I got my new Consumers Report today and they reported on the best cordless drill under $100

 

The first one listed is the Heavy duty Hercules HC91K1 Harbor Freight.  $100

 

Second was Light duty Worx WX176L  $100

 

Third was Rigid R82005K $90

 

They tested 40 drills.

 

They did not give any details on tests performed or battery life.

 

Too many unanswered questions for me. I don't doubt their results, but I'd like to see the tests and actual results. 

 

 

 

 

 

I have had a lot of questions about Consumer Report reviews over the years.

That HF Hercules has had some excellent reviews on You Tube. But, longevity wasn't discussed as it was a fairly recent HF offering at the time of the video. 

I just looked at a review on Youtube for HF Hercules and the guy tore it apart and tested each component. His test results............Its Junk

Hercules drill test .  

 

57 minutes ago, Ron Altier said:

Hercules drill test .  

Interesting, guy is rather colorful we shall say but he presents some good info.

I have subbed CR for quite a few years, but haven't for the past 2 (I don't buy much that they test).  So, without a subscription, I was able to access the CR reports.  They did a pretty comprehensive testing, and the Buyer's Guide shows quite a few metrics (such as battery life).  As for deconstruction of tools, it's really hard to determine worth from what amateurs and semi-pros find inside.  I saw a video on a Festool tool, and it was amazing how much plastic is inside that pricey stuff.  I don't think there's much correlation between value/life and longevity from any test but time.

 

That's why I drive a car that's 18 years young:  still testing the parts.

12 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

Hercules drill test .  

 

Didn't run across that one. Looks like it didn't pass his smell test. 

4 hours ago, PeteM said:

I have subbed CR for quite a few years, but haven't for the past 2 (I don't buy much that they test).  So, without a subscription, I was able to access the CR reports.  They did a pretty comprehensive testing, and the Buyer's Guide shows quite a few metrics (such as battery life).  As for deconstruction of tools, it's really hard to determine worth from what amateurs and semi-pros find inside.  I saw a video on a Festool tool, and it was amazing how much plastic is inside that pricey stuff.  I don't think there's much correlation between value/life and longevity from any test but time.

 

That's why I drive a car that's 18 years young:  still testing the parts.

You got me beat on that mine is only 16 effective years use. Have in that time replaced a few defective parts.

Often wondered how these drills are put together. If I ever get to break one down, it will be with the knowledge that I'll never get it back together.

19 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

Hercules drill test .  

 

I've seen a few videos by this guy.   He seems knowledgeable on technical stuff , but uses so many slang terms. he can be hard to follow.  In general, I don't think he's liked anything from "Horror Fright" (Harbor Freight).  And he could do better without vulgarity.

 

My last few drills have been Ridgid, I like their LSA (Lifetime Service Agreement).   The first couple years, they had a problem with batteries lasting and they just replaced them over the counter.   The guy at the repair shop said tney'd been doing a lot of them.    We got a bunch for the furniture bank, and while not day-in-day-out use, they've held up better than DeWalts.  I also like my Ridgid shop vacuum, it really has a lot of suction.

I've had my Ryobi drills for over 2 years now and they have performed very well. Just as good as my old De Walts  which were a lot more expensive.

I use the Milwaukee M12, maybe not the best but they are lighter weight and that factored into my decision.  A bad wrist likes lighter tools better.

 

One thing I do like is the manufactures are producing a line of tools you can use your batteries with.  And a pretty decent selection.  Finally broke down and bought a right angle drill.  Got tired of having to get the pneumatic one, and lately I seem to have more call for it.   

I've always liked Makita cordless drill/drivers. But, recently got a deal on a Dewalt 20 V that's a nice tool. 

I've had the 18V Dewalt complete set from my deck building days and they were too heavy and powerful for most shop jobs.  I bought the Hitachi 12V drill and impact set for the shop when it went on sale for $99 years ago and love it.  Since then I bought lithium ion batteries for the Dewalt which made them lighter but still prefer the Hitachi drill and impact for the shop.

 

My battery powered drills started with 12v Craftsman with the heavy, short lived NiCad batteries. When they updated the drill, the old batteries didn't fit. That really ticked me off. I then went to Hitachi and it didn't last long at all. I don't use one much and I was really disappointed. I then got a Porter Cable and I am still using it. If I was a contractor, I would do research and find out what other contractors use. As it is, I think many of the newer drill would serve me well. Maybe not HF

 

I have never had a drill go bad, Craftsman or other.  It has always been about the battery and the replacement cost.  The lithium ion batteries are a great improvement. 

I started out with Makita, they were all you saw on jobs, other than union. From what I remember they were pretty much the only choice. Then everyone got in the market, company I was with, used Milwaukee, I liked Milwaukee, they did their job. Now I gotta use my own money, have Rigid. I really like them, bought the set on sale, got lifetime warranty on the whole set including the batteries. Now I mostly use the cordless tools for my electrical side jobs, which are friends and family, and I don’t get paid, WHICH IS WHY I CAN”T FIND ANY TIME TO GET IN THE BASEMENT AND MAKE SAWDUST. Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to vent .  

It's nice to be helpful Artie, but there comes a time when you have to put yourself first. Let people know you are busy and tell them they will have to wait to get their projects done. If this upsets them, then they are not the friends you thought they were. As for family, well, they can wait too. #1 should be your first priority. You only have one life to live.

Edited May 9, 20196 yr by Al B

1 minute ago, Al B said:

It's nice to be helpful Artie, but there comes a time when you have to put yourself first. Let people know you are busy and tell them they will have to wait to get their projects done. If this upsets them, then they are not the friends you thought they were. As for family, well, they can wait too. #1 should be your first priority. You only have life to live.

Totally agree. I'll share my time over a beer but, shop time is all mine. And, I'm selfish.