Drill question

[Vermonner]

Santa Claus was good to me and I received a number of gift cards. So my question: has anyone used the DeWalt 20V max for tapping? I have used the 18V XRP and am wondering if the 20V Max holds up to a hard day of tapping....appreciate your responses.

[Mark]

I have been using the Dewalt 18 volt until I found out the little 12 volt dewalt will drill a hole. With the small drill I have found I can make a more percise hole. Batteries don't last as long but they are light and can keep a few in my pocket.

[lakeview maple]

I use a 12 volt Dewalt I bought on clearance ,it came with 2 batteries and quick charger,for the taps I do ,around 300 it works great.If 1 battery starts getting low I just throw it on the charger and keep plugging along with the other one.

[adk1]

I have a Dewalt 18V XRP Lithium Ion Drill, sounds like the one that you are referring to. I can get through my entire tapping on one battery with enough to spare! Only around 150 or so holes. I cant imagine that the 18V would not be about perfect. 20V means more power and my guess is quicker the battery will drain? Are you using 5/16 or the 7/16" bits? I guess if I were in your shoes, I would keep the 18V that you have and pick up a few more batteries..You should have gotten 2 when you bought it.

[Mark]

I like the 12 volt becuse the 18 volt will torque a little when you hit the trigger and give a out of round hole. The 12 volt is a little slower and I can see the dark wood a little easier if I hit some. My shoulder can't take tapping for weeks with the heavier 18 volt. I try to keep the weight at a minimum including the type of clothing, three or four weeks on snowhoes can take it's toll.

[Meridian Maples]

Just picked up a Milwaukee 18 volt brushless drill with a 4 amp battery. The battery seems to go forever... I used 18 volt drills for years and usually averaged 200 holes per battery charge. The new one will go double that. Isn't very heavy either. I also got the brushless impact and was thinking of getting a drill bit to fit it and see how that would work for tapping. Its a lot smalller then a drill.

[philkasza]

I have heard this past year that I need high bit speed to make a nice clean seal, it that correct? And to also have the drill at high speed before I hit the tree, go as deep as I am going to, pull it back out and THEN let off the trigger. Not changing the trigger in the tree to avoid that torqueing and make out-of-round holes. Does that sound right? I want to learn how to make perfect holes because I am running high vaccum.
Sam

[Mark]

That is about right, give it a try. All I know is that I don't want to use the 18 volt again after using the small 12 volt. The 8 Dewalt 18 volt drills and 40 batteries will now get used about as much as the 3 Tanakas I have somewhere.

[sjdoyon]

http://www.sugaringequipment.elapierre.com/default_en.asp?no=113#video

You should watch this video, will answer your questions.

[adk1]

Yeah, on a three speed drill, the second speed is what you want I beleive.