How to choose a Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill

Cordless drills are a standard item in the tool range of both the midpoint weekend warrior or professional tradesman, alike. Cordless drills are ready in a myriad of sizes and configurations and it is tasteless to find market stocking 50 + dissimilar cordless drills, alone.

For some, shopping for one of these "Man Tools" can be a daunting task. One thing is for sure - you do not want a tool that is inappropriate your intended job. To help you make sense of this, I will discuss the various types of cordless drills and drill features.

Black And Decker Dewalt

Battery Type

Traditionally, cordless drills have been powered by nickel-cadmium (Nicad) batteries. The main qoute with Nicad batteries was the safe bet amelioration of "memory effect". The battery packs build the tendency to accept only a partial charge as full and you are left with a battery that has greatly diminished run-time.

Newer lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries are starting to be ready in more and more cordless drills. Li-Ion batteries offer some safe bet advantages over Nicad batteries including no memory effect, longer run times, longer assistance life, and higher power output. In addition, lithium-ion cells lead less weight than an equivalent Nicad cell.

Drills are ready with battery packs in a range of voltages generally between 9.6 and 24 volts. The higher voltage packs (18-24 volts) are almost exclusively used in market grade hammer drills and impact wrenches.

Frankly, I would not even consider a cordless drill without a lithium-ion power system. They are a miniature more expensive than Nicad counterparts, but, well worth the cost given the added benefits listed above.

Drill-Drivers

Drill-Drivers are indeed the most tasteless type of cordless drill. The are beneficial for most tasteless household tasks as well as light building work. These drills are ready with whether a 3/8 or 1/2 inch chuck. For most weekend-warriors, a cordless drill with a 3/8 inch chuck is suitable. Drills with 1/2 inch chucks offer greater diversity in usage and more torque, but, at a price of greater weight and bulk.

Compact Drills

Compact drills are a newer offering since the amelioration of Lithium Ion battery technology. Compact drills are basically miniature versions of their drill-driver counterparts. They are beneficial for both professionals and home handyperson who wish a drill capable of reaching confined areas in light to medium drilling applications. As an added bonus, some Compact drill models can comfortably fit in in your pants or jacket pockets. Finally, because of their Compact size and light weight, many women find these drills much easier to use than their full-size cousins.

Impact Drivers

Impact drivers are used only for nut/bolt driving applications. They are ideal for automobile technicians who need to turn tires or who do a lot of work on brakes. Because of the drills transmission, they are regularly not favorable for applications such as boring wood. However, some models are ready with changeable transmissions which allow the user to switch between boring and driving applications.

Hammer Drills

Hammer drills, a.k.a. Hammerdrills are the "Big Daddy" of cordless drills and some models even equal the size and power of their corded counterparts. These drills are primarily used to bore holes in concrete or light masonry work. They are generally used in home building when wood studs need to be fastened to concrete.

I hope I have given you a miniature more comprehension as to what to look for in a new cordless drill. By getting the right drill for the right job you will save a lot of time and money in pursuance of your "Man Tool".

How to choose a Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill