My wife found this 2 drills for a awesome price after black Friday but I don't know which one to keep! I've heard a lot good reviews about then both but which one do you think will be the better one? The black & Decker has a nice case and I know the craftsman has more accessories! I usually do small work around the house. Tough decision!

Is it ok to use a not-so heavy duty drill to mix drywall mud. I tried using a cordless drill and it used up all battery power in less than a minute. The only corded drill I have is a light duty drill that I use mostly for woodworking. Would using this drill ruin it?

Also, any tips on the mud to use for knockdown texture on the ceiling. Should I use the same stuff I used to tape the seams, buckets of all purpose (green top) already mixed mud? And how much water should I add to a bucket of this.
Any suggestions on what amp drill I should be looking at

I am a first time home buyer.... actually haven't even closed on the house yet. I have a little bit of construcion experience and feel pretty confident doing most home improvement jobs. In my new home I am planning to completely remodel a bathroom, finish the basement and possibly add a deck in the future. What should I look for in a cordless drill that will allow me to do a wide variety of projects. I will be needing to drill into pressure-treated decking, drive screws into drywall and cement board, and would like to be able to drill into cement a little bit to fasten studs.
So far I was looking at possibly getting an 18 V drill such as the Ryobi P203 which I saw was rate very highly by Popular Mechanics:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/4292657.html?page=2

I also wouldn't mind a package with multiple power tools

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tools/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xitZarfe/R-202025185/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I am also wondering how effective a drill like that would be for drilling into cement (I won't require much drilling into cement). Do I really need a hammer drill?

Any advice would be appreciated... what would be good for my projects?

Also I was wondering what is better a Black & Decker and a Hitachi. I would like to thank all who take the time to answer and if you have personal comments on your tools I am welcome to hearing them.

Thanks

So I bought myself a 26 gallon air compressor & it came with a free impact wrench & I picked up an air ratchet. So far i like it allot but have not realy used the tools except to test them real quick & hear that cool sound.

I'm going to be working on my motorcycle mostly but I bought a new shed to store it in and I am building up my tool collection from scratch just so i have them.

Anyway my delima now is I have no power tools other than what i already mentioned and am looking to buy some. I am wondering if i should just buy all air tools now since i have the compressor of if I should buy corless 18v power tools. For instance i know I need a drill. maybe a saw, dremel, grinder, sander. The basic stuff.

What do you think i should do?
Is pneumatic better for some tools but cordless better for others?

Would cordeless be more practical & versitale, or should i utilize my compressor since i have it.

I always go over the top & was looking at a nice Dewalt combination cordless 18v combo set. I want good stuff, is 18v from a major brand like Dewalt good enough for weekend warrior? I know the air tools pack a nice punch so thats why I am confused on which direction to go. Do they sell air tools in nice combo sets too that arn't crap?

Thanks!

Next to a restaurant in my neighborhood is a 2005 Fuji League that's abandoned and locked up with both a U-Bolt lock & a thick chain to a parking meter. Both the police & the restaurant owner have told me, in writing, if I can cut through the lock...it's mine. I want to get it before it turns into a rust bucket. Tires are worn out. Other than that, not too bad.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2005&Brand=Fuji&Model=League&Type=bike

WLE. Small town. Everyone knows everyone. No one has claimed the bike in about 2 months.

I need something that will be pretty strong and reliable, but i wont use it too much, so i dont need drills from companies like DeWalt and Black and Decker...
Is this an OK drill?:http://cgi.ebay.com/Maxsuma-HI-TORQUE-18V-Volt-Cordless-DRILL-DRIVER_W0QQitemZ200268031003QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200268031003&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1199|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
Thanks for the fast replies. I dont care if it is cordless or not because i actually want a drill with a cord(i feel it will be more reliable, energy wise). Please if there is a cheap reliable drill, please post a link. thank you so much.

Okay, I cannot afford a good cordless drill, so now I am looking at electric (corded) drills. I'm sure that the same things apply to corded drills as to cordless drills. However, on corded drills it appears that the power is measured in amps rather than volts. How many amps do I need to drill through wood and seat crews without stripping them? I went to Lowe's and see that an 8 amp Dewalt corded drill is .00 dollars as compared to an 18 volt Dewalt which is approx. 0.00. I know corded is not as convenient as cordless, but my budget is .00, (so I also need to think about the cost of an indoor/outdoor extension cord.)
Okay, now I'm confused. Dan H says that his Ryobi and Black and Decker are used in daily construction, which I assume is pretty heavy and active use. However, other people are saying that Ryobi's and B&D's have plastic internal parts and won't hold up. Which info. is correct?