A good drill might be an essential component of many projects. You might be thinking of remodeling your living space, or perhaps you want to build a new chair and are considering buying a trusty drill to help you with constructions or modifications to these elements. But, handheld drill users might find the versatility of the power tool be limiting because of the cord.
Thankfully, cordless drills are now available for use so that you can tackle projects in different areas of your home or business establishment. Here are five tips to help you choose the best cordless drill, especially if it’s your first time buying this power tool.
Know the Terms
A home improvement salesperson may want to know more about your cordless drill requirements than the thought of wanting to own the tool. So, the representative might ask for things like the clutch, handle, and power you need for your preferred drill.
Instead of saying, “I don’t know,” here are the terms you need to know when looking for an ideal cordless drill:
Clutch
Aside from the cord, the clutch helps separate cordless drills from their corded counterparts. This part disengages the drill’s driveshaft, and you may find it behind the chuck. The clutch makes a clicking sound when the drill reaches its preset resistance level.
Cordless drills need clutches to help its users control the device properly. Otherwise, incidents like stripping screws might occur. The clutch also provides extra protection to the motor when there’s a significant amount of resistance when driving screws or tightening bolts.
Handle
Many corded drills have pistol grips. Conversely, cordless drills have T-handles. This design helps prevent the hand from slipping, which is useful during heavy-duty drilling operations. The T-handle also houses the battery of the device.
Find a drill with a T-handle that fits in your hand comfortably. If the handle is too big, you might have difficulties holding the power tool properly. If it’s too small, then pressing the drill might cause hand problems. A short handle and grip might also lead to complications like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Power
Unlike its corded cousins, cordless drills have power ratings measured in battery voltage. So, the higher the energy, the more torque your device has to help overcome resistance.
Heavy-duty drilling operations need a drill that can accommodate plenty of resistance. But, the tradeoff for powerful drills is its heavyweight.
You can find more information at sites like cordlessdrillguide.com for the terms used in selecting the best cordless drill for your needs.
Consider The Type Of Cordless Drill
Now that you know the terms, you should understand the different types of cordless drills available on the market. Narrow your search based on the expected performance of the power tool. Albeit several cordless models are available on the market, you may separate these units into three major categories.
These classifications are:
Light-Duty Drills
If you’re looking for drills best-suited for small jobs, then aim for light-duty models. You may use these power tools for changing lighting fixtures, drilling holes in drywalls, and assembling pieces of furniture.
Light-duty drills have power levels that range from 12 to 20 volts. These models have relatively small motors, so you shouldn’t use these drills for heavy-duty jobs like boring holes through thick wooden boards.
Heavy-Duty Drills
These drills carry batteries that have about 18 to 24 volts of power. With this amount of rotational force driving the unit, you can use it for driving large fasteners or drilling holes through thick walls.
But, one of the tradeoffs for these high-powered models is its price. Heavy-duty cordless drills may have more expensive price tags than light-duty units.
General-Use Drills
General-use cordless drills are in the middle ground between heavy- and light-duty models. Many of these power tools have a 12-volt battery, which is similar to light-duty drills. But, these drilling units might be more powerful than they look.
These rotary tools can help you drive several screws for a home improvement project. Furthermore, that task is possible on a single charge.
Know The Features You Need
Don’t tell a salesperson that you’re looking for a cordless drill to “drill things.” Aside from understanding the terms and cordless drill types, you also need to know the various features that come with these power tools.
A few of the features you may find in these cordless units may include:
Variable Revolutions per Minute (RPM)
RPM is one of the units of measurement for speed, especially for drills. Many cordless drills feature variable speed settings. For instance, you can set the drill speed to 0 to 400 RPM or 0 to 1,300 RPM depending on the task.
Look at different cordless drill variants on the market and their available speed settings. Remember, specific inexpensive models might not have this feature. But, consider buying a unit with a variable RPM to help you accomplish different projects like building a DIY porch swing.
Torque
You can see torque measured in inches. For example, heavy-duty drills may deliver over 450 inches per pound of torque. This power is ideal for drilling holes in thick slabs of wood. Specific models might go over 800 pounds of torque to help the power tool penetrate sturdy objects.
Chuck Size
Aside from the RPM and torque, it’s also essential to check the chuck size of your preferred cordless drill. Many cordless units have a half-inch chuck size. However, specific models may come equipped with a 3/8-inch chuck.
The larger the chunk size, the larger the drill bits the device can hold. Look for a model that can accommodate the drill bits you possess. Furthermore, heavy-duty drills tend to have larger chuck sizes than light-duty models.
Warranty
Your preferred cordless drill must have a decent warranty. Manufacturer defects can happen, and you don’t want to buy another unit because the device you bought broke down.
Many cordless drills come with 3- to 5-year warranties. However, aim for drills that present lifetime warranties. So, you may have free part repairs and replacements even if the unit you own breaks down after ten years of use.
But, remember that many device warranties only present you with coverage if the unit breaks down because of damages beyond your control. For example, one of the bolts or screws in the device is loose and caused the drill to malfunction. However, if the power tool becomes wet because of your negligence, then the manufacturer or retailer may have the right to void the warranty.
Accessories
You can buy cordless drills on the market as standalone units, or you can buy them as kits. If you want value for your cash, aim to buy the power tool with a complete set of accessories. The price might be higher than intended, but you might not need to search for drill bits and other accessories when you need them the most.
If the kit doesn’t include the accessory you want, consider spending the extra money in buying the item as a separate purchase. For example, you might want a smart charger for your drill’s battery. Overcharging may cause the battery to have a short life span. This battery-charging unit may help extend your drill’s battery life by cutting off the power when it detects a full charge.
Extra Features
Some cordless drills might give you extra value by including extra “bells and whistles.” For example, a specific model might have a work light to help illuminate workspaces with poor lighting.
Other models might also have lights that indicate battery life. So, you’ll know when to recharge the battery before it runs out. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the middle of a building project, and the battery in your drill runs out.
Think About Brushless Technology
Specific cordless drills may come equipped with brushless motors. Brushless technologies help eliminate physical connections between certain parts. Thus, there’s a minimal risk of gears and other elements grinding against each other.
Also, brushless technology may help improve the energy efficiency of cordless power tools. So, you might be using your drill with this system in comparison with utilizing a unit without this technology.
However, this technology might cause drills to be more expensive than other models. But, if you’re adamant in buying a cordless drill with this feature, prepare to spend about $30 to $100 more than the standard retail price.
Compare And Contrast
Take time to look at the different cordless drill models on the market. Don’t be hasty in choosing a particular unit. Otherwise, you might regret your purchase once you try out the device.
Instead, use the Internet to compare these devices with each other. Think about each drill’s pros and cons, and make sure to check your budget as well.
Conclusion
Let these tips help you buy the best cordless drill for your specific needs. These hints can help beginners and experts. Beginners can use this buying guide when searching for their first cordless drills. Experts, on the other hand, can use this post to refresh their knowledge about the power tool if they feel lost.
