A great performer for the money.
Written: Jan 23 '01 (Updated Jan 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good cost to value ratio. It performs well.
Cons: Battery run time shorter than some other 12v models/brands.
The Bottom Line: This drill is a great value for the money. All the bells and whistles of a model costing twice as much.
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| tinman132's Full Review: Ryobi Cth1202k2 12v Cordless Drill/Driver Kit |
After reading some of the other reviews here (both pro and con) I think there might be some confusion about the model being reviewed here. We are talking about the model CTH 1202. If you paid about $79 bucks for that drill (unless it's a rebuilt or some killer sale) you probably have a model 1201... they are quite different. I am fairly sure the 12v batteries are not interchangable between the two models (the 1202 having a longer amp hour battery than the 1201).
That said, here is my take on the CTH 1202. I purchased the drill on an emergency basis. I had just sent a Milwaukee down two stories onto a concrete slab, breaking 1/2 of the housing. I needed another cordless and I needed it now.
I looked at the model 1201 (that $79 dollar drill) and quickly ruled it out for various reasons. After looking over the 1202, I purchased that drill kit.
First thing I liked was the two snap in holders for driver bits. They actually held the bits fast and were still easy to remove. Second, I liked the feel of the plastic housing (it had sort of a non-slip grip feel).
The excess of clutch settings is great for anyone who tends to strip or "cam out" screws. The two speed settings and variable speed were also something I had become used to having as standard on a drill... and the Ryobi performed well with respect to these. The batteries charge quick enough in the provided fast charger, usually less than an hour.
One problem I have (if you can call it a problem), is that I kept comparing it to he afore-mentioned drill that I dropped (since they were both 12v). I noticed that the Ryobi did not have the same amount of run time on a charge as the other. Also the other drill had more torque. However, the "other drill" was unusable until I bought another housing half. Not to mention that "other 12v drill" cost twice as much.
When I stop comparing, I find the Ryobi CTH 1202 to be a very respectable tool in it's own right. It gets the job done and it has the features that more expensive drills have. By the way, mine was one of the first models with the "new" or different keyless chuck.
I have absolutely no problems whatsoever getting the chuck to tighten and grip. You can tighten the chuck by hand or by holding it and triggering the drill in forward (the latter best done on speed setting "1"). You can feel the chuck "click" two or three times and lock down on the bit.
It was bought as an emergency replacement tool, but it now gets lots of daily use on the job. It won't retire my Milwaukee cordless drills, but the tool is a great value for the money.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tinman132
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Location: Central Florida
Reviews written: 25
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Contractor, carpenter and cabinet builder.
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