2 weeks hire: but is nowhere near as good as a hired one.

 

There you are: not an answer. Tell us what jobs and how intensely used and it would become clearer.

 

Btw joiner has switched from deWalt battery nail gun back to Paslode. But he's nailing hundreds a day.

 

* currently with free battery from Wickes, so very good value for my work intensity. I've got 7 or 8 things and never a problem.