I was finally! getting around to installing sub-roadbed on my shiny new benchwork when my last 12 volt battery for my cordless drill died. And I mean as in no more recharging possible. Batteries are expensive!!! I currently have a 12 volt DeWalt that works fine, but new technology has upped the ante. So do I go buy a couple more batteries for the old DeWalt or do I put that money toward a more powerful drill with the new battery technology? Anyone have one of the newer, lighter drills and is it worth the money? My husband is not much help because I'm the one who does the home repairs around the house. Thanks! Jencat42
Nope, I'd go with a new drill. The tech. is getting so much better, and soon the old batteries won't be available. The Dewalts are nice, but if you want a real quality one go with Milwaukee.....Mike
You probably won't need loads more power for model railroading stuff, but if the battery is dead dead dead and a replacement battery costs a significant amount, say 60% or more the price of a new drill, I would be tempted also to go with a new one. I have seen much more recent models than the one I have that have a little white LED that illuminates what you are drilling. I like that. When I eventually retire my 15.6 V Craftsman I will probably get one with an LED, but right now I have little motivation to do so.
I have a Dewalt 12 volt and two 18 volts. I got to say that I like the 12 volt a lot better because its light weight and fits in to tight places better. I haven’t bought a battery in a while, but I think I replaced my 12V batteries last year and found them pretty cheap on the internet. The biggest problem is that nether of my drills will hold very small bits that I use in my model rr and I always have to pull out the dremel --- I just remembered that the original 12V battery wasn’t available any more, but there was a replacement for around $25
Thanks for the advice. I think that's a good point about the 18 volt being too big to fit into tight places. I will go for a new 12 volt with a lithium battery. Thanks! Jencat42
check with getting your old battery pack rebuilt. I have all my companys batteries done through Interstate batteries, but I know there are others that will do it. If you love the gun why replace?
MILWAUKEE is the One. I would recommend also that you go with a MILWAUKEE drill. I don't know about their cordless models, I'm not much on cordless anything. I want the POWER, and you get it from 110 volts. I have several cordless drills, but only for light duty. The cordless models always seem to have the battery die when you need the tool the MOST. Don't run to HOME DEPOT & LOWES and expect to get real good information on ANY power tool that you are thinking about buying. You might get real LUCKY and find somebody that knows a little about what they are selling, but most employees don't. Check with people that use the tools daily and can give you the low-down on each tool's high's & lows. Check MILWAUKEE's warranty against anything else you buy. Most of the time the warranty is for 5 years. I checked around and bought my last MILWAUKEE tool, a jig saw, on from AMAZON. A discount price and they shipped to my door for FREE.
Porkypine, I had the Milwaukee cordless at work, it was the 18 volt one. I liked it just as much as a corded one, I thought it had just as much power, and the battery lasted long too. It was probably a bit big for model work though, but for doing benchwork I think it would be great...JMO....Mike
I'm reminded of Tim the tool man Taylor reading the above post. I have a cordless 18v Dewalt that will break your wrist, and I'm no small guy, maybe it's time for you to try one. Mine came with two batteries, so you always have one ready on the charger. I put half of a 183 foot privacy fence on one battery, and it's 7 years old, so your argument is dated. My 115v drill collects dust. To the OP 18v is too large for model railroading, as others have claimed, a 12 volt would be the best, and you don't have to worry about a power cord wiping out trains, scenery and buildings. Brand isn't that big a deal, as long as it's a well known name, avoid the cheap orange offerings at Harbor Freight.
I have a 15 year old DeWalt 12V that's on it's second battery. I bought it as a refurb 15 years ago. There is nothing out there at any price or Voltage that is significantly better than that. On the other hand, you can go down to Harbor freight and pick up an off brand 18V cordless for $20 and I've used those and had them work for at least a couple years without fail. The blue one. So it's really up to you. As for not buying Harbor Freight. Their quality is hit or miss, but the price and return policy are right for a hobby need.
I have a Menards 'Tool Shop' 18 Volt cordless that is at least 5 years old and works great. I am still on the original battery for it. A spare battery is always nice, though. New batteries were VERY expensive (more than I paid for the drill) but I checked and noticed that Menards had a cheapie drill (grey & black) on sale for $12.00 that looked like the battery pack would fit. I bought 1 and the drill was crap but the battery was a perfect fit. I tried using the drill but it shorted out and trashed the battery. I threw it away and bought 2 more just so I have spare batteries. I have never used those drills but have plans for them for another project.
I agree, I just used my 12 volt to take apart a fence made of 2x6 rails with 3 ½” deck screws, I don’t know how many boards there were, but maybe a couple hundred screws at least. It never bogged down, not once and the battery still had a charge to drill a couple of 3/8 holes.
I'm down to one working battery for my old Bosch 12V cordless drill, so I'll probably have to take the plunge soon. FYI, Panasonic drills always get high scores in comparison tests in woodworking & handyman magazines. I never see them in local stores, but they seem to be readily available online.
