What type of drill to buy?

[Dan Kramer]

1/2" low r.p.m. Dewalt from the HD. Getting a good number a years on both of 'em.

[Beaux]

another vote 4 the hole hawg. It's a arm breaker.

[scuttlebuttrp]

I use the Dewalt D handle. It works fine, but It's only because I never have time to order the Makita D handle. My first Makita lasted about 10 years; bought used at a pawn shop for $35.

[dhagin]

that little thing might work for a little grout gueuze, but for full bags of thinset ya need something with some guts.

[java]

Dewalt drill.

Not a mixing drill per-say but it works. When I bought my first one (currently on second one) the tool guy said "That thing won't mix thinset for very long."

Lasted 7 hard yrs. Second one is going on 4yrs and doing fine.

I don't like the big D handle mixing drills.

[Sanjuro82]

I have a Hole Hawg that powers my Bucket Mortar Mixer when mixing up Deck Mud. It's probably 20+ years old. It gets abused to hell and back and it's still going strong as ever.

For Thinset I use a Harbor Freight heavy duty 1/2" drill
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93632

Had it for about a year now and it's still going. I'm pretty sure I bought it for 39.99 (on sale) with a 2 year replacement plan. Since it was so cheap, I don't have to worry about abusing it. So far it's taken everything I've thrown at it. I recommend it, at the price I paid, it's a true bargain.

When mixing grout I either use my Makita 18V or use the Harbor Freight.

[MudMaker]

Just luv it...

[Jhereg]

I've got a Jepson as my backup drill that I used for like 8 years before I got a Ridgid. Ridgid's plenty strong and never bogs down on me. I took a trip down to do some work on my sisters place and forgot it, and he had a hole hawg for me to use. That thing is a beast. I think it'd last 100 years. If mine ever burns up I'll get a hole hawg. My lead guy uses the Dewalt and loves it, though he never saw the hawg

[Lazarus]

Neal~ Since you "came clean" about the HF drill, I will too. I snapped the shaft on a Milwaukee a couple of years ago, in the middle of a job and needed a quick, cheap replacement. Picked this up..

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47991

...and it absolutely refuses to die. With a spiral mixer, it chews through grout, thinset and floor mud with ease. Goin' on three years now...if it breaks, they replace it...if it "walks away," what am I out? About $40.00...

[Bill Vincent]

I don't know why some of you are having the problems with the Milwaukees. I've owned Dewalts, Makitas, Porter and Cables-- none of them lasted more than 6 months to a year for me. I've had two the same as Richie's (RD Tile). One lasted me almost 5 years. When it broke down, I took it in, got it fixed , and offered it to Adam and bought myself another one, which I've now had for 2 years. Adam decided he likes the Dewalts (because of the reverse for cleaning the paddle), so my first Milwaukee sits on the shelf as my spare now.

[dhagin]

You're right about HH's lasting 100 years, Chad. This one's not quite there yet, but I've got no doubt it'll make it.

[Bruce Johnson]

Felt the need to respond back. This drill is made in the european area, Gemany etc. not china.
Milwaukee 1/2 -in Heavy Duty 9amp dual torque hammer drill from CPO Milwaukee

[mossypath]

I love my Milwaukee heavy duty Right angle 1/2 D handle drill . You can't bog it down . The speed on it is just right . and I lay the body of the drill against my hip so the strain is not in your arms .

[laddy]

Wow, these are some serious drills. I didn't realize that a specialty drill to solely mix thinset was required.

I think I am going to use this as an excuse to pick up a quality cordless set, and just mix less thinset each time.

Now the cordless decision

18V?

Dewalt

Rigid

Milwaulki

makita

Porter cable

Hytachi

Probably just get the drill and driver pack. Already have corded sawzall, circ saw, grinder and flash lights, but it may be nice to have everything cordless. Hmm…

Any suggestions on a cordless pack?

[cx]

Makita LXT series. Hands-down.

My opinion; worth price charged.