Monday, May 13, 2013

Basic Buyer’s Guide to Cordless Drills and Other Milwaukee Tools

Power tools such as cordless drills and drivers make home construction works fast and easy, serving a variety of uses from attaching wall frames through to building decks. While the basic cordless drill may suffice for simple home improvement projects, other types of Milwaukee tools such as hammer drills offer additional features to suit specific purposes. Identifying what your project needs and the anticipated uses for tools that you intend to buy will help you determine the best equipment for your situation. Such equipment are available in most local tool shops but you need to be able to know which one to go for.

Types of Milwaukee Tools

Cordless drivers: This type of tool is used to drive screws into place and is typically used for small projects such as hanging picture frames and installing shelves. Right angled drivers provide flexibility of use by allowing you to drive screws in tight places.

Cordless impact drivers: Impact drivers automatically increase the torque or driving force when the tool experiences resistance from the material. Increasing torque prevents the bit from slipping, minimising chances of stripping screws and damaging bits. Impact drivers are best suited for larger projects such as deck construction projects and building sheds.

Cordless hammer drills: Hammer drills are powerful tools that allow drill bits to pound or punch in and out while spinning. The powerful hammering and drilling combination allows you to work with hard surfaces such as brick, concrete and masonry. Higher strength features also make this type of tool heavier than other cordless tools.

Cordless drill/driver considerations


Chuck size: Cordless tools with smaller chuck sizes are ordinarily sufficient for small DIY projects and are less expensive than tools with larger chuck sizes, but are unable to work with bits that are larger than the given chuck size.

Battery voltage
: Cordless tools rely on batteries for power and powerful tools require higher battery power. Ideally, a higher battery voltage is complemented by a high amp-hours (AH) rating which indicates how long the battery will last. Consider both battery voltage and AH rating when choosing cordless power tools.

Battery types: Lithium ion batteries offer higher power and run time and are much lighter than nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries.

Torque: Torque refers to the twisting force of the drill and is also a good indicator of its power. Torque power generally increases along with the cordless tool’s voltage.

Other features such as multiple torque adjustments, LED lights, battery gauge and warranty periods are additional considerations before making your purchase. Online cordless tool suppliers allow you to compare features and prices among a wide range of brands, making selection and buying easy and convenient.

If you to see a full line of Milwaukee tools, visit http://www.gasweld.com.au/brands/milwaukee