An electric drill is an essential part of any toolbox. Here’s how to find a drill that can handle any job, from fastening lug nuts to breaking through concrete.
December 16, 2014
An electric drill is an essential part of any toolbox. Here’s how to find a drill that can handle any job, from fastening lug nuts to breaking through concrete.
Types of drills
Consider the advantages of different drills to help choose the right one for you.
Cordless drills: Battery-powered drills don’t require a connection so they can go anywhere. The trade-off is that the battery eventually needs to be recharged. Typical cordless drills for home use come with nickel-cadmium or lithium-ion batteries.
Corded drills: Corded drills may have less range than cordless drills, but they also have more power. While cordless drills are good for wood and soft materials, a corded drill can perform heavier tasks on more kinds of materials.
Hammer drills: These rotating drills use a pounding action to penetrate hard surfaces like concrete and masonry.
Impact drivers: An impact driver combines turning and hammering actions to anchor screws and nuts in hard materials but isn’t used for drilling holes.
Drill features
Factors to consider when buying a drill
Power: Cordless drills with battery voltage of 12-18V can handle most home projects. Corded drill output is measured in amps. Power increases with higher amperage. Battery life is a key consideration with cordless drills.
Torque: The amount of turning force your drill applies to the bit is called torque. Drills that accept bigger bits provide more torque. A drill with a 3/8- to half-inch chuck should supply all the torque you need for most household jobs.
Speed: Measured in RPMs, faster drills can rotate quicker and more effectively. For most home projects, 1000 RPMs is more than enough.
Consider the types of projects you'll be working on to help determine what drill will best suit your needs. Armed with your new power drill, you can assemble that furniture faster and finish your home projects safely and efficiently.
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