As a power tool manufacturer, choosing the right power drill for a job can be daunting. Knowing which suits your needs can be challenging with so many different types of power drills on the market. This blog post will discuss the different types of power drills and their various uses.

Corded/Cordless Drill

The reason why drill drivers are the preferred drill type for DIY enthusiasts is that they come equipped with both a standard drill function, ideal for drilling holes in various materials, and a driver function, which allows for the tightening and loosening of fasteners. On the standard drill setting, the drill bit rotates at high speed to create holes in materials such as wood and metal, while the driver setting slows down the rotation speed and increases the torque to drive fasteners, such as screws and bolts. Additionally, drill drivers are available in both corded and cordless varieties, allowing users to select the type of drill driver that best suits their individual needs.

It is suitable for driving fasteners and drilling holes in wood, plastic, and thin metals. Corded drills are less portable and require a power outlet, which can limit their use in certain situations. Cordless drills are the most popular power drill on the market today, thanks to their portability and convenience. They are powered by rechargeable batteries, which means you can take them anywhere and use them without needing a power outlet. Cordless drills are best for lighter tasks like drilling small holes or driving screws. However, they are less powerful than corded drills and can be more expensive.

Hammer Drill

When drilling through masonry, a hammer drill is the tool of choice. This type of drill uses a rotating drill bit that delivers forceful blows to the material it’s drilling into. Unlike a standard drill, which lacks the power to penetrate rigid materials like brick and mortar, a hammer drill is equipped with a hammering function that repeatedly drives the drill bit against the target material while the bit is rotating at high speed. By combining these two actions, a hammer drill can create holes in masonry quickly and efficiently.

In addition to their specialized hammering function, many hammer drills offer the added versatility of switching to standard drill or driver modes, allowing for use in various tasks. It’s worth noting, however, that when drilling through masonry materials with a hammer drill, a masonry drill bit is essential. A standard wood drill bit would be unable to withstand the concussive force and would likely chip or break during use.

Rotary Hammer

A rotary or combination hammer is the hammer drill’s big brother. It merges the rotational force of a hammer drill with a highly impactful concussive force similar to that of a compact jackhammer. These concrete drills range from slightly larger to much larger than hammer drills. These use a more robust hammering/chipping mechanism to deliver far greater power than a hammer drill. The rotary hammer is more powerful than standard hammer drills, suitable for heavy-duty tasks but also more expensive and heavier.

These tools usually come with at least two modes: chipping and hammering with rotation. Some give you the option of rotation only, but only a few Pros use it, even though it can drill through wood and metal.

Impact Driver

An impact driver is a compact device designed for driving screws and other types of fasteners. Similar to a drill driver, it features a handle and trigger, but its body is shorter, allowing it to access tight spaces that a typical drill driver might not be able to reach. Impact drivers are highly regarded in the construction industry as the ultimate screwdriving tool, as they can drive screws faster and more efficiently than a standard drill driver.

Typically powered by a battery, these tools emphasize torque more than speed, rendering them suitable for driving or removing long, thick screws and bolts with ease. While an impact driver can be utilized for drilling holes with the appropriate bit, many professionals use it alongside a drill, thus eliminating the need to switch between bits during work. If you need help deciding between a drill or an impact driver, consider utilizing both tools, as doing so can help save you valuable time.

Right-Angle Drill

Featuring a long, slender handle extending to a small, perpendicular head where the bits are held, right-angle drill drivers are equipped with an adjustable head that allows them to easily access hard-to-reach areas. They are well-suited for use in tight locations, such as beneath a sink or ceiling. Right-angle drill drivers are often battery-powered thanks to their focus on convenience and portability.

If you’re faced with a task in which an impact driver won’t fit, a right-angle drill driver can come in handy for driving fasteners. Additionally, this tool can be used to drill small holes in wood or thin metal. However, right-angle drill drivers are not designed for power, so if the tool lacks the necessary strength, you may need to switch to a more robust drill to complete the job.

Drill Press

A drill press is a worktop machine that drills holes, it’s a stationary power tool. The drill press is for the person who requires more precision as they are drilling and is very common in woodworking and metalworking shops.

The drill bit of a drill press descends vertically through the material, producing highly precise holes that can be challenging to achieve with a handheld drill. In addition to their accuracy, drill holes made with a drill press are also highly repeatable, meaning that you can drill the same hole in the exact location on multiple pieces of wood or metal without having to readjust the position of the drill bit.

Drywall Screwdriver

Drywall screwdrivers are tools specifically designed for installing drywall panels, as the name suggests. These tools, powered by battery or electricity, provide mobility and speed, allowing drywall installers to swiftly fasten drywall panels by driving screws into the wall studs. Drywall screwdrivers are slender, lightweight tools that operate like impact drivers. However, they typically come equipped with an adjustable depth gauge to prevent the screws from penetrating too far into the drywall. Professional-grade models often feature collated magazines that allow you to feed screws automatically as you work, significantly accelerating the job.

Drywall screwdrivers are also not technically drills and are purely driving/fastening tools, also are not suitable for other drilling work.

Ground Auger

A ground auger, a post-hole auger, an earth auger, or an earth drill is designed to dig holes into the ground. This tool enables you to install fence posts or cultivate the soil for planting flowers, vegetables, or other vegetation types. Ground augers can be costly in comparison to other power tools, you can either purchase one for yourself or consider renting one from your local tool store.

How to choose the right Drill for the job?

Choosing the right drill can be daunting, especially for a beginner. You must consider many factors, such as the type of material you’ll be drilling into, the hole size you want to make, and the power you need.Following these simple tips, you can choose the right drill for the job.
First, consider what you’ll be using the drill for. A cordless drill will be sufficient if you only need to make small holes. However, if you plan on doing heavy-duty drilling, you’ll need a more powerful drill.

Second, take into account the size of the hole you need to make. A large drill bit will require a more powerful drill.

Finally, think about how much power you need. A higher-voltage drill will be able to handle tougher materials and larger holes. The big batteries will only need to be recharged sometimes.