By Matt Fox
Matt Fox and Shari Hiller created"Room by Room," the first show to airon HGTV. For more information,visit www.mattandshari.com.If the drill you are considering purchasing doesn't come with two batteries (which, thankfully, most do now), think twice. It is almost a necessity to have two batteries. Most of the chargers have a fast charge or a slow charge, and even though the fast charge may sometimes come in handy, opt for slow charging if you have two batteries. The battery on fast charge can generate a lot of heat, which can damage the battery. If you really need a fast charge, look for models that have "smart charge." These chargers have temperature sensors that protect the battery from overheating.When I purchased my first cordless drill the choices were slim, and as far as power was concerned, the highest voltage available was 9.6 volts. In cordless drill terms, higher voltage means more torque or power for the drill.When purchasing a cordless drill the battery is a big concern. When I purchased my first cordless drill it had a nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery (and charger, of course), and only one came with the drill. It held a charge for only a short time, and since I only had one battery, I often had to wait for the battery to charge or I pulled out my electric drill and found the nearest plug.Then do your price checking and see what you can afford based on the type of drill you want and need. The cordless drill is by far the one tool I wouldn't be without, and there should be one in your tool bucket, too.The handle of my first drill was a pistol type grip, with the handle located behind the motor forming the shape of a six-shooter. Newer models have a T-handle, with the handle below the motor and a battery compartment at the bottom of the handle. With the battery centered under the weight of the motor, the T-handle is well balanced and easier to control. I use both types, first because I'm frugal and hate getting rid of tools, but also because the pistol grip handle can fit into areas the T-handle can't because of the battery pack.By far the must-have tool for any home improvement junkie is the cordless drill. This is the tool of the hour when trying to install shelves, drapery rods, valances -- almost anything that needs a screw driven or a hole drilled. The cordless drill is all about having power at your finger tips, and it's the first tool you should purchase that isn't a hand tool.Speed is important, too, and cheaper models usually only have one speed. Higher-end models have two fixed speeds (in the 300 rpm to 800 rpm range), and a simple trigger on the top or side of the drill lets you select low or high speed. Low speed is for driving screws, high speed for drilling holes. A variable speed drill, which can go from zero rpm to top-end speed with the press of the trigger, comes in handy if you are doing a lot of fancy carpentry.Now, with the new nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, your cordless drill will run longer and is even smaller, making the battery pack on the drill handle smaller, as well. The batteries are also easier to dispose of. The old NiCad batteries contained cadmium, which is toxic and should not be thrown away (all batteries should be recycled). It should be easy to find a drill with NiMH batteries as most manufacturers make this type of drill and battery.As with any tool purchase, you need to take it out for a test drive. Visit a local home center store or hardware store and look over all the models -- actually lifting and testing the drill. Some stores offer demos and classes on tools, so take advantage of those to really test the drill before purchasing. If you are near a job site where there are contractors working, ask them what type of drill they prefer. If they are like me, they have tried them all, from small cordless drills to the big muscle types.If you're like me and do a lot of carpentry-type work, a 9.6- to a 12-volt drill is the better choice. These drills usually have more power, variable speeds and a clutch, and the T-handle shape. The price for a drill in this range will be about $60 to $140.Nowadays, drills range from about 6 volts, which is perfect for smaller home improvement projects, to an impressive 18 volts, which is enough power to use on big jobs, from installing cabinets to framing out a house.The major difference between an electric drill (one you plug in) and a cordless drill -- besides the obvious cord running out the back -- is that a cordless drill has a clutch. The clutch is located behind the chuck, which is where the screwdriver and drill bits are placed. The clutch disengages the drive shaft of the drill. When a pre-set resistance is selected, a clicking sound will occur when the resistance is met. The motor is still turning, but the screwdriver bit isn't. What this does is stop the cordless drill from stripping a screw or overdriving it once it is snug. The number of clutch settings varies by drill, with higher-end models having as many as 24. Most clutches also have a drill setting, which allows the motor to drive the drill bit at full power.The trade-off, of course, is how heavy the drill will become with a bigger battery. My first drill was 9.6 volts and weighed about 3 pounds. Newer, 18-volt models can weigh up to 10 pounds, and that is a lot of heft to haul around if you are installing simple bookcases. So balance the power (volts) you will require with the types of jobs (house building or decor projects) you will be performing.MATTANDSHARI.COM
Matt Fox and Shari Hiller created"Room by Room," the first show to airon HGTV. For more information,visit www.mattandshari.com.
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