One of the handiest items of any tool kit, much less a workshop, is a drill. While the necessity for a drill is clear, a few things should be considered when it comes time to choose which drill to buy. In the past few decades, drills have gone from the simple hole-making and screw-setting machines to far more specialized tools. Whether someone is a first-time buyer or just looking for a better drill for the next project, the key is to use the right tool for the job.
There are three major divisions of electric drills; rotary, impact, and hammer. Rotary drills are simple and great for small projects around the house or light construction. First-timers would be wise to not confuse a drill with a screw gun. Rotary drills are best suited for making holes and setting screws, and the applications range from fixing a cabinet to hanging sheetrock to building a deck.
Impact drills are best saved for jobs where a lot of torque is required. These drills are handy when working on cars, particularly changing tires. When tightening a bolt, pressure on the head engages the drill and allows it to turn. Once the drill meets resistance the inner workings allow for the drill to slip to a disengaged position and the bolt quits turning. This prevents wrist injuries for small projects and broken arms for NASCAR pit crews.
Hammer drills are best saved for making holes in cement, masonry, and stone. This drill has a reciprocating drill head, which allows it to act like a jackhammer. While the drill is engaged the bit will rotate like the others but will also rapidly slam into the drilling surface to pulverize the material. When buying a hammer drill, buy the appropriate bits. Attempting to use regular drill bits with this tool could result in damaged property or serious injury.
Finally, each of these drills may have the option of having a cord or being cordless. All drills are not created equal. Without exception, cordless drills will outlast their batteries. Even the best rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan, and replacement batteries will generally cost more than a new drill. What corded drills lack in convenience, they make up for in durability. Too often, a corded drill will only come with three to four feet of cord; therefore, an extension cord should always be kept on hand.