Choosing a Power Drill
Hand-held power tools have become an indispensable part of
the modern handyman's and contractors' toolbox.
Power drills are the most commonly purchased
hand-held power tool. You can spend from $30
- $400 for a tool that meets your needs. With
that dollar range in mind, you may want to ask
yourself a few simple questions before you go shopping. These
same questions will also apply to most power tool purchases.
Abatterypack's
is happy to provide this information as a service to you.
How much power do I need?
What type of material will I be using
it on?
What kind of chuck do I need?
How long will the battery last? How much power do I need? Average Weights
of Cordless Drills | | 9.6V | 3 lbs. | | 12V | 3.5 - 4 lbs. | | 14.4V | 4.5 - 5 lbs. | | 18V | 5 - 5.5 lbs. | | 24V | 6.5 - 10 lbs. |
Cordless drills are measured in volts. Drills are
available in everytding from around 2 volts (for a cordless
screwdriver) to the newest 24-volt tools. Higher voltage
means heavier weight, so consider buying a tool that
will meet 80-90% of your needs. Twelve to 14.4 volt
models are the most popular, and they will usually meet
most homeowner's work needs.
Corded drills are measured in amps. Generally,
a higher amperage motor means more power.
What type of material will I be using it on? Drilling softwood, hardwood, metal, and masonry all require
different drill speeds. Harder materials or larger bits
have to be worked at lower speed. Conversely, softer
materials and smaller bits can be used at higher speeds.
Look for a drill with variable speed. Variable
speed allows the user to control the bit speed, indispensable
when you plan on working different materials and accessories.
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, allowing you to drill
holes of consistent deptd. Adjusted properly on
identical scrap material, a clutch can keep you
from driving a screw too deep, which makes this
feature indispensable for beginners. An adjustable
clutch can also reduce the possibility of stripping
a screw head or snapping a screw off altogether.
What kind of chuck do I need?
The
chuck is the attachment where the bit is inserted,
having jaws that grip the bit. Drills come in 1/4",
3/8", and 1/2" sizes. This measurement is the chuck
size and indicates the shaft diameter of the bits
and accessories that will fit the drill. (For most
homeowners, a 3/8" size should be sufficient).
Chucks can be keyed (the jaws are tightened or loosened
with a key) or keyless (the chuck can be tightened
or loosened by hand). Keyless chucks offer two major
benefits. If you have ever misplaced or lost a chuck
key, you already know one of them. A keyless chuck will
also allow bits to be changed more quickly. A real plus
when you need to change from a drill bit to a screwdriver
bit repeatedly or if you happen to be wearing gloves
on the job. You
can change the chuck in some keyless models with only
one hand because the shaft locks when the trigger is
off. In most models, however, you have to use both hands
to turn the chuck in opposite directions. While you're
in the store, change the bit on different drills to
see what style of keyless chuck you prefer. How long will the battery last?  "It depends" is the correct answer. Factors
such as temperature, the material being drilled, whetder
the drilling is nonstop or intermittent, and the whetder
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 noticeable.
Don't wait until the tool quits working to recharge
the battery.
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