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What’s the distinction in between a $30 drill as well as a $300 drill? Our DIYer digs in to come across out.

I recently set out to drill through five sheets of Plexiglas for a colorful wall hanging I was making. I borrowed a cordless drill/driver (which functions as both a makita 18v along with a power screwdriver) from a contractor I know who readily admits to being a tool snob. His drill was produced by Festool, a German manufacturer that numerous of us American DIYers have never heard of.

But, oh man, that finely-tuned instrument bored into that tough Plexiglas like a hot knife by way of butter. The sensation of utilizing a superior, precision drill — with its exquisite balance and power — was so pleasurable I in fact considered starting an additional wall hanging just so I could do a lot more drilling!

That’s the difference between working with a finely engineered and manufactured tool as well as a cheap and shoddily made one. The former makes you look forward to the work; the latter makes you dread each task.

Of course, you already know the primary downside towards the premier tools: enormous price tags. While the least high priced drill/driver you possibly can discover at a big box store will run you a slim $30, a Festool cordless drill costs about $350 or more.

The good news: there is really a middle ground when it comes to power drills. For instance you are able to purchase Consumer Reports’ most extremely rated cordless drill/driver (for general, at-home use), the Panasonic Model # EY6432GQKW, for about $200. It’s a 15.6-volt model, which is about mid-range.

CORDLESS DRILL/DRIVER GRADES
When you set out to buy a new cordless drill/driver, be aware there are two general grades for the at-home DIYer (excluding heavy-duty makita cordless developed for industrial-sized jobs):

Contractor Grade: These are the greatest quality, a lot more high-priced drills; the brands you’ll likely uncover on a professional job website. Producers involve Hitachi ($80-$130), Porter Cable ($100-$170), Milwaukee ($190), Panasonic ($185-$200),
Makita ($110-$270), and DeWalt ($140-$300)

– Consumer Grade: These are lesser high quality, less pricey drills intended for household use. Manufacturers involve Ryobi ($30-$200), Craftsman ($40-$120), Black & Decker ($60-$110), Skil ($60-$110), Ridgid ($140)

(Note: These are the price ranges of cordless drill/drivers reviewed by Consumer Reports.)

So why the disparity in prices? Consider the differences in between the least high-priced car you could buy (such as a Hyundai Accent for about $11,000) and also a a lot more high-priced car (such as a BMW 5-Series sedan starting at $50,000). While the cheaper cars will get you from point A to point B, you usually get there with a lot of road noise, uncomfortable seats, and maybe without the benefit of air conditioning as well as a sound system. It’s the same with luxury makita drill: they generally work better, feel better and last longer.

SAVE VS. SPLURGE FACTORS

You don’t have to purchase top-of-line power drill/drivers to experience great performance, but you do have to draw the line at some point if you want to prevent frustration, a short shelf-life, and shoddy results. Consider these factors when deciding what to spend on your cordless drill:

1. Speed
In general, the more speed your tool has, the better the performance. At the very least, the power drill you purchase should have high and low speeds. The high speed is for drilling and the low speed is for screwdriving. The speed is measured in rpm (revolutions per minute). A healthy rpm is 1,300 or much more. Drills with 800 or less can be frustrating to operate; they may not bore easily through a surface or not tighten a screw properly.

2. Power
The power available for your cordless drill/drivers is measured in volts (V). The least powerful tools on the market are about 6V, while the most powerful are about 24V. My favorite small drill/drivers, which fit nicely in my hand yet pack a lot of juice, are around 9.6V. Mid-power drill/drivers are around 14V, while the beefy models, the kind you might discover in the hands of a framing carpenter, would be 18V — probably too much power for the occasional or novice DIYer. Anything less than 9.6V is likely not worth your money. (Beg to differ? Defend your power drill in the comments below!)

3. Batteries
When it comes to cordless tools, the battery makes all the distinction. First, come across out how long the batteries hold their charge during the kinds of jobs you will do. If you’re planning on hanging a couple of curtain rods, or putting together a picture frame, any model will hold a charge long enough for you to get the job done. But if you’re doing a bigger job, like installing rain gutters to a large house, the battery might not go the distance without having to be recharged. Granted, most 24v cordless drill come with two batteries so one can charge while they other is in use. If you plan to do a lot of work with your drill/driver over a long period of time, check out the cost of new batteries. Some high-end tools require batteries that cost way additional than $100. Decide whether the convenience of a longer-lasting battery is worth the extra cost. And bear in mind that certain batteries can make cordless tools heavier than equivalent corded tools. For drill/drivers, 3.5 pounds is considered light, and 5 pounds or a lot more is considered heavy.

4. Hand Feel
This may be the least-considered issue by DIYers and others, but it’s among the most important. All hands are different, it’s fair to say, and some tools that fit and feel perfect in in one person’s hand may feel totally awkward in someone else’s. Hold any drill/driver you’re considering — with the battery installed, so you’ll have a far more accurate idea of the tool’s weight — at shoulder level for a minute or so to test it. For women, a smaller tool may feel better. Hand feel is about much more than comfort; it can affect the outcome of your project significantly. So, if you need to pay a little much more for a drill that feels better in your hands, consider it worth the investment.

5. LED Light
This is really a fairly new development in the industry that directs an LED light right where you’re drilling or driving a screw. If you’ve ever crawled inside a cabinet to attach it towards the wall, you know how life-changing a light on your drill/driver would be. Depending on your needs, this convenient feature might be worth the extra cash.

Tip: Good places for reading user reviews involve the websites for The Home Depot and Lowe’s. You are able to also talk to contractors and craftsmen or peruse contractor chat rooms. Here are a few additional ideas:

Remodeling Magazine
Tools of the Trade
Consumer Reports (subscription needed)
Journal of Light Construction Forums These are created as peer-to-peer forums for construction professionals. As homeowners, we can read contractors’ comments about tools, but we cannot post or ask questions. Even with that restriction, this is really a valuable resource for getting an insider’s view of construction issues, including tools, materials and processes.