Power Tools for Beginners
Looking to buy a power tool as a gift? Or maybe you want to do some simple DIY work yourself? This article is an absolute beginner's guide to almost all tools for home maintenance, construction, woodworking, metalworking, or crafts. It gives a basic description of each tool's purpose, function, and buying tips.
1. Corded Drill
Purpose: Corded drills are used to drill holes in metal, plastic, wood, brick, stone, concrete, glass, and tile. There are various types and lengths of drill bits to choose from, depending on the material being drilled; HSS (high-speed steel) drill bits for metal, flat drill bits for wood, and masonry drill bits for concrete.
Working Principle: The drill bit is fixed in a clamping device at the end of the drill rod, which is called a chuck. Some drill bits come with a keyless chuck that can be tightened manually, while others come with a chuck that needs to be tightened with a chuck key. This allows the drill bit to be tightened more securely, and large drill bits are less likely to slip off, but keyless manual tightening of the chuck is more convenient.
Most DIY model drills come with a 1/2" (13mm) chuck to accommodate drill bits up to this diameter, but 5/8" (16mm) chucks are also available. These drills range from about 500 to 800 watts. 650 to 700 watts are more than enough for most jobs.
Variable speed drills are most convenient because they allow drilling to start without the drill bit moving, giving the user more control over the process.
Accessories: If you need to drill in hard-to-drill places, you can buy a right-angle chuck adapter that fits the drill chuck. Alternatively, a flexible driver can also be used. You can also use a wire brush and mounting point for grinding.
Things to note: Drills may have a fixed speed setting, 2 speed settings, or a variable speed, depending on how hard you pull the trigger. Variable speed is most convenient because it makes it easier to start drilling without the drill bit moving all over the place. Also, drills with larger diameters should use a lower speed to avoid overheating the drill bit due to friction.
2. Cordless Drill
Uses: This tool can be used to drill holes in metal, plastic, wood, masonry, and can also be used as an electric screwdriver to drive screws. A combination drill and screwdriver is often referred to as a "combo." A cordless drill, like any other cordless power tool, offers the convenience of being free of the power cord. This means no cables to trip people up, and no moving extension cords to loosen the cord.
Cordless drills can also be used in awkward places, such as on ladders and rooftops, without the inconvenience of wires getting caught in everything. Another advantage of a cordless drill is that it is better balanced and easier to operate with one hand, especially when driving screws. Corded drills tend to be top-heavy and difficult to operate with one hand.
How it works: Cordless drills are usually equipped with a 3/8-inch (10 mm) or 1/2-inch (13 mm) hand-tightening chuck. Some drills also come with a hammer function to facilitate drilling holes in masonry. Cordless drills have batteries with voltages ranging from 10.8 to 36 volts. The higher the voltage, the more power and torque required to drill larger diameter holes. However, the downside of higher voltage is that the drill is heavier. 14.4V or 18V are a good compromise.
Cordless drills have multiple torque settings. This ensures that when a preset twist or torque is applied to the screw, the chuck will slip, preventing the screw from overdriving into the wood.
A word of caution: Like some corded drills, cordless drills may have low-speed and high-speed settings. The gearbox sets the speed, and choosing a lower speed setting produces more torque for drilling larger diameter holes. If you need to use a drill to drive TEK screws (self-drilling screws used to fasten metal cladding to metal or wood), choose a model with a maximum torque of at least 55 NM to handle tough wood.
