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Cordless drill

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  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 9,720 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    ic said:
    Proper DIY is a good channel on YouTube.  He has plenty of videos showing simple stuff through to bigger projects.  In this vid he goes through recommendations for tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azi3iS_MU9E&ab_channel=ProperDIY
    @7:45 = a very good example of what not to do with a cordless drill.  Using mechanical leverage to force the drill into difficult materials is a great way of destroying the bearing(s) of a drill which isn't designed for that purpose (unlike e.g. a pillar drill)

    The additional power of a corded drill, plus using a smaller drill bit(s) should obviate the need for brute force.
  • Grenage
    Grenage Posts: 3,193 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Like Grumbler I have three Bosch drills, two cordless combi and a corded SDS.

    I only have two cordless because I can't be bothered switching between drill and screw bits on a bigger job.  The SDS has been used about 6 times in its life.

    One good cordless combi will do you fine for 99% of jobs.

    I never have any issues with battery life, and they are a good few years old.  I could never go back to corded unless I only used it a couple of times a year.
  • danrv
    danrv Posts: 1,598 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 16 January 2024 at 3:08PM
    chrisw said:
    My Bosch corded drill must be 40 years old 
    Same here. Thought that's all I'd need until I bought this DeWalt a couple of years ago:
    Useful and smaller to handle.

    https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcd776d2t-gb-18v-2-x-2-0ah-li-ion-xr-cordless-combi-drill/804PF?kpid=804PF&cm_mmc=Google-_-Datafeed-_-Tools?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=Google-_-TOKEN1-_-TOKEN2&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA75itBhA6EiwAkho9ezHVGR18AsUckcfkItesZfCIV2hNNO7Q9uvZh7tWtIwbdsqGsl41ShoCG44QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

    I still use the Bosch corded one for anything that the cordless might struggle a bit with. Drilling into concrete block and the like. The DeWalt does have a hammer function but best in softer brick.
    With these two, I can do 99% or DIY jobs.

    Look for Lithuim battery over NiCad. A few of the cheaper drills use NiCad I think.
    Two included batteries is useful and if the drill isn't used for a while, I give them a quick charge but they do last.
    There's also brushless versions which are a little lighter but I find the DeWalt fine. 
    Does the job of a cordless screwdriver too with the torque settings and clutch.
  • Got this last year - https://amzn.eu/d/irlNUY5 - and it worked fine against solid brick walls. It did struggle a bit against a concrete lintel but got through in the end!
  • Miser1964
    Miser1964 Posts: 283 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 16 January 2024 at 4:19PM
    IKEA do a range of tools, kits and fixing sets that are targeted at the casual DIYer

    Power Tool Sets - Electric Screwdriver - IKEA
  • Chickereeeee
    Chickereeeee Posts: 1,286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    danrv said:
    chrisw said
    My Bosch corded drill must be 40 years old 
    Same here. Thought that's all I'd need until I bought this DeWalt a couple of years ago:
    Useful and smaller to handle.

    https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcd776d2t-gb-18v-2-x-2-0ah-li-ion-xr-cordless-combi-drill/804PF?kpid=804PF&cm_mmc=Google-_-Datafeed-_-Tools?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=Google-_-TOKEN1-_-TOKEN2&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA75itBhA6EiwAkho9ezHVGR18AsUckcfkItesZfCIV2hNNO7Q9uvZh7tWtIwbdsqGsl41ShoCG44QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

    I still use the Bosch corded one for anything that the cordless might struggle a bit with. Drilling into concrete block and the like. The DeWalt does have a hammer function but best in softer brick.
    With these two, I can do 99% or DIY jobs.

    Look for Lithuim battery over NiCad. A few of the cheaper drills use NiCad I think.
    Two included batteries is useful and if the drill isn't used for a while, I give them a quick charge but they do last.
    There's also brushless versions which are a little lighter but I find the DeWalt fine. 
    Does the job of a cordless screwdriver too with the torque settings and clutch.
    Yes I have that DeWalt: bought recently when my  Bosch gave the blue smoke of death, and the DeWalt is far superior. The Bosch would not touch my brick walls, but the DeWalt makes a reasonable go, if you are patient. My corded drill goes in like it's butter though.

    In truth, most of the big name cordless drills are similar, and it is probably more useful to see what else is in their cordless range that you may want (to use the same battery with).  For example Bosch's multi-colour uses expensive proprietary blades. Also,   I have  never seen a tradesman with a Bosch: it is always Makita or DeWalt.
  • Lots of people new to DIY think driving screws with a screwdriver bit in your drill will be easy, but forget "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". That is if the force of the drill is going to turn the screw then the DIYer must have enough force in their grip to resist - otherwise there are "unexpected" results! I agree for a new DIYer one cheap combi battery drill is the best start - combi being both drill and hammer action in one device. Reckon YouTube videos are the way to go.
  • Lots of people new to DIY think driving screws with a screwdriver bit in your drill will be easy, but forget "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". That is if the force of the drill is going to turn the screw then the DIYer must have enough force in their grip to resist - otherwise there are "unexpected" results! I agree for a new DIYer one cheap combi battery drill is the best start - combi being both drill and hammer action in one device. Reckon YouTube videos are the way to go.
    Ha ha yes! I don't use my drill for a screwdriver because I round off all the screw heads 🤦‍♀️ my dad on the other hand clearly has a lot more strength in his hands because he does it no problem at all. 
  • Bigphil1474
    Bigphil1474 Posts: 3,531 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    OP, I would recommend getting a decent cordless drill i.e. not a cheap thing off Amazon. Been there. I inherited a Makita cordless and it does pretty much everything I need except drilling into brick. I have a corded Black and Decker (about 30 years old) that I pull out for those sorts of jobs. With tools, I have found that if you buy cheap you buy twice. 
  • the_lunatic_is_in_my_head
    the_lunatic_is_in_my_head Posts: 9,254 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 17 January 2024 at 10:46AM
    Lots of people new to DIY think driving screws with a screwdriver bit in your drill will be easy, but forget "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". That is if the force of the drill is going to turn the screw then the DIYer must have enough force in their grip to resist - otherwise there are "unexpected" results! I agree for a new DIYer one cheap combi battery drill is the best start - combi being both drill and hammer action in one device. Reckon YouTube videos are the way to go.
    Ha ha yes! I don't use my drill for a screwdriver because I round off all the screw heads 🤦‍♀️ my dad on the other hand clearly has a lot more strength in his hands because he does it no problem at all. 
    Often it's a case of having the correct bit for the screw head and ensuring you're driving the screw straight with the bit sat nicely in the screw and a bit of pressure on the drill to prevent slipping.

    As the other poster mentions once the screw ain't going any further and your arms straight turning it can take you by surprise, practice makes prefect really.

    There are mini screwdriver type things 

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Cordless-Screwdriver-Generation-Attachment/dp/B0BQYW8LZ4

    but they usually lack enough torque to be useful. Naively purchased one years ago (Bosch but an older model than the link) and it struggled with screws going in flat pack furniture.... 
    In the game of chess you can never let your adversary see your pieces
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