Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site hao.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwrba!cepu!hao!band From: band@hao.UUCP (Peter Bandurian) Newsgroups: net.rec.wood Subject: hand drills Message-ID: <1323@hao.UUCP> Date: Fri, 4-Jan-85 00:33:19 EST Article-I.D.: hao.1323 Posted: Fri Jan 4 00:33:19 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 5-Jan-85 04:36:26 EST Distribution: na Organization: High Altitude Obs./NCAR, Boulder CO Lines: 39 (is this line still needed?) I am a beginning woodworker. I am in the market for a good hand-held drill. I currently own a B&D Holgun. It looks to be about twenty years old, the bearings are noisy (recent repacking didn't help) and, it is strictly one speed with no reverse. It is rate one third of an amp, 1000 rpm. How does one choose a hand drill? Looking through what local hardware stores offer and through the catalogues of Leichtung and Woodworkers Supply (of N.M.) I see that one can get variable speed drills with maximum no load speeds from ~500 rpm to ~2800 rpm. The size (ie, the maximum power capability) isn't necessarily correlated with the maximum speed. Presumeably, these do correlate with the intended use. Thus, let me ask, what do you look for in a drill if you intend to (in no particular order)? a. Drill hardwood. b. Drill softwood. c. Drill steel. d. Drill aluminum. e. Use it as a grinder. f. Use it for sanding. g. Use for driving screws. To further complicate matters both Leichtung and Woodworkers Supply indicate a liking of the B&D professional over the 'well known Japanese imports'. The only such I know is Makita. The hardware store people say, 'The B&D pro is unreliable and a bit fragile. The Makita is very tough and reliable. Of course if you want tough and reliable, get a Milwaukee.' (They carry Skil, Porta Cable, Makita, B&D, Milwaukee, and Hitachi. It's an amazing place. It's called McGuckins.) My experiences with B&D have been from so-so to awful. I've been frustrated by lousey tools and I want to be sure to get one that will meet my needs. Thanks in advance. Peter Bandurian ucbvax!hplabs!hao!band decvax!brl-bmd!hao!band seismo!hao!band