Posted by MIchael Jasper on July 22, 2003, 11:26 am
Hi-
I am looking at a cordless Firestorm Drill - either the 12 or 14.4 V
models. (Yes, I'm aware of concerns about B&D reliability, but this
will be for light household project use (eg putting together a
sandbox)- probably once or twice/month - and the B&D factory store is
very convenient for me, whereas taking any other brand in for repair
would be very inconvenient). Also replacement batteries for B&D
models seem much more reasonable than other brands.
The 12 V model is lighter and is being offered in a great deal with a
laser level, but does not have the dual speed/torque range offered on
the 14.4 V model or the quick change chuck. I figure I can get a
quick change system to make up for the chuck, but obviously not the
speed range. I would appreciate comments on whether the low speed
range is worth the extra money for this kind of use. If I go for the
12 V model, will I regret not having the 0-400 rpm range for driving
screws?
Thanks for your help.
Michael Jasper
michael_jasper@yahoo.com
Posted by jim evans on July 22, 2003, 12:21 pm
On 22 Jul 2003 08:26:17 -0700, Jasper@mpi.com (MIchael Jasper) wrote:
>Hi-
>I am looking at a cordless Firestorm Drill - either the 12 or 14.4 V
>models. (Yes, I'm aware of concerns about B&D reliability, but this
>will be for light household project use (eg putting together a
>sandbox)- probably once or twice/month - and the B&D factory store is
>very convenient for me, whereas taking any other brand in for repair
>would be very inconvenient). Also replacement batteries for B&D
>models seem much more reasonable than other brands.
>The 12 V model is lighter and is being offered in a great deal with a
>laser level, but does not have the dual speed/torque range offered on
>the 14.4 V model or the quick change chuck. I figure I can get a
>quick change system to make up for the chuck, but obviously not the
>speed range. I would appreciate comments on whether the low speed
>range is worth the extra money for this kind of use. If I go for the
>12 V model, will I regret not having the 0-400 rpm range for driving
>screws?
In my opinion the low speed is a must for driving screws. It's hard
to keep the bit from jumping out of the slot/socket at high speed. I
could make do with the slower drilling if it only had low speed, but
not the other way round. Just my opinion.
jim
___
Have a home upkeep question? Try my help page.
It's sort of an alt.home.repair FAQ. http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair
Posted by Tim Davis on July 22, 2003, 11:16 pm
If you only own one cordless drill/driver you would certainly lose out by
buying a single speed model made by ANYBODY. The low range is absolutely
necessary for many screwing tasks and convenient for all. Availability of
local repair service is generally not an issue with reasonably well
maintained modern electric power tools. Absent deliberate abuse, these
tools' useful life will probably long outlast the majority of their owners'
use for them.
For what it's worth, I own the following electric power tools (as many as I
can remember sitting here at the computer):
7 1/4" Ryobi circular saw (Industrial rated framer's saw from 1984)
8" Makita portable contractor's table saw
Makita reciprocating saw
Makita 3 hp 1/2" router
DeWalt 5" 18v trim saw
Craftsman 10" radial arm saw
Craftsman 1 1/2hp 1/4" router
14 gallon ShopVac
Bosch jig saw
Delta Rockwell 10" bandsaw mfg. in 1938. Like new on custom legset.
Makita 9.6v 3/8" VSR driver/drill
Makita 7.2v 3/8" drill
Ryobi 3x24 belt sander
Rigid 12" thickness planer
Ryobi detail biscuit jointer
Bosch reciprocating trim saw
WorkForce 7" sliding table wet saw
DeWalt 1/2" 18v VSR drill
DeWalt 3/8" corded VSR drill
Ryobi 10" benchtop drill press
Millers Falls 1/2" industrial hex-shafted hammer drill (a monster)
DeWalt 5" heavy duty angle grinder
Craftsman 3hp 4 gallon compressor (to drive framing, trim, brad and staple
guns)
I'm sure there are a few others...I guess what my point is, is that if you
have an interest in fixing things yourself, buy what you need when you need
it and you'll always have it. I'm 50 years old and some of these tools I've
owned many, many years.
BTW, laser levels or any other on-tool "alignment guides" are generally
worthless. Wear good eye protection (hearing protection too) and physically
observe directly where your cutting tool is working and you'll be much more
accurate. Trust me on this.
"jim evans" wrote:
> >
> >I am looking at a cordless Firestorm Drill - either the 12 or 14.4 V
> >models. (Yes, I'm aware of concerns about B&D reliability, but this
> >will be for light household project use (eg putting together a
> >sandbox)- probably once or twice/month - and the B&D factory store is
> >very convenient for me, whereas taking any other brand in for repair
> >would be very inconvenient). Also replacement batteries for B&D
> >models seem much more reasonable than other brands.
> >
> >The 12 V model is lighter and is being offered in a great deal with a
> >laser level, but does not have the dual speed/torque range offered on
> >the 14.4 V model or the quick change chuck. I figure I can get a
> >quick change system to make up for the chuck, but obviously not the
> >speed range. I would appreciate comments on whether the low speed
> >range is worth the extra money for this kind of use. If I go for the
> >12 V model, will I regret not having the 0-400 rpm range for driving
> >screws?
> In my opinion the low speed is a must for driving screws. It's hard
> to keep the bit from jumping out of the slot/socket at high speed. I
> could make do with the slower drilling if it only had low speed, but
> not the other way round. Just my opinion.
> jim
> ___
> Have a home upkeep question? Try my help page.
> It's sort of an alt.home.repair FAQ.
http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair
Posted by Tomcat14 on July 23, 2003, 8:50 am
> If you only own one cordless drill/driver you would certainly lose out by
> buying a single speed model made by ANYBODY. The low range is absolutely
> necessary for many screwing tasks and convenient for all. Availability of
> local repair service is generally not an issue with reasonably well
> maintained modern electric power tools. Absent deliberate abuse, these
> tools' useful life will probably long outlast the majority of their owners'
> use for them.
>
I agree with Tim. Don't buy a piece of junk. Why settle for anything
less than variable speed, not just two speed? You can drive a screw at
high speed if you are careful, but variable speed makes for fewer
slips. If you're just making sandboxes maybe it doesn't matter.
Posted by JM on July 22, 2003, 4:14 pm
quoting:
>I am looking at a cordless Firestorm Drill - either the 12 or 14.4 V
>models. (Yes, I'm aware of concerns about B&D reliability, but this
>will be for light household project use (eg putting together a
>sandbox)- probably once or twice/month - and the B&D factory store is
>very convenient for me, whereas taking any other brand in for repair
>would be very inconvenient). Also replacement batteries for B&D
>models seem much more reasonable than other brands.
http://www.toolup.com/productinfo.asp?ID=DW926K-2&Man=Dewalt
Dewalt is serviced by D&B, btw.
>The 12 V model is lighter and is being offered in a great deal with a
>laser level, but does not have the dual speed/torque range offered on
>the 14.4 V model or the quick change chuck. I figure I can get a
>quick change system to make up for the chuck, but obviously not the
>speed range. I would appreciate comments on whether the low speed
>range is worth the extra money for this kind of use. If I go for the
>12 V model, will I regret not having the 0-400 rpm range for driving
>screws?
http://www.toolup.com/productinfo.asp?ID=DW926K-2&Man=Dewalt
Dewalt 9.6v is somewhat more powerful than firestorm 12v.
Firestorm 18v = Dewalt 12v
Firestorm = more weight
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>I am looking at a cordless Firestorm Drill - either the 12 or 14.4 V
>models. (Yes, I'm aware of concerns about B&D reliability, but this
>will be for light household project use (eg putting together a
>sandbox)- probably once or twice/month - and the B&D factory store is
>very convenient for me, whereas taking any other brand in for repair
>would be very inconvenient). Also replacement batteries for B&D
>models seem much more reasonable than other brands.
>The 12 V model is lighter and is being offered in a great deal with a
>laser level, but does not have the dual speed/torque range offered on
>the 14.4 V model or the quick change chuck. I figure I can get a
>quick change system to make up for the chuck, but obviously not the
>speed range. I would appreciate comments on whether the low speed
>range is worth the extra money for this kind of use. If I go for the
>12 V model, will I regret not having the 0-400 rpm range for driving
>screws?