I need help in selecting a hand drill?

Question

After many months of procrastination, I've finally decided that I am going to get me a hand drill for minor repairs around the house. now I am not a handyman and have no plans for any major renovation. The only upcoming project is drilling my house numbers into a concrete wall.

Could someone give me advise on what features / spec do I need to look for when trying to buy one? Cost is a concern and I do not need a top-of-the-line model with tons of feature I will never use.

Answer 1

Rigid 18 volt cordless drill first, then a DeWalt 18 volt cordless.

If the cordless are out of your desired spending ranges, get the model with the cord for somehwere between $50-$75 range.

Cost is a concern. You get what you pay for. Buy junk upfront, and you will be replacing it in a short period of time. Spend the money and buy something that will last.

Usually, the lower end models seem to ship with batteries that don't hold a good charge. Once the battery has expired, you may as well just buy a new drill.

Rigid or DeWalt — you won't be sorry for th investment. If your going to buy, buy once, not twice or three times.

Answer 2

I have an 18 volt Craftsman cordless that works great. Got it in a kit with a work light and a 5 inch circular saw for about $125 on sale. All use the same batteries. I've used the drill to bore into concrete, drill through wall studs and joists for wiring, hanging drywall, curtains and blinds and a bunch of other stuff. The batteries will recharge in about an hour. The drill has variable torque settings and is reversible. My only complaint is about the weight of the drill. It does get heavy doing a project like hanging drywall.

Answer 3

The drill that will cost you the least amount of money is a electric drill. You can buy one for about 20 or 30 dollars at stores like Wall Mart. This drill will do the job you describeb and last a person like your- self whom "will not use the drill very often" a long time. The only feature I would look for ( given the situation ) is to make sure it has a reverse. I don't think they even make them anymore without the reverse feature.

Answer 4

Try liquid nails or silicone adhesive woud be best. If want to purchase a dril for minor repairs, anything about a 14 volts would give you enough power for what you need it for. I would even suggest a Ryobi kit, then you would get a few other tools for not a lot of money. (homedepot.com) $160 for a 5 piece tool set (18v drill, 2 saws, light, vacuum w/2 batteries) that you would be able to use when ever needed for future projects. If you just want the drill, they have an online special for $30 for a dril and saw or $100 for a dril, saw and light, always a handy tool have 3 lights myself.
Hope this helps, Good Luck and God bless.

Answer 5

You have had good answers already, but I will sum it up for you. I am a huge fan of the Ryobi 18 volt cordless tools that you buy at Home Depot. www.homedepot.com They make a cordless hammer drill. Their web site does not list how much it is, but if you are going to be drilling into concrete, that can be really hard sometimes and requires a hammer drill. Once you get into the Roybi cordless system, it is easy to add tools as you go - cordless reciprocating saw, circular saw, sander, and the list goes on. I have had my Roybi cordless tools for over 5 years now, and am really glad I bought them, heck I even added the cordless chainsaw this year.

Answer 6

A hammer drill like the previous poster suggested would be useful when drilling through concrete, but it's going to cost you extra.

A regular drill with a concrete drill bit will do.

If you are not going to be using it a lot and have a good extension cord you might want to consider a corded drill, instead of a cordless. The corded drills have more torque and higher RPMs, and are usually cheaper.

Answer 7

Look for something with a hammer drilling setting and clutch speed setting. Try a pawn shop-- Dewalt and Milwaukee 12v or better will do you right. When drilling out your anchor holes try and line up your penetrations in the mortar joints--as they are much easier to drill into then brick or concrete. Buy and level so no one will have to drive by your house and laugh at the install.

Answer 8

Certainly you'll get many valid answers here, and most based on personal choices and experience.

For you, I suggest new, and DeWalt is a bargain for any DIY with limited budget and use of the tool. Beyond that they are well suited to last as long as you might need, and offer multiple types of warantees as well as service centers nationwide.

I suggest that SKIL, Craftsman, Ryobi, Rigid, and some others are likely OK for your use.

I own many types and brand names, and use them hard in my work, but many are expensive, and consider, as you mention, "Features" You're already ahead of the game by finding a tool that has "a horn a spotlight a radio, etc", attached.

Certainly one answer suggests a great brand, and in conjunction with a pawn shop, but power tools really can be purchased at "bargain" prices NEW.

Steven Wolf

Answer 9

go to Sears. You should by a drill that has a 3/8" chuck, is multi speed and reversible. Figure to spend about 50 to75 dollars for a decent one. Cheaper drills are a waste of money. Black and Decker is junk, that's why Wal Mart sells them.

Answer 10

I work with a guy that has been using his black and decker set for 3 years without a hitch. It cost about $60 for the drill 2 batteries and a charger. He and I are hard on tools. We are electricians in rough construction ands use our tools everyday. I use Ryobi, and is just as good. Biggest difference in our tools compared to the more expensive ones, is that we can afford to drop one. Ryobi is primarilly a product of Home Depot and Balck and Decker can be found at Target, Lowes, and i believe Wal-Mart(wally world) Shop on line for pricing and kit combos in your area.