Harbor Frt Cordless Drill or Impact

beemerphile1 wrote:
I have been happy with many HF tools but the cordless stuff is junk. I use Dewalt cordless tools exclusively for work. I bought a Ryobi 18v li-on for the trailer. After 18 months it is already getting noticeably weaker.

I agree.

I use Dewlat Cordless tools exclusively for Home. If you watch Lowe's you can pick up a Dewalt 18V with 2 batteries, charger and case for around a hundred bucks. Usually around Christmas and Fathers Day.

You get what you pay for.

I have a HF 1/2" drill that has worked fine for the last 2 years. They no longer have the model I use. I believe that some are trying to use 3/8" drills that spin too fast and have less torque.

The key is having jacks that work smoothly and not trying to lift the trailer. I follow up by hand adjusting the last little bit.

It depends on how many tools you want to buy for the purpose. The HF drill/impact driver may get you by for a while but their tools are noted for early failure.

I use cordless tools to make a living so I have a different outlook on durability. The last set I bought ended up being 18v Lithium from Ridgid, Home Depot's brand. I bought them for one reason---everything in the set is guaranteed for life, the tools, the batteries, and the charger. Two other advantages to the Ridgid set were the highest torque of it's class for the impact driver and the price, lowest for it's class.

I've used the Ridgid set for a few months and they are performing well. I would recommend them for any light --> medium use.

I have been happy with many HF tools but the cordless stuff is junk. I use Dewalt cordless tools exclusively for work. I bought a Ryobi 18v li-on for the trailer. After 18 months it is already getting noticeably weaker.

I bought the 18v from Harbor Freight since I did not want to take my 18v DeWalt XRP, the HF one will get the stabilizers up&down but not much else. If I use the DeWalt it wants to lift the trailer.

Drills work ok but last winter I got a LI-battery powered impact gun from harbor freight and it works much better..

I purchased an 18v drill from Harbor Freight just for the stabilizers because I didn't want to take my Bosch 18v drill camping. Well I tried the HF drill once and threw it on the garbage. I now take my Bosch drill camping. It wasn't a total waste because the drill came with an LED light. The HF LED light is a great light for camping and use around the house.

I have not tried a battery powered one on the TT yet. I own several drill\drivers in different brands and sizes.

My favorite is not a drill\driver. It is the Ryobi One+ 18 volt impact driver as far as use around the home. I have Lithium ion batteries (4) with my one+ tools though.

I grab it over anything else I own. It will hammer slightly if something is stuck.

I do own a few HF electric tools..they are not great. Most were given to me.

I use a cheap 18V (but not Harbor Freight) for mine. I found the old Makita 9v doesn't have the power, nor does the 12v Dewalt.

I would recommend an 18 to 24v Lithium, or at least one of the biggest battery, you want one with lots of Torque. I see the cheap 18V from HF is 84 ft-lb, while the more expensive is 225 ft-lb.

I don't see where impact would help