What to look for in power tools for a disabled home owner?
What to look for in power tools for a disabled home owner?
Might be the wrong place, but I hope some people have some experience with the topic.
In short I want to purchase a drill-thing for general basic home repairs. Hanging shelves that sort of thing. "Problem" is that there's so much info and features and I'm kinda drowning. Everything looks nearly identical. The more I research the more confused I get.
Bonus restraints: cinderblock and concrete construction is how it's done here (so need a thingy that's strong enough to drill a bit into cinderblocks?), and the major-er problem is that I need something that doesn't put a lot of strain or kickback(??) on the user. Due to medical issues I can't really put much weight/pressure on a tool.
So far I got that a drill is for holes and a driver is for screws (so I guess I need both?). Brushless is more better because parts don't touch and magnets is power? More power is less weight you need to put into it but more power needs more strength????
I'll obv go to the store and try to hold various models but I don't really know what I need to look for. Maybe I just need an electric screwdriver lol? đź« Big confuse plz help.
So, material being drilled in to will determine type of drill.
Drilling into concrete requires what is called a "hammer drill" and masonry bits. Drilling into concrete is more challenging than wood. A hammer drill has an internal hammer that helps pulverise the concrete and drill through it. It also takes more weight to go behind it, and they are heavier. And the masonry bits are designed for that sort of cutting
I have a Hilti TE-24 that is great for me, but my physical limitations are different then yours. Lowes has a dewault corded hammer drill @ 7amps for $89 that is probably going to be fine for your purposes. Especially if you're just trying to hang pictures and stuff. If you want a bigger one, the 10 amp model is $170.
Without more detail on your physical limitations, and I can't really give more advice except that you need a hammer drill for concerete
I am going to be honest, these answers are all fantastically informational but don't really tell you what you should be looking for. If you want a one-and-done solution I recommend a Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hammer Drill/Driver combo. M18s are heavier than an M12, but have more power because of it. If your disability is related to lifting things, bear that in mind. I recommend Milwaukee because it's what I know from my decade in trades, any name brand will be fine.
It has a middling hammer function that for Joe Homeowner will put holes in brick and concrete without needing a dedicated tool. If your project is, say you need to drill a quarter inch hole for a screw or something in a hard surface. You're obviously not coring your foundation, so you don't need the big dedicated hammer drill. It will also have a regular drill function for putting holes in not-brick, and will have a clutch for putting screws in things that you don't want to strip out. These are the things to look for. Clutch, Drill, Hammer function. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to help you out.
So there are 3 main types of drill you may be interested in. The first is a "regular" drill with a chuck (1/2 inch is common here in the US). The chuck is adjustable, so you can use a range of bit types. This will let you drill through wood and other soft materials, as well as drive screws through softer stuff. This is the most versatile drill - most novice DIYers can get by with this alone, although I wouldn't really recommend that.
The second is a hammer drill. These are good for drilling through concrete. They do have a bit of a rattle, but you won't have to use as much force on the drill, since the hammering movement of the drill does that for you.
The last is a impact driver. These also have a bit of a rattle, but are good for driving screws through thicker/harder material. This is like a hammer drill, but the hammering motion is in the direction of the screw threads.
I wouldn't worry about brushless - the main benefit is that the motor lasts longer, so they're good for professional use. I've never had an issue with non-brushless tools.
I'm not sure what country you're in, so I don't know what brands are available. Also not sure about how much you are looking to spend.
That being said, for simple DIY stuff around the house I'd pick a brand like Ryobi or Dewalt. Depending on what you want, you can probably find a combo set with a drill, impact driver, battery and charger for ~$100.