Tool | Weight | Battery Type | Volts | Rpm (Low/High) | # of Batteries as Standard
Equipment | Street Price |
Bosch
33618 | 5.7 lbs. | Nicad | 18 | 0-400 / 0-1,300 | | $240 |
Comments: This tool is terrific. Its
plastic-and-metal ratcheting/locking chuck works
nicely. It has excellent balance, a non-slip
handle, and good battery exchange. The compact tool
drilled 79 1-inch holes on a single charge and has
the best low-end torque. The reverse switch is
hollow and the high-speed rpms are a little too
slow. It comes with battery end caps and a good
box. The battery stem sits high in the charger and
looks breakable. 877-267-2499.
www.boschtools.com |
Tool | Weight | Battery Type | Volts | Rpm (Low/High) | # of Batteries as Standard
Equipment | Street Price |
Craftsman
27124 | 6.88 lbs. | Nicad | 18 | 0-400 / 0-1,400 | | $200 |
Comments: The plastic and metal chuck on
this tool worked really well and I thought the
bubble level built into the tool body could come in
handy. The tool is oversized, however, and the
extra-long handle makes it uncomfortable to use. It
drilled only an average number of holes. The
easy-on front-slide battery is a good feature.
800-377-7414.
www.sears.com/craftsman |
Tool | Weight | Battery Type | Volts | Rpm (Low/High) | # of Batteries as Standard
Equipment | Street Price |
DeWalt
DW987K-2 | 5.9 lbs. | Nicad | 18 | 0-450 / 0-1,450 / 0-2,000 | | $270 |
Comments: At 2,000 rpms this tool is a
speed demon. Its ratcheting/locking chuck is
plastic with a metal nose and works great. The tool
is very compact with nice balance and a good
power-to-weight ratio. It has an easy battery
exchange and a comfortable anti-slip handle. The
three speed settings allow you to adjust your
combination of torque and speed based on
application. Like a lot of these tools, this one
could use a better storage box. 800-433-9258.
www.dewalt.com |
Tool | Weight | Battery Type | Volts | Rpm (Low/High) | # of Batteries as Standard
Equipment | Street Price |
Hitachi
DS18DVB | 5.3 lbs. | Nicad | 18 | 0-400 / 0-1,400 | | $210 |
Comments: This is a very comfortable
tool. It has an older-style plastic chuck with a
metal nose that jammed during the spade-bit test.
The entire handle is non-slip and easy-to-hold. Its
battery exchange is easy. The slight angle between
the motor and battery helps the balance, but the
large vertical battery out at the end of the handle
makes it feel ungainly. The tool seemed plenty
tough, but could use more power. 800-829-4752.
www.hitachi.com/hpt |
Tool | Weight | Battery Type | Volts | Rpm (Low/High) | # of Batteries as Standard
Equipment | Street Price |
Makita
6347DWDE | 5.3 lbs. | NiMH | 18 | 0-400 / 0-1,300 | | $239 |
Comments: This tool has good power and
speed. It has an older chuck design that jammed a
little during the spade-bit test. I liked the
anti-slip handle and easy battery exchange. The
battery is spread wide from the motor, giving it
great balance. Its drill-only switch needs to be
improved though; the button you press to engage it
is way too small. The box was big enough to carry a
tool with the bit on, which I like. 800-462-5482.
www.makitatools.com |
Tool | Weight | Battery Type | Volts | Rpm (Low/High) | # of Batteries as Standard
Equipment | Street Price |
Metabo
BST18 Plus | 5.3 lbs. | Nicad | 18 | 0-450 / 0-1,650 | | $309 |
Comments: This tool has the best battery
release out there. It has a good chuck that
ratchets and locks, but it's mostly plastic. The
drill also has good low-end torque, but could use
more high-speed power. I found the balance and
handle a bit awkward and thought the reverse button
was difficult to press. It's got a good, solid box
that allows you to store the tool with a bit
attached. 800-638-2264.
www.metabousa.com |
Tool | Weight | Battery Type | Volts | Rpm (Low/High) | # of Batteries as Standard
Equipment | Street Price |
Milwaukee
0622-24 Lok-Tor | 5.8 lbs. | Nicad | 18 | 0-500 / 0-1,700 | | $227 - $318 |
Comments: I loved everything about this
drill. Its all-metal ratcheting/locking chuck is
bulletproof. The narrow, non-slip handle is
comfortable, the balance is great, and it has lots
of power in a compact package. The slide-in battery
exchange is easy. It drilled a massive number of
high-speed holes (89) on a single charge. It has
top-notch low-end torque, too. The box is solid and
rugged with strong metal clasps and a good bit
carry-all inside. 800-414-6527.
www.heavydutytool.com |