Cordless Combi Drill - Ryobi? Any thoughts

[biosurf]

Hi all

Having lent my last cordless drill to someone and never seen it again, and with a second hand shed in bits and needing to be made whole again I have a good excuse to buy a new one.

Budget is under £100/ It'll be used for general DIY use, not that often but when I do use it it'll tend to be an all day affair. Been disappointed with my old housemates Dewalt cordless as it struggled a lot with drilling into thermal block but maybe I was hoping for too much .My cheapy corded had npo problem on the same wall using the same bit.

Been looking through this thread from some time ago http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=70861 and am tending towards the Ryobi stuff (the Performance Power ones recommended by Vince and Sanch look good but guess that sourcing batteries etc. in the future might prove tricky)

I'm torn between going for a 14.4 twin pack, http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-too...-1441-11917551 with 2 lithium batts which is great but wonder if I'm going to notice a lack of power over 18V kit?



Otherwise I'm thinking a single 18V either with one Lithium http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-too...Green-10807630

or with 2 Ni-Cad (and possibly a better drill) http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-too...Green-10807629 EDIT: Just noticed, despite being 'Which?' best buy it has no hammer action so scratch that

I'm tending towards the 18V Twin Ni-Cad set as I wonder if, despite Lithium being better, its better to have Ni-Cads and have 2 batts so one can be used and one charging rather than only 1 of a better Lithium battery?
I like the fact with Ryobi that the same batt will fit a number of their tools which could be useful for the future

Failing that could just go for a Makita with 2 Ni-Cad batts for £100 http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-too...eries-10798552

Any thoughts welcomed

[BUSHWHACKER]

Mine came with two batteries.
When the time comes that the batteries are so knackered that they'll need replacing, I'll just by another drill.

[JUDWAK]

my brother use's one he is in the fencing game
it gets hammed and still runs strong after 3 years of use

unlike the top brand i will try to spell thee its blue with red writing on it makeeta one of thos anyhow

[Wolfracer]

I have owned a 14v performance power impact gun and 18V drill. They worked fine, and I sold them both on ebay for 1/2 what they cost after 2 years of use!
However.
I have also extensively used the Nicad 14.4 Makita stuff, and the 18V Nicad Makita. both outshine the PP in lots of ways. They recharge quicker, and are built SO much better in terms of weight distribution, chuck and comfort. The PP will use 2 batteries quicker than the recharge time if you aredrilling and screwing all day. The Makita will keep up.

I have now got Makita Li Ion 18V stuff and the drill will hammer its way through anything. However they aint cheap, but the batteries give a lot of power quickly, and recharge in 20 mins.

As "part time" kit, I'd opt for the 18V Makita NiCad, Remember Makita batteries fit other makita stuff if you are expanding...

[JUDWAK]

owers fit each other wich is good makita batterys are better
anyone else found they both have the same fitting volts and ah
ryobi and makita

[Webbo]

My input to this is dont buy Bosch for around that price. I bought one about a year ago from B and Q and both batteries completly useless.

[BigBobE]

i have the 18v makita and i use it day in day out, great torque for drilling driving screws, and the to batteries work a treat.... i have yet to use a battery in the time it takes to charge the other...

[biosurf]

Mine came with two batteries.
When the time comes that the batteries are so knackered that they'll need replacing, I'll just by another drill.

Hmm... didnt notice the two batteries. Makes it more tempting at the price (£65). Looks ike you and Sanch may have been lucky with yours unless someones trying to screw the company as most of the reviews are terrible.

[Ambobeer]

You gets what you pays for and just like most products a name adds a premium. If you can get a cheaper product with lithium batteries for less than £100 I'd go for it.

Hitachi are worth looking at. Some of their drills seem packed with features and are seriously cheap. No experience with them though, sorry.

I have an excellent Atlas Coppco (these days Milwaukee)which is still going strong and is over ten years old. I'd give them the thumbs up BUT it was over £200 in a sale, however. If I was buying new I'd buy Makita without any hesitation but whether a sub £100 drill with the 'brand' would be worth buying - not sure.

[biosurf]

Interesting Hitachi one with two Li-ion batts here for £100 http://www.screwfix.com/p/hitachi-dv...bi-drill/64945

[Ambobeer]

On paper they look unbelievable value for money. Just don't know anyone who's bought one and found out.

[Andy Pandy]

Have bought several Royobi products over the years and have nothing but praise for them,they have all been electrical. Have a cordless Royobi rotary mower with a 28 inch cut owned for 23 years and still going without even a battery replacement only a charge after each use,and that is the oldest of them. Did you know that they are a swiss firm?




{IF IT AINT BROKE MODIFY IT}

[TonyN]

I have all the Ryobi 18v one+ stuff, its great and so flexible, from drills and the usual tools to a hedge trimmer and camping light.

I'm not sure its its 'everyday getting a hammering on site tough', but I use the drills at least 3-4 times a week, and every weekend.

Its perfect value for money though.

[Albannach]

They're sub £100 because the batteries aren't as good. The actual drill is the same as the more expensive stuff. I have 2 18v Dewalts, they are perfect for what I want them for, but useless to a Pro., because of the crap batteries.

[Balllsy]

This seems like a good offer. Ryobi Hammer drill, vacuum cleaner and radio (2 Batteries) All for £95 !