What Cordless drill to buy??

[sscherin]

I'm looking at 2 drills

One is the Ridgid 82001 12v 3/8" chuck drill with 2 batteries and a 20min charger for $119

the other is the Ryobi P210 18v 1/2 Hammer drill plus 2 batteries plus the 1 hour charger for $109 total.. ($49 for the drill, $39 for the batteries and $19 for the charger)

Can anyone recomend one over the other?

[maxparot]

You should be able to find the Ryobi as a kit with 2 batteries and a charger for about $99.

The Ryobi is a great value in a DIYer tool but is you are looking for a jobsite, pro, work all day tool go with the Ridgid. Unless the hammer drill mode is something you must have.

[Hellrazor]

I would go with the Ridgid. I use/abuse my cordless tools and my Ridgid tools have far outlived the Craftsmans rebranded Ryobis I had before. The battery life difference alone makes the Ridgids worth it.

I have almost all of the 18v Ridgid tools. Hammer drill, drill, recipro saw, circ saw, jigsaw, light and impact.

[91FE]

I might get flamed for this (and realize it's not one of the ones you mentioned), but for $100... I got a Craftsman 19.2v drill, 19.2v right angle drill, 2 batteries and a one hour charger. I beat it to death this past summer building a deck and have no complaints. I added a sawsall to the kit which has treated me well too.

[cwsmith]

I'd have to recommend the Ridgid, if you're going for a "cordless" tool. This is nothing against the Ryobi, as I'm a big Ryobi fan and if you were asking about a corded tool, I'd point at the Ryobi and tell you to go for it.

But, the biggest problem/complaint that I've seen with "cordless" tools is the batteries and chargers dying on them. Sometimes after a year or so, and sometimes within a matter of months. If it happens under warranty, I guess it doesn't matter... but with the Ridgid, if you register the tool, you'll get a "Limited Lifetime Service Agreement" that will replace those batteries and chargers forever... free! Just send the bad one in to the service center and they will replace it..

For that reason alone, I suggest the Ridgid.

I hope this helps,

CWS

[JimD]

I have the normal, non hammer drill, Ryobi and love it. I used it to drill 1/2 inch holes in steel while moving the axle on my boat trailer. With a sharp bit it would do 4 or 5 holes on a battery. I have also used it to drill a 2 1/8 hole in a solid door to install a door lock. I bought it with the circular saw and a couple batteries for about $100.

I also have a corded hammer drill. If you anticipate drilling in masonary you definitely need a hammer drill. It makes a huge difference.

All the reviews I have read of the Rigid line indicate they are good tools but I have no direct experience.

I say go with the Ryobi.

Jim

[sscherin]

Funny thing.. We went to Sears to check out the 19v angle drive combo but came home with a Dewalt 12v DC727 kit..

I didn't even know about the Ridgid Lifetime deal..
I would have gone that route if I'd known.. Oh Well I like the Dewalt so I'll keep it.