I love power tools, but I'm admittedly inept when it comes to doing anything but writing about them. Just ask my dad. He has plenty of stories that start off about a father and son building a book case or a bird house or some other stupid thing we would've been better off just buying, and end up in the car on the way to the hospital with an index finger in a Big Gulp cup full of ice. The guys at the magazine knew better than to trust me with something as risky as a power drill torture test, so I'm going to post their fine work.
Hitachi DS18DL $240
Lowdown: It looks like a Transformer’s side arm and wins the power-on-paper test: 1,800 rpm and 570 in.-lb. of torque. Filthy!
Lock breaker: Godzilla powered through the tumblers of a commercial padlock in just 25 seconds.
Hardwood: We bored thick 5/16"x2" lag screws straight into solid oak, a task recommended by none of the manufacturers. But this baby punched the screw through in a mere 9.18 seconds.
Ice: To test grip comfort, weight, and battery life, we crafted fantastical sculptures in 300-pound blocks of ice. Our tester’s “surgically repaired” elbow gave out under the Hitachi’s heaviest-in-test 4.6 pounds before he could complete his masterpiece. .
Verdict: Big, heavy, green—and tough as balls. Recognize.
Skil 2815-02 $100
Lowdown: The cheapest and most American of our drills underwhelms on paper—800 rpm and a battery life of 1.3 amp hours. But is this a 2.5-pound David among Goliaths?
Lock breaker: It took an epic two minutes and 37 seconds before the lock popped. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.…Wait, that’s not impressive.
Hardwood: The Skils’ directions didn’t warn us against drilling into oak. So we did, and 32 seconds later got a smelly, smoky, sparky light show. To its credit, however, the Skil eventually revived. U.S.A.!
Ice: Since its 3/8" chuck couldn’t handle our massive bore bit—oh, grow up—we drilled with a smaller bit for more than half an hour. Do smiley faces count as ice sculpture?
Verdict: Stick to realistic tasks—like distressing denim or fixing Granny’s spectacles.
Makita BDF452HW $200
Lowdown: The sweet combo of Olsenian weight (3.5 pounds) and Mustangian torque (450 in.-lb.) made a nearby pro woodworker drool—before he told us that the kickback would snap our wrists.
Lock breaker: It took 47 seconds of metal-on-metal grinding before the lock popped. Honestly, we expected a better effort.
Hardwood: It forced an oversize screw through the hapless piece of lumber in just 10.78 seconds. Anybody need a coffin—cheap?
Ice: This ergonomically perfect tool flung icy blizzards and bored scores of holes—until its battery died long before any of the others. Luckily, recharges take 15 minutes.
Verdict: Built to be ridden hard and put up wet…from carving a delightful ice unicorn. Don’t judge.
WINNER!
Ryobi P813 $159
Lowdown: Though Ryobi intends its tools for the DIYer, this oddball has specs tough enough for a contractor (1,600 rpm, a 24-position clutch) and a glowing green exterior that’d delight any nu-raver.
Lock breaker: Our ex-girlfriend will be so surprised—it destroyed the lock in 10 seconds! Seriously, it was kind of unsettlingly easy.
Hardwood: A remarkable six seconds. Norm Abram territory, son.
Ice: It was as if Ryobi designed the drill just for jackasses like us. It viciously ripped through the block, then begged us for more. One tester complained about its “odd balance” due to the bulky 2.4 amp-hour battery. Still, his ice likeness of Brian Boitano was awe-inspiring.
Verdict: We have a winner! Ideal for heavy-duty repair jobs at home and in black-lit dance clubs.