power drills buying guide

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Cordless Power Drills

The power drill is the power tool you'll probably use the most around the house, so it's important to get one that fits your needs. Consider what you will have to drill (material type), how long you will drill for, where you need to drill, and the following:

Corded or Cordless
Drill Type: Standard Drill, Hammer Drill, Screw Guns
Handle Type: Pistol Grip, T-Handle, Right Angle
Extra Features: Reverse, Adjustable Clutch, Variable Speed

Recommendations

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 concensus about which size of cordless power drill is the most popular; some sources indicate that 18V is the most popular, while other suggest the 14.4V or 15.6V. (Little is written about corded drills, although many of the specs that apply to cordless drills still apply.) There are quite a few options. The Taunton Press reviews a wide variety of power tools, but their 2008 Tool Guide only covers 14.4V cordless drill-drivers, which they say are the most popular size on the market. ConsumerSearch also covers reviews of cordless drills in a wide variety of sizes.

Top Drills

Milwaukee 0616-24
14.4V
Taunton's Tool Guide recommended this as both an editor's pick and a reader's choice.
$190

Ryobi SA14402KF
14.4V
Both Taunton's and ConsumerSearch recommended this one as a best budget pick.
$80

Panasonic EY6432GQKW
15.6V
ConsumerSearch recommends this model as the best all-around power drill. It doesn't cost any more than a high-end 14.4V drill, but packs more punch.
$200

Milwaukee V28 0724-24
28V
This super-powered hammer drill was recommended by ConsumerSearch. If you're looking for something to drill through concrete, this might be your best friend.
$390

Ryobi 18V 10-Tool Kit
18V
This kit comes with two 18V batteries that can attach to any of the ten tools. A good quality drill is included along with a chainsaw, a circular saw, and others.
$400

Cord vs. Cordless

Corded Drills
Pack the most power.

Most durable.

Can handle mixing mud, boring holes, and drilling concrete.

Usually unnecessary for most homeowners.

Cordless Power 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.

Torque

Drill price reflects a number of features, including 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.

Common features you'll want in a cordless or corded drill are electric brakes, which stops the drill chuck as soon as you release the trigger, and keyless chucks.

What Size Battery?

The higher the voltage, the more power (9.6-28V) and weight (3-10 lb) the drill will posess. 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.

Drilling Method

Regular Drills

Drill in forward, reverse for making holes or screwing screws.
Variable speeds are useful on different materials and thicknesses.
Magnetized 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, recreating a dual hammering and screwing motion.
Can delve into concrete without damaging the drill bit.
Aren't really needed by most homeowners.
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.