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When he begins shopping for a drill, the amateur may be confused by
some of the terminology and by the profusion of choices offered. The
speed, the power output, and the type of chuck are the three major considerations, but to simplify things let us state that any of the medium- or
lower-priced drills made expressly for the home craftsman will perform
well any of their assigned tasks. The speeds and power outputs which
are found in the average 1/4-inch drill will be sufficient for any legitimate
accessory or auxiliary equipment used with such a drill. There are, however, two-speed drills now available for home use which are geared for
both heavy and light work. This may be a factor to consider if you
think you may need a drill for heavy work later on.
As to chucks-the clamping jaws holding the drills-the geared chuck
is the best and most trustworthy type, as well as the easiest to use.
Other types which require hand tightening or the use of small L-shaped
hexagonal steel wrenches to tighten the chuck are satisfactory; but the
geared chuck which uses a geared key to tighten the chuck, or to open it
to remove or admit drills and other equipment, is the easiest and most
efficient kind to use.
Choose your drill by hefting several kinds to see how they fit your
hand, how they balance when held in position for use. Possibly you
will prefer the type with a pistol grip handle, but try also the D-handled
kind to see if your hand may not feel more comfortable in the enclosed
handle. Be sure that the drill is not too heavy for you to operate easily
without unduly fatiguing yourself. On the other hand the very small,
very light-weight drills may not be sufficiently sturdy or heavy to perform some of the tasks you may have in mind for them later on. Medium-weight drills, which are comparatively light, would seem to be the
best answer for the majority of users.
DRILL ATTACHMENTS: When you are shopping for a drill, consider
the many auxiliary kits and appliances which may be purchased separately, or which may even be included in a package price with certain
makes of drills. These attachments allow the drill to be used as a sander,
polisher, buffer, grinder, circular saw, hedge clipper, jig saw or saber
saw, planer, drill press, and for performing many different tasks. In
general, these extra uses will work out satisfactorily if, as noted above,
they do not overtax the motor.
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