Tips for Choosing a Power Drill
One of the first things to consider when choosing a power drill is whether you want a corded or cordless drill. Cordless drills are nice because you are not limited by a cord meaning you can get to spots even if they are far away from an electrical outlet without having to use an extension cord. However, the batteries on cordless drills can be heavy and bulky which can sometimes make them awkward to use. Not only that, but if you forget to charge your battery you will have to wait for it to charge before you use your drill.
Corded power drills are typically slimmer and lighter weight than cordless drills because they do not have the added bulk of a battery. However, if you choose a corded power drill you will be limited to either using it near an electrical outlet or running extension cords if you need to reach areas far away from an outlet.
No matter which style of drill you choose there are certain features that you should look for. Choose a drill that has both forward and reverse features and that offers variable speeds. This will allow you to both drill and remove screw and give your the most versatility with the types of projects you can do. If you need to drill into concrete, stone or masonry you will want to look for a hammering drill which provides a unique hammering action to power through these hard materials.
Another consideration when choosing a power drill is the chuck size. Drills typically come with one either a 1/4″, 3/8″ or 1/2″ in chuck. The 1/2″ chuck will allow you to tackle larger, heavier duty jobs, but typically a 3/8″ chuck is more than adequate for everyday drilling projects around the home. If you choose a 1/4″ chuck you should keep in mind that there are not a lot of different types of bits available in this chuck size which can limit the types of projects that you can do.
You will need to decide how much money you can afford to spend on a drill and then shop around to find the best power drill that fits within your budget. Keep in mind that the more amps or volts a drill has the more power it has, meaning that it will be able to tackle harder jobs. However, power should not be your only consideration since often times higher powered drills can be heavy or awkward. You will want to find a drill that is the most comfortable for you to hold and use while still providing the highest amount of power and that fits within your price range.
If at all possible shop for a power drill in person so you can hold it and make sure it feels good in your hand. Even if you choose to purchase your drill online it is not a bad idea to head to your local hardware or home improvement store first to try to find the model you are ordering and make sure it is a good fit and feels comfortable to use.
Power drills can make projects simple that would otherwise be difficult or time consuming. If you are going to invest in one power tool, a power drill would be a fantastic choice because of its versatility and the wide variety of projects that it will come in handy for.
