Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - cord versus cordless hammer drill

Ok. I got a great cordless 18v Dewalt hammerdrill/driver upgrade for Christmas. Actually I didn't expect my wife to buy me the cordless drill, and the hammer drill option was not necessary. I'm not a contractor. I do typical homeowner repair and some improvement projects (finishing basement and use it outside etc). I will be doing some finishing in our basement this winter and will have some use for a hammer drill. Would it make more sense to buy a cheap corded hammer drill (or not buy one), since I will not use it that much?

It's an expensive drill but I could save myself some cash, or at least buy a corded hammer drill separately. I never thought about buying a hammer drill but I could have used one in the past and renting a few times gets expensive as well.

Also, I know some of the larger stores sell Dewalt (Sears, Home Depot, Lowes) but I noticed that the model numbers are different. I'm assuming the stores have slightly different specs??, or is Dewalt the same everywhere you buy?

Any advice from your prior experiences is appreciated.

Cordless tools are great but you can't beat the constant power from a corded tool. I don't own a hammer drill and I mostly use my battery drills but my electric ones get used when the need for more power or long use arises.

Batteries can go bad from lack of use so IMO it makes more sense to buy electric on seldom used tools. Big box stores often sell tools with 'cheaper' specs than elsewhere.

I'd go corded if drilling masonry - bought a 1/2" hammer drill on sale at Menard's last year for $20.

i personally prefer a corded one. in a corded drill you dont have to worry about power loss (as long as you have a good supply of electricity from you electric distributor).

There's about $10 difference in price between the Dewalt cordless hammer drill and one that does not have the hammer drill option. I've found it's very handy to have the hammer option on the drill when you need it. And regarding the question about Dewalt's model numbers, they really have a lot of different models and types- so many it's almost hard to keep track of them all. Some start with DW... some with DC... and type 1, type 2, etc, identify design changes. I really don't know the difference between some of the models, unless it has to do with the country of manufacture.

I'd keep the drill and be happy you have such a great wife that buys you tools!

thanks for the input. I was looking for some more cordless power and I got what I wanted (my wife's gift really surprised me and I can't complain because you can never go wrong by giving a power tool). I'm going to check out some other prices since I've seen some varying prices for the drills. If we are talking only $10 extra for the hammer drill convenience then I don't have a problem with that. It probably makes sense for me get a cheap corded hammer drill that will stay in my tool box. I'm a big believer in convenience and sometimes that can mean the reliability and power of cords.... I suppose it all depends on what you need the tool for.

I have a miter saw that makes many things go fast. Unfortunately I didn't want to spend the cash on it until I spent forever doing trim work in our house with a miter box and hand miter saw. It just killed me when I had to cut a hair more off to get some pieces to fit right. It seems I have the money for the right tool after the project is complete....or worse, I didn't know the perfect tool for the job existed until after the project was complete.

After using a circular saw to cut and replace some trim, I decided life is too short to screw around with the wrong tool for the job. If a job calls for a specific tool, buy it, borrow it, rent it or hire the job done.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1194AVSRK-2-Inch-Hammer-Drill/dp/B00004SURC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1201649749&sr=8-1

Here is a GREAT corded hammer drill for a really reasonable price. I have used this one for years and have mostly used it for drilling bottom plates into concrete for Tapcons to attach partition walls in basements. You won't be disappointed with this tool!:thumbup: