Ten Tools Day 4 (about 3 weeks late!)

Sorry this is so late but we are going to pick up where we left off.  My fourth out of ten tools we all need in our bag is a cordless screwgun.  This could be the most valuable item in my bag.  I started out with a 12v Dewalt that worked well but sometimes just didn't have the power I wanted so I upgraged to an 18v Dewalt.  I stuck with the NiCad batteries for both.  I also got the Dewalt 18v impact driver which I love.  It is smaller and has more torque than a regular drill driver.

I have recently got on the smaller is better kick.  We carry our tools all over our properties every day and, frankly, I am tired of breathing hard when I get to that third floor apartment.  So I switched to a smaller tool bag, smaller hammer, smaller tape measure, and a smaller drill.

 Just this week I got a Rockwell RK2510K2.1 12v drill.  This is what I would call a "pocket driver" although it may be just a little too big for that category but it is still many times smaller and LIGHTER than Dewalts that I used before.  I am very impressed with this drill, it has no problem driving 3" screws, drilling countersunk holes, pretty much anything I need from it.  I don't know if it would put some 3/8" lags into a deck but short of anything heavy duty like that it is awsome.

                                                 

I think every maintenace tech should have a drill/driver in their tool bag.  There are many things you just can't do without them and cordless is the way to go.  Be sure to look carefully at the jobs you do and be sure you find the right tool.  There is nothing more disapointing that spending big money on a tool and find it won't do everything you need.  I think you need to seriously consider a name brand, contractor grade drill for this purchase.  I have owned Harbor Freight and Menards specials (not to say anything bad about the store they sell the Rockwell drill I am so excited about!) and they just don't handle the abuse for very long, they don't have the power of a heavy duty drill, and the batteries don't last near as long.  If all you have is enough for an off brand don't hesitate to get it but, if you can, save a couple weeks and get a Dewalt, Porter Cable, Craftsman, Rockwell, or any of the other name brands you won't regret it.

I would also like to put a link to a website I used to find this drill.  The website is called Tool Select.com and offers real world reviews of different tools.  I have been using this site for about two months now and have found it very helpful.  It allows you to compair tools and review them.   Its nice because all the tools are right there instead of having to search a few different web sites.  While their database is far from complete they add new stuff pretty often.  Also, for every tool you review you earn points toward a host of things in their store and its free!  They also have a great discussion board that covers everything from electrical to plumbing to fun tool talk.   Check it out!

Updated 11/3/2013:  Toolselect.com is no longer running.  I believe their website is still active but I don't know for how long.  I will be doing some research over the next couple weeks to try and find a new source for unbiased tool reviews, until then make sure you read customer reviews before you buy your tool, or post a comment below and I will let you know if I've used the tool or not.