Cordless drill advice for DIYer - Bigger batteries or better drill?

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:29 pm

Hi all

Been looking at a new combi drill and have a bit of a dilemma

Screwfix has a great deal at the moment - Dewalt DCD778 with 2 x 5.0Ah batteries and case for £153 (including extra 10% off)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcd77 ... rill/906kv

This is a brushless drill, 65Nm torque and 1750 rpm.

There is another drill on FFX - Dewalt DCD796 with 2 x 2.0Ah batteries and case for £134.

https://www.ffx.co.uk/product/Get/Dewal ... ll-Kit#FPD

This is similar to above however it has 70Nm torque and up to 2000 rpm.

So the FFX one seems to be a better drill and cheaper too, just wondering whether I should opt for this instead of the Screwfix package. I'll only be using this as a casual DIYer so I'm guessing the 2 x 2.0ah batteries will be sufficient.

In terms of building my collection, having the 5.0ah batteries would be useful if I start getting additional Dewalt bare tools but it's a nice to have, not a deal breaker. I'm happy purchasing corded tools in future if it means I get more power for less money, as opposed to being tied to one brand.

But interested to get your thoughts on what you would do.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:09 pm

Croydon86 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:29 pm
But interested to get your thoughts on what you would do.

Only my opinion, not a technical expert, but the battery amp hours affect how long the charge lasts, not the power of the tool.

A Makita person myself, no experience of DeWalt, and as a DIYer, I use single 3Ah batteries in most tools and they last fine for what I need to do. I do have a pair if 5Ah batteries, I use these in a 36V chain saw (last longer, more work to do) and SWMBO's 36V lawn mower - she can do all the grass on one set, whereas a pair of 3Ah run out half way through.

In neither case, it's no real problem to stop for a break while they recharge.

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:09 pm

There is also a third option, also from FFX.

The better drill - Dewalt DCD796 with 1 x 5.0Ah battery and case for £135.

It would be nice to have 2 batteries but having one long-lasting battery will be more than sufficient for my needs.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:12 pm

Croydon86 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:09 pm but having one long-lasting battery will be more than sufficient for my needs.

You say that now, you wont after you have had the drill for a while. The beauty of two batteries is if you are doing a job, you can plug the 2nd battery into be charged while you are using the first one.

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:12 pm

arco_iris wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:09 pm I use single 3Ah batteries in most tools and they last fine for what I need to do.

Yes if it was 3.0Ah, I think I would have been the sweet spot.

arco_iris wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:09 pm In neither case, it's no real problem to stop for a break while they recharge.

This is what I'm starting to think with the drill with single 5.0Ah battery

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:29 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:12 pm You say that now, you wont after you have had the drill for a while. The beauty of two batteries is if you are doing a job, you can plug the 2nd battery into be charged while you are using the first one.

Oh definitely. I do this now with my current drill. They are only 1.3Ah but last ages. They have died mid-job before and like you say, I simply swap and put the other on charge.

However the reason why I'm contemplating it... this will be a 5.0Ah battery so I'm guessing not only will it last a lot longer than my current 1.3ah batteries, but also I'l make more of a conscious effort of making sure i have enough charge before a job, or even charging at the end of a job, as I know I won't have the luxury of 2 batteries.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:36 pm

Croydon86 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:12 pm This is what I'm starting to think with the drill with single 5.0Ah battery

If you do that, you will buy a 2nd battery, waiting for the only one to charge may sound a good idea, but trust me, it isn't and the only battery you have will go flat just when you don't want it to.
Yes a 5Ah will last longer, BUT your new drill will make it work harder.

Either way, if you buy from FFX try the code bundy10.

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:59 pm

Dilemma over!

Just seen this... The better drill with 2 x 4.0Ah batteries for only £159!

https://www.ffx.co.uk/product/Get/Dewal ... -Drill-Kit

I think this is the perfect balance between power and 2 batteries, don't mind paying a bit more, still is a bargain. What do you guys think?

It was labelled as a hammer drill which is why I missed it earlier in the filtering. FFX website can be a minefield.

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:12 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:36 pm Either way, if you buy from FFX try the code bundy10.

It doesn't work unfortunately :( but thanks anyway

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Tue Oct 12, 2021 8:47 am

As a DIYer, i have done a lot of projects recently refurbing a bungalow. Both in the Garden and in the home - making quite a few items as well.

i purchased the combi drill kit with 2x 3Ah batteries, I also purchased a multitool, which came with 2x 2Ah batteries and I purchased a separate 5Ah Battery, and now have a good selection of cordless tools

Pretty much i use the 2Ah batteries on the Drill & Impact driver, sometimes the 3Ah, as they still last a long while and are light compared to my 5Ah battery. But I find the 5Ah battery to heavy
I understand that with the bigger batteries not only more weight, last longer , but supposed to give more torque , I have not noticed on the drill/impact driver. But on the planer, circular saw , angle grinder, i tend to use the 5Ah battery anyway.

So when up a set of steps, or getting into corners , on the ground etc i find the lightweight and small size of the battery much more convenient.

I have just made a big cupboard , using a lot of pocket hole fittings, masonary bits etc and removed and refitted all the hall doors (7 of them) and had to use a fostner bit on all the door stops for a pieces of moulding.
The Drill & Impact driver , i just checked both have the 2Ah battery fitted and the drill is on 1 bar and the Driver is on 2bar.

I think with the

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:28 am

etaf wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 8:47 amI also purchased a multitool

Mind if I ask which one?

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:31 am

Thanks @etaf that's very helpful.

Yes i've heard that smaller batteries are better for weight, especially being higher up. But then wouldn't you opt for bigger batteries if the price was quite close?

In my link above... Dewalt DCD796 with 2 x 2.0Ah batteries and case for £134.

Would you go for this deal or would you pay an extra £25 and get 2 x 4ah batteries instead?

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:48 am

Mind if I ask which one?

not at all, DCS355 - cheapest one , I purchased all dewalt cordless , as may have been mentioned once you are into a battery system, then it seems to be best to stay all the same.
DEWALT DCS355 came in a kit with a load of blades , sanders etc and T-stak box, 2x 2Ah batteries and a charger , got all from screwfix on good deal, but that was 2018 , prices have gone up considerable now.

I now use Saxton blades , found on a post here, much better value and last a lot longer - Use that a lot also.

But then wouldn't you opt for bigger batteries if the price was quite close?

Probably to be fair, I did go for kits to start with on offer, and did not at that time know much about batteries etc. or the range of kit , just happened to be in Screwfix and a big offer was on the stand, so impluse buy really.
So i dont have the 4Ah battery to compare size and weight. Only 2,3 & 5Ah

I think the 796 is a better quality drill as well, i have the cheapest 778 , been OK , drilled 14mm holes through brick, took a while , and ended up getting an SDS cabled drill , so much better - But the 778 did do it. I was going to get the 996 at a show, 3 speed , but was quite heavy , and decided to wait till this one breaks and see whats around to replace.

BUT I am just a DIYer, NOT used every day as a trade would, although as i say , i have done a lot of work refurbing a bungalow

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:04 am

No mention of Erbauer as an alternative to the above. I've gone with their range as a 'mid point' selection for VFM versus capability. No issues with the drill (or batteries) or the circular saw I have - soon to be getting the jigsaw and the full range of battery stuff they have.

I've always felt the likes of Dewalt/Makita are over-priced and rely on their 'name' more than their ability to do the job. YMMV.

Croydon86 · Post by **Croydon86** » Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:45 pm

kellys_eye wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:04 am No mention of Erbauer as an alternative to the above. I've gone with their range as a 'mid point' selection for VFM versus capability.

Well, if you look at screwfix currently, the cheapest brushless Erbauer combi with 2 batteries is £150 so it would make sense to go for a brand used by pros for similar price. Unless you are talking about a cheaper brushed version, but then you aren't comparing apples with apples.

I disagree that the top brands are just priced high because of the name. The build quality is completely different. It's like saying a Bentley is the same as a Toyota. Both will get you from A to B but are in different leagues.

I do agree though for a casual DIYer this decision is less important and majority are swayed by brand.

I've always liked Makita and wanted to own a Makita line up however when I actually started looking at Makita prices and compared them to brands like Dewalt, I realised you do pay a lot more for Makita whereas in most cases, the Dewalt tools were much better (on paper). So maybe with Makita you do pay more for the name? I know for sure Makita definitely has a fanboy following which I almost fell into.