The only thing that came close, in my opinion, was the Dewalt set for $99 that includes 2 batteries

Yup... that's exactly what I've got. And I'm very happy with it too. The batteries charge real quick and last quite a bit.

​

 

Bits are definitely a case of you get what you pay for. Cheap bits dull or break quickly if you drill into anything harder than wood. I've had good luck with bits made from cobalt alloy.

The smallest bit size I've seen is 1/16". What exactly does 3/8" or 1/4" chuck mean? Does it mean the maximum diameter of the part of the bit that goes into the chuck? The diameter of the 1/16" bit is less than 3/8". I assume that the chuck will close small enough to hold the 1/16" bit, right?

Do you have any idea what it costs to sharpen bits? Would it be cheaper to replace the bit rather than sharpen it? I assume that a given bit can only be resharpened a limited number of times. Would Lowe's or Home Depot sharpen drill bits?

The difference between 3/8" & 1/4" is 1/8" For hobby work do I get a 3/8" or a 1/4"?

 

The labeled size is the largest bit the chuck will hold.
Most 3/8th chucks will clamp down on a 1/16th bit.
For smaller sizes, use a pin vise.

Do you have any idea what it costs to sharpen bits?

It's free for me. All it requires is a bench grinder and good eyes.

Would Lowe's or Home Depot sharpen drill bits?

I don't think so.

For hobby work do I get a 3/8" or a 1/4"?

3/8th
The only drills I have seen with a 1/4 inch chuck are awfully weak.

 

The labeled size is the largest bit the chuck will hold.
Most 3/8th chucks will clamp down on a 1/16th bit.
For smaller sizes, use a pin vise.

It's free for me. All it requires is a bench grinder and good eyes.

I don't think so.

3/8th
The only drills I have seen with a 1/4 inch chuck are awfully weak.

I don't have a bench grinder.

Interesting! 3/8" is only 1/8" bigger than a 1/4". I wonder why there are 2 size chucks only differing by 1/8".

I wondered about jewelers drills but they are manual.

 

3/8" is only 1/8" bigger than a 1/4".

Trust me, it makes an important difference.

 

Do you have any idea what it costs to sharpen bits? Would it be cheaper to replace the bit rather than sharpen it? I assume that a given bit can only be resharpened a limited number of times. Would Lowe's or Home Depot sharpen drill bits?

You can resharpen until you run out of flutes.
If it is not damaged you can tune it up with a oiled emery stone with patience if no bench grinder available.
The clutch comes in handy if using small taps down such as 2mm etc.
Many large cities have machine tool resharpening service, they should be able to accommodate drills.
Max.

 

Ni-cad batteries have a memory effect. They wouldn't be my 1st choice. So, Harbor Freight is ruled out.

Unless your batteries were made 40 years ago memory effect is little more than a myth now/ Especially so regarding high power NiCad cells like what are used in cordless tools.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/memory_myth_or_fact

Personally I prefer Craftsman 19.2 tools but I rebuild their crap batteries with good quality NiMH cells from here.
http://www.all-battery.com/index.aspx

Also, very few LiPo cell batteries work in the cold (and those that do are spendy) which were I live means that for half the year there is a good chance that that a LiPo based battery wont work outside.

 

Do you have any idea what it costs to sharpen bits? Would it be cheaper to replace the bit rather than sharpen it? I assume that a given bit can only be resharpened a limited number of times. Would Lowe's or Home Depot sharpen drill bits?

It costs me about 10 seconds of my time in a bench grinder with a fine grit wheel.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drill+bit+sharpening

 

Macnerd, no offense meant, but have to ask this. How does someone get to retirement age(from your original post) and never own a drill? And again no offense, but this is seeming more and more like you are trolling us.

 

How does someone get to retirement age ... and never own a drill?

Man, now I'm certain you've never met my brother...

 

Man, now I'm certain you've never met my brother...

Or my brother-in-law, I believe he did own a screwdriver....
Max.

 

Or my brothers-in-law; they have boxes of tools and then call in a workman to use them!

 

My neighbor, who is otherwise a skinflint, had his push mower in the trash at the end of his driveway. He said he was on his way to buy another mower. I asked what was wrong with it, and eventually showed him how to clean the air filter - without any tools needed - and now it's good as new.

He's an engineer.

How does an engineer get to middle-age and not have the chops to fix a dirty air filter on a lawnmower?

 

One instance that prompted lots of ribbing was when my B.I.L. had wall to wall carpet fitted and found that he had a problem with now being able to close the door smoothly so he asked to borrow my hand plane, with some trepidation I lent it him and soon after got a call he had a problem.
Evidently he took the door off and planed away with a pile of shavings for proof.
Replacing the door it had made no difference.
The scene was repeated a few times with no success.
I think you know where this is going!
After arriving he showed me the still sticking door, I raised my glance to the top of the door where there was a nice ventilation gap the whole length of the top.
Max.

 

After arriving he showed me the still sticking door, I raised my glance to the top of the door where there was a nice ventilation gap the whole length of the top.

A great example of what my dad used to tell me: "If you think something is foolproof, you just haven't met the right fool".

 

I don't wish to pick on him, but another one for said B.I.L. was when he bought his first auto, an old Morris clunker, now these like many UK cars of the time were fitted with a electric fuel pump that pumps up to pressure and cuts off until pressure drops etc.
After a certain age the pump tends to stick off just at the wrong time.
Someone showed him where the pump was and to give it a sharp rap when it happens and away you go for another several miles.
This worked fine until he replaced the junker with a later model junker.
One day the car stops as though out of gas, of course the answer is the electric fuel pump, the problem was, unbeknown to him this model had a mechanical type pump.
So after unsuccessfully trying to get it going I get a call to go and rescue him.
On arriving he has the hood up and the wheel wrench in his hand beating all heck out of the poor ignition coil, which he had identified as the electric fuel pump!
Max.

 

no offense meant, but have to ask this. How does someone get to retirement age(from your original post) and never own a drill? And again no offense, but this is seeming more and more like you are trolling us.

Sadly VERY..VERY common..
I know many people that can't even hang a picture on a wall...

 

While they don't sharpen bits, they both carry drill bit sharpeners.

 

Although there are tool bit and saw blade sharpening services in most cities, it cost around $50.00 for a All-In-One knife/chisel/drill bit etc multi sharpener etc.
Max.

 

Wow, guy's I've never known anybody, even women that didn't have some tools. Know a lot that can't use them properly but...