I have been doing a couple of roofing and basement jobs in the past month, so I had some time to play around with the Porter Cable 18V Lithium-ion drill kit.  The model number on this kit is PCL 180cdk-2.  Lately Porter Cable has been coming out with some pretty cool new tools and they have really surprised us.  The tools have been quality and also they include everything you need to get started.  Like the grinder and the oscillating tool, both were great and came with loads of accessories.

The kit comes with the drill, 2 LX batteries, half hour charger and a soft case.  The drill is a 1/2″ all metal chuck.  The are two speeds, hi and low.  The low range is from 0-350 and the high range is 0-1500.  The drill puts out 424 in/lbs of torque.  There are 23 clutch settings plus a drill setting.  Enough with the boring stats, let’s get into the drill.

I have been able to use this drill for about a month and have really liked it so far.  There are three things I really look for in a drill.  Well there is more, but three things are very important to me.

• Balance
• Power
• Chuck

A tool that is well balanced means my little girlie arms will not get tired as fast.  This drill has a great balance to it, not to mention it only weighs 3.8 lbs with the battery.  I was able to install gutters overhead and my arms did not get fatigued.

The next item is power.  I don’t need the worlds most powerful drill, even though that would be fun.  However, I do want a drill that won’t bog down on me.  I want to be able to power through my everyday stuff like plywood, 2×4 and other building materials.  In this area I never really tried to take it to the max and see what it could handle.  I did use it day in and day out and it didn’t have a problem keeping up with me, so this was a plus.  The OLP never kicked in which always makes me happy.  I understand manufacturers put that on the tools to save them, I just don’t like it. So the Porter Cable surpassed my expectations on power.

Last item is the chuck.  The only thing I want here is when I put a bit or anything in the chuck, I just want it to stay in place.  I don’t want it coming out or falling out until I decide it is time.  I have used other drills where the bits come out under a little pressure.  Not once did the bits ever fall out.

So for the three things I look at in regards to drills, the Porter Cable was perfect.  Porter Cable is really coming a long way with the quality of products they are putting out.

While I probably would have preferred a hard case instead of a soft case, this drill is very nice.  The balance and quality are both there.  Porter Cable seems like they are making a run at the professional models and this one definitely fits in with the other professional drills we have used.

For me and I am sure most people, my drill is the power tool I use the most.  So it’s important to me that I have something not only powerful, but something that has a good feel and balance to the tool, which the Milwaukee has.  The drill is powered by either the 18V high capacity battery or the M18 compact battery.  The 4 pole motor puts out 550 in-lbs of torque.  One thing I really like about this drill is Milwaukee didn’t cheap out, they went with an all metal gear case.

The drill has two speeds that move the 1/2″ chuck with the ranges of 0-450 for low and 0-1700 for high.  Move the setting over to hammer mode and you get 0-29,000 bpm.  The drill is not too heavy as it only weighs 3.5 lbs.  I used to own a Makita, but sold it because there was too much walk and don’t really care for that.  I noticed with the Milwaukee, there was absolutely no walk, so I was a happy camper.  Another thing I noticed was the DPM or the Digital Power Management.  If you know me, you know I am not a big fan of the overload protection feature manufacturers put on these tools.  However I drilled  through some pretty heavy stuff and the drill didn’t shut off.  I tend to see these overload protection problems coming into place with reciprocating saws and grinders, but not much with drills.

I could go on and on about the drill, but this is just my drill of choice.  The balance and feel is what first attracted me to it, well maybe the Milwaukee name.  But after using the drill, I have to say the power is what I like best.  I think this is the best Hammer Drill on the market.

Visit our sponsor ACME tools

Milwaukee M18 Right Angle Drill. The model number of this kit is 2615-21.

Specifications of the Angle Drill

• 125 in-lbs of torque
• 3/8” single sleeve chuck
• 0-1,500 RPM
• 11 + 1 Clutch Settings
• 11.25” for tool height
• Head length 3.75”
• Weight – 4.25 lbs.

Features

As stated this is the right angle drill kit model number 2615-21.  In the kit it comes obviously the drill which is model 2615-20, a 1 hour charger, 1 XC Lithium-ion battery and a carrying case.  On the front of the drill there is a nice LED work light that helps the user see what they are doing in dark locations.  Sometimes we have seen LED lights that do not do much except show a shadow, so we were extremely please how bight and efficient this light is, partly because of the small head on the drill.  Another feature is the red LED on the front of the drill.  When your drill is maxed out or clutched out, a red led light will flash to let you know that this event happened.

The system is equipped with an electronic clutch which provides 11 different settings and one drill mode.  This clutch operates the 3/8” single sleeve ratcheting head chuck.  The drill is powered by 1 18V Lithium-ion XC Redlithium battery.  The battery slides onto the bottom of the drill as you can see in the pictures.

Operation & Handling

First looking at this drill you would think the balance would not be great.  Once you pick up the drill, the first thing we noticed was that the balance of the tool is great, it just feels right in your hand.  Now thinking about it and the design of the tool, it’s basically a long rod, so we guess the balance should be good compared to a standard drill.   The over molded grip helps provide extra grip control, which is always a key when working in small areas.   Speaking of small areas, the head on the drill is only 3.75” long so you are able to get into tighter spots.  Also the length of the tool is shorter than most coming in at 11.25”.   The overall weight of the tool isn’t bad either weighing only 4.25 lbs.  The grip, the head length, tool length and weight makes this a great drill to have on hand when you need to get into tight spots.  We found the drill very easy to control and maneuver in almost any circumstance.

As you know working in tight spots can be very challenging, since there is not a lot of room for the tool and your hand.  The paddle switch is a great design for this tool.  The paddle switch is what operates the drill to start the drill spinning.  The paddle switch is nice and long and we found it very easy to control the speed whether or not we used the top, middle or bottom of the paddle switch to operate the drill.  We could be very precise in matching the speed to our work and also keeping a steady speed at all times.  This is the beauty of the paddle switch since when we are working in tighter spots, sometimes we cannot always grip a tool the right way and even sometimes need to use two hands.  With the placement of the switch, this makes working in tighter spots much easier.

Performance

All in all we found the performance of the drill just as good as the overall design of the tool.  We had the drill for a week and put it to good use.  We even lent it out for a couple of days, we gave the drill to our friend down at the marina.  With summer coming up, a lot of people are getting their boats ready for summer and what better place to use this drill in tight spots then a tight engine compartment of a boat.  We tried to get some good video of this, but it’s hard to get a good camera angle when Ty’s arm is hiding the work.  Now the drill is not an impact drill, but we were able to remove some nuts and do a lot of tightening of screws and nuts.

We had another day we gave it to Bill to video him drilling some holes in joists for wiring.  Bill know his tools, but Bill doesn’t know technology.  After he came back all proud of his work and told us he had some great videos, we had to take a look.  We were going to show you the videos, but I am sure you didn’t want to see a video of his thumb in front of the camera lens.  We never did get a good shot, but we can pass along that Bill had a lot of fun using this tool and was happy for once not having to drag around his corded angle drill for the day.  The only suggestion he would make is if you are buying this tool, get one with an extra battery so there is no down time.

Dan wanted to use the tool in action and show me under the hood of my GMC truck taking off bolts in tight spots.  I am not a mechanic, so I know that whatever bolts I take off for testing purposes would probably be the wrong bolts and end up doing damage to my truck, so I politely passed on this incredible opportunity Dan raised.  After Dan was persistent that we work on my truck, even though it wasn’t broken, I told him that it would be hard to film and show this and we should use his F150 instead.  Just at that time I made my suggestion of using his truck instead, he came up with a great idea to show the tool in action on our makeshift wall.  He stated this would be better suited, so the users can actually see what is happening and how the tool worked.

In the video below we wanted to show you the features of the tool and a little bit of the drill in action.  We used our makeshift wall and videotaped it ourselves, is it still called videotaping?  That way we know we would be able to see the work, without having to look at an arm and thumb.  The only problem is you have to listen to us talk.  In all seriousness, this drill has a wide use of applications it can be used for.  We had a lot of fun testing it and would also like to say almost any situation.  As you can see by going through the 2×4, it fly’s through without any problems.  There is more than enough room to get in-between joist and studs to get work done.  The drill has good power and torque and over all very impressed with Milwaukee’s Right Angle Cordless Drill.

Conclusion

All we can say is the Milwaukee Right Angle Drill is awesome.  The balance of the tool is great and it’s very easy to work with.  Enough power for even the most stubborn jobs.  Surprisingly enough the LED light in the front is very bright and lights up your work area such as working under a car.  The paddle switch is long enough and designed properly that a user can operate the switch in any positions.   All and all this is a great drill.  It might not be one of those tools we use all the time, but when you need to get into tight spots, this drill sure will come in handy. Head over to ACME tools pick one up

Let Us Know

We always like to hear back from our readers on their experience with these tools – good or bad.  Do you have experience with these tools?  How has the long term use been?  What applications have you used the tool for?  Is this a DIY or professional grade tool?  Let us and other readers know.

Links

Read more about the Milwaukee M18 Right Angle Drill

]]> http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/04/milwaukee-m18-angle-drill-261521/feed/ 0 http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/04/porter-cable-18v-drill-pcl180d/ http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/04/porter-cable-18v-drill-pcl180d/#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 02:54:57 +0000 Eric J http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/?p=6182 The drill is one of the most widely used power tools around.  So it only makes sense to have a drill you can rely on time after time.  One with good balance and plenty of power, which brings us to our review of the Porter Cable 18V Lithium-ion drill model number PCL180D.

 Porter Cable Products

Specifications of the Porter Cable Drill

• Powered by 18V Lithium Ion – Either battery works LX or EX
• 24 Clutch Settings
• Variable Speed Trigger
• 2 Speed – 0-350 and 0-1200 RPM
• 325 in-lbs or Torque
• ½” Single Sleeve metal Chuck
• LED Work light
• Weighs 3.8 lbs
• Length 8.5”

Features 

There is a lot to talk about regarding this drill as it provides the user with some pretty good features.  First is the 18V Lithium-ion batteries the drill receives its power from.  The drill can be powered by either the 1.3 Ah LX batteries or the 2.6 Ah EX batteries.  This is a great feature to have since it gives the user more flexibility.  Like most other drills it has a 24 clutch setting and a variable speed trigger.  On the top a user can adjust the gear setting from Low (0-350) to High (0-1200) rpms.  Unless you are a DIY person who hangs a picture or hobbyist, we always recommend getting a ½” drill.  Not that you always use those bits, but it’s a nice option to have when you need it.  That was one of the main items we liked about this drill, the ½” metal chuck.

The drill delivers 325 in-lbs of torque.  To change from forward to reverse, the push button is located in the same position as all other drills, easy access for the thumb or index finger.  On the front of the drill there is a LED light that helps light up work areas that may have a shadow or be dark.  Overall the drill is light weighing only 3.8lbs and the length is 8.5”

Operation & Handling

When picking up the drill, we always look at balance as the first item.  The Porter Cable drill is a well balanced drill with either the LX or EX battery.  After long periods of use, we had little to no fatigue in our arms or wrist.  The handle is large enough for even for the biggest of hands.  The rubberized grip on the handle is also helpful when gripping the drill with sweaty hands or you are wearing gloves.

As noted everything else is pretty much in the same location as other drills, so it’s easy to use and easy to change settings.  The clutch setting turns very easy which allows the user to adjust the setting in a snap.  We do like the single sleeve metal chuck as it was easy to change bits and held our different bits in place, even under heavy conditions.

Performance

We have to say we were very pleased with the performance of the drill.  At first we were a little worried about the difference in torque, but for most applications you will never miss the extra torque, unless you are doing some heavy duty use on the jobsite.   For your DIY or professional who is looking for a drill for anything but heavy duty use, this drill will work perfect.

Some inexpensive drills we have tested tend to have runout problems.  We thought this might be the case with the Porter Cable.  After drilling a bunch of holes and using it over time, we felt that the tolerance was great on this drill and the runouts were less than we expected.

We used the drill for a couple weeks.  We did everything from driving screws to making some cuts with a hole saw bit for door handles.  The drill performed every job without any problems.  No bogging down, no bit slipping.  As you can see on the video we ran some 3” screws into some wood and a spade bit through some wood.  Even with added pressure from the user, it went through without bogging down.  

Conclusion

Having a drill that can handle even the toughest jobs makes all the difference in the world.  It makes jobs a lot easier and in the end, you get more work done.  The drill is a little under powered compared to the competition, but for the price and the name, it’s hard to beat.  The balance and feel of the drill is great.  We like the fact we can use either the LX or EX batteries on the drill.  This gives the user more flexibility to match the drill set up to the application of use.

We always like to hear back from our readers on their experience with these tools – good or bad.  Do you have experience with this tool?  How has the long term use been?  What applications have you used the tool for?  Is this a DIY or professional grade tool?  Let us and other readers know.

Links

Learn more about the Drill and Combo kit Porter Cable Drill – PCL180D

Shop for Porter Cable

]]> http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/04/porter-cable-18v-drill-pcl180d/feed/ 0 http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/02/drill-dr-sb/ http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/02/drill-dr-sb/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:57:04 +0000 Dan M http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/?p=5541 Not too long ago we did a review on the Drill Doctor 750.  Yep you guessed it, it is a doctor for your drill bits.  Well Drill Doctor has a cool new idea that uses the same technology to sharpen twist bits, but now they also do spade bits.

Power Tool Review – Drill Doctor

Power Tool Model – DDSB

Pros: produces professional results, sharpening wheel lasts a long time

Cons: a little tricky to figure out how to use, but great once you figure it out

Specifications of the Drill Doctor

• Sharpens twist bits 3/32″ – 1/2″
• Sharpens masonry bits up to 1/2″
• Sharpens spade bits 1/4″ – 1-1/2″
• Replaceable diamond sharpening wheel

Drill and spade bits are designed to cut through material, so it is only natural they will dull over time.  This means more stress on your drill and not the best end result with the hole you cut.  Good drill bits are expensive and even they too will lose their sharpness over time. Throwing them out is not an option because,  well most of us are too cheap.  So we really only have two answers, take them in and have them professionally sharpened or do it ourselves.  We usually like doing things ourselves, so let’s go with option number two and that’s where the Drill Doctor comes into play.

The Drill Doctor has been around for a long time, but recently they introduced their new BBSD which not only sharpens masonry and twist bits but also spade bits.  The system even does specialty bits with screw points and spurs.

We are very familiar with the Drill Doctor and love the system, it has saved us a lot of money over the years.  Since we have played with this before we wanted to take it out and get some feedback, let others play with it.  We brought some dull and busted screws for them to try.  Over and over we heard the same thing, the results of the Drill Doctor were great.  The biggest thing people had a hard time believing was a drill bit that was flat or broken, was now reusable.  A couple of the people had a harder time picking up and learning the system, but once they got the hang of it, it was a snap.  We usually write a lot of information for a review, but this is one of those tools that the picture and video do more than words can.

Conclusion

If you have some expensive or favorite bits you want to return to new again, this sharpener is for you.  We were able to produce professional results very easily.  A coupleof  people we did have try the system and didn’t explain it to them had a little bit of a hard time, well not necessary a hard time, but took them a little longer to figure out the correct way to use it.  Once they figured it out, they had no problems creating a finish that matched the manufacturers original finishing sharpness.

Links
Read and learn more about the Drill Doctor DDSB

2/15/11
MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation expands its M18™ LITHIUM-ION system with the new M18™ Cordless 3/8” Right Angle Drill Driver. As the only 18V Right Angle Drill with an adjustable clutch feature, the new tool provides eleven torque settings, plus one drill mode, for complete control in close-quarter fastening applications.

“The combination of a 3.75″ total head length and an integrated Electronic Clutch make this tool the most compact 18V Right Angle Drill Driver in the industry,” says Christian Coulis, Sr. Product Manager for Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. “Whether an Electrician is drilling holes in a confined space or a Cabinet Builder is putting the final touches on the assembly, this tool will fit into tight spaces and provide the control needed for precision applications.”

Featuring a 3/8″ one handed, keyless ratcheting chuck, the user can quickly change bits without additional tools. In addition, an extended paddle switch design provides easy trigger actuation from the top, middle, or bottom of the tool to allow the user to change hand position depending on the application. Complete with an LED light to illuminate the work surface and up to 125 in-lbs of torque, the M18™ 3/8” Right Angle Drill Driverprovides unmatched versatility, ease of use and power.

Among the first products powered by REDLITHIUM™ battery technology, thenew Right Angle Drill Driverwill deliver unmatched run-time, performance and durability for the professional tradesman. The M18™ Cordless Platform continues to be the fastest growing LITHIUM-ION system with over 25 tools to date. Milwaukee® is committed to the ongoing development of this platform and will continue to provide innovative solutions that offer industry leading reliability, performance and ergonomics.

Specifications:
2615-21 3/8” Right Angle Drill Driver Kit
• 125 in-lbs
• 0-1,500 RPM
• 11+1 Clutch Settings
• Head Length: 3.75”
• Tool Height: 11.25”
• Tool Weight: 4.25 lbs
Includes 2615-20 M18™ Cordless Right Angle Drill, (1) M18™ XCLITHIUM-ION Battery Pack, 1 Hour Charger and Carrying Case

2615-21CT 3/8” Right Angle Drill Driver Kit
• 100 in-lbs
• 0-1,500 RPM
• 11+1 Clutch Settings
• Head Length: 3.75”
• Tool Height: 11.25”
• Tool Weight: 3.7 lbs
Includes 2615-20 M18™ Cordless Right Angle Drill, (1) M18™ Compact LITHIUM-ION Battery Pack, 30-Minute Charger and Carrying Case

2615-20 3/8” Right Angle Drill Driver Kit
• 125 in-lbs
• 0-1,500 RPM
• 11+1 Clutch Settings
• Head Length: 3.75”
• Tool Height: 11.25”
• Tool Weight: 2.75 lbs
Includes 2615-20 M18™ Cordless Right Angle Drill

About Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY) is an industry leading manufacturer and marketer of professional, heavy duty power tools and accessories.  Products include the legendary SAWZALL® reciprocating saws, M12™, M18™ & M28™ LITHIUM-ION cordless tools, HOLE-HAWG® drills, portable band saws, circular saws, driver drills, hammer drills, rotary hammers, grinders, sanders and a line of Test & Measurement tools.  Accessories include SAWZALL® blades, SWITCHBLADE® self-feed bits, BIG HAWG® hole cutters, THUNDERBOLT® drill bits and SHOCKWAVE Impact Duty™. For more information on the full line of Milwaukee® power tools and accessories, please call 1-800-SAWDUST or visit www.milwaukeetool.com

###

Power Tool Review- Ridgid Drill/Driver Review

Power Tool Model – R860071

Pros:Great Balance, Powerful, Over-mold rubberized grips

Cons: Bulky chuck area, Chuck does not stay tight

Specifications of the Ridgid Drill/Driver – R86447

• 1/2″ Single Sleeve Chuck
• 455 in. inbs of Torque
• No Loads Speed – 0-450/0-1,650 RPM
• Clutch – 24 positions
• All Metal Gears
• Overmold Handle
• Led Work Light at base of drill
• Integrated Clutch and gearbox
• 2 Speed Transmission
• Weight – 4.3 lbs

Nuts & Bolts of the Ridgid

Specifications

This drill has some serious power and serious speed.  Coming in at 450 in. lbs of torque the Ridgid drill/driver can tackle some tough jobs.  There are 24 positions for the clutch settings which allows the user to match the torque to their work.  The hi/low speeds have a nice range which again allows the user to match the speed to their work.  Overall the power and speed are great and that’s what we really liked most about the drill.  When you are working on a variety of different projects, its nice to have just one drill and the option to make the drill change to your needs.

Review

Picking up the drill you can feel right away the great balance this drill has.  While looking at the 1/2″ chuck and the head, you would think it would be front end heavy.  The battery, motor and chuck provide a nice balance as a whole.  The only issue we see with the overall drill is the chuck head size.  It tends to be a little bigger than most, which may limited certain tight applications when a user needs to get into tight spaces. The chuck also does not ratchet tight like other drills, we constantly had to retighten the chuck which was dissapointing to say the least.

We used this drill to install a new door frame.  Not that we were taking the drill to the max, it did perform well and handled anything we threw at it, the drill had no problems except for the chuck issue.  We didn’t really have any concrete to drill into, so we ended up finding an old concrete parking bumper.  We put our bit on it and went to town.  Again this drill was performed well.  Not that you would use this for drilling in concrete on a consistent basis, there are times when you don’t want to grab a hammer drill from your truck or tool box.  While it doesn’t penetrate the concrete as well as a hammer drill, you definitely can use this to make a couple holes here and there with no problems. It also includes a LED light at the base of the tool. The included 20 min charger is an added bonus charging at almost half the rate of other chargers this was a great feature.

For the video, we just took some three inch screws and drilled into a 2×4 and plywood, so you could see it in action.  As you can see, it drivers screws rather quickly without any problems.  Dan tried to push diown as hard as he could to get the drill to bog down, the drill didn’t even hiccup.

Conclusion

If you are looking for 18v a drill/driver with lots of power and you already have other Ridgid 18v products, we would have to say to look at the ridgid drill.  This drill offers a lot of power with 455 in. lbs of torque.  The overall balance of the tool is good.  The overmold rubber grips makes it easy to hold on and have control even with gloves.  The 24 position clutch is nice which allows the user to fine tune the torque to their project.  The variable speed trigger was easy to control and offered freedom of speed control.  The chuck tends to be on the bigger side compared to other manufactures, this might make it a little hard to get into tight spots. The chuck also constantly needs to be retightened as out bits kept slipping. Ridgid also includes its lifetime service contract with this tool, why this may sound great a lot of people complain about it and say its misleading so make sure that you read the fine print.

Links

To learn more about Ridgid and their one handed reciprocating saw, you can visit Ridgid.

About Ridgid

Since 1923, RIDGID has remained the symbol of certainty to dedicated professionals of the expert trades. We at the Ridge Tool Company take this heritage seriously. This is why every tool that bears the RIDGID brand is engineered to the same high standards of quality, strength, and endurance as was that first heavy-duty pipe wrench more than 80 years ago.

Ever since the introduction of that revolutionary product, our expectations have been to exceed those of our customers through industry leading products and support.

Enter for a chance to win a FREE POWER TOOL.  All you need to do is post in our WorkZone Forum.

]]> http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/01/ridgid-drilldriver-review-r860071/feed/ 0 http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/01/idrill-drill-model-1idrill-review/ http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/01/idrill-drill-model-1idrill-review/#comments Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:45:05 +0000 Eric J http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/?p=4540 We recently did an overview of the i-drill which has five tools in the line up. Today we are going to take a closer look at the 1i-drill.

Tool Review – i-drill

Power Tool Model – 1i-drill

Pros: Warranty, Price, Power

Cons: No tool bag

Specifications of the i-drill

• 12V Lithium-ion – 1.3amp Sanyo battery
• No load speed 0-500 RPM
• 3/8″ keyless chuck
• Tool weight 1.11 lbs without battery

When you first look at the i-drill you can’t help to think of an iphone, not that it looks like a phone, but the packaging resembles an iphone, plus obviously the name, i-drill.  The 1i-drill is a one speed drill, meaning there is no high or low speed to adjust. Just set the torque setting and pull the trigger, pretty easy.

Nuts & Bolts of the i-drill

Specifications

The overall specifications for the drill match up well with their competition.  The chuck is a 3/8″ keyless chuck.  There are 17 torque settings which allows the user to set the torque to match the job.  The drill uses a 12v Lithium-ion Sanyo battery which is a 1.3 amp battery which is great for the homeowner to do just about any job. One feature a homeowner might find handy is the built in work light which when the user pulls the trigger a small LED light will turn on and help you see what you are doing.  Another note is the rpm or revolutions per minute which is 0-500.

One feature the i-drill uses that is unique to i-drill is a universal charging system.  What i-drill does is include extra plugs with the charger that will work in 99% of the countries.  We live in Chicago, so it’s not much help to us, but if you live somewhere on a border, this may be a helpful feature.

This 1i-drill kit comes with one battery, a 45 minute charger and a universal charging system, plus a five year warranty. It comes in black and they also have a white one.

Review

For our review we had to remind ourselves the i-drill is designed for the homeowner and not the contractor.  Basically we wanted to show you the drill in action.  Most homeowners are doing small projects around the house, yes some will do larger projects which you may want the 2i system, but this is designed for the homeowner who doesn’t do large projects day in and day out. It’s designed for someone who doesn’t use a drill often but would find it handy to have a powerful one around when needed.

For our test we took some 3″ screws and drilled them into some pine and plywood.  As you can see by the video below it ran through that with no problems.  In the video we also use a 7/8″ forstner bit and went through the pine.  This puts a little more pressure on the drill than just drilling screws, still something more than most homeowners will do. As you can see in the video it ran through the wood easily, even with a dull bit.

We gave the drill to our neighbor for the day to let her use it and get some feedback from her.  While she was too shy to be on our video, she did like the drill.  She hung a couple of pictures and fixed her curtain rod by drilling some more screws through her drywall and into a wood stud.  Not to knock her, but she is not really handy, so we thought she would be the perfect person to try the drill.  While she did seek our help finding a stud in the wall, she was able to use the drill and drive some screws. When she was done she was hesitant to give it back!

Conclusion

There are a lot of cool power tool ideas out there.  Some make it and some don’t.   We think the i-drill has a real chance of being one of the companies that can be a player in the home market for DIY.  The drill has more than enough power to get most household jobs done. We were surprised how much power the drill had. We like the five year warranty which means they stand behind their products, which is important for any company especially a newer company. One con we did have was no tool bag, but considering it is for the home owner you really don’t need a bag because the drill will be staying in the home and not traveling from job site to job site.  The other feature we would like to have seen was two batteries with the kit.  It’s always nice to have one charging while the other is in use. Currently you can pick these up at Sears and Amazon.

]]> http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/01/idrill-drill-model-1idrill-review/feed/ 0 http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/01/idrill-drill-model-2idrill-review/ http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/01/idrill-drill-model-2idrill-review/#comments Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:30:04 +0000 Eric J http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/?p=4539 Sometimes as a homeowner you may want a little more control and power than a 1 gear drill.  If that’s the case take a look at the i-drill 2i drill designed for the home owner.

Power Tool Review – i-drill

Power Tool Model – 2i

Pros: Five year warranty, 2 speed adjustment, kit comes with two batteries

Cons: We would have liked to seen a tool bag

Specifications of the i-drill

• 2 Speed – 0-400 rpm, 0-1,200
• 12v Lithium-ion
• 3/8″ keyless chuck
• Built in LED light
• Battery Power Indicator
• Tool Weight 1.13lbs.

Nuts & Bolts of the i-drill

Specifications

Sometimes a one gear drill just doesn’t do the trick.  If you’re like some homeowners who don’t work with tools for a living but will be doing more than hanging a couple of pictures the i-drill 2i might be for you.  While i-drill is new to the market it comes with a five year warranty which exceeds or meets most manufacturer’s warranties   The 2i kit comes with the drill, two 12v Lithium-ion Sanyo batteries, a 45 minute charger and a universal charging system.  The universal charging system has a variety of plug adapters that lets the user change the end of the plug to match the plug style of your country.  While not a big factor here in Chicago, it could come in handy for someone who lives on the border and might travel with their drill across the lines.  We gave the kit a con of not having a tool bag, but we have to remember this is designed for the homeowner who doesn’t really take their tools out of the house.  In fact, the 45 mintue battery charger has a stand for your drill when in storage which is pretty neat.

Review

This drill is designed for the homeowner, so all we wanted to show you was the drill in action.  We were not really interested in drilling through hard material or some other items we do with job site tools.

For this review we drilled 3″ screws into some pine and plywood as you can see by the video below.  As we hoped the drill drives the screws home without slowing down.  We would have been very disappointed if the drill couldn’t perform that task.

We also drilled a couple holes using a 7/8″ dull forstner bit.  We ran it through some pine.  We drilled on the low gear to slow the drilling down and let the reader see it more in action   After all its pine and high speed would be a little too quick going through pine.  We put some pressure on the drill and it ran through without bogging down.

There are some other items we could have done, but the point is to show it to you in action and we have to remember this is designed for the home owner.

Conclusion

If you’re a homeowner looking for a little more power and versatility then you might want to take a look at the i-drill 2i.  We like the fact that this has a low and high speed which allows the user to have more control to match the application. The keyless 3/8″ chuck makes it very easy to use, even for the novice.  While other i-drill kits come with one battery, the 2i comes with two batteries.  This is a great feature as it allows the user to charge one battery while working with another, which means less down time.  We like that i-drill offers a five year warranty with their power tools.

]]> http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2011/01/idrill-drill-model-2idrill-review/feed/ 0 http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2010/12/dewalt-12v-max-38-drilldriver-review-dcd710/ http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2010/12/dewalt-12v-max-38-drilldriver-review-dcd710/#comments Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:14:51 +0000 Eric J http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/?p=4192 In the past 12V power tools were more or less a joke.  They didn’t have the power to do much except some small hobbies around the house.  As the battery technology has moved forward, so has the joke of the 12V.  12V power tools are now a useful tool to have around, even on the jobsite.  We tested the Dewalt 12V Max Drill/Driver to see if this was a joke or the real thing.

Power Tool Review – Dewalt 12V Max Drill/Driver

Power Tool Model – DCD710

 

Pros: Ergonomics, Balance, Power, LED Innovation

Cons: Not a lot of tools in the 12V line yet and no battery gauge

Specifications of the Dewalt

• Number of Speeds – 2
• Max RPM – 1500
• Clutch Settings – 15
• Chuck Size – 3/8″
• Tool Weight – 2.4 lbs.
• No Load Speed – 0-400, 0-1500 rpm
• Tool Lenght – 7.5″

Nuts & Bolts of the Dewalt

Specifications

If you look at the specs above and take away the weight and where it says 12V, you would probably think you were reading an 18V drill, not a 12V.  This small drill has some serious specs to get excited about.  We like the fact that is has two speeds, so your application use increases.  Now we are not saying this will take the place of an 18V, but it will allow you to put the 18V down for a while and get most jobs done such as hanging cabinets and more.

Review

Now for the review we could have done a comparison against other 12V drills to see how many holes you can drill compared to another drill, but we didn’t want to bore you.  The truth is that most drills with the same battery type and same volt will be close in terms of how many holes they drill.  There is not much of a difference in number of holes drilled to be a deciding factor of buying a drill.  What we really want to cover and show was the balance and the power.

If you read our review of the Dewalt 12V Impact Driver, you know we are crazy about the balance of the 12V line.  This is a power tool you can work with all day and not get fatiqued from the drill.  Yes the weight has a lot to do with it, but the design of the tool has an impact also.  The pancake battery and the overall design ( especially the handle grip) fits perfect.  There is not too much weight in the front or back of the tool.

In regards to power, again its not an 18V, but this small tool packs a powerful punch.  All we did was drive a 3″ screw into a piece of 2″ pine, 1″ oak and 3/4″ plywood with no problems.  The change in grain and material didn’t bog the drill down.  As you can see by the video, it ran right through all the wood.

Conclusion

Overall this is a great drill.  The balance is incredible and the tool just fits your hand like a glove.  Great power for a 12V.  If your looking for a small, lightweight drill to carry around and have some power, you have to take a look at the Dewalt 12V DCD710 and the whole Dewalt 12V Max line.

Links

Read more about the Dewalt 12V Max DCD710

About Dewalt

DEWALT is firmly committed to being the best in the business, and this commitment to being number one extends to everything they do, from product design and engineering to manufacturing and service. A big part of how they make sure their tools are the best is spending time with their end users, listening to their needs and concerns and discovering new and better ways to get the job done.   Dewalt is a fortune 500 Company and have been ranked as one of Fortune Magazine’s Most Admired Companies.

Bosch 17618-01 Drill Overview

If you have read our review of the Bosch combo kit, then you know how much we like Bosch power tools.  We feel they are some of the best professional grade power tools around.  That’s why we are excited to give you a review of the Bosch hammer Drill model number 17618, which is a Brute Tough Hammer drill.  If you compare this hammer to some of the other models around, you can see how much more power it has and how well it is built.

This light weight 18V Lithium Ion drill puts out an astonishing 650 in-lbs. of torque, which is pretty incredible.  Compare that to some other brands that have a higher Volt rating with less torque.  Now if you’re not impressed by the amount of torque this puts out maybe the BPM of 30,750 will catch your eye.  Oh yeah, the RPM is 2,050 just in case you were wondering.  As with most brands this utilizes a 1/2″  metal chuck.  The high strength metal collar helps protect the chuck if dropped straight on the chuck.  One nice option is the 25 position clutch setting, which gives you 5 more settings than the average drill.  Again the drill, as with most, has a variable speed trigger. 

One item to mention is Bosch’s ECP or Electronic Cell Protection which is a propriety technology only Bosch has.  The ECP guarantees optimal performance of the batteries even under tough working conditions.  One high point of the ECP is the battery runs cooler, which means a longer life.  These batteries can be charged in 30 minutes and will have 85%  capacity in 15 minutes, so you will never have any real down time, except for lunch and the occasional water breaks.  The Bosch hammer drill utilizes the Fat Pack Bat318, which is a 2.6Ah.

Bosch 17618-01 Drill Review

The first thing you will notice is the balance of the drill.  While it is very light, the balance is exceptional and the weight is distributed evenly along the power tool.  With a drill, and most types of power tools, balance is the key, and we put a lot of weight on this since it is a power tool that is the most used by any professional.  Durability is another aspect we take very seriously with any power tool review.  Since we are limited on the time we can test a tool, we have to look at three things.  First is the reputation and we know Bosch has one of the best reputations around.  Second is the design of the tool.  This hammer drill has two things going for it.  First is the battery which uses ECP, which keeps the battery much cooler.  We all know heat is the number one killer of any battery, so we have to give Bosch a thumbs up on this part of the review.  Second is the new design power train and gears of this drill which increase the life of this drill.  Bosch has many people on the streets that hit the jobs sites, so we get a chance to speak with some of the reps.  They gave us a demonstration of the new design.  While yes it is designed as a sales pitch and to sell more tools, when you see the design you can really understand how it is beneficial and can expand the life of this tool.  The third item used for durability is user’s comments.  We look to the trade world and our readers for feedback about their experience.  There have been times where we have received numerous complaints about a tool and we will take the time to go back to a review and update the power tool review with the new information about the longevity. 

What we did is throw some 3″ screws into a 2×4 that was laying on a landscape timber.  Not that most drills can not do this, well actually we have seen two drills not  able to do this, but they were no name drills.  Our point was really to show you the drill in action and how easy it will drill a 3″ inch screw.  And it should, since it has 650 in-lbs of torque.  We actually had another video of the drill mixing up some concrete, but when we let big Al show off his stuff on the video is was more or less a disaster, which we will put on a blooper highlight reel.  When he first started the drill he had the mixer all the way in the bottom of the mixing bucket because he was to busy showing off.  As you can guess the drill ripped basically out of his hand and the bucket spilled all over the floor.  We tried to recover most of the concrete, but it wasn’t enough to be impressive for a review.  The main point of this drill and what we like the best is the balance, with the weight and the power.  This Bosch drill has the best ration we have seen out of any hammer drill.

Final Thoughts on the Bosch 17618-01 Drill

Overall, this is a great drill for the price.  Now this drill does come in the Bosch combo kit, but you can also buy this drill separately.  If you are looking for just a hammer drill without all the other tools, we think you will hit  bull’s eyes with this drill.  The balance is great and the power is incredible.  Bosch makes some of the best professional power tools on the market and this drill is no different.

Don’t forget to check out the Bosch Cordless Drill

When looking at any new power tools, whether it be a power drill or anything else, the first question you should ask yourself is “how does it feel in my hand?”Any tool should feel like an extension of your hand. The tool may feel great while standing in the store aisle but how about after a few hours of use. While in the store, make sure all controls are convenient, and check to see if the forward/reverse and high/low speed switches in particular are easy to use.

Drills come in three distinct handle styles. The most popular cordless models have the T-handle style where the handle is placed near the middle. The T-handle style distributes the weight for better balance and less wrist strain. Some tool users prefer the more traditional pistol-grip style, and last, the third style is the right-angle version, designed for use where space is restricted.

The next question to ask yourself is “how much power do I need?” Cordless drills are measured in volts. Drills are available in everything from around 2 volts (for a cordless screwdriver) to 24-volt tools, well the actually range higher for professional models. Higher voltage means heavier weight, so consider buying a tool that will meet 80-90% of your needs. 18 volt models are the most popular, and they will usually meet most homeowner’s work needs. Corded drills are measured in amps. Generally, a higher amperage motor means more power.  Cordless batteries also have amp measurements, but will get to that at another time.

You must also consider what type of jobs you most likely will be using the drill for, or to put it another way, what type of material will you be working on with your new drill? Drilling softwood, hardwood, metal, and masonry all require different drill speeds. Harder materials or larger bits have to be worked at lower speed. Conversely, softer materials and smaller bits can be used at higher speeds. Look for a drill with variable speed. Variable speed allows the user to control the bit speed. This is very important when you plan on working different materials and accessories.

You also should consider choosing a drill with an adjustable clutch setting. The clutch reacts to the resistance of the screw, which changes as the density of the material changes, allowing you to drill holes of consistent depth. Adjusted properly on identical scrap material, a clutch can keep you from driving a screw too deep, which makes this feature great for beginners. An adjustable clutch can also reduce the possibility of stripping a screw head or snapping a screw off altogether. Also important to note is corded drills don’t depend on batteries for power. Their constant supply of electricity makes them better suited than cordless drills for tough jobs like drilling in masonry or boring large holes in wood. Corded drills are available with the same variety of features as cordless. For most homeowners, a 3/8″ corded drill is a good choice.

For beginners, trying to determine the best chuck may not seem that important at first, but it really is! Chucks are attachments where the bit is inserted, having jaws that grip the bit. Drills come in 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ sizes. This measurement is the chuck size and indicates the shaft diameter of the bits and accessories that will fit the drill. (For most homeowners, a 1/2″ size should be sufficient). Chucks can be keyed (the jaws are tightened or loosened with a key) or keyless(the chuck can be tightened or loosened by hand). Keyless chucks offer two major benefits. If you have ever misplaced or lost a chuck key, you already know one of them. A keyless chuck will also allow bits to be changed more quickly.This can be a real plus when you need to change from a drill bit to a screwdriver bit repeatedly or if you happen to be wearing gloves on the job.You can change the chuck in some keyless models with only one hand because the shaft locks when the trigger is off. In most models, however, you have to use both hands to turn the chuck in opposite directions. While you’re in the store, change the bit on different drills to see what style of keyless chuck you prefer.

We can’t cover all bases, but this should get the beginner started on looking for power drills!! Good luck!

Milwaukee introduced their new 3/8″ drill.  There are a lot of corded drills to choose from, but Milwaukee has one of the best line ups.  Hilti makes a lot of great drills, but the Milwaukee drills are right up there.  The new 3/8″ drill model number 0240-20 is a powerful 8 amp drill.  The drill has an all metal jampot gear case which makes this a tough drill, even for the most abusive workplaces.  Most drills this size use a clamshell plastic case, so we were happy to see Milwaukee provide added protection for the gears.

The drill is ideal for smaller applications and is a variable speed at 0-2800 rpm.  This drill uses a two finger switch to help prevent fatigue for the user.  The chuck is an all metal keyless chuck making it very easy to change bits on the go.  As you can see by the picture, the handle grip is a soft grip giving the user greater control.

The cord length is 8′ which is pretty good.  We usually like a 10′ cord length so when you are using a tool on a ceiling, your not fighting the extra little weight where the tool is plugged into an extension cord.  Surprisingly, this drill only weights 4.25 lbs.

If anyone has any experience with this Milwaukee drill, we would like to hear from you.  What you like, what you don’t like.

We were scanning the news world on power tools, (like we always do!!) and we happened to come across a great article by ” News Canada.” They recently wrote about the fact that using power tools can be more of an art than a science when tackling a new project.

Most of us never look at the settings of our drill or sander. Instead, we turn it on and just opt for the most power – assuming that will get the job done faster. But more power doesn’t always get the best results, and can cost you more time to fix the mistakes. We all know that a stripped screw or an over sanded project can leave us, quite literally, in the (saw) dust.

Size and speed do matter, as well as clutch and torque settings. The problem is that the standard numbered settings doesn’t explain how best to set the tool for specific projects. For example, when you want to drive a screw into 1/4″ plywood what gear should the drill be in and which torque level should you select? Or, if you would like to sand the dining room table for a fresh coat of stain, how can you set your sander to avoid deep scratches?

Black & Decker’s new generation of products with “Smart Select” technology might be the best solution for tools to use for the home handyperson trying to get the specific job done right!

Most do-it-yourselfers have to do alot of guessing when it comes to setting a tool for optimal performance on jobs. The “Smart Select” series eliminates the guess work.  Each tool has simple icons to select the appropiate application. Just set the tool to the icon that matches your task and the tool automatically selects the right settings to get the job done right.

Drilling a 1/2″ hole into metal, or a 7/8″ hole into wood? Simply line up the icon and voila you are using the tool like the pros. Both experienced and beginners will appreciate taking the guesswork out of projects at any level.

If this sounds like something for you or possibly a gift for your better half, go to www.blackanddecker.com and do a search on their site for the new line of “Smart Select” tools.

The Milwaukee M12 gave us a run for our money.  Before we tested the Milwaukee M12 Drill, we knew the M12 Lithium Ion line was pretty powerful for such a small power tool.  However, we have tested other small drills before and we were never very impressed.  This drill changed our mind.  The Milwaukee drill is very light weighing only 2.5 lbs., but best of all it feels great in your hand.  The balance is great and very easy to work with.  Also I am sure you have used small drills in the past and sometimes these small drills just feel cheap.  The Milwaukee doesn’t, you can feel that this drill is solid. 

The specs on this drill are not too bad, actually they are pretty impressive all things considered.  This drill has all the options the bigger drills have such as a 2 speed and 20 point clutch setting.  The trigger gives the user a variable speed of 0-400/0-1500 RPM.  Best of all this delivers a powerful 250 in-lbs of torque.  One thing to note is the chuck.  The chuck is 3/8″ all metal chuck.  Most small drills come with plastic chucks which tend to strip after long use.  We like the fact that Milwaukee is ticking with a professional grade chuck that can last heavy abuse.  Two other nice options are the fuel gauge that lets the user know how much juice is left in the battery and there is also a small LED light in the front to light up your work area. 

Milwaukee M12 Drill Review

There is not much to test on a drill, but we wanted to cover some of the most important aspects of a drill.  First is the balance and feel.  If you have been reading our stuff, you know the first thing we look for is balance and feel.  If you have a well balanced drill or power tool, this minimizes fatigue and lets the user be more accurate and work longer.  The Milwaukee drill is one of the drills that you pick up and right away you can feel that the drill is well balanced, plus the light weight helps.  The pistol grip with the one finger trigger fits nicely even in the biggest of hands. 

Another item we really like with the Milwaukee M12 line is the charge time.  With the Milwaukee Lithium Ion, you can charge your battery in 30 minutes.  The quick charge time allows the user to keep working in between charges.  We used this drill on a number of projects and not once did we burn out the battery before the other battery was charged.

As you can see by the video below, we wanted to atleast show you some of the power to this drill.  We took a 3″ screw and a ran it through a 4×4 piece of wood.  As you can see we put a lot of downward pressure on the drill to try and get it to bog down, which we thought we could do.  However the drill didn’t bog down, it ran the screw through with no problems.  Maybe Eric is a little weak, but on the video you can see him grabbing the drill to see if he could hold the chuck, but he couldn’t.  We wanted to show a little more in the video, but only have so much time.  We took this drill to a plumbing job and Frank used it for the day, while we watched and ate some popcorn.  Actually we helped carry some toilets in from outside, so we did help a little.  When we first gave Frank the drill to use, he kind of chuckled.  Now he is a huge Milwaukee fan, but as he said, “Milwaukee makes great tools, but they shouldn’t mess with a 12V, stick to the power.”  After the day was over and he used it for a majority of installs, he changed his mind.  He was very impressed at how well this drill handled.  He could get into tight spots and if we didn’t tell him it was a 12V, he said he probably would have thought it was some new 18V line Milwaukee had. 

Final Thoughts On the M12 Milwaukee Drill

All said and done this little M12 Drill is pretty powerful.  As Milwaukee grows their M12 line, the M12 line up seems to get better and better.  Before we started, we new the M12 was a pretty powerful tool line, but we were not sure how this drill would match up.  We have seen smaller volt drills before and we were never very impressed until we got our hands on this drill.  The drill packs a powerful punch for being so small and light weight.  If you are looking for a smaller set of professional power tools, take a look at the Milwaukee M12 line up and especially this drill.  This drill is great for the user who will be getting in tight spots as the length is only 7-3/8″ long.

You can learn more about the Milwaukee M12 Line by visiting Milwaukee Tools or going directly to tylertool.com