Deck building drill dilemma - what's the best drill for the job?

Hey folks, I'm planning to build a 12x16 deck in my backyard this spring. I need a new drill for the project. I'll be drilling pilot holes for lag bolts, driving screws, maybe some metal brackets. I've been looking at cordless options. Should I go with a 12V or 18V? What brand? I don't want to break the bank, but I want something reliable. Any advice?

Don't even think about 12V for deck framing. You need an 18V (or 20V max if you're going Milwaukee/Dewalt) for driving long screws into treated lumber. Get a brushless model if you can afford it - they've got more torque and battery life. I'd look at a compact driver with a separate impact driver. That'll make your life a whole lot easier.

Carl's right about the impact driver - it's a game changer. But for pilot holes, you might also want a standard drill with adjustable clutch. You'll be drilling at an angle sometimes for those ledger bolts, so a compact, lightweight drill is nice. Me, I'm a fan of the Bosch 12V for light stuff, but that's for furniture. For deck, listen to Carl. And for budget, check out Ryobi - the HP line isn't bad for DIY. You can get a combo kit with a drill and impact driver for under $200.

I built my shed last year with a 20V Dewalt I got on sale. It did great. I only had one battery, so I ended up running back and forth to charge it. Make sure you get at least two batteries if you're doing a whole deck. And spend a few bucks on good drill bits - the cheap ones will just burn out on pressure-treated lumber.

Thanks for the tips guys! I'll probably go with the Ryobi combo since I'm on a budget. But what about drilling for lag bolts - should I use a spade bit or a forstner? I've seen people swear by those countersink bits too?