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Discussion Forum

Is 2000 RPMs on a cordless drill useful?

| Posted in Tools for Home Building on October 21, 2003 06:05am

Still trying to figure out if I want to go DeWalt of Bosch on an 18V cordless combo kit.  So far I’ve figures this out:

-For $500 I can get a 4 piece DeWalt or 5 piece Bosch, the extra piece is the jigsaw, Adding a Jigsaw after the fact costs ~$250.
-The 5 piece DeWalt kit is $600
-The DeWalt drill feels better in my hand because of a slightly thinner handle
-The Bosch tools are heavier, which makes me think there are some higher quality parts, or at a minimum, more metal and less plastic (ex: clutch on drill)
-The DeWalt flashlight seems more useable since it has the slinky neck.

Now the DeWalt drill is the only 18V drill on the market that is 3 speed, the 3rd speed being a 2000 RPM mode.  The Bosch, and all other models seem to top out around 1400RPM.  My question is, how useful, if at all, would a 2000 RPM mode be?  What would it be useful for?

I’m having a hard time thinking of good reason as to why I’d sacrifice a $250 tool (cordless jigsaw) in going with the DeWalt kit.  While I do like the feel of the drill better, I can get used to the Bosch.  The Jigsaw would be a nice tool to have, but if there is something profoundly better about 2000 speed RPM on a drill, or DeWalt in general, I’d love to hear it.  So far I’ve heard more people say go Bosch over DeWalt.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    IMERC | Oct 21, 2003 06:27am | #1

    There is no comparison between the Bosch and the DW. The Bosch will be around a lot longer than the DW.

    There is a link some where around here for a free Bosch saw if you spend X # of dollars.

     

    Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

  2. CAGIV | Oct 21, 2003 06:32am | #2

    http://forums.prospero.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=35863.1

    If you can buy the Bosch on Amazon they will throw in a free saw.

    1. ESM | Oct 21, 2003 06:45am | #3

      I think you guys just made up my mind.  I think I'd be a fool to toss up the jig saw, a free 7.5" circular saw, and a free 15 minute battery charger. 

      Thanks for that link, I can even get it shipped free, just have to wait about 2 weeks.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Oct 21, 2003 06:50am | #4

        Why 2 weeks? 

        Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

        1. CAGIV | Oct 21, 2003 06:56am | #5

          Because the order/shipping time indicator on amazon say "usually ships in 1-2 weeks"

          DUH!

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Oct 21, 2003 07:03am | #6

            Call them direct and narrow it down to 3 or 4 days. 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          2. CAGIV | Oct 21, 2003 07:04am | #7

            they can't ship what they may not have.

          3. joeh | Oct 21, 2003 07:27am | #8

            I walked out of a supplier one day and the Bosch rep had some of those drills out. He said "Try one" and I pulled the trigger on one that was stuck in a board. Had a ship auger on it. Auger stood still, drill whapped me on the hip pretty good. It's a torquey bugger.

            2000 RPM is good for burning up bits faster, making dull ones from sharp ones.

            Joe H

  3. Lateapex911 | Oct 21, 2003 08:34am | #9

    As an owner of some Bosch cordless drills, and the borrower of a Dewalt or two, I would buy the Bosch again.

    And since they are giving their tools away, it's a win-win-win.

    I'm trying to find something I need that is $300!

    Jake Gulick

    [email protected]

    CarriageHouse Design

    Black Rock, CT
    1. CAGIV | Oct 21, 2003 08:35am | #10

      need?

      did you say need?

      Need is NOT relevant when purchasing tools.....

      1. Lateapex911 | Oct 21, 2003 09:13am | #11

        heh heh...well, you do have a point!

        So what cool Bosch tool would you buy?  I have a  Bosch 10" slide mitre saw, jig saw, port. table saw, 5" sander, 4" belt sander, a couple cordless drills, a laminate trimmer, a Milwalkee holeshooter, a Skil wormdrive, a Ryobi (sorry!) 3hp router, a Dewalt 13" planer, their biscuit joiner, compressor and a couple Dewalt stands.

        So, what's left that a guy like me who does a little bit of everything could use?Jake Gulick

        [email protected]

        CarriageHouse Design

        Black Rock, CT

        1. butch | Oct 21, 2003 11:46am | #13

          $300.00 should buy you a Fein Multimaster, with some attachments. 

          For remodeling , Don't leave home without it.

  4. PhillGiles | Oct 21, 2003 09:26am | #12

    Just so that the little question doesn't completely disappear; IMHO, high-RPMs are handy for sanding disks, polishing bonnets, wire brushes, small grinding bits, ... that sort of thing.

    .

    Phill Giles

    The Unionville Woodwright

    Unionville, Ontario

  5. ahneedhelp | Oct 21, 2003 03:29pm | #14

    If you use a Kreg jig a 2000-rpm drill is recommended for the pocket holes.

    Their demonstration video as well as the instruction mention the necessity to use a corded drill that can reach this speed.

    Most cordless drills do not.

    I do have a Makita corded drill for this purpose but did not bother to check my 18-V dewalt, which by the way has given me excellent service. But I am not in the trade and it doesn't get the daily abuse and heavy usage of a pro.

  6. User avater
    JeffBuck | Oct 22, 2003 01:40am | #15

    aside from the Kreg Jig ...

    I just got my latest big tool order last week ... which included a reconditioned DeWalt 14.4 with the 3 speed ... I got this one simply bacause I wanted the extra run time batteries ... actually getting new batteries was mainly the reason I bought the drill.

    For just a few bucks more ya get 2 new batt's plus a new drill ....

    So I'm working away in my basement steel stud framing job ... almost finished with the old 2 speed drill .... show up with the new ... and the electrician goes nuts! He borrowed a buddies drill just like it and fell in love ... so I say I gotta charge the new batt's but feel free to use it thru out the day.

    At days end ... as I'm screwing together a bulkhead ... he asked why I'm not using the new one with the 3rd speed .... I say this old one's fine ....

    He forces me to drive some screws with the 3rd speed ....

    LOng story short ..,... the drill I bought with the 3rd speed I thought I'd never use ...

    Hasn't been set OFF 3rd speed since!

    It's freaking fan-tas-tic!

    Drives those self tappers into the steel like butter ... and drives the drywall screws thru the wood and into the steel studs even better.

    Told him he could use it till they were done for showing me the light.

    I now have a helper that's been coming after his day gig and on weekends ...

    and he loves the new drill too.

    I ain't going back.

    I'm a 3 speed guy for life.... have fun pushing on the bosch......ya got mislead!

    Jeff

    Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

     Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

    1. ESM | Oct 22, 2003 02:55am | #16

      I appreciate everyones input, I ordered the Bosch 5 tool combo pack from Amazon last night.

      While the 3 speed drill from DeWalt would have been nice, I could not overlook the cordless jigsaw in the Bosch kit and the free 7 1/2" circular saw on top of it.  Another 10 days or so until I get my tools however, but I saved a bundle since I don't have to pay tax ordering it online.

      If the DeWalt 5 combo kit was $499 and not $599, I just may have gotten it, but I'm a dollar minded buyer and a good deal is a good deal IMO.

      Question: If 3 speed drills are such a wonderful thing, why aren't the other manufacturers producing revised cordless models with 3 speeds?  DeWalt seems to be the only one.

      1. Tapcon | Oct 22, 2003 04:05am | #17

        I have had the DeWalt 18v for about a year now. I got it to replace my 14v that lasted about 6 years. I'd need a pretty good reason to switch to another brand. Too bad most of DWs other products have these quirky and sometimes annoying traits.

        BTW, the third speed is good to have.

        Anyway, you made your choice already so there's no use in harping on the subject.

        Enjoy the Bosch. It will serve you well.CARPEnter DIEM

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