Choosing a cordless drill - what's important?

wait4me

Looking at replacing my cordless drill which I use for home DIY. I want to future proofmy next purchase yet not pay too much.

What should I look for? Does a higher voltage battery (such as 18V or Ah) mean that the drill is more powerful and ready to tackle more difficult tasks such as masonry drilling?

embracingLife

yes, in general the higher the voltage the stronger the drill in order to drill masonry.

Look for drills that actually say-combination/hammer action etc on box etc.

Also now there's lots of drills that have extras-the main one is a Led light, the second you pull the trigger, the light comes on and lights up the end of the drill bit/surface that you are drilling into. Especially helpful when you are in a dark corner,in a cabinet etc saves you holding a torch in other hand etc!

Similarly important-the battery slides into the base of handle.
Some drills the battery is held in place by shoving up into the handle. If this battery clips are broken during use by drill falling out of your hand, you literally have to buy a new battery, cos its impossible to repair the broken clips. To buy a new battery only, they cost about 100 euro. Better off to go off and buy another drill!

the_pen_turner

AH has no impact or the power of the drill. it only effects the run time
voltage makes the difference.

personally I would only look at 18v . 12 and 14 volt are alright but lacking in power

I would aim for 2 ah batteries. 4,5,6,9 ah are great . the problem with large capacity batteries is that you don't charge them often enough when doing DIY. your better off with 2 smaller ones rather than 1 4 ah,

don't buy a 1 battery set up . 2 batteries minimum.

I would go with a dewalt, hitachi or Makita set.
Ryobi maybe if you only want a disposable drill.

embracingLife

good one, wasn't thinking straight earlier-not ah, its voltage, must be a funny friday.

colm_c

Lithium Ion batteries are also a good idea.

Quick to charge and hold their charge much better than the older battery tech.

Bosch blue is also worth a look.

the_pen_turner

colm_c wrote: »

Lithium Ion batteries are also a good idea.

Quick to charge and hold their charge much better than the older battery tech.

Bosch blue is also worth a look.

can you even get the old batteries on new drills any more

bosch top of the line too

NIMAN

I bought this one a few years back now, and its always done any job I needed around the house.

Great battery, holds charge really well if you leave it in garage for a few months without using it.

And powerful too. I think I seen some good deals recently on it where you get 2 batteries instead of one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Cordless-Combi-Lithium-Ion-Battery/dp/B00KX8JWDA

Sleeper12

the_pen_turner wrote:

personally I would only look at 18v . 12 and 14 volt are alright but lacking in power

Totally agree here.
I drill 30 to 50 holes per day in tiles and concrete. I use 18v de walt and find 18v perfect. Anything higher is overkill for OPs needs and anything less would melt my head.

Bonzo Delaney

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Totally agree here.
I drill 30 to 50 holes per day in tiles and concrete. I use 18v de walt and find 18v perfect. Anything higher is overkill for OPs needs and anything less would melt my head.

Sorry to go off thread but what bits do you use sleeper 12 can't seem to find / settle on a decent tile bit at all.

On thread I bought a b&q dewalt 18v 1.3 ah cordless for a second drill for light cabinet work and find it great for 96e used every day
Dewalt xr 18v 5 ah + 450e for main drill different beast though.

tabby aspreme

What's your budget op .

blonde10

Buy from a shop or an actual wholesaler not from someone selling from the back of his van..not than likely is been stolen,and we only fuel the fire when we buy from these people..I had 1000Euro worth of hilti power tools stolen From my Van a month ago...there not easily replaced.....

Sleeper12

Bonzo Delaney wrote: »

Sorry to go off thread but what bits do you use sleeper 12 can't seem to find / settle on a decent tile bit at all.

On thread I bought a b&q dewalt 18v 1.3 ah cordless for a second drill for light cabinet work and find it great for 96e used every day
Dewalt xr 18v 5 ah + 450e for main drill different beast though.

Bonzo Delaney wrote:

Sorry to go off thread but what bits do you use sleeper 12 can't seem to find / settle on a decent tile bit at all.

These Bosch bit will go through most tiles in seconds
http://www.woodies.ie/bosch-multi-purpose-drill-bit-8-mm-1036739?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzZLN74ua1gIVBrXtCh09CgOVEAQYAiABEgJ5wfD_BwE

For tougher tiles like porcelain I use a diamond encrusted dry bit. Something like the one below. These aren't cheap. But you'll most likely loose it before it wears down. I have one over 6 months and it's as sharp as the day I bought it.
http://www.ie.screwfix.com/marcrist-pg750x-dry-tile-drill-6mm.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo7SR34ya1gIVJ7HtCh0x8QB5EAQYASABEgIHePD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Bonzo Delaney

Sleeper12 wrote: »

These Bosch bit will go through most tiles in seconds
http://www.woodies.ie/bosch-multi-purpose-drill-bit-8-mm-1036739?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzZLN74ua1gIVBrXtCh09CgOVEAQYAiABEgJ5wfD_BwE

For tougher tiles like porcelain I use a diamond encrusted dry bit. Something like the one below. These aren't cheap. But you'll most likely loose it before it wears down. I have one over 6 months and it's as sharp as the day I bought it.
http://www.ie.screwfix.com/marcrist-pg750x-dry-tile-drill-6mm.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo7SR34ya1gIVJ7HtCh0x8QB5EAQYASABEgIHePD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks lad time to go shopping

CJhaughey

Sleeper12 wrote: »

For tougher tiles like porcelain I use a diamond encrusted dry bit. Something like the one below. These aren't cheap. But you'll most likely loose it before it wears down. I have one over 6 months and it's as sharp as the day I bought it.
http://www.ie.screwfix.com/marcrist-pg750x-dry-tile-drill-6mm.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo7SR34ya1gIVJ7HtCh0x8QB5EAQYASABEgIHePD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Those diamond core bits are the only thing for Porcelain. If you want cheaper try Ebay.HK. I got a set from 3-18mm for about €10 posted.linky
Probably not as good a quality but much cheaper and you won't cry if you lose them or as they wear out.
They work much better wet and last a lot longer.

Citroen2cv

try get one where the chuck opens up to 13mm, most only open to 10mm.

Sleeper12

CJhaughey wrote:

Those diamond core bits are the only thing for Porcelain. If you want cheaper try Ebay.HK. I got a set from 3-18mm for about €10 posted.

CJ I'm doing this 30 years and only tried these diamond bits a few months ago. I feel a total plonker for not at least try them years ago

CJhaughey

Sleeper12 wrote: »

CJ I'm doing this 30 years and only tried these diamond bits a few months ago. I feel a total plonker for not at least try them years ago

I only found them a few years ago myself, trying to drill porcelain tiles to fit a venetian blind had me baffled, every tile place I went to wanted to sell me those useless spade pattern carbide bits that don't work.
Once I used the cheap ebay ones I was wondering what kind of an asshole I was for not knowing about them sooner. Could have saved myself a load of grief and money and time.

Deepwinter

If its for light DIY use I would suggest keeping an eye for LIDL and ALDI tools,
I've bought tools for home use from LIDL and have been very happy with them for the most part.
Made in Germany, you get a good warranty and you can return it within 30days for any reason at all.
Ive used used power tools in  harsh work environment I wouldn't get them for that particular role but you would put a tool through an average of a DIY year in under a week on a building site.
I view Lidl's Parkside tools as a really good combination of cost and quality, for the home DIY'er, its not a Hilti but your also not paying €500.
They dont have a consistent stock in though, they typically have different tools in every couple of weeks but they do usually come back around again.
Its worth checking in once a week to see whats on.
Air compressor and pneumatic tools this week I believe.

Effects

embracingLife wrote: »

If this battery clips are broken during use by drill falling out of your hand, you literally have to buy a new battery

Sleeper12

I see the photo above & it made me smile. I have a screwgun with hammer action for drilling and a smaller cheaper screwgun for screws. Both batteries on the cheaper screwgun are held together with duct tape.

Effects

I used cable ties to hold a battery together before. I dropped a 24v Bosch off a 2m platform and luckily it was the battery that took the brunt of the fall.

the_pen_turner

Sleeper12 wrote: »

I see the photo above & it made me smile. I have a screwgun with hammer action for drilling and a smaller cheaper screwgun for screws. Both batteries on the cheaper screwgun are held together with duct tape.

we have all done it. needs must

Bonzo Delaney

the_pen_turner wrote: »

we have all done it. needs must

Well it's one of the two principle laws of engineering
"If it moves and it shouldn't - Duct tape
If it won't move and it should - WD40"

CeilingFly

Deepwinter wrote: »

If its for light DIY use I would suggest keeping an eye for LIDL and ALDI tools,
I've bought tools for home use from LIDL and have been very happy with them for the most part..

Many are made by Einhell - decent domestic brand.

https://www.einhelltools.co.uk/cmspage.php?page_id=74

Altreab

CeilingFly wrote: »

Many are made by Einhell - decent domestic brand.

https://www.einhelltools.co.uk/cmspage.php?page_id=74

Does that mean that Einhell batteries will fit Lidl/Aldi cordless tools and vice versa? They do look similar.

kurtainsider

My advice - don't be afraid to spend a few bob on a decent one. Bosch, De Walt, or Makita or similar.
You'll never regret buying a good quality tool.

peasant

The most important thing is to decide what kind of battery system you're buying into.

Because as sure as night follows day you will want to buy something else cordless after you bought that drill. Be that an impact driver or a grinder, saw ...whatever.

For occasional DIY a 10.8/12V system is plenty big enough (hire a Hilti for the few big masonry holes you might have to drill once in a blue moon) These things are small, handy and very ergonomic.

If you're intent on doing serious work, you will need 18V or perhaps even 36V...saws and grinders literally won't cut it otherwise. But they are clunky, heavy and a bit tiring over time.

But once you've settled on a battery system and charger, buying additional machines naked without batteries is going to be so much cheaper in the long run than a 12V of this, an 18V of that and a 36V of the other thing...all with separate charges and batteries.