Just received Aldi's catalogue and saw this 18V Li-Ion impact drill set for $179. I have been wanting to get a drill to do some basic stuff around the house. Nothing professional. I might use it 3 or 4 times a year. Do you recon this would be good enough? If not, what else would you ozbarginers recommend?
Thanks for all the inputs in advance.
i recall seeing a 5 pack of 18v li-on tools at aldi today for a similar amount. it must have been a previous recent deal. it had a drill, reciprocating saw, jigsaw, torch and something else
For such infrequent use I would recommend a cabled drill. It will be much more powerful and reliable and will actually last to get your value out of it, the battery on the other hand will die.
Of course this is of no use if your application requires you to have a cordless drill.
I haven't tried the aldi drill, but if its anything like my ryobi (yeah I know) it will be fine. The li-ion batteries are a massive improvement over nicad. Almost Full power until they stop and need a charge, not like nicad that gradually fade away. I've used my ryobi batteries in drill, hedge trimmer and reciprocating saw with no issues.
Having owned many recharegable items including tools, I'd suggest not buying one, and getting a corded one instead unless you're a tradie. I understand the attraction of buying something cordless. But rechargeable batteries are designed to be used, recharged, and used again. And then with an Aldi tool, where do you get replacement packs (or a charger) when it dies.
I think I paid ~$80 for my Makita 240V drill with a keyless chuck. I've had it probably ~ 10 years and I use it every couple of months. No recharging, no batteries to fail that I can't find replacements for. It will probably last another 10 years at least.
I also have a cordless drill I purchased, used infrequently, only to find the battery had failed. It's like new, but of course it's now useless. I only keep it because I store loose sockets and spade bits along with it in its case. That's ~$150 down the drain.
If you want cordless because you expect you'll use it up a ladder, etc. - great - you'll also be buying a long extension cord that can be used for lots of other things.
Thanks everyone for the inputs. I needed something cordless and ended by buying a Ryobi kit that was on special at Bunnings.
I think so, yes. The Taurus Titanium (always red color) is their "top range" stuff, usually designed by a German company. Made in China as with everything and yes, I believe they're excellent quality.
The blue Taurus is their average/cheap quality branding which I find is plenty good for the price also, but the red stuff is noticeably better.
Some of their tools are also decent as well - if you look closely, some carry the German company markings on them (SomeGermanName GMBH, European standards logos, etc) same with the powertools.
Always bugged me that last year Aldi sold this "5 pack" of good quality power tools (same as this years pack I think) which was actually just a rebranded german name brand kit which other stores were selling for $500+, yet Aldi had it for $199 and eventually discounted to $99! The only difference, literally, was the sticker. Of course by the time I found this out I had already bought my powertools kit :(
So yes, tools are often a great buy at Aldi.
Plus theres the zero-questions return policy (60 day?) so you can't lose.