Things to Bear in Mind Before Purchasing Cordless Drill/Drivers

Purchasing Drill/Drivers the Smart way

Select a drill/driver that fulfills your requirements, choose the features you need, then decide on the correct battery system. It is sensible to read as many cordless drill reviews as you can.

Cordless drill/drivers are commonly used by both DIYers and professionals. For tasks as varied as constructing a deck to putting up shelves, they drill holes and drive fasteners with an unrivaled mixture of style, convenience and power. And while some models are built to carry out virtually every driving and drilling job you will ever do, others are designed for specific jobs, like creating concrete holes or driving screws with a large lag. To pick the model most suitable for you, take heed of the following advice:

Choose the right tool for the job

Drill/drivers come in several different categories, so you should you need to decide on what you’re going to use these tools for. For example, if you’re planning to just do basic types of woodworking where you’re building cabinets, screwing down decking, or hanging pictures, a basic cordless drill is all you need.

Drill/Drivers That are Cordless

Due to their versatility, these models are in high demand. They have fast drilling speeds and a variable clutch and slower speed for fastener driving. Some models have a hammer/drill setting, which is a vital feature for making holes in masonry material.

Screwdrivers That are Cordless

Dainty and light, a cordless screwdriver is specifically used to drive small screws. It can be used for prolonged periods without causing tiredness, and its’ compact nature is helpful when trying to access small spaces. At a stretch, you could use these for drilling tiny holes with hexagonal shank bits, however do not expect to do this quickly.

Impact Drivers That are Cordless

Similar to pneumatic impact wrenches that mechanics use to loosen and tighten nuts on wheel lugs, this tool creates an identical, rapid tapping noise, due to an internal component regularly hitting the drivers’ rotating shaft. These strikes allow the tool to loosen and drive the biggest and tightest fasteners with excellent control. Such tools are quicker and more economical for screw driving, and they are less prone to strip screws. Also, they weigh less and require less space than a drill/driver. For the best rated, check out Dewalt 20v max impact driver.

Right Angle Cordless Drill/Drivers

This specialist tool works similar to a normal cordless drill/driver, however it has a gearing right angle which ensures the chuck is powered at a ninety degree angle to the motorized shaft. This engineering feature reduces the distance between the chuck tip and the opposite motor housing surface to roughly four inches. This enables you to operate in confined areas, like in-between floor joists. Hardly surprising then, that this tool is appreciated by both plumbers and electricians alike.

Cordless Kits in Focus

Frequently, a drill/driver comes in a kit with various kinds of cordless tools, which all share the same charger and battery. Think about purchasing a kit if you are sure to use the additional tools included, because this will be much cheaper compared to purchasing the batteries, charger and tools separately.

Choose the Correct Sized Chuck

Chuck sizes determine the maximum bit shank size that the drill can hold. Half inch chucks are pretty standard these days.

Obtain Sufficient Power Levels

Volts are used to gauge power. Battery voltages that are high result in more twisting strength, or torque. Six to thirty-six volts is the standard range (batteries will be discussed shortly). Normally, heavier drills have higher voltages. For the majority of users, twelve volt tools offer enough power for basic driving and drilling jobs, and eighteen volt tools are suitable for more demanding drilling and driving tasks.

Choose Tools That can be Held Comfortably

Certain jobs, like fitting deck boards, need you to grip the drill for prolonged periods, so ensure that it feels balanced and comfortable in your hands.

Using Clutches for Driving Force Refinement

Drill/driver clutches can be preset at different resistance levels to driving force. Then, once that level is reached, the clutch slips and makes a fast clicking noise, and will not supply the fastener with any extra rotational force. This stops you from snapping screws, stripping them, or overdriving them into materials.

Monitor the Speed Properly

There are a couple of speed ranges on many cordless drill/drivers: high (roughly 1200-1500 rpm) for drilling, and low (roughly 300-400 rpm) with increased torque for screw driving.

Chargers and Batteries are Important

Batteries are the lifeblood of all drill/drivers. They determine the tool’s run time and power.

Batteries made from lithium ion have become widely used in cordless devices over recent years, due to the fact that they are lightweight and more effective at maintaining a charge throughout rest periods. Notwithstanding, NiCad batteries are cheaper and offer satisfactory performance, which makes them a feasible option for casual users.

Chargers for batteries are crucial as well. You will discover a large range of recharge times with various chargers, from roughly fifteen minutes to three hours. Typically, charges that charge quicker, and their compatible batteries, are more expensive.

Hopefully, the above advice will help you to identify the best 20v drill or best 18v drill for your circumstances.