Cordless drill with good torque - recommendations?
 

I'm thinking of buying a cordless drill specifically for the task of
screwing 6 x 100 and/or 8 x 100 screws into fence posts. (Those are
mm sizes, TurboGold screws)

My (very) old 12 volt Skil cordless managed the 6 x 100 OK but is
beginning to feel its age now (it's probably 8 or 10 years old),
and it will probably find the 8 x 100 screws rather hard going.

I already have a cheap Ferm 24 volt cordless combi which is fine for
what it does but it's a bit big and heavy for driving screws and I'm
not really sure that it has much more torque than the Skil anyway.

My criteria are something like the following:-
Probably 12 volt or 14.4 volt to keep size/weight manageable
Probably a 2-speed gearbox for the torque I need
Compact and light (ideally in the 1.5/1.6/1.7kg range)
Maximum torque at least 30Nm, I'd really like 50Nm
Less than £100 if possible though I realise it may not be
Two batteries

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.

DeWalt and Makita both have models which do what I want but the ones
that have lots of torque also tend to be the expensive ones (not
surprisingly). There are a couple which hover around the £100 mark
though, any preferences?

There's a really nice Metabo one at around £150 that I covet but I'm
not really sure I can justify spending that much.

Panasonic and Hitachi don't seem to have anything really outstanding
in this area.

What about B&D? I can't find any torque figures for their drills at
all.

--
Chris Green

On 26 Oct 2004 11:44:16 GMT, wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a cordless drill specifically for the task of
screwing 6 x 100 and/or 8 x 100 screws into fence posts. (Those are
mm sizes, TurboGold screws)

My (very) old 12 volt Skil cordless managed the 6 x 100 OK but is
beginning to feel its age now (it's probably 8 or 10 years old),
and it will probably find the 8 x 100 screws rather hard going.

I already have a cheap Ferm 24 volt cordless combi which is fine for
what it does but it's a bit big and heavy for driving screws and I'm
not really sure that it has much more torque than the Skil anyway.

My criteria are something like the following:-
Probably 12 volt or 14.4 volt to keep size/weight manageable
Probably a 2-speed gearbox for the torque I need
Compact and light (ideally in the 1.5/1.6/1.7kg range)
Maximum torque at least 30Nm, I'd really like 50Nm
Less than £100 if possible though I realise it may not be
Two batteries

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.

DeWalt and Makita both have models which do what I want but the ones
that have lots of torque also tend to be the expensive ones (not
surprisingly). There are a couple which hover around the £100 mark
though, any preferences?

There's a really nice Metabo one at around £150 that I covet but I'm
not really sure I can justify spending that much.

Panasonic and Hitachi don't seem to have anything really outstanding
in this area.

What about B&D? I can't find any torque figures for their drills at
all.


www.karman.demon.co.uk

frontgarden09
fenceslats01

Put that together from scratch/scrapwood with my Bosch PEX400 sander
and Bosch 24V cordless drill - can't fault the drill for torque, put
four screws in every plank - there's another 4 panels at the other
side of the drive so that's around 500 odd screws. ;-)


Cordless drill/driver - with hammer action
24v rechargeable 1.3Ah battery
Charging time 1 hr
13mm chuck
Variable speed and reverse
Max drilling dia: wood - 30mm, steel - 13mm,
masonry - 15mm

Think it's that one. You can feel the torque when you pull the
trigger as it twists in your hand. ;-)

I did pre drill the planks as they are reclaimed and didn't want them
splitting.

Mark S.

On 26 Oct 2004 11:44:16 GMT, wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a cordless drill specifically for the task of
screwing 6 x 100 and/or 8 x 100 screws into fence posts. (Those are
mm sizes, TurboGold screws)

My (very) old 12 volt Skil cordless managed the 6 x 100 OK but is
beginning to feel its age now (it's probably 8 or 10 years old),
and it will probably find the 8 x 100 screws rather hard going.

I already have a cheap Ferm 24 volt cordless combi which is fine for
what it does but it's a bit big and heavy for driving screws and I'm
not really sure that it has much more torque than the Skil anyway.

My criteria are something like the following:-
Probably 12 volt or 14.4 volt to keep size/weight manageable
Probably a 2-speed gearbox for the torque I need
Compact and light (ideally in the 1.5/1.6/1.7kg range)
Maximum torque at least 30Nm, I'd really like 50Nm
Less than £100 if possible though I realise it may not be
Two batteries

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.



What about an impact driver like a Makita 6916 or Axminster have a
Hitachi one at £150.

I believe that these do well in this type of application, but please
check.


..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

Mark S. wrote:

www.karman.demon.co.uk

frontgarden09
fenceslats01

Put that together from scratch/scrapwood with my Bosch PEX400 sander
and Bosch 24V cordless drill - can't fault the drill for torque, put
four screws in every plank - there's another 4 panels at the other
side of the drive so that's around 500 odd screws. ;-)


Cordless drill/driver - with hammer action
24v rechargeable 1.3Ah battery
Charging time 1 hr
13mm chuck
Variable speed and reverse
Max drilling dia: wood - 30mm, steel - 13mm,
masonry - 15mm

Think it's that one. You can feel the torque when you pull the
trigger as it twists in your hand. ;-)

I think it may be a bit heavier than I'm after. Can you tell me the
model number?

--
Chris Green

Andy Hall wrote:

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.



What about an impact driver like a Makita 6916 or Axminster have a
Hitachi one at £150.

I believe that these do well in this type of application, but please
check.

I've sort of hankered after one of those anyway, it's an idea I
suppose, I'll take a look.

--
Chris Green

On 26 Oct 2004 20:39:15 GMT, wrote:

Andy Hall wrote:

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.



What about an impact driver like a Makita 6916 or Axminster have a
Hitachi one at £150.

I believe that these do well in this type of application, but please
check.

I've sort of hankered after one of those anyway, it's an idea I
suppose, I'll take a look.


I did see one used to put in long screws at a tool show recently, but
didn't stop to look in detail - it seemed convincing and the claim was
that they don't knacker the heads of the screws as much as normal
drivers. I wasn't clear as to why, though


..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

Andy Hall wrote:
On 26 Oct 2004 20:39:15 GMT, wrote:

Andy Hall wrote:

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.



What about an impact driver like a Makita 6916 or Axminster have a
Hitachi one at £150.

I believe that these do well in this type of application, but please
check.

I've sort of hankered after one of those anyway, it's an idea I
suppose, I'll take a look.


I did see one used to put in long screws at a tool show recently, but
didn't stop to look in detail - it seemed convincing and the claim was
that they don't knacker the heads of the screws as much as normal
drivers. I wasn't clear as to why, though

The 8 x 100 (and I have some 8 x 120) screws have hex heads anyway so
that is less of an issue with them.

--
Chris Green

On 26 Oct 2004 11:44:16 GMT, wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a cordless drill specifically for the task of
screwing 6 x 100 and/or 8 x 100 screws into fence posts. (Those are
mm sizes, TurboGold screws)

My (very) old 12 volt Skil cordless managed the 6 x 100 OK but is
beginning to feel its age now (it's probably 8 or 10 years old),
and it will probably find the 8 x 100 screws rather hard going.

I already have a cheap Ferm 24 volt cordless combi which is fine for
what it does but it's a bit big and heavy for driving screws and I'm
not really sure that it has much more torque than the Skil anyway.

My criteria are something like the following:-
Probably 12 volt or 14.4 volt to keep size/weight manageable
Probably a 2-speed gearbox for the torque I need
Compact and light (ideally in the 1.5/1.6/1.7kg range)
Maximum torque at least 30Nm, I'd really like 50Nm
Less than £100 if possible though I realise it may not be
Two batteries

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.

DeWalt and Makita both have models which do what I want but the ones
that have lots of torque also tend to be the expensive ones (not
surprisingly). There are a couple which hover around the £100 mark
though, any preferences?

There's a really nice Metabo one at around £150 that I covet but I'm
not really sure I can justify spending that much.

Panasonic and Hitachi don't seem to have anything really outstanding
in this area.

What about B&D? I can't find any torque figures for their drills at
all.

Hi,

Try the Skil connected to a 12v car battery or engine starter, if
there is a huge difference it might benefit from recelling the battery
pack.

cheers,
Pete.

Pete C wrote:
On 26 Oct 2004 11:44:16 GMT, wrote:

My (very) old 12 volt Skil cordless managed the 6 x 100 OK but is
beginning to feel its age now (it's probably 8 or 10 years old),
and it will probably find the 8 x 100 screws rather hard going.


Try the Skil connected to a 12v car battery or engine starter, if
there is a huge difference it might benefit from recelling the battery
pack.

There are other things wearing out as well, the chuck is getting
sticky (presumably from mechanical wear) and the whole thing is
getting a bit rattly as a consequence of being dropped innumerable
times. Re-celling it wouldn't really be a good way to spend money I
don't think.

--
Chris Green

On 26 Oct 2004 20:36:50 GMT, wrote:

Mark S. wrote:

www.karman.demon.co.uk

frontgarden09
fenceslats01

Put that together from scratch/scrapwood with my Bosch PEX400 sander
and Bosch 24V cordless drill - can't fault the drill for torque, put
four screws in every plank - there's another 4 panels at the other
side of the drive so that's around 500 odd screws. ;-)


Cordless drill/driver - with hammer action
24v rechargeable 1.3Ah battery
Charging time 1 hr
13mm chuck
Variable speed and reverse
Max drilling dia: wood - 30mm, steel - 13mm,
masonry - 15mm

Think it's that one. You can feel the torque when you pull the
trigger as it twists in your hand. ;-)

I think it may be a bit heavier than I'm after. Can you tell me the
model number?


PSB 24 VE-2

I've handled a friend's Ferm (12V I think) and that was very heavy
compared to my Bosch. :-)

Mark S.

wrote in message ...
I'm thinking of buying a cordless drill specifically for the task of
screwing 6 x 100 and/or 8 x 100 screws into fence posts. (Those are
mm sizes, TurboGold screws)

My (very) old 12 volt Skil cordless managed the 6 x 100 OK but is
beginning to feel its age now (it's probably 8 or 10 years old),
and it will probably find the 8 x 100 screws rather hard going.

I already have a cheap Ferm 24 volt cordless combi which is fine for
what it does but it's a bit big and heavy for driving screws and I'm
not really sure that it has much more torque than the Skil anyway.

My criteria are something like the following:-
Probably 12 volt or 14.4 volt to keep size/weight manageable
Probably a 2-speed gearbox for the torque I need
Compact and light (ideally in the 1.5/1.6/1.7kg range)
Maximum torque at least 30Nm, I'd really like 50Nm
Less than £100 if possible though I realise it may not be
Two batteries

What would people recommend? The torque requirement rules out most of
the really cheap ones I think, they either don't state the torque or
it's around 15 to 20Nm. On the other hand I'm not after a tool that
can handle lots of abuse and last for ever on a building site, I'm
really not going to work it that hard.

DeWalt and Makita both have models which do what I want but the ones
that have lots of torque also tend to be the expensive ones (not
surprisingly). There are a couple which hover around the £100 mark
though, any preferences?

There's a really nice Metabo one at around £150 that I covet but I'm
not really sure I can justify spending that much.

Panasonic and Hitachi don't seem to have anything really outstanding
in this area.

What about B&D? I can't find any torque figures for their drills at
all.

--
Chris Green

A 55nm cordless is about 150 quid. My personal choice would be an impact
screwdriver, I have one from ELU it is amazing compared to a drill driver of
any voltage. That cost about 100 quid as a special from northern tools. I
always use diamond bits and turbo gold screws, never any problems with any
size or wood type.

mrcheerful

Mark S. wrote:
On 26 Oct 2004 20:36:50 GMT, wrote:

Mark S. wrote:

www.karman.demon.co.uk

frontgarden09
fenceslats01

Put that together from scratch/scrapwood with my Bosch PEX400 sander
and Bosch 24V cordless drill - can't fault the drill for torque, put
four screws in every plank - there's another 4 panels at the other
side of the drive so that's around 500 odd screws. ;-)


Cordless drill/driver - with hammer action
24v rechargeable 1.3Ah battery
Charging time 1 hr
13mm chuck
Variable speed and reverse
Max drilling dia: wood - 30mm, steel - 13mm,
masonry - 15mm

Think it's that one. You can feel the torque when you pull the
trigger as it twists in your hand. ;-)

I think it may be a bit heavier than I'm after. Can you tell me the
model number?


PSB 24 VE-2

I've handled a friend's Ferm (12V I think) and that was very heavy
compared to my Bosch. :-)

Weight 2.6kg, I'm after less than 2kg if I can get it, my existing
Skil is only 1.4kg.

Maximum torque only 25Nm, that's half what some of the best 12 volt
machines are producing now. It's also around £100 and you can get
better, lighter 12 volt models for that sort of price.

--
Chris Green

mrcheerful . wrote:

A 55nm cordless is about 150 quid. My personal choice would be an impact
screwdriver, I have one from ELU it is amazing compared to a drill driver of
any voltage. That cost about 100 quid as a special from northern tools. I
always use diamond bits and turbo gold screws, never any problems with any
size or wood type.

Northern Tools have some interesting offers don't they.

There's a Skil 14.4 volt drill driver, 27Nm torque (just about the
minimum I'm after), weighs 2kg, 2 x 1.7Ah batteries for £69

.... and a Makita 6227DWE3 12v with three 1.3Ah batteries *and* a
6914DZ impact screwdriver for a total of £151

--
Chris Green

On 28 Oct 2004 08:18:50 GMT, wrote:

Weight 2.6kg, I'm after less than 2kg if I can get it, my existing
Skil is only 1.4kg.

Maximum torque only 25Nm, that's half what some of the best 12 volt
machines are producing now. It's also around £100 and you can get
better, lighter 12 volt models for that sort of price.

Hi,

Have a look at:

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/...0Drivers%2012V

6270DWPE and 6270DWPE-3, 32Nm and 1.5kg

cheers,
Pete.

Pete C wrote:
On 28 Oct 2004 08:18:50 GMT, wrote:

Weight 2.6kg, I'm after less than 2kg if I can get it, my existing
Skil is only 1.4kg.

Maximum torque only 25Nm, that's half what some of the best 12 volt
machines are producing now. It's also around £100 and you can get
better, lighter 12 volt models for that sort of price.


Have a look at:

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/...0Drivers%2012V

6270DWPE and 6270DWPE-3, 32Nm and 1.5kg

Exactly! That's one of the possibles on my shortlist, it seems a much
better bet than the 24 volt Bosch suggested above.

--
Chris Green

On 28 Oct 2004 08:18:50 GMT, wrote:

Mark S. wrote:
On 26 Oct 2004 20:36:50 GMT, wrote:

Mark S. wrote:

www.karman.demon.co.uk

frontgarden09
fenceslats01

Put that together from scratch/scrapwood with my Bosch PEX400 sander
and Bosch 24V cordless drill - can't fault the drill for torque, put
four screws in every plank - there's another 4 panels at the other
side of the drive so that's around 500 odd screws. ;-)


Cordless drill/driver - with hammer action
24v rechargeable 1.3Ah battery
Charging time 1 hr
13mm chuck
Variable speed and reverse
Max drilling dia: wood - 30mm, steel - 13mm,
masonry - 15mm

Think it's that one. You can feel the torque when you pull the
trigger as it twists in your hand. ;-)

I think it may be a bit heavier than I'm after. Can you tell me the
model number?


PSB 24 VE-2

I've handled a friend's Ferm (12V I think) and that was very heavy
compared to my Bosch. :-)

Weight 2.6kg, I'm after less than 2kg if I can get it, my existing
Skil is only 1.4kg.

Maximum torque only 25Nm, that's half what some of the best 12 volt
machines are producing now. It's also around £100 and you can get
better, lighter 12 volt models for that sort of price.

I think you're being picky. :-P


Mark S.

On 30 Oct 2004 11:43:40 GMT, wrote:


I've ended up buying a Metabo SBT12+ for £99.99, an excellent price,
better than I could find anywhere on the internet.

A local hardware shop is having a 'power tools show' this week-end and
they have this Metabo on special offer - how often does that happen
when you're actually looking for something! :-)

The Metabo SBT12 is almost my ideal:-
53NM torque
2 x 2.0Ah batteries
Combi (minor point but it may be useful)
2.2kg

The weight is a little bit more than my ideal but being able to handle
the drill at the show I decided it was compact and comfortable so the
weight is OK. I looked at others and the comparable Bosch drivers in
particular seemed very bulky and unwieldy. I'd already decided
against the Ryobi ones for this reason.

That's a very good deal and Metabo make good products.

I have one of their orbital sanders and am really pleased with it.





--

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

You pays your money and you takes your chances. You don't get high
performance, low weight drills cheap.

You can get fast drilling heavy duty 24 volt drills like mine for about
£35 these days. Mine is used professionally but is heavy. It goes all
day on a couple or three batteries and I am very pleased with it. Buy
two, one for drilling and one for screwdriving. Or a quick release set
of
drills and screwdrivers and stick with the drill you have.

My recommendation is for you (and several others here) to edit your
posts
to cut out the fat.

Especially in your replies.


--
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