People look at me for a sec, then laugh when I tell them I don't want my place to become a loser magnet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

I was cleaning the gutters and tightening things down up on the roof the other day, and dropped my 2 month old Craftsman 19.2 volt drill from the second story onto the concrete patio. It bounced about 10 feet in the air, and stuck in the ground.

I went down the ladder, tried it out, and wouldn't you know, works fine and nothing is bent or cracked.

Not bad for a $89 drill. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Maybe I'll go with Craftsman then. They have 24v (I think?). One thing I noticed with the Cman drills, is that they seemed a lot heavier than others...but I really need "dropped from the roof" durability, and that price is MUCH less painful.

Great thing about Sears, very generous return policy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

No doubt, but I wonder how they'll be if it's an electric tool?

FYI...

For you who like craftsman tools...
Most craftsman serial numbers tell you who the actual manufacturer is. I don't recall the details but you can look it up online to figure out who makes what.

For those that don't like Ridgid, they used to make most of the older craftsman products that most tool lovers love due to their ruggedness. Then Sears found a cheaper & lower quality power tool source, namely Ryobi.

I purchased one of their smaller Ridgid table saws (below) and have had no issues using it whatsoever and because it folds up, I can easily store it in my apartment.


In addition to Ryobi other tool manufacturers also oem their tools to Sears to be branded as a Craftsman power tool.

In my own experience, B&D is fine for most general home projects but I wouldn't recommend it for commercial use since alot of the key components (gears, etc.) are made of plastic so they wear alot quicker.

That said, most tools today are decent tools if you keep in mind their design criteria. In my experience I can confidently say that Ryobi & B&D are "cheap" home use tools and not contractor grade tools.

From my experience, I believe Ridgid's larger tools (table saws, drill presses, etc.) are definitely contractor grade products. I say larger tools because I haven't tried at their "new-ish" line of hand tools.

not a problem, I have a craftsman 18V drill and it was run over by my neighbour when he borrowed it to install a door. I brought in the pieces, and they handed me a new in teh box one. Just make sure you have all the pieces, and the receipt. I have some porter cable equipment(saws), some makitas (a 9.6V drill and a sawzall), and some craftsman stuff. I would never use new B&D stuff, but my grampas all metal 1970's stuff is still good. I wonder why they took such a slide in quality?

Plainly and simply?... I believe it's because we don't demand that level of quality. Most tool buyers are ok with buying a tool and replacing it in 5-10 years and most will never "over-use" their tools in this time.

Hey Stony, there is only a one year warranty for the Craftsman drills. I love my craftsman screwgun, and have put it through so much abuse it's insane! Still running strong as the day I got it. I don't know if it's a steady price now, but I got mine for $89...came with the drill, 2 19.2V batts, and a swivel head light.

By the way, why would you need a 24V cordless drill? If you need that much torque, you are better off getting a corded drill. The 19.2V's have over 400 in. lbs.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm leaning toward Cman at this point.
Brown, I don't "NEED" 24v, I just thought it would be cool to have, and when guys start talking about their cordless drills, I could say "I've got a 24v" (and grunt in Tim Allen fashion. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />