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Power Drills

Power drills are one of the most common household power tools -- some households may have as many as five or six different ones for different projects. If you just plan to occasionally hang a shelf or put together a piece of furniture, you probably only need one -- so you'd better choose wisely! Consider what you will have to drill (material type), how long you will drill for, and where you need to drill. In addition, drills can be divided in the following ways:

Cord vs. Cordless

Cordless power drills are more popular than corded ones. Recent technology has made most cordless models nearly as powerful as corded ones; corded drills are mainly used only by professional woodworkers or builders. There is very little consensus about which size of cordless power drill is the most popular; fortunately, there are quite a few options for each size.

Corded Drills 

  • Pack the most power.
  • Most durable.
  • Can handle mixing mud, boring holes, and drilling concrete.
  • Usually unnecessary for most home-owners.

Cordless Drills 

  • Easily transported and used.
  • Less power and run time restricted by battery life.
  • Recharging may take several hours.
  • Higher voltage means more power, but also more weight.
  • Newer technology has improved cordless drills; most are now strong enough for many tasks previously out of their league.

Drilling Method

Drills 

  • Drill in forward, reverse for making holes or unscrewing screws.
  • Variable speeds are useful on different materials and thicknesses.
  • Magnetised screw bits help keep screws on the drill.
  • Often come with different size drill bits which are secured with a key or keyless chuck.

Hammer Drills 

  • Move back and forth while drilling, creating a dual hammering and screwing motion.
  • Can delve into concrete without damaging the drill bit.
  • Aren't really needed by most home-owners.
  • Good for masonry.

Screw Guns 

  • For drywalling or decking.
  • Have a depth gauge to ensure proper drilling into drywall.
  • Make hanging drywall pretty easy.

Drill Bits

Drill Bit Size: The bit,  which actually makes the holes, can come in any number of sizes.  Drill chucks (the front tip of the drill where you insert the bit) also come in a couple sizes. The size given indicates the maximum size bit the drill can hold.

  • 1/4" Drills  are a little smaller than most people would want.
  • 3/8" Drills  are the most common size.
  • 1/2" Drills  are a little too big and heavy for most people.

Make sure that you consider what type of materials you will be drilling most. Softer materials (such as wood) don't need a very large bit and they can run at very high speeds, whereas harder materials (metal and masonry) require slow speeds and large bits to get the job done. Opt for a model with variable speed if you plan to work on a variety of materials.

Drill Bit Type: There a different drill bit accessories suited for different tasks, such as for drilling wood, masonry, metal, ceramic, and glass.

Chuck Type: Choose between a keyless or keyed chuck, which determines the method for screwing on the bit. Keyed chucks require using a key to tighten the bit, while keyless chucks have an internal gripping mechanism that does not require any other tools. Keyed chucks were the old standard, preferred due to their reliability. These days keyless chucks are just as reliable and they offer faster switching between bits.

Drill Shapes

Pistol Grip Drills 

  • Are held like a pistol.
  • Doesn't that feel powerful?

T-Handle Drills 

  • Are most popular.
  • Shaped like a T for best balance.

Right Angle Drills 

  • Are barrel-less.
  • The bit extends from the base at a right angle.
  • Can be handy in tight places.

Other Features

Torque

Torque, which is measured in foot-pounds, is the drill's maximum amount of turning force. Some drills have an adjustable clutch with different torque settings for different applications. There is a general correlation between drill price and torque; drills that cost more have more torque.

Power

The higher the voltage, the more power (9.6-28V) and weight (3-10 lb) the drill will possess. Most household jobs will be fine with a 13.2 volt  or 14.4 volt  battery, but an 18 volt  couldn't hurt. Most 9.6V drills  might be sufficient for home jobs, but may lack the needed torque you find in a 14.4V drill -- which is usually not significantly more in price. Go with at least a 14.4V. For tough jobs and doing masonry, a more powerful 24  or 28 volt  battery is recommended.

Rechargeable drill batteries should last you about five years, or roughly 500 charges, though with frequent use you might need to replace it sooner. They can be pricey ($50-$80) so if your drill was only $100 or less, you might want to consider just buying a brand new drill. If you have a higher end drill, it's probably more economical to buy a replacement battery.

Miscellaneous

Common features you'll want in a cordless or corded drill:

  • Electric brakes -- stop the drill chuck as soon as you release the trigger.
  • Keyless chucks -- make changing bits easier.
  • Reverse direction feature.
  • Adjustable clutch.
  • Variable drilling speed.

Top Manufacturers

Related Products

Power Saws 

Routers 

Sanders and Grinders 

Combo Drill Sets 

Screwdrivers 

External Links

  • FredShed.co.uk -- a useful bit of information about drills and drilling; also some recommendations.