I’m about to embark on a bit of a furniture-building kick. A bookshelf first, since I’m tired of stacks of books on the floor since my books finally made their way back here from Ontario. Then probably a bike rack (this will be the third time for this particular item - I keep leaving them behind when I move - and I’ve got the design down very nicely, if I do say so myself). And finally a computer table/desk sort of thing, which will be an innovative new design and has only taken nebulous shape in my mind so far.
Anyways, construction will be from pine for the bookshelf and desk, probably just spruce for the bike rack, and will involve a lot of wood screws. And so, I’ve decided it’s time to get me a drill. I mean, here I am, 33 years old, and I’ve never owned a drill. It’s shameful. However, the drill budget is very limited. Much as I’d like a 14.4v DeWalt, it’s just not going to happen. I don’t like buying cheap tools, but the combination of my discretionary income and the amount I’m going to use this thing just don’t justify spending more than, say, Cdn$75. So I was at Home Depot today, and the options look to be as follows:
$50 Basic corded 3/8" variable speed reversible, in a B&D, Skil, or Ryobi
$60 for a corded Ryobi as above with a clutch
or a low end cordless - there was a B&D 14.4v for 60 bucks, with only one battery pack, appeared to be bottom end, below the Firestorm models, and, a Ryobi for a bit more, two battery packs, but was, if memory serves, just a 9.6v.
Now, I’m leaning heavily towards a cord, since the projects I have planned won’t require so much as an extension cord. But in the longer term, a cordless is more versatile, and I’m curious if anyone has anything positive to say about lower end cordless drills. I’m also curious if a clutch is worth 10 bucks. I don’t have much experience with them, and haven’t ever had much trouble driving screws to the depth I want without one, but I can see how it might be handy.