Drills

[Shanna]

Picked up an 18v Bosch drill with 2 * 1.5 amp lithium ion batteries plus charger and case for €112 in b & q yesterday. Batteries could b better but they've a 60 minute charge cycle so I am not too concerned. Will use it for light drilling and heavy duty screwdriver .

Declan

[RichC]

With my new Crankandstein mill coming I've been considering drills as well. I wont need to drill SS as I BIAB in a buffalo but It'll be used to do some light masonary drilling, screws...general household etc. Been looking on adverts.ie for a while and it seems theres always a few Makita/Dewalt cordless options on there reasonably priced if youre willing to take the chance. I'll probably eventually buy a good second hand one on there.

[RichC]

Ok, still didn't buy a drill for my mill but I've decided that I need a cordless drill, jigsaw and skillsaw. None will get heavy usage but I've a pain in my arse borrowing anytime I need these tools. I'm considering buying all tools from woodies, Rok power tools. Just wondering if anyone has any 'experience' of these Rok power tools?

[Will_D]

I have bought "cheap, own brand or unheard of brand" tools from the likes of Lidl, Woodies and BnQ and also expensive "Big name brands" from them and also expendsive tool merchants in the city centre.

All I can say is "you pays yer money and takes you chances"!

Keep the receipt as Lidl/Aldi are V.good on no quibble refunds.

After a year and a day yer own your own!!

Sorry to be less than positive but this is my experience

PS: In Germany ( Norma, like Lidl) I could buy a good working 110mm angle grinder for the same price as 4 packs of brown paper bio waste bags !!! WTF!!!

The price: €9.99 !!

FFS what is happening in retail!!

Before Christmas I could buy (in Centra - local convienence store so more likely to be more expensive than the big boys) a Pineapple for 49C

Thats less than a stamp in Ireland for a light weight letter!!

[Shanna]

Honestly I would avoid rok power tools especially the battery powered one's. Lidl does a brand of power tools called Parkside. They are actually produced by Einhell. they are not too bad but tend to have problems with switches etc.I have bought a drill, a chop saw and an angle grinder from them. Keep the receipts as they give you a 3 year guarantee. If something like a switch breaks you can order replacement parts.

Shanna

Ok, still didn't buy a drill for my mill but I've decided that I need a cordless drill, jigsaw and skillsaw. None will get heavy usage but I've a pain in my arse borrowing anytime I need these tools. I'm considering buying all tools from woodies, Rok power tools. Just wondering if anyone has any 'experience' of these Rok power tools?

hR

[Shanna]

When going for cordless go with li ion batteries with a short recharge cycle time a spare battery and a case (these batteries keep there charge once charged, don't suffer degradation in performance like other battery types and also  charge fairly quickly). Battery 18v or higher and 1.5 amp or higher. Aldi have the following for sale see

http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_25694.htm

This, is not a recommendation just an fyi you have to check the spec on this yourself and make up .your own mind.

power tools are notoriously troublesome

Shanna

[RichC]

Still undecided, I might just take my chances as Will suggested. This kind of stuff doesn't get very heavy usage in my house so I find it difficult to justify the money on quality tools. A guy in work has offered me an 18V blackandecker cordless tool with a drill and jigsaw attachment barely used, price undecided( would wanna be cheap) but I will need to cut 18mm ply with the jigsaw and I don't like the detachable head idea...

[Ciderhead]

Avoid cheaper battery powered drills they don't have the torque or power required for consistent grain grinding, I still have an electric B&D drill which is 40 years old from my grandad for small jobs, whereas on cordless I have and binned, Black and Decker, Makita and yet to burn out am on a De Walt (Owned by B&D)36V.
Argos have their own branded electric 500W drill for €20, if it burns out take it back and trade up for the challenger model at €32 which is 710 watts.
Both have variable speeds which is important, optimal drill speed on a mill is 150-200rpm to avoid dust storm or shredding husks.