A cordless drill is very important when completing most DIY projects around the house. Whether you’re hanging curtain rods, building a patio or fence, running electrical wiring, or installing shelves in a closet, you’ll need to drill holes and drive screws. They’ve been to Sears, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowes. They all exhibited at least 20 different cordless drills. How do you Akku-Bohrschrauber decide which is best for you?

Cordless drills have changed dramatically in the last two years and the latest generation is characterized by small dimensions, powerful motors and fast-charging lithium-ion batteries. Many of today’s drills are half the weight and half the size of the same drill 2 years ago. Don’t let your husband or dad tell you otherwise, these new cordless drills will do the job you expect them to do. Today’s drill/screwdrivers put enough power in your hand to handle even the biggest tasks without tiring you through the day. Five important characteristics of a quality cordless drill are size, torque, speed, batteries and clutch.

Expect to pay $80-$100 for a quality 180-inch/pound sub-compact cordless drill. $150 to $220 for a premium 320-400 inch/lb compact drill/screwdriver and $250 and up for a premium 500 inch/lb full size cordless drill.

SIZE

The physical size of the latest cordless drills is much smaller than the drills of just a year ago. The new sub-compact lithium drill/screwdrivers weigh 2 lbs. The equivalent Nicad -powered cordless drill from just two years ago weighs 5.2 pounds. These new drill bits are easier to hold and allow you to get into tight spots. All new drills have lights to help you see inside cabinets and work in normal household lighting situations. In fact, many of the latest drill bits fit easily in your kitchen drawer.

TORQUE

When I talk about the performance of a cordless drill, I’m really talking about how much rotational power or torque it produces. I’m not talking about the battery voltage. This inch-pound rating will help you compare one drill to another and decide if the drill is big enough for the job you are trying to do. 180 in/lb is enough power for most drilling, screwing and repair jobs around the home, 320 in/lb is enough for most home construction and remodeling jobs. Only consider a full-size, higher-torque drill bit if you need to set a lot of lag screws when building a patio, drilling holes in concrete, or need to use a large specialty attachment like a bulb borer (for planting tulip bulbs) when shopping Read on a cordless one -Drill driver’s packaging or visit the manufacturer’s website and look for the torque values on the specification page.

SPEED

Today’s new lithium powered drills have two or more variable speed settings. Usually 0-600 rpm (revolutions per minute) and 1-1600 rpm. The lower speed is used for drilling large holes, driving large screws and precision work. The higher speed is used for drilling small holes, countersinking and setting smaller screws in large numbers. When using your drill, always start on the low speed setting and only switch to the higher speed once you have become accustomed to the task and find that you can work accurately at the higher speed. Don’t buy a single-speed cordless drill. The one speed is usually too slow for most tasks and is often indicative of a cheap, low quality drill.

BATTERIES AND CHARGERS

A few years ago, environmentally friendly nickel metal hydride ( NiMH ) rechargeable batteries replaced the popular nickel cadmium ( NiCd ) cells that powered most cordless tools. These batteries have now been replaced by the same type of battery as in your mobile phone, the Lithium Ion ( LiIon ) battery. The new lithium-ion batteries have equal or better run time, half the weight, no storage issues, and the ability to hold a full charge for well over a year while sitting in your kitchen drawer. The prices for the lithium-powered tools have dropped so much that it is no longer worth buying a NiCad. You can now buy a good lightweight DIY drill with a lithium ion battery for only $79.00.

Today’s latest chargers are Energy Star qualified and very efficient. The new chargers will also charge the batteries much faster than before. The latest chargers charge a battery in 30 to 50 minutes. One battery will suffice for most home repair projects. With the new lithium batteries and chargers, you can always keep the battery fully charged and always ready to work for you. For larger tasks, if you start a project with two fully charged batteries and always leave one on the charger, you can work uninterrupted because the new chargers can “top up” a dead battery as fast as you can discharge the one on the drill. Unless you’re screwing nonstop, you probably won’t have to wait for a battery . In my experience, when building outdoor furniture, I use one drill for pilot holes and one for driving screws. Makita Akku-Bohrschrauber The new chargers charge the batteries fast enough that I only have to charge an extra battery and can work continuously without having to wait for the charger.