A guide to drill power tools

For any self respecting DIY enthusiast, owning a quality drill is essential. There are, however many hundreds of different choices and depending on whether you wish to buy a specialist drill or a general purpose unit, it can be tough choice. In this guide we'll show you what to look for when purchasing your new drill and how to buy a machine that will last for years to come.

Drills for DIY

Points to consider
The most important considerations for a drill for DIY is convenience and ergonomics.
For the drill to be convenient, it needs to be easy to manipulate in small spaces. When looking at hand held drills, look for quick release chucks since these will make changing tools much easier.
Drills have much higher torque than cordless screw drivers and will be much more useful around the home. With the advances in battery technology in recent years, battery drills are no longer the poorer relative of the mains powered drill.
Makita batteries and drills are very well respected and also have a long operating time under normal conditions. What to look out for
Ergonomically, look for a drill that is well balanced and has a comfortable grip. All controls should be easy to use and some drills even have a magnetic base plate, so that you don't lose screws and fastenings. A final thing to look for in DIY drills is versatility.
At the simplest level, look for hammer drill functionality.
If you are familiar to DIY, then owning separate tools is not necessarily the best option. Research a combination power tool set
A Makita combination tool kit uses the same battery and electric motor but provides different heads.
As a result, a Makita set gives saws, grinders, drills and polishers for one low price and convenient package.

Drills for site work and workshops

Site work and workshops
If you use your drill professionally or in a workshop, you need to consider quality bench power tools.
A drill press is a useful device for any workshop owner and can often be obtained cheaply second hand from industrial auctions. If you do not have the space for multiple bench tools, then consider buying a bench mill-drill unit.
This gives a drill press functionality but also with vernier X-Y-Z manipulation of the tool table. Final word
In order to get the best out of your bench tools, you'll need a quality machine vice and range of chucks to accommodate milling cutters, traditional drill bits and Morse taper bits. Alternatively, if you need a portable drill for professional site work, be sure that your unit is PAT tested and conforms to site regulations