There's been some good news of late for the  housing industry, including a 7.2 percent  increase in existing-home sales for July, the fourth consecutive month of positive sales. But manufacturers that support the construction industry are still feeling pinched.

Bobcat Company, which makes light-construction equipment, announced this week that it will be closing its Bismarck, North Dakota plant; 475 jobs hang in the balance as the company juggles positions at a neighboring plant. "We are facing a huge economic challenge and we need to adapt,"  said Rich Goldsbury, president of Bobcat Americas.

To avoid downsizing, other companies are highlighting existing models or developing new ones that appeal to a wider market. That can be a boon for you. In our ongoing tests of cordless drills, we're seeing some major brands emphasize products for the homeowner market. Porter-Cable, for example, has been known for heavy-duty—and often hefty-priced—power tools. But its new 18-volt PC180DK-2 drill costs just $100. Better yet, it's holding its own in our drilling-speed and torque tests.

While Porter-Cable is not abandoning the contractor market, Frank Andrew, director of marketing, wrote in an e-mail that "the Porter-Cable line is designed to serve [a] crossover segment: pro users or DIYers who want performance for tough jobs, but cannot justify the expense of industrial-grade tools."

Whatever you call it, a power tool that delivers pro performance at consumer-friendly prices is a good thing in our book. Watch the video above to learn about drills that provide heavy-duty performance at  lower prices (ratings available to subscribers).—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Look for our latest report on cordless drills in the November 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands in October.