Hole drilling is one of the most common operations that are performed both in professional construction and in household repairs. Modern drills allow even an inexperienced user to safely and accurately make niches of various formats, which expands the range of applications of this tool. Recently, a powerful drill with high power potential has become quite popular, with which you can not only perform minor repair operations, but also lay engineering communications through walls. However, the choice of a suitable model is not an easy task, since many parameters and technical nuances should be taken into account.
Tool Features
Obviously, the main feature of such a tool is a solid power reserve, thanks to which the operator will be able to make large holes in the solid-state material. But as such, an increase in power without an improvement in other parameters is of little importance. So, modern powerful electric drills are characterized by the presence of a special function of the shock action, which, coupled with the power load, just allows you to solve complex machining problems. Structurally, such models are distinguished by a specific configuration of the location of the cartridge with the gearbox through a rotating shaft. The gears of the mechanism do not move simultaneously, which ensures translational movements of the cartridge. In other words, a powerful impact drill, in addition to direct drilling, provides a vibration effect, which allows intensive destruction of the material being processed.
For a powerful tool, the endurance characteristic is also important. The device supports the workflow under high load for 40-50 minutes without stopping. So that the design, in principle, was able to withstand such loads with maximum speed, engineers use high-strength metal alloys. And although it is believed that powerful shock models relate only to the professional class, in reality this is not so. There are many exceptions in which manufacturers tend to just combine high power at the level of professional technology and the ergonomics inherent in the household class.
Differences from the punch
A powerful tool is required for working with solid-state materials - for example, when performing installation operations with walls or installing massive structures on a concrete basis. But for such work, professionals use a hammer drill, which is more focused on providing significant effort when drilling than a powerful drill, even with a productive power plant. Indeed, the puncher not only surpasses conventional electric drills and screwdrivers in power, but also has a number of other advantages:
- High amplitude shock.
- Low recoil due to more overall and heavy construction.
- Higher resource of working rubbing parts in the power filling.
- Durability.
But do not rush into the transition to a punch, as it has many disadvantages, because of which many builders remain interested in electric drills:
- Low functionality. The range of tasks for the puncher is quite narrow - the main emphasis is on power machining with drilling, chiselling and chipping. However, powerful drill drivers are optimally suited for twisting hardware. Today, virtually no electric drill without bit support.
- The drill requires special drills. Normal equipment can only be used with an adapter.
- Weight and large dimensions reduce returns, but adversely affect the convenience of physical handling of the structure. Long drilling during the same 40 minutes in weight is quite difficult to perform.
- The price is approximately 20-25% higher than the cost of drills.
Varieties of Power Drills
It’s worth starting with the fundamental difference between network and battery models. Traditional network drills are characterized by high power and low weight, which increases ergonomics when working with them. But binding to a socket limits their scope. Actually, this is the main advantage of models with batteries - they are autonomous and can be used away from power sources. On the other hand, even powerful cordless drills are equipped with gears with a low gear ratio, which also leads to a limited number of supported speeds (2-3). The disadvantages of battery modifications include enlargement of sizes due to the integrated unit with a battery. At least it adds weight, but, as already mentioned, it is with reference to a powerful tool that balanced mass is a plus.
Also, drills vary in design. Manufacturers produce models with angular, straight and pistol-shaped housing. The choice of a particular design is determined by the operating conditions of the tool, but the classic device in the form of a pistol is considered universal. A separate category is a powerful two-speed drill designed for mixing liquid and bulk building materials. These models have a reinforced gearbox and an increased speed. Two speeds make it possible to mix both viscous and fluid solutions with optimal torque. But the most important thing is that the design of the handles specifically focuses on vertical support perpendicular to the floor. The operator holds the drill mixer by two handles, directing the nozzle of a special shape.
Features of Mini Drills
High performance and power of a power tool are relative concepts, and with regard to radio engineering, technical and operational characteristics can be of a completely different level. To perform delicate operations with electrical circuit boards, for example, a powerful mini-drill is required. It’s not difficult to make it yourself with your own hands, if the right parts and consumables are at hand. The basis of such a tool can be laid a DC motor, which can be found in old car radios. By the way, by connecting a power supply unit with a voltage of 6-15 V to it, it will be possible to adjust the torsion speed.
To make a case with an imitation of a cartridge, a collet with a hole for a shaft connected to a motor is required. In this part, it is important to correlate the shaft openings and the diameter of the collet release - values of the order of 1.5 mm, 2 mm and 2.3 mm are suitable. Next, you can move on to the electrical infrastructure of the instrument. The power button is soldered off (also taken from old electrical appliances), the power supply cord is connected and the connectors are installed. In the case, the working filling is placed using hot melt adhesive and by the same soldering. Drills are selected according to the size of the collet - as practice shows, a diameter of 1.5 mm will be enough to accurately create holes in the theodolite.
Key Specifications
The ratio of parameters can be different, and specific indicators will help you choose the best drill option for specific tasks. Pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Power. A key indicator of the health of a tool, indicating the strength of its electric motor. For example, powerful low-speed drills with a potential of the order of 500-700 W can easily cope with concrete and brick. Restrictions take place only in the diameter of the formed holes. In the class of battery devices, the limit is considered to be the voltage at the level of 32-36 V. This is already a professional level, and in the household segment drills are also considered powerful, the battery voltage of which is about 18 V.
- Rotational speed. Defines the spindle speed around the axis. In this part, it should be noted that a high speed above 5400 rpm is more suitable for making serial small holes. Support for high-quality drill stroke in relation to solid building materials is possible at a frequency below 4600 rpm. But since a modern power tool allows you to adjust this indicator, then you should take into account not a specific value, but a frequency range.
- Torque. This indicator to the greatest extent determines the force with which the drill will overcome the resistance. Again, a slow-moving powerful drill at 26-28 N / m will allow you to work with hard materials at a sufficient load from the motor.
- Drilling diameter. The maximum allowable thickness of the drill, which can be equipped with a particular model. For powerful machines, for example, nozzles suitable for making 40 mm holes in wood and 15 mm in metal structures are suitable. This is an average for semi-professional equipment.
- Type of cartridge. There are keyless and key chucks. The first allows you to perform a practically quick change of the nozzle without additional effort and with minimal time costs. Key ones involve the use of a special key, which will require both time and physical effort.
Metabo SB 18 LTX Model Reviews
A representative of the cordless screwdriver segment, whose power potential allows, in addition to drilling and twisting, also to perform slotting functions. Like all powerful drills with a large torque of about 110 Nm, this machine is provided with a pulse rotation function, which allows the operator to drill holes on smooth surfaces with minimal deviations. As for the voltage, it is 18 V - again, not the highest indicator, but the shock function will make it possible to efficiently solve most household repair tasks. The tool drills wood with a thickness of up to 65 mm, and metal sheets - up to 13 mm.
Reviews of this version note its balance in terms of a combination of performance and indicators of the energy supply system. The model is provided with a 5.2 Ah battery, that is, a continuous working process can last several hours, after which you can replace the battery with a spare one. As is characteristic of powerful drills, the SB 18 LTX is a little heavy, and, as users emphasize, it is the battery that gives a significant load. But the rest is noted ergonomic design - from comfortable rubberized pads to hold the body to the mechanics of the action of the quick-release chuck. In terms of shortcomings, many indicate rapid heating, which forces frequent breaks in conditions of intensive drilling.
Bosch GSR 36 VE-2-LI Reviews
The German manufacturer is also famous for high-quality, functional and productive power tools. In this case, the most powerful cordless drill in its class is considered at all, the voltage of which is 36 V. Thanks to this potential, the user will be able to make holes with a diameter of 102 mm in wood structures, and up to 16 mm in metal structures.
The owners of the device themselves include 15 adjustment steps for torque, a capacious and quick-charging battery (it takes a little more than an hour to recharge the charge), and a rugged case that practically does not wear out and does not crack even when it falls. The Bosch tool is predictably different in terms of the availability of high-tech functionality. Users, for example, highlight the spindle lock system, thanks to which it is possible to replace nozzles with one hand. And this despite the fact that the design can hardly be called compact and lightweight. In general, this powerful low-speed drill with a rotational speed of 420-1800 rpm is optimally suited for installation work in the home and on the construction site. Its only drawback is the high price tag of about 40 thousand rubles.
DeWalt DW 263 K model reviews
A professional model of electric power drill, whose power is 540 watts. The manufacturer presents this device as the optimal solution for finishing work in line mode. In addition to drilling operations, the tool allows you to perform the twisting and unscrewing of self-tapping hardware with a thickness of 6.3 mm. Along with high productivity, users note the accuracy of positioning during drilling, which is achieved thanks to the depth limiter.
Also in practice, the use of this model reveals such qualities as reliability, ease of use with the body and ease of configuration operations. The frequency range varies from 0 to 2500 rpm, so we can talk about the versatility of the tool in terms of working with different bits and drills. On the other hand, the owners note that the low-speed powerful drill DW 263 K is very limited in functionality. There are no features such as spindle lock, speed change (single speed mode), backlight, or even shock. But at the same time, reviews point to the advantages of such optimization, manifested in a reduction in weight to 1.3 kg. It turned out to be quite powerful and at the same time a lightweight universal power screwdriver with an acceptable price tag of 13 thousand rubles.
How to choose a good drill?
It is necessary to build on the tasks that will face the tool. High power may be required for a variety of purposes - from making holes for installing fixtures in the ceiling to creating large-format niches in foundation concrete blocks. In addition to the basic indicators of power and torque, the features of the technical device and design are taken into account. For example, a powerful low-speed drill for piles should have a reinforced socket-holder for the drill and provide mains power. Although belonging to the segment of battery models for operation on a construction site often becomes a key factor of choice, it is desirable to perform critical power operations with solid-state structures with high energy support, which to date is provided only by network tools.
If the requirements for power are not so high, then the emphasis in the choice can be shifted to functionality. The same 18 V battery version will provide enough power, and a set of high-tech options will make the tool work more accurately and accurately. At a minimum, you should turn to powerful drills with a multi-speed gearbox. This will make it possible to carry out tasks of varying difficulty with individual drilling settings. Further, the presence of such functions as soft start, support for a constant (maximum) speed, reverse stroke (reverse torsion), indication of brush wear, LED backlighting, etc., is taken into account.
Do not ignore the availability of security systems. It is desirable that the electric drill be provided with a spindle blocker, which will insure against accidental switching on. Also, the latest models are almost without exception equipped with systems to prevent overheating and overloads. For this, an electronics unit is introduced that monitors the temperature sensor on the motor winding. When fixing critical values, the device automatically stops working.
Conclusion
The more powerful the tool, the higher the responsibility of the tasks it performs. The range of accessories that are used in working with it is also expanding. This fully applies to electric drills. Even at the stage of purchasing the device, it is recommended to select the corresponding drill with bits, as well as extension cords and hex keys for servicing cartridges. A powerful cordless drill / driver is completed in its own way, for which a second power supply unit for replacement during operation and a charger should be provided. Today, more and more often these accessories are introduced into the basic package along with plastic cases, but they may not be. Do not forget about personal protective equipment. Professionals advise working with powerful electrical equipment in headphones, construction glasses and gloves.