Every person who is engaged in do-it-yourself repairs or projects should have a good set of tools so he or she is prepared for whatever task is required. One of the most basic pieces of equipment that most people will need is a good cordless drill. In order to get the most out of your drill, here are some tips on what to look for when buying a cordless drill.
The first thing you are going to want to know is exactly what your cordless drill is going to be used for. These days a cordless drill can be used to do much more than drilling in a hole, so if you are looking for a versatile tool, consider one of many combination models. These models generally combine drilling, screwdriving, and hammering functionalities, like the Milwaukee M18 CPD-402C for example. %image1% While the first two modes are common and self explanatory, the hammering functionality can really come in handy.
Using a drill in hammer mode is good when you have to drill through particularly tough surfaces, such as concrete. With this mode active, the drill supplements the rotary motion with a pounding up and down motion. If you want your drill bit to last, make sure that you use a good tungsten carbide-tipped bit.
There are a variety of other important features to look for in a drill. First, look for a drill that has a variety of different gear settings. Similar to the gearing of a car or bike, these settings can be tweaked to deliver more power when appropriate. This is particularly important if using a screwdriver attachments, as these usually requires slower speeds but higher amounts of applied torque. For screwdriver mode, a variable torque feature is also important as when adjusted properly it will allow the motor to shut off automatically when the screw has been screwed in all the way.
One other feature to look for is a keyless chuck. These are pretty common on most cordless drills. This allows one to quickly change out bits by loosening the chuck, replacing the bit, and tightening the chuck again. Older drills have a chuck key which is necessary to remove the bit. Obviously, this is a lot less convenient set up, especially if you accidentally lose the key.
The next thing one wants to examine is the type of battery that comes with the drill. Look for a lithium ion battery, as the models with nickel cadmium batteries do not store as much energy. You also want to look for the model with the highest energy capacity as possible. This can vary quite dramatically, and nothing is more annoying than being stopped in the middle of a job because the drill ran out of juice.
Battery voltages can vary from 9.6 volts to 24 volts, with the larger voltage tending to last longer. The downside to the increased battery life can be a much heavier drill. Another important feature to look out for is a smart charger option. These models will automatically adjust the speed at which the battery is charged to extend the life of the batteries.
If you plan on doing a lot of home construction projects, a good cordless drill is indispensable. By following the tips above, you should get the most out of your new drill.

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