I'm building a deck and want to buy a nice screw gun. Was at Home Depot yesterday. The selection of brands, models, and features is mind boggling....DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Metabo, etc....please advise! 
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Edumacate me on rechargeable screw guns/drills....
- Thread starter G-Mac
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Get a hammer drill in 18v or 20v. I'm partial to Dewalt but there are other great mug's. (you can probably use google to find a recent comparison test). Have at least 2 batteries. Driving deck screws all day is a workout for the tool.
OP
I do already own a nice Makita hammer drill....plug-in type. Is it going to be worth paying for the hammer option on the rechargeable? Not sure if I'd use it?
I've built a number of decks in the past,get a good one,it's hard on them.Depending on the material and a need for a pilot hole,two are better than one (and your back and knees[emoji33])
fixitfred
Member
Get the one on sale and the one with the cheapest replacement/upgrade batteries. Consider it a lucky day if you catch a rep hawking his brand then get him to make you a deal or no deal.
No, not a hammer drill but an impact driver. An impact driver is made for nothing but driving screws, and is totally worth it. You hardly have to push on the driver because the impact feature does most of the work for you, as opposed to using just a regular cordless drill where you have to apply strong pressure.
I'm partial to Home Depot's 18V Ryobi brand because they have a ton of tools that use the same battery. Be sure you like the brand you decide on because the batteries are not interchangeable between brands.
Ryobi ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Driver Kit-P881 - The Home Depot
Besides the single tool, Home Depot always has multi-tool sets that combine several together for a substantial savings over buying separately (and they are often on sale). Here's a good set. It is so handy to be able to pick up a circular saw and cut a 2x4 without having to unwind an extension cord.
Ryobi ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver, Impact Driver, Reciprocating Saw and Circular Saw Combo Kit-P1875 - The Home Depot
You'll also want extra batteries and I recommend the double-size Lithium ones. They also go on sale from time to time.
Ryobi ONE+ 18-Volt High Capacity LITHIUM+ Battery (2-Pack)-P122 - The Home Depot
I also like the Deckmate deck screws that Home Depot sells. They use a Torx style recess that is stronger and resists stripping better than a Phillips type recess.
Deckmate - The Home Depot
Jeez, I sound like an advertisement for Home Depot!
Last edited:
da gimp
Member
We own 2 sets of the Craftsman 19.2 drill & right angle drill combos.. love their power they'll seat 4" torque heads thru a 2X4 into a 100 year old oak 2X4 for a long time... that's a lot of power. Down sides are these, weight they are very heavy & bulky, a holster for them that goes on your tool belt (with suspenders) is a must... We recharged the batteries within 24 hours of intended use, .. they will not hold the charge for months or even weeks...
A friend bought one of the new small Milwaukee's, it has nearly the power, it has 1/3 the weight & the batteries seem to hold the charge for a very long time... but it costs way more than the Craftsman...so it depends on your pocketbook, & how much weight will be a factor in your decision. After removing the bit holder, Jim's Milwaukee will fit in his back pocket in an emergency.
No matter which brand you buy, get at least 2 extra batteries... it sure helps on larger projects.
A friend bought one of the new small Milwaukee's, it has nearly the power, it has 1/3 the weight & the batteries seem to hold the charge for a very long time... but it costs way more than the Craftsman...so it depends on your pocketbook, & how much weight will be a factor in your decision. After removing the bit holder, Jim's Milwaukee will fit in his back pocket in an emergency.
No matter which brand you buy, get at least 2 extra batteries... it sure helps on larger projects.
kozmic
Member
Gordy, my guys use 20v DeWalts. We have been transitioning up since the 9.9v days and have used most of the different manufactures. I have to replace tools often enough that we stay pretty current. The new 20a DeWalt tools are beasts. They are getting smaller and lighter and way more powerful.
We can usually have the DeWalts rebuilt a couple of times before we retire them. DeWalt also has some great trade-in programs thru out the year, so even our tools that are totally roached still have trade-in value. They also run battery specials a couple times a year (usually like a 2-fer-one thing). Batteries get really expensive.
For your needs I would suggest a drill/driver kit with (2) 4ah or 5ah batteries. The 1ah and 2ah batteries are ok for small tasks, but will struggle to get you through bigger projects. The larger batteries will give you longer runtimes and if you rotate them in the charger you should be able to set deck screws all day without down time. You'll need a different excuse to take a break!!!!
You might want to check your local commercial tool suppliers. I have a Home Depot a par 4 down the road, but usually find comparable deals with the local guys and I'd much rather support them. If you have any questions, those folks are way better to answer them than the typical Home Depot grunt, if you can even find one to talk to!
I bought a couple of drill/driver impact kits on line last winter. The price was just too cheap to pass up (maybe at Tool Depot?). Our DeWalt service center still services them (in and out of warranty) so I didn't fear buying on line.
PM me if your son is still up this way. I getting ready to trade-in some dead old 18v tools for new 20v. I'm sure I have an old dead thing floating around I can trade in for you. Savings seem to be around 75-100 bucks! He can grab it at my shop if that would work for you!
Good Luck my friend!
We can usually have the DeWalts rebuilt a couple of times before we retire them. DeWalt also has some great trade-in programs thru out the year, so even our tools that are totally roached still have trade-in value. They also run battery specials a couple times a year (usually like a 2-fer-one thing). Batteries get really expensive.
For your needs I would suggest a drill/driver kit with (2) 4ah or 5ah batteries. The 1ah and 2ah batteries are ok for small tasks, but will struggle to get you through bigger projects. The larger batteries will give you longer runtimes and if you rotate them in the charger you should be able to set deck screws all day without down time. You'll need a different excuse to take a break!!!!
You might want to check your local commercial tool suppliers. I have a Home Depot a par 4 down the road, but usually find comparable deals with the local guys and I'd much rather support them. If you have any questions, those folks are way better to answer them than the typical Home Depot grunt, if you can even find one to talk to!
I bought a couple of drill/driver impact kits on line last winter. The price was just too cheap to pass up (maybe at Tool Depot?). Our DeWalt service center still services them (in and out of warranty) so I didn't fear buying on line.
PM me if your son is still up this way. I getting ready to trade-in some dead old 18v tools for new 20v. I'm sure I have an old dead thing floating around I can trade in for you. Savings seem to be around 75-100 bucks! He can grab it at my shop if that would work for you!
Good Luck my friend!
Dewalt 20V with extended run time batteries. Think ahead. Will you ever use an impact driver again after building the deck? If not a regular drill will work fine. If you need to predrill for the deck screws, I would buy the drill/driver set. Assuming you will have help building the deck, one person could predrill and the other could put the screws in. If it's just you it would still be nice not to have to switch bits back and forth.
The regular batteries won't last long enough. The extended run time batteries are expensive but well worth it. And the 20V has all the power and speed you need.
If you just buy the drill keep in mind that the "economy" model Dewalt 20V has more torque but only has 1500 rpm which is the same as the 18V. Step up a model and buy the 2000 rpm model.
I use one everyday on the job. Dewalt 20V with brushless motor and two extended batteries has never failed me. Cost me $200.
ETA: the extended batteries did not come with the drill. I bought those separately. They go for about $100 each but if you look around on line you can find them for less. I found a two pack on Amazon for $100.
The regular batteries won't last long enough. The extended run time batteries are expensive but well worth it. And the 20V has all the power and speed you need.
If you just buy the drill keep in mind that the "economy" model Dewalt 20V has more torque but only has 1500 rpm which is the same as the 18V. Step up a model and buy the 2000 rpm model.
I use one everyday on the job. Dewalt 20V with brushless motor and two extended batteries has never failed me. Cost me $200.
ETA: the extended batteries did not come with the drill. I bought those separately. They go for about $100 each but if you look around on line you can find them for less. I found a two pack on Amazon for $100.
Last edited:
Here I am, swimming against the tide. If you use a cordless drill a lot, say a few times a week, they are great. For longevity though, give me a cord. No batteries to charge and eventually replace (especially when the manufacturer changes the voltage and discontinues the old ones), and more power. I was recently drilling concrete with my 14 volt hammer drill. After one hole, the battery was dead. After a second hole, the second battery was dead. The 18 volt did better, but still slower than molasses. Went and got the corded hammer drill, zip, zip zip, done.
I admit cordless drill have their place and convenience, but for a large project like a deck or drywall, give me the cord.
I admit cordless drill have their place and convenience, but for a large project like a deck or drywall, give me the cord.
Here I am, swimming against the tide. If you use a cordless drill a lot, say a few times a week, they are great. For longevity though, give me a cord. No batteries to charge and eventually replace (especially when the manufacturer changes the voltage and discontinues the old ones), and more power. I was recently drilling concrete with my 14 volt hammer drill. After one hole, the battery was dead. After a second hole, the second battery was dead. The 18 volt did better, but still slower than molasses. Went and got the corded hammer drill, zip, zip zip, done.
I admit cordless drill have their place and convenience, but for a large project like a deck or drywall, give me the cord.
No thanks. Been there done that.
I hate cords running all over the place. Me and my neighbor just built a deck. The only cord we had was for the chop saw and radio.
I went with an 18v Ridgid model from Home Depot, free service and batteries for life if you register it within 90 days.
kozmic
Member
No thanks. Been there done that.
I hate cords running all over the place. Me and my neighbor just built a deck. The only cord we had was for the chop saw and radio.
Agreed. My guys typically carry one or two drill/drivers, an impact gun and a hammer gun all cordless. Unless they foresee a need, they have stopped carrying a corded hammer gun and chop saw. We have even started to carry the small cordless DeWalt compound chop saw for small cuts. They usually have 2-4 batteries.
Between OSHA issues and the lack of convenient power, cordless is the only way to go. You can usually find a place to plug in a charger, but running cords or using a generator sucks and kills production. Granted corded tools have their advantages, but not in my world.
Dewalt is what I use at home. Good stuff. Have a small Boush that I use doing assembly on cars when I'm working for someone else. Ridged is getting some real good reviews. I've not used a corded drill in years. That is unless I'm needing to use a 1/2 inch drill.
I stand corrected on the terminology of hammer vs. impact. I'm not a contractor but use the often (as does my wife) and hardly ever grab a corded drill.
I would also note that batteries recharge really fast.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,335
- Reaction score
- 30,286
I've posted about this before but about 3 years ago I sold all 8 of my cordless tools and have none left. I then went and purchased all CORDED tools. I just got sick and tired of running out of battery power after the tools are a few years old. I find that when cordless tools are used often and the battery is allowed to completely run down, they last longer, but when they seldom get used the batteries just don't last or hold a useful charge too long.
When you go to buy new batteries sometimes the replacements cost more than a new tool complete with the case, 2 batteries, a charger and sometimes accessories. Been there - done that!
98% of the time I use power tools either in my basement work shop or inside the house or garage where there are PLENTY of outlets available. The once in a blue moon that I need a power tool up on the roof or in he driveway or backyard, a good old extension cord works just fine for me.
Yes, if I was a professional carpenter, electrician or tradesman cordless tools make lots of sense and allow work to be done in homes with no power available (for what ever reason) and without cumbersome extension cords running all over, but for me old fashion corded tools are just fine and I NEVER worry about running out of battery power or dying batteries that will no longer charge.
My corded power tools are Milwaukee, DeWalt, Porter-Cable and most made in the USA. I went to extreme lengths to find new - old stock tools that were still in their original boxes but made in USA. That was hard as hell 3 years ago, and probably much harder today to find them. Still, the Milwaukee, DeWalt and Porter-Cable brands seem to perform well regardless of C.O.O.
I just got a new DeWalt Angle Grinder ( for Father's Day) and noticed that some of DeWalt's line is now touting "Made in USA (with global parts)". Although that's NOT the same as 100% made in USA , it's at least start.
PS: While many here own and have great luck with the Makita brand - I never have. I've owned two (2) miter saws and a cordless drill from Makita and none of the three lasted me more than a year. Maybe I have just got lemons since everyone else seems to love them, but I would not buy one ever again. By the way, I do believe Makita is now made in China also.
When you go to buy new batteries sometimes the replacements cost more than a new tool complete with the case, 2 batteries, a charger and sometimes accessories. Been there - done that!
98% of the time I use power tools either in my basement work shop or inside the house or garage where there are PLENTY of outlets available. The once in a blue moon that I need a power tool up on the roof or in he driveway or backyard, a good old extension cord works just fine for me.
Yes, if I was a professional carpenter, electrician or tradesman cordless tools make lots of sense and allow work to be done in homes with no power available (for what ever reason) and without cumbersome extension cords running all over, but for me old fashion corded tools are just fine and I NEVER worry about running out of battery power or dying batteries that will no longer charge.
My corded power tools are Milwaukee, DeWalt, Porter-Cable and most made in the USA. I went to extreme lengths to find new - old stock tools that were still in their original boxes but made in USA. That was hard as hell 3 years ago, and probably much harder today to find them. Still, the Milwaukee, DeWalt and Porter-Cable brands seem to perform well regardless of C.O.O.
I just got a new DeWalt Angle Grinder ( for Father's Day) and noticed that some of DeWalt's line is now touting "Made in USA (with global parts)". Although that's NOT the same as 100% made in USA , it's at least start.
PS: While many here own and have great luck with the Makita brand - I never have. I've owned two (2) miter saws and a cordless drill from Makita and none of the three lasted me more than a year. Maybe I have just got lemons since everyone else seems to love them, but I would not buy one ever again. By the way, I do believe Makita is now made in China also.
Last edited:
Farmer17
Member
Get Ryobi on sale at Home Depot, the new Lithium batteries are great and are nothing like the batteries from a few years ago that didn't hold a charge and would die quickly. Ryobi has more cordless tools than anyone and they don't cost much especially if bought in a mulit-tool package. If your deck is large, there is special a drill that is belt-fed with screws and has a long extension so you stand up to drill the screws and it is very fast and you can rent them quite reasonably....unless you just love being bent over on your hands and knees all day.
I have the Craftsman 19.2 volt system. Drill, Impact Wrench, SawzAll, Circular Saw. To keep the batteries fresh and rotated, I bought the AM/FM/Weather Radio, and I rotate the various batteries through. Does all I need to do, which admittedly isn't all that heavy duty, and I have corded and air tools to back up the cordless . . .
I do use a Milwaukee Magnum corded drill for heavy drilling but only when I have too. I've run as much as 200 feet of extension cord not to mention the voltage drop.
When installing deadbolts I can drill several 2 1/8 inch holes in steel doors before changing batteries. And I have a Tripplite inverter in my van to recharge the batteries while I continue to work.
Back in the day we used Makita 9.6 volt drills. Their use was limited because of their lack of power. I can't imagine being without my Dewalt drills these days. It would slow things way down.
Similar threads
