Category: Cordless Drill

What’s the differences between a corded vs cordless drill? The obvious reason will be portability. If you set the battery in the cordless drill, you are free to move anywhere you like. On the other hand, most of the DIY’ers will not like the extension cord of a corded drill.

In this article, I will take you through the difference between a corded and cordless drill so that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of these two major types of drills. After the read, it will help you decide on the appropriate type of drill that is most suitable for your specific projects. Therefore, whether you are thinking to buy the both type of drills or sticking to any specific one, this article is going to be a great help for you.

Differentiating Attributes

Power

Although power is not everything to measure the drilling capacity, it is a very useful determinant. We always expect a power tool to be more powerful. Corded drills get the advantage of 110-volt alternating current as they are powered by our electricity line directly. On the contrary, cordless drills use the battery as a power source. The usual voltage rating of the batteries varies from 12 volts to 20 volts.

What is the relationship between voltage and power? In general, if the amperage of the motor is constant, a higher voltage will generate more power. For example, if the amp rating of the motor of a corded drill is 8A, then the calculated power will be 110V X 8A or 880 watts. We know that power is calculated from the multiplication of voltage and ampere. As the voltage of a cordless drill is 20V at most, therefore, the power we get from it will be substantially lower than the corded counterpart.

Today’s cordless drills are designed in a way that you get the maximum power out of the resources. For example, the maximum watt output of a DeWalt cordless drill is 300. It is way less than the power of our previous example. Although power is not the only measure of the performance of a drill, a more powerful drill will increase the speed and torque.

Other differentiating attributes between a corded and cordless drill

Power is not the only determinant when we choose a drill machine. Let’s find out some other important features that differentiate these two types of power tools.

Convenience

Cordless drills are convenient over the corded ones. You just need to carry the charged batteries and the drill is ready to work. There is no need to think about the dangling wire and power socket. With a cordless drill, you will get almost the same facilities of the corded cousin such as magnetic bits, different speed options, and so on. It is more suitable for DIY projects. Contractors like the cordless drills for easy jobs.  

Long term use

If you want more power for doing something consistently for a long time, then the corded drill will be a perfect choice. Corded drills are more durable. Therefore, these are suitable in the long run. The juice is never-ending as you will get a power grid everywhere. On the other hand, a battery-powered drill will be useless until the battery is charged properly. Because of the consistent power, you will get a consistent and uniform torque with the corded drill. Therefore, it will be a better choice if the projects are with harder objects such as metal and concrete. It will give you more confidence when dealing with hard nuts.

Lifespan

Although a cordless drill is suitable for small and quick works, it is not suitable for infrequent projects. If you anticipate that you will use the drill only a few times in a year, then you should prefer a corded one. When we keep the battery idle for a long time, it gets permanently damaged that can not be fully recovered. On the other hand, battery-powered drills are not suitable for very frequent projects. A battery has a certain limited charge and discharge cycle. Therefore, if we use it too often, then the limited cycle life gets decayed quickly. Hence, if you want a longer lifespan with your cordless drill, then the usage pattern should be moderate. Otherwise, you should go with the corded one.

Cordless drill in detail

Types of cordless drill

We can divide the cordless drill into four different categories. The first one is the drill or driver. It is the primary or standard type of drill that we use for making holes or driving screws on objects. Standard cordless drills can only handle simple and light objects such as plastic, wood, and metal sheet.

The second type of cordless drill is the hammer drill. The working principle of this kind of drill is similar to the previous one. The difference is that it has an in-built ‘hammer’ setting that allows it to work on tough materials such as concrete, wall, stone, and so on. To give it extra power, hammer drills are heavier than a regular cordless drill.

A rotary hammer is another type of hammer drill that uses air pressure to produce sufficient power. These are also heavier and bigger and produce more power than hammer drills. The cost of this kind of drill is more than a regular hammer drill.

Impact drivers are the last types of drills that are used to fasten and loosen the bolts and screws. You can also use these to make a hole in soft surfaces.

Battery options

As you know that the cordless drill will use batteries to power it up, there are two different types of batteries that the manufacturers use these days. Lithium-ion and Nickel-Cadmium are the two types of batteries that you will find in the market for cordless drills. I would prefer the first one that is more environmentally friendly and less toxic.

Voltage is a clear indicator of the torque of a drill. Therefore, if you expect more torque, then choose the drill that has a battery with a higher voltage. You will also find batteries with different AH rating. I would suggest choosing the higher AH to get longer battery life and consistent torque.

Features of a cordless drill

A battery-powered drill has no wire. It is one of the major reasons that people like this type of drill so much. Because it has no cord to connect it with the power supply, it has a powerful battery as a source of power. The ergonomic handle is another important feature of a cordless drill.

With speed control, you can change the speed with the help of the trigger. Whatever the speed is, you should grip the handle firmly. Because of the absence of wire, it is portable. You can fit different bits and accessories with it as per the requirement of the project.

What are the benefits of a cordless drill?

I would say that mobility and portability is the greatest advantage of a cordless drill. Mobility has made it the best option for contractors and electricians for simple projects where no electric socket is available. Because a cordless drill is operated by battery, you will have a lot of power options to choose from. Therefore, you can control the drill more accurately and precisely as per the need of the project. The lack of cord also makes the drill easy to handle and store. The variable speed option makes it more suitable for specific projects.

Disadvantages of a cordless drill

A cordless drill is less powerful than a corded one. Therefore, these are not a suitable option for projects that need to deal with robust objects. Once the charge of the battery is gone, you can not use it until you recharge the battery. Therefore, you can not use it for a longer time. You can not leave the drill unused for a long time either because the battery will get permanently damaged if it is not under operation often. Another drawback of a cordless drill is the price. It is usually more expensive than the corded counterpart.

Corded drill

Types of the corded drill

Corded drills can be divided into four different categories. Standard corded drill or drivers are the regular types that you can use for drilling most of the projects. But for cracking the hard nuts, you need the hammer type corded drill that can deal with concrete and stone. The rotary drill is a specialty drill that we use for heavy-duty projects. If you want to reach the corners or angels, then the corded angle drill is the perfect tool to use.

Features of a corded drill

Wired drills are the tools that we use for making holes or demolishing objects such as wood, concrete, metal, or stone. Instead of the battery, a wired drill is powered by electricity. It has different grip options so that we can firmly handle it during operation. You can use additional accessories with a corded drill to get the required output as per the needs of a specific project.

Advantages of a corded drill

Corded drills can generate more power because of the higher voltage electricity supply. We know that torque is a factor of power. If you need more torque, you need to supply more power. Wired drills are ahead of wireless drills in terms of robustness. You do not need to think about going out of the juice as the power you get from the source is never-ending. Corded drills are better for projects that have angles and difficult to reach. The price of this kind of drill is relatively cheap.

Disadvantages of a wired drill

Precision and control of a wired drill are not as good as the cordless one. Therefore, if you are a beginner, then a corded drill will not be suitable for you. Contractors or mechanics who need mobility, may not like a wired drill because you will not find an electric socket everywhere. It is not convenient to store. A corded drill is not easy to handle, hence, it is more prone to injuries.  

Corded vs cordless: which one is suitable for you?

After the discussion above, it is clear to us that cordless drills are suitable for beginners. If you do not use a drill too often, then you can go for it. But remember the battery health always. Do not leave the drill unused for more than a month. Although the manufacturers may claim that the drill can hold the charge for a longer time. For mobile contractors or electricians should also go for a wireless drill. But for a fixed job, a corded version is most suitable. If you do the same project on and on again, then a wired drill is the perfect tool for you. Battery power is limited. Therefore, for a constant and frequent job, a wired drill is more suitable. If power is your concern, then the corded drill is a batter deal. Therefore, the demolishing of stones and concretes should be done by this kind of drill.

Our suggested drills

Now as you know about the pros and cons of wireless and wired drills, I’m sure that you know about which one is suitable for you. You cannot straightway tell any specific type as good or bad. The selection of the type of drill is dependent on the type of project. Below is the suggestion of some popular corded and cordless drill to help you choose the right tool accordingly.

BLACK+DECKER Corded Drill

It is a great deal for you if you like it to be inexpensive but still effective. You can change the speed during you are operating it. The chuck size of this unit is 3/8 inches. The motor of this unit has an amperage of 5.5A. The variable speed of this unit is up to 1500 rpm. There is an on-board bit storage system. Therefore, you can get access to the bits instantly without any delay.

DEWALT VSR Electric Drill

Another good example of the corded drill is DEWALT VSR. It is more powerful than the previous one with an 8A motor. You will get the maximum speed of 2500 rpm with this unit that makes it suitable for tough projects. For bit retention, it has 3/8 inches metal and keyless chuck. Although powerful, it is small and lightweight. It weighs only around 4 lbs. Therefore, you can store and carry it comfortably.

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill

If you are looking for a good suggestion for a cordless drill, then DEWALT is the obvious name. This 20V wireless drill is one of the most powerful in the battery-powered category. There is a 3-mode spotlight option to guide you during operation. It also has a variable speed option for different project types. The type of motor is ‘brushless’. Therefore, it will consume less power to provide you around 57% more run time. Although it is one of the most powerful wireless drills in the market, it is lightweight and handy.

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Matrix Cordless Drill/Driver

If you are looking for an inexpensive cordless drill, then this BLACK+DECKER 20V model is for you. This unit has a 20-volt battery to power the machine up. It is lightweight and compact to allow you to work in confined places. It uses a lithium-ion battery as the power source that is environmentally friendly and less toxic. Overall, it is a great option to choose for the beginner for infrequent projects.

FAQ – Questions that people ask frequently regarding cordless and corded drills

Can I make a hole on a metal object with a drill?

It depends on the type of metal object you are dealing with. A thin metal sheet is good to go for any kind of drill machine. But if the metal object is thick, then you should go with a powerful corded drill because this type of drill is more suitable for heavy and hard objects.

Which type of drill is better for the beginner?

I would say that wireless drills are more suitable for beginners. The reason is the toughness of the corded drill. A wired drill is powerful and not easy to handle. If you do not need to deal with objects such as concrete and stone, then you should go with the wireless type as this type of drill is easy to handle, lightweight and handy.

For a mobile technician, cordless or corded, which type of drill is preferred?

Wireless drills are preferred for mobile technicians. For wired kind of drill, you need a power socket to power up the drill. You do not know for sure that you are going to get the electric supply near your workplace. For this reason, if the nature of the job suits, then an itinerant worker should go with a wireless drill.

Is cordless drill more powerful?

As the voltage of the AC current is higher, the ultimate power is higher for the wired drill. We know that power is the function of voltage and ampere. Therefore, the cordless drill will be more powerful because of the nature of the fuel we use for it. On the other hand, the voltage of the wireless drill is not constant. With the decay of the battery capacity, the voltage declines. Therefore, power and torque are not always constant. To get the best output, a cordless drill should be fully charged before use.

Bottom line

The corded vs cordless drill debate is never-ending. We can not declare any specific type as the winner. In one short sentence, if power is your concern, then go for corded one. But in most home and outdoor mobile projects, cordless drills are a more suitable option.

Cordless drills come with batteries having different configurations. The voltage of the battery can be anything among 12V, 18V, and 20V. In this article, I am going to compare 12 volt vs 18 volt vs 20 volt cordless drill. It will be an important read for the persons who are in confusion regarding which variant will be suitable for them.

If you usually carry out simple projects at home, it is not wise to get a powerful heavy-duty tool. To ensure the maximum value out of your money, it is necessary to choose the tool rightly.

18 volt vs 20 volt power tool – are they any different?

Both of the power tools have batteries with the same arrangement. The battery has five unit cells having the nominal voltage of 3.6V each. Therefore, when you multiply 5 with this 3.6 volts, you get the total voltage of 18. This is the nominal voltage. But the maximum voltage that the unit cell can give is around 4 volts. Therefore, multiplying it with 5, we get 20 volts. It is the maximum voltage rating of the battery. Therefore, the construction of an 18 volt and a 20-volt battery is no different.

The voltage rating declaration may vary from location to location. For example, in the United States, you will find power tools with 20-volt max batteries. The manufacturers use to sell the same tool in Europe just changing the naming of voltage rating to 18 V. In Europe, the market trend is 18 volt, not 20-volt max.

Before I go into deep, I want to unveil a secret that many of you do not know.

12 volt vs 18 volt vs 20-volt comparison

Power

It is generally equivalent to the voltage. More voltage will give you higher power if the motor amperage is the same. Therefore, a 12V cordless toll is the least and the 20V tool is the most powerful. Less power does not necessarily mean that drill can not perform regular jobs. Today’s lithium-ion technology will give you an output of 20-volt drill in a 12-volt compact tool. A light-duty technician or a carpenter should choose a 12-volt drill as the nature of the job needs a little to moderate power. For more powerful and heavy-duty projects, 18 or 20 volt machine is a better deal.

Torque

Speed and torque constitute the power of a drill. Therefore, it is not always true that a powerful drill has higher torque. But in general, if you want higher torque for heavy-duty operations, then a powerful tool is recommended. For example, wireless drills with 20-volt batteries usually have the highest torque. Therefore, these are more appropriate for objects like concrete and stone.

Size and weight

If we compare the size among the 12, 18, and 20-volt cordless drills, then the 12 volt one is the most compact. The size of an 18v and 20v drill is comparable. Therefore, if you are working with objects such as angular furniture, then a 12-volt drill is better for you.

As the size of a 20 volt drill is the most, therefore, it is the heaviest among the three. If you are a technician or electrician who needs to travel a lot, then a compact and the lightweight 12-volt tool will be suitable for you. However, if the power is your concern, then you can choose between 20v or 18v.

Other important features of a 12V, 18V and 20V cordless drill

Battery Capacity

There is no limitation that a battery with a lower voltage will necessarily be of lower capacity ( AH). But as the drill with 12 v battery is smaller, it has a battery with less juice (AH). Usually, you will find batteries of 12 volts with a capacity of around 2 AH. But 18 volt or 20-volt batteries have a wide range of capacity – from around 5 Ah to 9 AH. Capacity indicates the total charge. More capacity will allow the tool to run for a longer time. Therefore, if you want a longer run time, then you should choose a battery with a higher capacity.

Is the run time of a 12 V cordless drill lower than a 20 V drill? Not necessarily. Although the capacity of a 12 V battery is lower than that of a 20 V or 18 V one, the motor amperage is also lower for a 12-volt tool. Therefore, it will consume a lower current than that of a motor of a 20-volt drill. The runtime for a smaller drill will be lower but not proportionately lower than that of a 20-volt drill. If you are a professional, then I would suggest you keep a backup battery. When the main battery will get exhausted, you can continue working with the spare one.

Charging time

A power tool with 12-volt battery will charge faster than the tool having a battery of 18 V or 20 V. The reason is simple. Because of the higher capacity, larger batteries need a longer time to get fully charged. Therefore, when you are using multiple spare batteries for a long project, then this feature becomes vital.

Price

A 12-volt drill contains a battery with the least capacity. It is the smallest as well. Therefore, as we expected, it will cost you the least. The other variants will cost you almost similar according to the AH rating of the battery.

12-Volt Cordless Drill – Appropriate application

If you do such a job where you need to hold the drill for a long period, then a 12-volt tool will be preferred choice as it is lighter. When you need to hold the drill above your head, it creates a lot of pressure on the shoulder. On the other hand, projects where you will have to work against angles, need a smaller and lighter cordless drill. In such cases, a 12-volt drill will be a perfect selection.

Advantages

1. Compactness is the prime advantage of a 12 volt cordless drill. Therefore, it is the preferred choice for mobile contractors and technicians.
2. These are relatively inexpensive.
3. A 12-volt drill is suitable for drilling or driving objects that are angular in shape.

Disadvantages

1. Less battery capacity is a constraint of a 12-volt drill. Therefore, you can not work for a longer time with it.
2. These are less powerful. Therefore, these are not suitable for demolishing hard materials such as stones.

18-Volt or 20-volt Cordless Drill – Appropriate application

If you need power, then a 20-volt cordless drill is an obvious choice. Other than power, it will give you constant power supply for a long time. Therefore, projects where you need to work with the drill for long, need a drill with higher capacity like these.

Advantages

1. 18 or 20-volt cordless drills are powerful. These are capable of producing higher torque and rotation. Therefore, these are suitable for demolishing and heavy-duty projects.
2. Higher battery capacity is a great advantage of a 20-volt tool. You will not go out of juice in a very short period like a 12-volt counterpart.
3. Higher AH gives you a consistent torque.

Disadvantages

1. A 20 or 18-volt cordless drill is heavier compared to a 12-volt counterpart.
2. These are relatively expensive.

Our recommended models

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill

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DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill

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It is one of the most popular 20-volt max cordless drills in the market. The weight of this unit is relatively lower than other comparable models. It weighs only 2.6 lbs. The brushless motor will give you longer battery life and runtime. Along with the main battery, you will get a spare battery with it. Therefore, there is no fear of running out of juice. The maximum torque of this unit is 500 inch-pound that is excellent. It has an in-built illumination system. Therefore, you can work conveniently in darker places.

Bosch PS32-02 12V Cordless Drill Driver

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Bosch 12 volt PS32-02 Cordless Drill Driver

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A good example of a 12 volt compact and portable drill is Bosch PS32-02. It has a maximum speed of 1300 rpm. The weight of this unit is only 2 pounds. It includes 2 gear and 21 clutch settings. Therefore, there is a variety of options to customize the torque following the type of job. The maximum torque of this unit is 180 inch-pounds. Therefore, it is suitable for light-duty projects.

Bottom line

I think now you have gathered sufficient knowledge from the comparison among the 12 volt, 18 volt, and 20-volt cordless drills. Big numbers on the specification are not always good for you. Therefore, when you are choosing the right cordless drill for you, you should first study the kind of job you are going to use it. If you purchase a 20-volt drill for a light project, it will be a waste. Therefore, educate yourself and decide wisely.

Are concrete and wood drill bits the same? Concrete and wood are two different surfaces. Therefore, when you are drilling into these surfaces, the bits should be different. In this article, I am going to compare the concrete drill bit vs wood drill bit. I will try to differentiate the features and attributes of these two different types of bits so that you find enough reasons for using different drill bits for these two different surfaces.

Concrete and wood drill bits are different from each other in many ways. The materials used are different. The design and durability are also not the same for these two drill bits. I will guide you to the differences in a while. But before going into deep, do you know what a drill is?

Drill bits are metal small accessories of a power tool that we use for making the whole into different kinds of objects such as wool, concrete, stone, metal, and so on. These are usually of different shapes and sizes for different kinds of projects. We need to carefully choose the right one for a specific project. Otherwise, the object may get damaged.

Features that are common in drill bits for wood and concrete

Although drill bits are different in terms of application, there are some common attributes for all. In this section, I am going to discuss these features to give you a basic idea.

1. All drill bits look spiral. The selection of drill bits with a higher or lower twist depends on the rotational speed. If you apply higher speed, then drill bits with a lower twist are better.
2. The point angle is a common attribute of all kinds of drill bits. The angle is higher for harder surfaces. For example, drill bits for concrete may have a point angle of around 150 degrees where drill bits for wood may have a point angle of 100 degrees.
3. Drill bits are cylindrical. The length is dependent on the object that you are going to deal with. Therefore, two identical drill bits can have all the common attributes other than the length.
4. Lip angle is another important feature of a drill bit. It determines how aggressively the bit will work on the surface. A higher bit angle is recommended for harder surfaces.

Attributes of concrete drill bits

Concrete drill bits are made for dealing with hard objects. They are sturdy and durable. Due to the special feature of a concrete drill bit, it can penetrate hard objects that a wood drill bit cannot. When we drill a surface, we should carefully carry out the operation. Otherwise, the object may get damaged. Hard surfaces like concrete are more prone to damage if you do not handle it casually.  

You can drill into the concrete by different kinds of drill bits. The core drill bit is the most common type for this purpose. A core drill bit is usually guided by an additional guide drill bit inside it. The job of the guide is to mark the point where you want to drill and guide the core bit up to half an inch through the concrete. When you reach about 0.5 inches, then you should remove the inner guide drill bit. If you carry out drilling with it, broken concrete may create serious jam and you may not continue drilling. 

The spot drill bit is another good option for concrete. This kind of drill bit is used to spot a hole on hard surfaces where other kinds of drill bits may get dislodged. Spot drill bits have a pointy sharp head that helps the bit work with hard surfaces.

Indexable drill bits are also very useful for dealing with hard surfaces like concrete. They have removable cutting tips. When the cutting edges get dull, then they are replaced with new ones. This kind of drill bits have inserts with cutting edges.

Wood drill bits

These drill bits are manufactured in a way that they do not damage the wooden object during operation. Wood is more sensitive than concrete. Therefore, when making a hole into a wood, the drill bit has some extra responsibility to protect the wood from damage. It also needs to protect the wood from splitting.

Lip and spur drill bits are well known for working with woods. These drill bits have cutting tips that cut the wood perfectly. The twist of this bit is steeper than usual. Because of the deep twist, the hole you make with the lip and spur drill bit is spiral.

Spade drill bits are another type of drill bit that is usually used on wood. It is also used by the plumbers to make large holes for pipes. This drill bit has two flat cutters that produce large and rough holes on the object. You will find this drill bit with different specifications for use in different applications.

Spoon bit is a special drill bit for wood. It is used for making a specific type of shape on the wood. As the name suggests, it looks like a spoon. If you want to make a rough hole polished, then you may use this. The shape of the hole that you get with a spoon drill bit is conical.

The type of drill bit that the woodworkers use depends on the type of job they are doing. There are many other different options that we use for drilling in woods. Augur bits and center bits are also very common that the woodmen frequently use.

Difference between concrete and wood drill bit

From the discussion above, it is clear that a concrete drill bit will be different from a wood drill bit. In this section, I will point out the differences in an organized way.

1. Concreate drill bits are designed to work on hard surfaces. These are sometimes used to work on stone or even on metals. On the other hand, drill bits for woods are not made for hard objects.
2. The torque needed to work with concrete drill bits is high. On the other hand, you do not need so much power to work with a drill bit for wood.
3. As the drill bits for woods are not made for hard objects, you can not use these on concrete. But you can apply the concrete drill bits on wooden objects. Although you need to be careful about clutch settings.
4. As the concrete bits are sturdier, they will cost more than the wood drill bits. The special property to withstand heavy-duty operations makes the concrete drills expensive.

Bottom line

Do you now have enough knowledge about the differences between a concrete drill bit and a wood drill bit? In short, you can use concrete bits wood if you can set the torque perfectly. But the drill bit for wood is not that strong. Therefore, you can not use these for concreate. There are so many different types of concrete and wood drills out there. You should choose the right one as per the application.

If you are new in the world of the cordless drill, then you might have a question in mind – what do the numbers on a cordless drill mean? The numbers indicate the torque setting that defines the rotary power of a drill. For every carpenter, woodworker, electrician, or other users of the power tools, getting acquainted with these numbers is essential. Otherwise, a professional can not get the perfect use of a power tool. Knowing about these numbers is important because you can not properly use the drill without knowing all its functions of it.

In this article, I will explain the clutch setting of a cordless drill. Additionally, I will also explain to you the gear setting and the meaning of the symbols that we commonly see on a drill. You will also know how to set up the torque of a drill for a specific project.

Numbers for torque control

In modern drills, you will see some numbers, usually from 1 to 20 near the head or clutch of a drill. As I have mentioned earlier, it represents the torque of the drill. 1 represents the lowest amount of torque and 20 represents the highest torque. Cordless drills with lower power may come with the highest torque setting of 10. However, it is the range of torque that the drill can produce.

How to adjust the torque

Find the torque adjustment numbers near the chuck of the drill. You will find it near the head and the drill bit. Now find the arrow near the numbers that will allocate the torque. A higher number will assign more torque.

The torque adjustment dial can be rotated clockwise and anticlockwise. Before starting any new project, you need to have a trial to understand the torque and then set it accordingly. At first, set the dial to the lowest number. Usually, the lowest number you will find is ‘1’. Carry out your first drill with this lowest setting to feel the torque.

Now turn the dial to the middle point of the numbers. If the highest number of the clutch setting is 20, then set the torque to 10. Now carry out another drill with the same object according to this setting. Feel the torque and try to compare it with the previous setting. The Clutch of a drill works similarly to a clutch of a car.

Finally, set the dial to the highest torque setting and carry out another drill with the same object. Now compare all the three different feelings that you have got from different torque settings. You can now set the appropriate number whatever you feel is good for you.

There is a misconception that a higher number is better for every kind of drilling project. If you set excessive torque for drilling a lighter object, then you may demolish the object and may not get the required size of the hole. On the other hand, it is difficult to handle the drill in higher torque. Setting a lower torque will make the job tedious. Therefore, you need to set it appropriately to get the best results.

What are the numbers at the gear

You will find the gear setting behind the clutch. Most of the drills have 2 or 3 different setting options. If you set the gear to the lowest number ( for example- 1), then it will provide the lowest speed and highest torque. This setting is suitable for driving screws. If you increase the setting to a higher number ( for example – 2), then it will increase the speed with a lowered torque. This setting is suitable for regular drilling and driving. Any higher gear setting will increase the speed at a lower torque. This setting is suitable for drilling or driving fasteners.

Explanation of some common symbols on the cordless drill

What do we do with a drill machine? We can use it for drilling, driving, or hammering an object. You will find some modern drills that come with three built-in modes for these different functions. When you select any specific mode, the drill will automatically set the required speed and torque for that specific setting.

Drilling symbol

You may find a black and yellow symbol that looks like a drill bit just behind the chuck of the drill. It is the drilling mode. When you are making a hole through a moderately hard object, you should select this mode. The drill will then automatically adjust the required torque and speed that is suitable for drilling operations.

Hammer symbol

Have you noticed a hammer-like symbol beside the drill bit sign? It is for the hammer mode. You can use this mode for drilling hard objects such as stone and concrete. When you select this mode, the drill will automatically set the required torque for these kinds of tough objects. It will also push the drill bit in and out to make the job easier. Therefore, the hammer mode is useful for hard surfaces when you do not want to put enough user pressure. Just change the setting and the dill will take care of the rest.

Driving symbol

You may also find a ‘driver’ bit symbol beside the hammer or drilling sign. This symbol is for converting the drill as a driver so that it perfectly gets the job done without overdriving the screw. When you are driving with a drill, setting the right amount of torque is important. Otherwise, the object may get damaged. Therefore, this automatic mode is a great help for persons who are not sure about the torque.

• Read this article to know how a cordless drill works.

Frequently asked questions about the numbers and symbols on a cordless drill

In this section, I am going to discuss some common questions with answers that people have in their minds regarding the numbers and symbols of a cordless drill whether it is brushless or brushed. I think it will help you understand your drill better.

Can I leave the drill on the highest clutch setting for all kinds of projects?

The majority of the users do not know about the numbers on the clutch. Therefore, they set the clutch at the highest number and leave it forever. Setting it at the highest point will provide you with maximum torque. Therefore, this kind of setting is suitable for drilling hard objects. But if you use the drill for driving fasteners with this kind of setting, then the drill may either damage the fastener or the object you are dealing with. I will advise you to set the number according to the suggestion that I have already mentioned. Use higher torque settings for hard objects and lower torque for driving.

What are the different situations when I need to change the number on the clutch?

As I have already mentioned that the number on the clutch signifies the amount of torque. Different torque setting is required for different situations. For example, you should change the setting for different kinds of material or object you are dealing with. When drilling into a block of concrete, you have to set higher torque compared to the torque you have to set when drilling into wood. Other than this, the external pressure you are giving on the drill and the working angle are also determinants for adjusting the clutch setting.

How the numbers on the clutch signifies the different amounts of torque?

Let me explain this with an example. Assume that a drill has a maximum torque of 1000 inch-pound. If you find 1 to 10 written on the clutch, then the total amount of torque is divided into ten. Therefore, you will get 1/10 of the total torque in each setting and it will be incremental. If you set the least number ( one), then the torque you will get is 1000/10 or 100. If you increase the number by 1, the torque will increase by 100-inch pound. You will get the highest of 1000 torque when you select 10.

Are all the drills have the same number and symbols?

No. It depends on the manufacturer and the capacity of the drill. For example, some drills have 10 clutch settings. Some others may have 15 or 20 depending on the models. You will find some drills that have in-built modes for drilling, driving, and hammering. The gear setting may also be different for different manufacturers and models. But the symbols and number patterns are almost uniform for all kinds of drills.

What is the necessity of changing drilling modes?

Many of the drills come with three different modes – drive, drill, and hammer. If you change the mode as per the type of the project, you do not need to set the torque and speed manually. The tool will automatically set the required torque as per the nature of the job. Therefore, if you do not know how to set the torque or gear, then you can simply change the modes. Operating the drill in the wrong mode may generate sparks as well.

Is there any symbol for reverse?

There is no universal sign for the reverse option. Therefore, manufacturers usually do not use any signs. You will find buttons and triggers of different shapes for reverse speed.

Bottom line

Cordless drill has a hundred years of history. I think now you know what the numbers mean on a cordless or corded drill. Torque plays a vital role in the clutch setting. You can not ignore the numbers on the drill just because you are not a professional. If the setting of the drill does not match perfectly with the type of project, the object may get damaged. If you have read the article thoroughly, you have noticed that it is not rocket science to know about the signs and symbols of a cordless drill. Therefore, my final suggestion to the user is that, know about the numbers theoretically and apply them to have hands-on experience.

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