The thrill of using the right power drill

Learn about the many features available for power drills so you can choose the drill you need for your specific home repairs.

Power drills make routine jobs around the house much easier. But with so many options available for power tools, it can be tough to know how to choose a power drill that meets your needs. Here are a few tips to help you understand the options available for your home repairs.

There can be an incredible range in prices for power drills, from entry-level or budget models to professional gear. Steer clear of models at the extreme of either end. Aim for a name brand you know, and a mid-range price, and you can feel relatively confident that you’ll get a product that will serve you well for years to come. In all cases, read online reviews of products to see what consumers like you are saying.

One thing to consider is whether you want a drill with or without a cord. Each has its own benefits:

• Convenient, easily portable and no cord will get in the way
• Batteries are nickel cadmium or lithium ion, and take between one hour and 24 hours to charge
• How long the battery lasts will depend on the material you’re drilling, the temperature, and other factors.
• Cordless drills can run out of juice when you need them most, and since batteries can deplete while the drill is not in use, sometimes you need to plan ahead to make sure you’ve plugged it in to recharge

• With a cord, you know when you plug it in, you’re ready to go, at maximum power if need be
• You’ll usually need an extension cord to reach whatever you’re drilling as the power drill cord is so short

All drills used to require a key to loosen the chuck, which led to a lot of people tying the key to the drill with a shoelace to avoid misplacing it. Manufacturers of newer styles of drills have moved to keyless chucks, which are easier to loosen and do not require any extra tools. Whichever you choose is up to you, but a keyless chuck offers a simple fool-proof way to change bits that most people like.

If you plan on using your drill with screwdriver bits, then a reversible drill is a necessity. In fact, many would argue that for most jobs, having the ability to reverse the drill back out of a hole makes things easier with less strain on the surface being drilled.

Power drills are remarkably simple machines that have not changed much since first entering the market. However, features have advanced and knowing how to choose a power drill can often come down to knowing how you plan to use the drill you buy.