You can drill a hole in a wall or a board in several ways. You could use brute force. Start hammering with a nail. Of course, you can’t control the depth of the hole or how many times you hammer your thumb.
Instead, choose the best tool for the job. It’s remarkable how much faster jobs go when the correct equipment is used. In this instance, a power drill is required. To hang pictures or repair furniture, you’ll be amazed with how precisely you can drill holes with your thumbs still intact.
Drills can also stir mortar or drive and retract screws swiftly, regardless of head size or type. A power drill is a must-have tool for every DIYer.
Drills types
You may buy a variety of drills. The main distinction is between corded and cordless drills.
- Cordless drills are by far the most common at-home drills. They are powered by a rechargeable battery in the drill’s handle, which keeps the instrument balanced in the hand. The drill power of the item is equal to the battery capacity in volts. Cordless drills allow you to operate anywhere without having to worry about finding a power source, according to Tools in Action.
- Corded: If your father or grandfather gave you a drill, it was probably a corded drill that only functioned when plugged into an outlet. Corded drills were popular before cordless drills because cordless drills lacked the power of corded drills. Newer cordless drills have significantly reduced this gap. The main advantage of a corded drill versus a cordless drill nowadays is that you don’t have to worry about the battery dying. According to eBay, specialty drills like rotary hammer and percussion drills are corded.
Lowe’s suggests you should also evaluate the drill’s chuck size. Each drill has a maximum shank diameter. To the drill grooves is the shank. There are drills that accept 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2-inch shanks.
The most popular sizes are 3/8 and 1/2 inch. Consumer Reports advises against using a 1/4-inch drill for anything other than low duty work.
Choosing a drill
When choosing a power drill, you must consider more than just the cordless vs. corded option. Despite their similarity in style, drills are not all made equal, according to Apartment Therapy.
- Amps are the fundamental unit of drilling power for corded drills. Most homeowners will need a 6 or 8 amp corded drill.
- Most drills use a Li-ion rechargeable battery. These batteries will last for hundreds of uses and can power the drill for several hours. Cordless drills with NiCd batteries are old.
- A cordless drill usually has a spinnable handle that allows you to tighten and loosen the bit holding region (called the chuck). To remove a bit, loosen the chuck and tighten it again before using it. It takes a “key” to loosen and tighten some older corded drills.
- Some drills have an LED light near the chuck. According to DIY Network, this is an excellent feature for working in dark settings.
- The drill’s toggle switch controls the drill head’s forward and backward spin.
- Speed: Most power drills have different speed settings, which measure the drill head’s revolutions per minute. Drilling holes requires a quicker pace, but driving screws requires a slower speed. A toggle switch usually controls the speed.
- To start the drill, you’ll need to press the trigger. Release the trigger to stop the spin.
- Volts are the fundamental unit of drilling power for cordless drills. A drill with a higher voltage can penetrate harder materials or drive screws faster. Most cordless drills for home usage are 12 to 18 volts, but you can get 20 to 24 volt drills for higher power.
Best overall drill
The Makita 18V Cordless 1/2-Inch Hammer Driver Drill is a terrific all-around drill for DIY projects.
The Makita 18V Cordless 1/2-Inch Hammer Driver Drill ticks all the right boxes. It is cordless, has two maximum speeds of 600 or 1,900 RPM, and 480 inch/pounds of maximum torque.
The Makita 18V drill is weighty and large, but it fits nicely in the hand and is balanced, says Popular Mechanics. The rubberized grip makes it easy to hold and use for any household project.
Pro Tool Reviews states the brushless motor on this hammer driver drill makes it more efficient. The 18-volt battery has enough life and drilling power to do the job without recharging.
According to Strategies Online, the drill’s LED lights allow you to light up the area from any angle.
This drill’s lengthy lifespan is appreciated by one Amazon buyer who uses it frequently. Unable to drill through concrete with hammer, another Amazon reviewer said.
Pros: Good mix of power and features for an 18-volt drill, good durability, nicely balanced drill for its size and weight, incorporates LED light for working in dark locations
Cons: Hammer feature may not work well, and may require more power than 18V.
Best small drill
The Bosch 12V 3/8-Inch Drill is compact and only 12 volts, but it has enough power for most simple household tasks.
Don’t let the Bosch 12V 3/8-Inch Drill’s modest size deceive you. This little drill can perform most household tasks. Inch/pound torque is 265 and speeds are 350 and 1300 RPM.
The battery fits into the drill’s handle, giving it a compact design. According to one Amazon reviewer, even with a little battery, it runs for a long time.
Like the drill, experts say. Pro Tool Reviews says the Bosch 12V drill is a good backup to a larger, more powerful drill. Then use the 12V drill for tasks that don’t require much power. He also suggests this drill for household tasks.
The Bosch 12V 3/8-Inch Drill is compact enough to work in tight spaces. It also contains an LED light for nighttime use.
One Amazon buyer reports the chuck doesn’t hold the bit in place as effectively as it should, causing a slight wobbling.
Pros: Ample power for easy tasks around the house, compact design for usage in small spaces, longer battery life than expected, lightweight drill with built-in LED light.
Cons: Only 12 volts will work for heavier operations, chuck may not hold all drill bits tightly
Budget drill
The Black & Decker 12V Cordless Drill can accomplish easy work around the house and save you money.
The Black & Decker 12V Cordless Drill’s performance is hard to beat at this pricing point. It’s not perfect, but it’ll handle most simple jobs and is a good value for the beginner.
The Spruce says this Black & Decker drill has only 150 inch/pounds of torque and a top speed of 750 RPM, but it can accomplish simple chores well. One Amazon customer agreed, stating that this drill is good for minor tasks but unsuitable for heavy lifting.
Unlike some other low-cost power drills, this Black & Decker model features a conventional 12-volt battery that slots into the base, providing a nice weight balance for users.
An Amazon reviewer claims the B&D 12V drill’s lightweight design is ideal for those who must operate the drill over their heads. However, another Amazon consumer complains about the drill’s durability.
Ultimately, the inexpensive price will entice you to get this power tool. Many competing cordless drills require a second rechargeable battery, which costs more than the Black & Decker 12V Cordless Drill’s kit price.
Pros: Low price for a power drill with battery and charger, lightweight design for working above your head, long battery life
Cons: With limited power, this tool cannot handle heavy-duty work, and the chuck may not hold bits tightly.
Best 20V drill
The Porter-Cable 20V 1/2-Inch Drill can tackle practically any home work with 20 volts of power.
For a job that exceeds your budget, you need a strong drill at a low cost. A 20-volt drill, such as the Porter-Cable 20V 1/2-Inch Drill, will do. It’s powerful enough for any job, but tiny enough that you won’t feel weighed down by it.
Despite its 20-volt drilling strength, this drill is light and easy to operate, according to the Tool Guyd review. According to Pro Tools Reviews, this drill is a tiny model, which is unusual for a 20V power drill.
One Amazon customer enjoys how powerful this Porter-Cable drill is despite its low weight.
Ratingle likes the way this Porter-Cable drill is built, with rubber bumper guards all around to keep it safe from bumps when working in confined locations.
Its maximum speed is 400 or 1600 RPM. The kit includes two rechargeable batteries.
This drill accepts shanks up to 1/2 inch in diameter. In some cases, the drill’s chuck may not hold bits tightly enough for heavy duty operations.
Pros: Good performance with 20 volts, strong build with rubber bumper guards, 1/2-inch chuck, reasonable price compared to other 20V drills
Cons: Most 20-volt drills have higher maximum speeds, but chuck may not hold bits tightly enough.
Drill with a cable
You’ll adore the Makita 1/2-Inch Corded Drill’s versatility and power if you don’t need portability.
Cordless drills are quite popular right now, but not everyone needs one. A corded drill is ideal for use in the workshop. The Makita 1/2-Inch Corded Drill is strong.
DS4011), according to Power Drill Central, is one of the best drills for mixing drywall mud, mortar, and grout. One Amazon customer believes that this Makita drill is great for mixing and drilling.
The Power Drill Guru believes the Makita drill’s adjustable D-handle gives a level of comfort that cordless drills cannot match.
An Amazon reviewer states this Makita corded drill is quiet and powerful. However, the Makita corded drill’s maximum drilling speed of 600 RPM disappointed Versus.
Pros: Features a 1/2-inch chuck and a corded drill with an adjustable D-handle for mixing mud or grout.
Cons: Cord restricts portability, maximum spinning speed is 600 RPM, costly price
See our other tool buying guides.
The greatest tape measures
A good measuring tape is a must in every toolset. From professional construction to do-it-yourself home repairs, exact dimensions are required. Its clever built-in pencil guarantees you mark the same spot you measured.
Included in this set are a Stanley PowerLock 25-foot tape measure and eTape16 digital measuring tape.
The finest DIY home tool kits
To replace a broken shelf or picture frame, or to tune up your bicycle, you’ll need certain equipment. Aside from having many tools you’ll use frequently, the Stanley 65-Piece Tool Kit is well-made and features only the instruments you need.
WorkPro Kitchen Drawer 100-Piece Tool Kit, OUTAD Multi-Functional 100-Piece Tool Kit, Cartman General Household 39-Piece Tool Kit, and AmazonBasics 65-Piece Home Repair Tool Set are all good options.
The finest ladders for housework
An everyday ladder is needed to paint the nursery, change a light bulb, or hang seasonal lights. A ladder that can be used safely up high, as a stepladder, and even on stairs is our top pick. We’ve got step ladders and heavy-duty outdoor ladders.
These ladders are also worth looking into: Louisville Ladder FS1508 Fiberglass Stepladder, Rubbermaid RM-3W Folding 3-Step Stepladder, Ohuhu EN131 Telescopic Extension Ladder, Lifewit Multipurpose Aluminum Folding Ladder
Best extension cords available
Extension cables are indispensable in modern life, whether for temporary purposes like holiday lighting or powering tools for house repairs. The Coleman 16 Gauge Extension Cord is our top option since it’s sturdy, versatile, and perfect for just about every purpose in and around the home.
HOLSEM Power Strip Extension Cord, Watt’s Wire 14 Gauge Extension Cord, and Aurum Cables Extension Cord are all good options.
The best hammers
Sure, hammers are simple in design, but that doesn’t imply they’re all the same. The Stanley 20-Ounce FatMax Xtreme Hammer has a sophisticated anti-vibration grip that allows you to tackle jobs around the house without straining your wrists and forearms.
The Vaughan & Bushnell 12-Ounce Soft-Face Hammer, the Stiletto TiBone 15-Ounce Titanium Milled-Face Hammer, the Estwing 25-Ounce Big Blue Framing Hammer, and the Tekton Jacketed Fiberglass Ball Pein Hammer are all worthy options.
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