Which drill to choose?

January20

I'm counting on your expertise to help me choose the perfect drill

First, I have a drill already but it's ancient and was given to me so I've never had to choose one, but I know how to use it and am not diy phobic... quite the opposite!

Also, I am a woman and although I am strong I'm not as strong as a man so weight is important as well as power as I'm sure I can't apply as much pressure as a man when I'm drilling a hole!

I'd like your opinion on cordless versus "corded" drill. I have a garage with no power supply so a cordless drill would be useful but I've been given confliction info on the performance of cordless drill. I also need a drill that will be able to tackle various project like drilling into brick or simply putting shelves up on a plasterboard wall, etc.

Anyway, I'll be grateful for any opinion... just don't tell me to get a man to do it... I'll be offended

Space_Cowby

If you want to drill into a wall then you will need

hammer drill
at least a 18v power
ideally 2 batteries.

If you are feeling rich then look at SDS drills

ic

I'd agree with above: two batteries, 18V, fast charge (less than three hours), keyless chuck, twin speed, carry case, hammer drill, torque settings (up to 15 is plenty).

wallbash

My view

Go for a 'corded' drill and a long Extension.
Drill will be as light, but better balanced and cheaper.

Yes a 18 v batt with all the extras is a joy to work with ( would not be with out mine)
But its expensive and Is only justified by me using it a Lot!

weekendwarrior

Get a man to do it ( only joking )


For occasional use I would definately get corded drill as battery drills are not much use, unless you intend spending lots of money.

If you wanted to splash out you could get a cordless one, to use as a screwdriver and a corded one for drilling the holes.

Personally I would choose a sds drill as they are much better at drilling masonry, have a quick look at this demo SDS drill versus Hammer drill

SDS drills are really easy to use on masonry, where some hammer drills can require a lot of force to make the same size hole.

Ryobi were doing a SDS corded drill for less than £40 at one point in screwfix and B&Q, the offer has ended now at screwfix, but B&Q may still have them.

Another advantage of a sds drill is that the drill bit does not requre tightening in the chuck, you just pull back the collet ( I think that is the correct term) and insert or remove the drill bit.

andrewmoorcroft

Why not get both. The corded for your masonary and big drill stuff and a cordless for the light weight drilling/screwing. It's so much easier to switch between drills than drill/driver bits.

amarg

Not sure on your budget, but this is a bargain- http://www.screwfix.com/prods/43520?ts=97862

Dewalt should also last a diy user a long time.

27col

De Walt are normally expensive, that sounds like a real bargain. If I did not already have both types (though, not DeWalt), I would certainly be in the market for that deal.
Between the pair of them they should cover all your drilling needs. As an SDS drill will only accept SDS drills, you can buy a chuck adaptor so as to be able to use standard twist drills if you require it. These adapter are not expensive, I got mine on Ebay for not much more than £10.

darich

i bought an "extreme" 18v drill from homebase - i believe it's their own make, 2 batteries, charges in arond 1hour, carry case and a few drill bits too.
Hammer action, 15torque settings and keyless chuck.
All for just under £50 around a year ago.
I've used it for drilling into masonry and hung 2 tvs on the wall, numerous wooden items, bathroom tiles to hang a blind, removing/instaling screws, and even my personal reg plate for my car.
It has variable speed too so you can build the speed up or down gradually

coppins999

If you want a lightweight cordless drill, look for a lithium ion battery. They are significantly lighter, very powerful and have a much longer life than NiCd batteries.

I've had more than my fair share of cordless drills and recently bought a Bosch Lithium Ion one from ebay (half the 100 quid price of B&Q) like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Bosch-Cordless-Drill-Driver-PSR-14-4-LI-2-Case_W0QQitemZ140274930835QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140274930835&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

(not from this seller - not vouching for any particular seller)

It has far more torque than any other drill I've had and is so easy in the hand. Only real downside is no hammer action, but I wasn't looking for this feature.

Other Lithium Ion drills are available, and they are all dearer than cheap no brand items, but it really is worth it if you can afford it.

January20

I would like to thank you all for your advice and your opinions. I've been busy at work and haven't had a chance to look further into this but you have given me plenty of food for thought for the half term week when I will have time to choose and buy a drill!