The cordless drill be the most used power tool you'll own, so deciding which one to buy is an important decision. This guide will help you choose the cordless drill that's right for you.
Why cordless?
The biggest advantage of a cordless power drill is convenience. You can use a cordless drill anywhere while a corded drill needs a nearby source of electricity and often an extension cord. While corded drills are often more powerful, the larger cordless drills have enough power and features to take on most jobs around the home.
Which size is best?
The drill that’s best for you depends on how you’ll be using it. Cordless drills are sized according to voltage, for example, 12V, 14.4V and 18V. Drills with a higher voltage are more powerful and have a lot of features but are bigger and heavier than those with lower voltages. If you only anticipate doing light duty work or prefer a drill that isn’t that heavy, then think about a low voltage drill.
What is brushless technology?
Brushless technology is the latest innovation in cordless drills.
Unlike a conventional brushed drill motor, the motor is a brushless drill that doesn’t have brushes. That means less heat and friction are created when operating the drill so there’s less wear and tear and ultimately greater durability.
A brushless motor is also more efficient and more powerful than a brushed drill motor. It gives more torque, speed and run-time—meaning you can get more work done in between charges.
Other features
Variable speed settings add more versatility to your drill. High-speed settings are great for drilling while low speed has greater torque, or turning power, for driving screws with ease.
Hammer action allows you to drill into bricks, concrete or stone.
Another term you’ll hear is “torque settings”. This means that you can set the drill to stop turning when it meets a certain amount of resistance. Use it when driving screws so you don’t strip the screw head or overdrive it.
Don’t forget the battery
Consider two to four batteries for your drill. When one runs out you can swap it over and keep working while the drained one charges. Also, think of how long you want the battery to last between charges. You can find this out by looking at the battery’s amp-hour (Ah) number. The higher the number, the longer the battery will last. The trade-off is that larger batteries are heavier. Check out 12 hot tips on how to care about your batteries here.
Store your battery correctly
Organising your spare batteries is not only efficient and keeps clutter to a minimum but also keeps your batteries lasting longer. We recommend installing a 48 Tools battery holder in your workshop, trailer, van or ute to keep your spare batteries in the best condition possible. Available online or at Bunnings stores Australia wide.
Explore your options
There are endless models of cordless power tools to choose from, our personal favourite brands are Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch and DeWalt. Check out the huge range of cordless drills at Bunnings.
