Pianotech

I have to replace my drill. It's a lower end Dewalt, and has done a good job. (Brushes are no longer available.) 

Anyone have a drill that they really love? I don't do a lot with a drill, but need it to work well when I use it.

Anyone use this drill from Harbor Freight?
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill

Harbor Freight Tools		remove preview
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill The magnesium gear housing of this drill is stronger than steel yet 34% lighter than aluminum. This magnesium VSR power drill has an all-ball bearing motor for exceptionally long life. The glass-filled nylon handle on this magnesium VSR drill provides a secure grip and won't dent, rust or crack. View this on Harbor Freight Tools >

(Don't hate on me for looking at a HF tool. If it works decent, I'd rather spend $35 instead of $60, especially if parts won't be available when it breaks in 15 years.)

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

hi John,
i have bought several tools at Harbor Freight, only to find out that -most of them at least- are of lesser quality; that's why they are cheaper. The only things that have lasted so far, are some moving dollies and a shop lift crane.
Personally, i love Bosch tools. i bought a DeWalt drill some 15 years ago, have used it a lot and it is still doing a great job. i think i paid maybe $70 for it, so certainly not high end, but still running strong.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2019 11:17
From: John Formsma
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

I have to replace my drill. It's a lower end Dewalt, and has done a good job. (Brushes are no longer available.)

Anyone have a drill that they really love? I don't do a lot with a drill, but need it to work well when I use it.

Anyone use this drill from Harbor Freight?
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill

Harbor Freight Tools		remove preview
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill The magnesium gear housing of this drill is stronger than steel yet 34% lighter than aluminum. This magnesium VSR power drill has an all-ball bearing motor for exceptionally long life. The glass-filled nylon handle on this magnesium VSR drill provides a secure grip and won't dent, rust or crack. View this on Harbor Freight Tools >

(Don't hate on me for looking at a HF tool. If it works decent, I'd rather spend $35 instead of $60, especially if parts won't be available when it breaks in 15 years.)

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

In general Harbor Freight sells what I call "disposable tools". That said, I bought their $20 drill about 6 years ago and it still works, probably because it's a spare that I use maybe twice a year. It's not something I'd ever be able to use to build a deck...it just makes the occasional small hole. I'd say I've gotten my money's worth. And yet every time I walk into a Home Depot I always have to stop and drool a bit in front of the new Brushless drills. Oh. wait, you said "corded". Nevermind, ignore me. I know I've got an old corded drill at the bottom of my tool cabinet, but I haven't used it in years.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2019 15:53
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

hi John,
i have bought several tools at Harbor Freight, only to find out that -most of them at least- are of lesser quality; that's why they are cheaper. The only things that have lasted so far, are some moving dollies and a shop lift crane.
Personally, i love Bosch tools. i bought a DeWalt drill some 15 years ago, have used it a lot and it is still doing a great job. i think i paid maybe $70 for it, so certainly not high end, but still running strong.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2019 11:17
From: John Formsma
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

I have to replace my drill. It's a lower end Dewalt, and has done a good job. (Brushes are no longer available.)

Anyone have a drill that they really love? I don't do a lot with a drill, but need it to work well when I use it.

Anyone use this drill from Harbor Freight?
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill

Harbor Freight Tools		remove preview
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill The magnesium gear housing of this drill is stronger than steel yet 34% lighter than aluminum. This magnesium VSR power drill has an all-ball bearing motor for exceptionally long life. The glass-filled nylon handle on this magnesium VSR drill provides a secure grip and won't dent, rust or crack. View this on Harbor Freight Tools >

(Don't hate on me for looking at a HF tool. If it works decent, I'd rather spend $35 instead of $60, especially if parts won't be available when it breaks in 15 years.)

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

For removing pins and such, I use a corded Makita ½" drill. For everything else, 18v one+ brushless Ryobi ½".

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2019 00:02
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

In general Harbor Freight sells what I call "disposable tools". That said, I bought their $20 drill about 6 years ago and it still works, probably because it's a spare that I use maybe twice a year. It's not something I'd ever be able to use to build a deck...it just makes the occasional small hole. I'd say I've gotten my money's worth. And yet every time I walk into a Home Depot I always have to stop and drool a bit in front of the new Brushless drills. Oh. wait, you said "corded". Nevermind, ignore me. I know I've got an old corded drill at the bottom of my tool cabinet, but I haven't used it in years.

------------------------------
Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2019 15:53
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

hi John,
i have bought several tools at Harbor Freight, only to find out that -most of them at least- are of lesser quality; that's why they are cheaper. The only things that have lasted so far, are some moving dollies and a shop lift crane.
Personally, i love Bosch tools. i bought a DeWalt drill some 15 years ago, have used it a lot and it is still doing a great job. i think i paid maybe $70 for it, so certainly not high end, but still running strong.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2019 11:17
From: John Formsma
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

I have to replace my drill. It's a lower end Dewalt, and has done a good job. (Brushes are no longer available.)

Anyone have a drill that they really love? I don't do a lot with a drill, but need it to work well when I use it.

Anyone use this drill from Harbor Freight?
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill

Harbor Freight Tools		remove preview
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill The magnesium gear housing of this drill is stronger than steel yet 34% lighter than aluminum. This magnesium VSR power drill has an all-ball bearing motor for exceptionally long life. The glass-filled nylon handle on this magnesium VSR drill provides a secure grip and won't dent, rust or crack. View this on Harbor Freight Tools >

(Don't hate on me for looking at a HF tool. If it works decent, I'd rather spend $35 instead of $60, especially if parts won't be available when it breaks in 15 years.)

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

I had to dispose of a nice Dremel just because I could no longer get the old battery type. And even if you can, it may not be worth it.

Battery-powered hand tools of all types have really improved in recent years with the use of lithium batteries. I've had good success with Ryobi and Rigid brands, including a nice rechargeable hand vacuum. Big improvement over the old Dustbusters.


This could be a great subject for entire month of the TTT section of the Journal: What great lithium rechargeable power tool(s) have you recently discovered? Big Larry flashlights have been covered, but I see Nebo has some new models.

thanks!

------------------------------
Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2019 11:17
From: John Formsma
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

I have to replace my drill. It's a lower end Dewalt, and has done a good job. (Brushes are no longer available.)

Anyone have a drill that they really love? I don't do a lot with a drill, but need it to work well when I use it.

Anyone use this drill from Harbor Freight?
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill

Harbor Freight Tools		remove preview
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill The magnesium gear housing of this drill is stronger than steel yet 34% lighter than aluminum. This magnesium VSR power drill has an all-ball bearing motor for exceptionally long life. The glass-filled nylon handle on this magnesium VSR drill provides a secure grip and won't dent, rust or crack. View this on Harbor Freight Tools >

(Don't hate on me for looking at a HF tool. If it works decent, I'd rather spend $35 instead of $60, especially if parts won't be available when it breaks in 15 years.)

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

Festool is a other brand worth checking into. Great tools!
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2019 11:05
From: Scott Cole
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

I had to dispose of a nice Dremel just because I could no longer get the old battery type. And even if you can, it may not be worth it.

Battery-powered hand tools of all types have really improved in recent years with the use of lithium batteries. I've had good success with Ryobi and Rigid brands, including a nice rechargeable hand vacuum. Big improvement over the old Dustbusters.


This could be a great subject for entire month of the TTT section of the Journal: What great lithium rechargeable power tool(s) have you recently discovered? Big Larry flashlights have been covered, but I see Nebo has some new models.

thanks!

------------------------------
Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2019 11:17
From: John Formsma
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

I have to replace my drill. It's a lower end Dewalt, and has done a good job. (Brushes are no longer available.)

Anyone have a drill that they really love? I don't do a lot with a drill, but need it to work well when I use it.

Anyone use this drill from Harbor Freight?
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill

Harbor Freight Tools		remove preview
3/8 in. Heavy Duty Magnesium Variable Speed Reversible Drill The magnesium gear housing of this drill is stronger than steel yet 34% lighter than aluminum. This magnesium VSR power drill has an all-ball bearing motor for exceptionally long life. The glass-filled nylon handle on this magnesium VSR drill provides a secure grip and won't dent, rust or crack. View this on Harbor Freight Tools >

(Don't hate on me for looking at a HF tool. If it works decent, I'd rather spend $35 instead of $60, especially if parts won't be available when it breaks in 15 years.)

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

Original Message------

Festool is a other brand worth checking into. Great tools!
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

yup...sh..ty tools are such a frustration. The supposed "economy" of cheap, is not an economy at all...one always ends up paying what one should have paid in the first place, plus the cost of the lousy tool. I've been there many times, and always had the same frustrating double cost outcome.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-08-2019 19:08
From: John Formsma
Subject: electric corded drill recommendation?

Thanks to all who have responded! Everything was helpful. I'll get something other than HF. If this new one lasts 15 years like the old one, it's less than $5 a year for a better tool. Not much over time for better stuff.

John Formsma, RPT

New Albany, MS

Original Message------

Festool is a other brand worth checking into. Great tools!
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------