The SLMan Guide To… Electric Drills

MARTIN SAYS…

There are seven elements you want to consider when buying a drill…
 

1. Type 

There are five main types of drill you can choose from:

Power screwdrivers
Often cordless, these are made for tightening loose screws in confined spaces and quickly assembling flat-pack furniture. They are, however, purely for screwdriving – they cannot drill holes.

Drill drivers
These versatile machines not only drill holes into wood and metal – they are also screwdrivers. Drill drivers are great for putting up shelves and hanging pictures.

Combi drills
Ever popular, the combi drill is a drill driver – with an additional hammer-action feature. That means it’s good for drilling into masonry and brick too.

Impact drivers
Think of this as a heavy-duty screwdriver for repetitive or larger screwdriving projects. It includes a mechanism to reduce the impact on your wrist by doing more of the hard work for you.

Hammer drills
These powerful units are suitable for drilling hard substances like concrete and masonry. Go to a hammer drill for more heavy-duty jobs like putting up shelves or securing gutters in place.
 

2. Cord Vs Cordless 

Corded drills are often lighter than their cordless cousins because they don’t have a heavy battery pack. However, cordless drill are more popular for indoor DIY jobs because they give you greater mobility – you can take them anywhere without having to tow an extension cable behind you.

3. Battery 
Cordless drills are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which charge quicker (often in under an hour) and hold power for longer. You can often reduce costs by using the same battery for other power tools from the same brand.

4. Speed 

Ideally you want multiple gear options so you can change the speed of the drill depending on the material you’re drilling into. A low speed is ideal for driving screws or drilling into softer materials like wood; a higher speed is better for drilling into harder materials like stone.

5. Extras 
There are lots of possible extra features, including a trigger-activated LED light, a hook for storage, an auxiliary handle – to improve safety and accuracy – and a handy belt clip. You also want a drill with a brushless motor. This will reduce friction and heat build-up, giving you better control and a faster speed. It also increases the lifespan of the tool.

6. Comfort 
Your drill’s grip should feel comfortable to hold, with an ergonomic design. If you’re going cordless, bear in mind the weight of the battery as well as the drill. Some tools will feel light until you add the battery in.

7. Price 
Drills start at £40 and can go up to several hundred pounds. Combi drills are often expensive because they have more features. Cordless drills can be sold either as a standalone drill with battery and charger; a bare drill with no battery or charger; or as a collection, with a range of tools in a kit.

For more info, visit DIY.com