Carey Maynard
The best cordless drill - What to do with them and How do I find one?
Are you a DIY lover but unsure how to go about starting your project? When it comes to crafting, there is a lot to learn. Modern technology allows for a wide range of appliances that come in handy in aiding your projects; you just have to look hard enough to find the right tools.
One of the first things that any craftsman should have is a cordless drill. This article provides the essential initial knowledge on the use of drills, as well as what to look for in a top-rated cordless drill.
What do you need drills for
You can use the same drill to both create holes and sink screws. The instrument is the same, it just requires different gadgets: the drill bit for creating holes and screwdriver bit for driving in screws.
DIY projects
Are you waiting to get started on making that picture frame to hang pictures of your loved ones? Or does that cupboard need a little fixing to toughen the loose ends? Then a lightweight and compact drill is perfect for small projects as such.
Among others, the DeWalt 12V or DeWalt 20V are rated by many best cordless drill reviews to be the top for hand comfort (or “ergonomics”, not economics, as they call it) because of its light and smart design. The makers of the DeWalt take into consideration even the slightest thing such as whether your forefinger knuckles rusb against the tool, whether your wrist feels strained if holding for a long time, whether the hold feels “right”, and so on. The drill is designed with the battery in the foot area, creating a nice balance and allowing the drill to stand on its own. What’s better than being able to set a drill upright when you are under the sink, straining your neck trying to fix that water pipe?
And make no mistakes: though compact, this drill is powerful enough to last for a whole-day project on a single charge.
Construction work
Other drills are sturdier and heavier, therefore suitable for construction work or for breaking into hard materials like stone or masonry.
Recommended by expert cordless drill reviews, the Makita XPH102 is the top candidate for hardcore work. The reason is that first, it runs on a 18-volt battery, so it is going to last for the entirety of your project, although it might take longer to charge. Second, it is a hammer drill that is distinguished by the back and forth pounding in addition to the fast circling motion. This creates extra force on the material, therefore it breaks apart faster than with standard drills.
As you can already tell, the best cordless drill is neither the heaviest nor the most lightweight-- it is the one that suits your needs.
What is the best cordless drill?
There are several factors to consider before getting a drill. Among the most important are power, speed control, ergonomics, engine, and price. The descriptions below provide details about each factor in great length.
Power
Cordless drills run on battery as there are no cords that plug it into an outlet to gather electricity. With that said, pay attention to the battery capacity written on the box when you get a drill. In the box, cordless drills come with a charger, and maybe a bag for storage.
Drills are mostly 18 or 12-Volt. Those that mark 20-Volt are simply marketing as 18 and 20-Volt are the same. The number 20 is the initial voltage that occurs when you first pull the trigger, which is higher because it starts the engine. So don’t let the numbers fool you.
It goes without saying that the higher the battery capacity, the longer it takes to charge. But the waiting comes with a prize: a good cordless drill should last for the whole 24 hours.
Further Reading: https://thekinglive.com/how-to-use-a-drill.html
Speed control
Speed is measured by RPM - revolution per minute - which calculates how fast the drill spins in a minute. Most drills fall in the range between 1,000 to 1,200 RPM. The fastest - Makita XPH120 - has a 1,900 RPM, while the slowest is 650 RPM - the Black+Decker LDX120C. Now, this does not mean that the faster the better or the slower the worse, but it depends on what you need them for. Higher RPM means that the drill gets the job done faster by pounding on the material with more force, while lower RPM is meant for easier projects like drilling into thin woods.
What it does mean, though, that more power inevitably leads to bulkier design.
Ergonomics
As mentioned above, ergonomics is a fancy word for how comfortable your hand is when holding the drill. When you are under the sink or reaching overhead, comfort makes a huge difference. The best cordless power drill comes with a nice balance, easy to hold, and generally should not be too heavy that creates pressure on your wrist. Ergonomics is achieved through two factors:
Smart design
The DeWalt 12-V, as described earlier, is one that can stand on its own. This is because the battery is in the foot area, thereby creating a balance for the tool to hold itself together.
Fitting handle
The best rated cordless drill accounts for every curve and bulge of the hand, so your fingers or knuckle will not rub awkwardly against any corner. This is important because if you hold the drill for a long time, excessive rubbing creates redness and even blisters.
Engine
Traditional drills have a “brushed engine”, while most modern ones have a “brushless engine”. Once an outsider, brushless engine is taking on popularity because of its smartness, compactibility, although it can be somewhat pricey. However, improved battery technology is now helping us to overcome the high price as well.
The difference between these two engines is that the brushless shed two of the required parts found in brushed motors: the brushes and the commutator. This leaves it with two other parts: a ring of magnets and an armature. Whereas before where the magnets and armature must communicate through a chain system, they can now directly interact with each other. This means that the tool is able to adjust force on its own. For example, when you are drilling into Styrofoam, the tool immediately senses the lack of resistance and relaxes its force. Brushed motors, on the other hand, drills with full force into whatever materials. This makes brushless motors the best cordless tools because they are more energy-economical because they choose and pick the electricity suitable for each surface instead of taking maximum energy whenever the drill hits a surface as do brushed motors.
Price
The most affordable cordless drill costs around $50. That is the minimum range that can afford quality. Lower than that, the drill is simply cheap and won’t last you for long. The sturdiest of cordless drills cost around $270. These are expensive gadgets, but they last for a lifetime, so consider them as an investment that breeds residual profit. You don’t want to change drills every other two years.
Above are our recommendations on Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Cordless Drills and what you can do with them. Please share if you find it useful!