Choosing a Drill for your Power Tools collection.
Hand-held power tools have become an indispensable part of the modern handyman’s and contractor’s toolbox.
Whether you are just learning the basics of simple maintenance or are taking on a second addition to the house, a good drill is essential. Power drills are the most essential most commonly purchased hand-held power tool. The good news is that there are hundreds of drills on the market. The bad news on the other hand is that it’s not always clear which drills you should be considering.
The most important consideration when buying any power tool is: “How does it feel in my hand?” Any tool should feel like an extension of your hand. The tool may feel great at first touch but imagine what it would feel like after a few hours. Make sure all the controls are convenient and check to see if the forward/reverse and high/low speed switches are easy to use.
Cordless drills are measured in volts. Drills are available to the newest 24-volts. Higher voltage means heavier weight. Corded drills are measured in amps. Generally, a higher amperage motor means more power. Consider what type of material you will be using it on. Drilling softwood, hardwood, metal and masonry all require different drill speeds. Look for a drill with variable speed that will allow the user to control the bit speed, indispensable when you plan on working on different materials and accessories. Also consider choosing a drill with an adjustable clutch setting. The clutch reacts to the resistance of the screw, which changes as the density of the material changes. An adjustable clutch can also reduce the possibility of stripping a screw head of snapping a screw off altogether.
The chuck is the attachment where the bit is inserted, having haws that grip the bit. Drills come in 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2” sizes. This measurement is the chuck size and indicates the shaft diameter of the bits and accessories that will fit the drill. Chucks can also be keyed or keyless (can be tightened or loosened by hand). A keyless chuck will allow bits to be changed more quickly. A reversible drill is a must have if you plan on using the drill with screwdriver bits.
Many people ask “how long will the battery last?” For this, there is no definite answer, it depends on factors such as temperature, the material being drilled, whether the drilling is nonstop or intermittent, and whether the battery is at full charge or not- all these will affect a cordless drill’s battery charge. The standard time required to charge a battery pack will vary from one hour to overnight, depending on the type of tool and charger. Recharge when the drop in performance and power is noticed. Don’t wait till power tool quits working.
With all different models of drills on the market, it’s easy to buy a tool to what you really need it for. Buy a drill based on how much you will use it, it won’t make sense to pay a lot of money for a drill to hang pictures. All the aspects of your job and task at hand should be considered when picking up this handy power tool.
Resource Box:
Matt John is a couponing industry’s analyst holding journalism and marketing degrees and contributing articles to digital and print media.
Tools & Power Tools Deals
Processing your request, Please wait....
