A Bit About Cordless Drill
You might be a weekend-warrior, tackling DIY projects around the home or you might be a professional builder, responsible for constructing homes and offices on a daily basis. Regardless of your title, a cordless drill is a vital addition to your toolbox.
Switching from a standard corded to a cordless drill allows for the freedom to access even the most remote area without the burden of being tethered to an outlet or the danger of becoming entangled in furniture, building materials or your own ankles. Also known as drivers, drills have the capacity to bore holes or secure screws in all types of materials. Keep several charged batteries on-hand to ensure that you never run out of power needed to complete your carpentry, remodeling, and DIY projects.
The benefits of a cordless drill a twofold. An impact driver type drill allows for the ability to smoothly secure a screw into place, regardless of the thickness of the wood or the length of the screw. The staccato impact action delivered from the drill reduces the amount of torque on the wrist and the possibility of stripped screws. Conversely, removing old or rusted with ease is as simple as reversing the rotation direction on the cordless driver.
The impact feature kicks in when met with resistance, causing the desired hole or screw to be completed without the use of exhausting physical force. Additionally, the innovation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries ensures a longer run time without a loss of power. Lithium-ion technology is also energy efficient and cost effective. Batteries can be charged and recharged for an extended amount of time without requiring replacement and you will see a difference in your utility bills. The initial investment of a quality drill, bits, and other accessories may seem excessive up front but the long-term savings are priceless.
Finding the right cordless drill means looking at what you want jobs you want to do with it. A basic drill is good for putting furniture together or drilling small holes, and more advanced drills offer extra power to put bigger holes through tougher materials without issue. All good cordless drills have a full range of different features like comfortable design, long-lasting batteries and a company with excellent customer support in case of a problem.
When determining a decent drill from an exceptional power tool, speed and torque are two major factors. You want to find a drill with high RPMs because higher speeds are better for drilling holes. Having a drill with multiple speed settings helps get the job done right because you can switch between high speed for hole drilling and lower speeds for driving screws. DeWalt drills will last longer & probably give more power (torque) in many instances.
Torque is defined as the measurement of a drill’s turning force and is how the industry determines the strength of a drill. You want to find a drill with a higher torque rating to ensure it can drill into hard surfaces. Top cordless drill models operate at high speeds and have a high torque level. This combination makes them very versatile. Basically, you can use drills with this combination as a drill or screwdriver for all your toughest projects.
In recent years a different rating system, called power, has been employed by some companies to determine a drill’s overall capabilities. Power is measured in unit watts out or UWO. This measurement considers a drill’s speed and torque together. These companies say that the higher UWO rating a drill has, the faster it performs certain functions. When a company uses this rating system, they generally do not release their drill’s torque ratings and they say there is no way to directly compare power and torque.
The last thing to look for is that the drill has at least 20 clutch settings. These settings are used in screwdriver mode so you don’t make your screws too deep or strip them. The more clutch settings the drill has, the better you can achieve the specific amount of force you need to drive a screw to the correct depth. Want to drive screws or bore holes with ease? PORTER–CABLE drills are known for their reliability and affordability.
When getting a drill, you want to look for one that is comfortable, light and has many different features to make your job easier. Look for one that has an ergonomic, lightweight design that is well balanced when you hold it. You also want a drill that isn’t too top-heavy and distributes the weight evenly. Choosing an ergonomic drill means selecting a drill that is lightweight (under 5 pounds), and carries the weight above and below the grip, ensuring a more balanced, comfortable hold. Whether you are doing a professional job or an at-home Do It Yourself project, you don’t want to have to lug around a large, heavy drill.
The original portable drill, assembled in 1916, is at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Electric drills were in operation long before 1916, but they were large, stationary machines used in industrial and manufacturing facilities. Black + Decker’s drill was the first time an electric drill came as a lightweight, portable tool. – Ecmag.com
Some modern drills have LED lights that illuminate the workspace in front of you. This may sound trivial, but it can come in very handy in low-light situations, such as working in a closet or under a sink. You also want a bit holder that is attached directly to the drill, so you never have to wonder where they are.
Drills typically use lithium-ion batteries, which are light, long-lasting, and equal to the power of other batteries. Voltage is an easy indicator of a drill’s overall power. Higher voltage on a drill means more power to drill through harder surfaces like metal and masonry. Good drill voltage starts at about 18 volts.
One of the most frustrating things that can occur with cordless drills is when the battery runs out before your task is complete. You will want to have a drill with a spare battery, so you can be charging one while using the other in the drill. One big problem with the cheaper cordless tools is the batteries. They will often be of a lower amp hour rating, so won’t run the tool for so long with cheaper tools. Batteries frequently don’t last as many years on the cheaper brands either. The charger might be faster too on the Milwaukee drill or other professional tools like Makita drill set. Also, be sure to know the time it takes to charge the batteries, so you aren’t frustrated with long charge times when both batteries are dead. You can’t find the power tool battery or cordless drill battery that you’re looking for? See here – Cordless Drill Battery Replacement.
Buying power tools can be expensive, so you want to ensure your investment is protected against anything that may happen to potentially damage your drill. You want to find a company that offers extensive extended warranties for their tools. Good warranty programs will repair or replace defective items for a long period of time. You will usually find that your warranty will be split into two: one for the drill and one for the battery. Make sure the company you choose has email and telephone support, as well as an online user manual and frequently asked questions on their website. Hitachi drill has the best tool warranty of the manufacturers we reviewed. Its lifetime lithium-ion tool warranty protects against defects in material and workmanship from the purchase date.
Having the right tool for the right job can make your project go smoothly. The best cordless drills have high speeds, lots of power, a comfortable design, great battery features and comprehensive warranties.
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