THE TOOL GUY

Question: I want to purchase a cordless drill for my husband’s birthday. With so many products on the market, I’m concerned about making the right choice. I don’t know what to consider in a drill for everyday use. Should I buy online? How do warranties work for online purchases? Would it be better to shop at my local store and look for the best price and return policy? Thanks for your help! Sandy S., Spokane

Answer: You’re right – with so many choices, it’s difficult to find and purchase the right tool. It will be even more confusing when tool manufacturers reach their goal of having all their electric-designed tools on batteries. I know from personal experience, as I test manufacturers’ cordless tools, that they are not designed to replace electric tools, but both types have their place in home improvement projects.

Today’s cordless models can certainly give electric-powered tools a run for their money. The new high-capacity batteries, like the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) may extend running time over nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries by 25 to 50 percent, depending on environmental and working conditions between charges. NiCad batteries hold their charges better between uses and work at lower temperatures. On the other hand, NiMH batteries are better for the environment because they contain no cadmium or mercury.

The new breed of “smart” chargers can correctly charge a battery in an hour or less, even if the batteries are hot from use. This also minimizes heat buildup so batteries last longer.

Bosch’s Bluecore battery system can recharge a battery in 30 minutes and users can expect the NiCad battery to have up to 50 percent longer life, compared to previous Bosch batteries.

Milwaukee offers a new V28 Lithium Ion power tools system. Its 28-volt battery delivers up to 50 percent more power, and they claim it has twice the run time of a traditional 18-volt model, yet the battery weighs slightly less.

As you shop for a cordless drill, be realistic about your needs so you don’t buy one too small or too large. They range in price from $79 to $1,200 and are rated from consumer to professional, depending on the package the manufacturer offers, from a 2.4-volt cordless screwdriver to a 36-volt cordless rotary hammer drill.

Consider if you prefer a keyed or keyless chuck. The chuck is the part of the drill that holds the bit, and for everyday projects, a keyless chuck works great.

I prefer a keyed chuck if I am working in metal because I can tighten the jaws around the bit so it won’t slip, but for metal work I’d always recommend an electric drill.

For a keyless chuck, specifically consider the upper sleeve and the chuck ring, the areas that you grab with both hands to tighten or loosen the jaws around the bit. You don’t want to hold the chuck with one hand and start the drill with the other in order to tighten the chuck jaws.

Keyless chucks come in different combinations of materials and textures, so you should always handle the tools and operate the chucks to find a combination that is comfortable.

I prefer a wide chuck ring because it offers more surface area to hold. Also check out the materials and textures. I like an outer sleeve and a chuck ring made from metal that has been knurled, or completely encased in rubber. Both styles of chucks deliver great gripping surfaces.

Most common are plastic chucks with recessed grooves, but they have a tendency to slip in your hands as you tighten the chuck.

Cordless drills come with both pistol grip handles and mid handles. Finding the right tool for you will depend on the size of your hand and the size and weight of the tool.

A mid handle helps distribute the weight of the tool.

But a pistol grip delivers more pressure right behind the chuck, which helps when drilling into harder materials, if you are able to comfortably raise your hand high up on the housing and reach the trigger switch.

I want the option of lowering my hand down the pistol grip so only my index finger is on the trigger switch. Again, handle the drills to find the best fit.

If the drill is designed for one-handed operation, you should be able to easily activate the reverse lever switch with one finger from the hand holding the drill.

Many drills today are sold as drill/drivers, which means they can drill pilot holes and drive fasteners. I believe that this type of drill should be used for drilling holes and occasional fastening, but not for everyday use such as installing deck screws. An electrical screw gun or cordless impact driver is better designed for this activity.

As for drill/driver torque settings you probably won’t need more than six. More are purely a marketing scheme to sell the product.

Your final consideration should be the battery. Bigger is not always better. I encourage you to handle the tool, especially one with a battery in place. For general projects, a 9.6-volt to a 12-volt (or a 14.4-volt) drill will handle most of your needs. An 18-volt or 24-volt cordless drill can be heavy, and may even feel a little off balance. A 24-volt battery can weigh up to three or more pounds (depending on the manufacturer) — and that’s a lot of weight. If you want more power, then turn to an electric drill.

Make sure you get a second battery, so you will always have a battery charged and ready for use. The life of the battery is the biggest problem with cordless tools.

Be aware that the second battery is expensive. A kit with a second battery will probably be less expensive to purchase, than to purchase a kit with one battery plus an extra on the side.

A cordless drill is not the type of tool I recommend purchasing online. Each manufacturer has its own warranty, so it’s important to read the warranty card supplied with the unit before purchasing.

Be sure to check out the return policy to learn where to take the tool if warranty work is required. Sometimes you have to send it back to the manufacturer, and sometimes you can just return it to the place of purchase. If you’re lucky, the brand will have a local service center.

Finally, consider that less expensive drills may have more plastic parts inside while higher-end drills will feature all-metal gears and roller bearings and other high-quality parts. Also, some drills are designed and manufactured to survive without damage an accidental fall from a height of one story or more, something that occasionally happens.

I hope these tips help you select the right cordless drill for your needs.