Who here knows a lot about power tools?

[Radosny Matka]

I want to buy my almost 8 year old a drill for Christmas. What would be a good drill for an 8 year old? I've been looking on Amazon, but it's so confusing. The reviews are so mixed. I was thinking cordless, but I don't want the battery to die in a year. I was planning on spending no more than $50. Any suggestions? TIA!

[bec28]

K, so I don't know much at all about power tools :giggle but dh got this at ikea, and it seems to work fine :shrug I'd how long it will last, but it might be an option if you don't want to spend a lot. And you have access to an ikea store.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00196101/#

[cbmk4]

I only know a little about power tools, what I have picked up from my dad. His expensive Ryobi cordless drill loses power. I think he has to charge up the extra battery all the time. I have a nice drill with a cord which probably didn't cost more than $40.00. I have never had a situation to need a cordless one, especially since a long heavy duty extension cord is pretty cheap and can connect to an outside electrical outlet.

[Autumn]

I love my cordless drill and way prefer it to my corded drill. The corded one has a bit too much power and hurts my wrists when it torques when the screw is almost all the way in, so I wouldn't suggest it for an 8-year old. I've had the cordless one for quite a while and have never had trouble with the battery not charging. I use it pretty often.

I'll look to see brands and come back :cup

[Sparrow]

My DH is a contractor, and likes Dewalt. I think they're pricey, but you can get good deals now and again. I think I got him one for Christmas a few years ago on sale for $59.99. He prefers is cordless too. A rechargeable battery usually lasts him eighteen months, and he uses it heavily.

[cro]

What an awesome gift idea! :rockon

What kinds of projects would he be using the drill for? How often will he use it? (don't have to answer, just something to consider) For most jobs that *I* do, the cordless (Ryobi) doesn't have enough power or I don't let it charge long enough. So when I'm drilling thru plaster or whatever, I usually go for my corded Black & Decker. :rockon

But if your ds is just doing smaller wood projects, then a cordless drill would do the job and you won't have to worry about him damaging the cord. And something like this (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=202512478&R=202512478) would be lighter than something like this (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=203447014&R=203447014) (see the battery pack at the bottom?), which would make it easier for him to use.