With so many brands out there : picking the right drill can be difficult and confusing. There are literally hundreds of article numbers and confusing lists of specifications that have to be compared. In this guide, we give you a shortcut to select the right drill for your work.
We split this guide into 3 sections
- Function : where and how frequently this drill is being used
- Power: how much power you really need
- Service: how to get the most out of your service option
Function
Decide if you are using this drill for DIY jobs, home repair or at the jobsite and what materials you will be working with. For example, if you are working with wood and metal only : you will not require a hammering function on your drill. Here are some recommendations
- Wood / Metal: A basic drill will do. These are often called drill drivers
- Concrete / Stone: Find a drill labelled percussion drill or hammer drill
Note: If you are consistently working on concrete (this is all the drill use is for) : you may want to consider tools that also have SDS adapter slots. Operationally, these hammer drills/rotary hammers have more intense hammering instead of twisting mechanisms and are ideal for chiseling or anchoring, unlike that of a regular percussion drill.
As a general rule of thumb: you do not need the hammering function unless you are working on concrete. SDS bits and tools are a pumped up version of the standard drill, but they cost more too.
Power
Power is a tricky consideration. Many brands list their products in Nm (newton meter): this is the torque that the tool can generate. However, what matters is how this torque is translated into force.
This depends on a variety of factors including the motor, battery and make of the tool.
Imagine yourself driving 2 different cars - The torque may be the same, but depending on the design of the automatic clutch, your power output can vary.
For reference these are our recommendations for Milwaukee, a reputed brand in the industry:
- Milwaukee M12FPD (44Nm) - 12V battery this is very light and great for household use, as well as light industrial use
- Milwaukee M18BPD (60Nm) - 18V battery with a brushed motor. this is a economic version (old model). It is heavier and good for industrial use.
- Milwaukee M18FPD2 (135Nm) - 18V battery with brushless motor. Best output and is light and compact. Great for heavy industrial use
Please note that this does not reflect directly on other branded power tools. As discussed earlier : the quality of the motor matters but you can get an idea of the relative power requirements for home, industrial and heavy use.
Battery power in terms of run time and output is also important
If you are a home user : the basic, smallest output battery from all brands is enough.
If you are an industrial user: try to get 2 batteries with good power storage to prevent downtime.
For Heavy duty Users, a larger battery pack like a 8Ah Battery with increased power output may help to get your work done quicker and more effectively.
Service
All power tools may eventually breakdown and require repair. Make sure you have a supplier which is ready to support you after-sales and the spare parts are available in your country.
Check in with the local service center to find out about warranty terms and time taken to service. You may also read reviews online to hear from others who have purchased these brands.
We hope that this guide has helped you to make an informed decision. As always, please feel free to contact us.
