Cordless Drills

Cordless Drills: Choosing the Right One for You

As you probably know, a cordless drill is a popular power tool that runs on rechargeable batteries rather than an A/C cord. It can be used to drill holes in numerous materials and it works like a traditional electric drill. The only difference is of course the batteries, which are available in different voltages. Currently, the most common voltage is 18, but the more powerful cordless drills come with batteries that go all the way up to 36V. These drill are really only used during heavy construction and they are said to be every bit as powerful as corded drills.

Types of Cordless Drills

Just like traditional drills, cordless drills are task specific and they come in numerous models and configurations. For example, there are hammer drills that are prized for their power and for their ability to drive screws. And then there are right angle drills, which are extremely popular on construction sites for helping workers drive screws in tight spaces.

Advantages

The most important advantage cordless drills hold over their corded cousins is that they are portable. Because they run on rechargeable batteries they can be used just about anywhere, including in the wilderness and places where there is no power. They are also much safer than corded drills. You'd be surprised how many construction workers are injured every year after tripping on a cord that belongs to a drill. Also, storing a corded drill can be difficult, while cordless drills come with their own case for quick and easy transportation. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention, no extension cords!

While it is true that cordless drills may lack power, this is often only when the batteries run low. So, what most workers do is carry spare batteries and replace them anytime the drill starts to run out of juice. As for the criticism about the extra weight of cordless drills, this concern has more merit. But as technology improves, cordless drills get lighter and lighter. In the end, we believe the advantages of cordless drills far outweigh any possible negatives and that with the right model there really are no glaring flaws.

Top Brands and Models

Though there are literally dozens of companies that produce cordless drills, Makita, Bosch, and Panasonic are generally regarded as the top companies in the industry. After all, the technology and skill that is required to produce a quality power tool takes time to develop, and all of these companies have been around for decades now.

Here's a list of some of the top rated cordless drills:

Makita BDF452HW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch Driver
Milwaukee 2601-22 18-Volt Li-ion Compact Drill Kit
Panasonic EY6432GQKW 15.6-Volt NiMH 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill
Bosch 23618 Impactor 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Impact Driver
DeWalt DC759KA Heavy-Duty 18-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill