A cordless drill is a must-have for any metalworker as it can perform all sorts of tasks. The drill can make holes in metal, cut metal pieces, and remove nails from wood. Cordless drills come in various sizes and power levels so that you can find one that suits your needs best.
Their benefits range from lightweight and compact to fast charging time. Cordless drills are much safer to use than conventional drills due to their ability to stop when they detect resistance quickly. The best cordless drill is reliable, durable, and robust. This article will discuss some of the best cordless drills for metalwork with a handy buying guide.
Let’s start with a buying guide.
Buying Guide: Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Cordless Drill for metalwork
Cordless drills are the preferred choice for metalwork because they are lightweight and provide enough power to drill through metal. But there are many different types of cordless drills, and knowing which will work best for your needs is essential.
This section will provide you with a cordless drill buying guide that will help you find the perfect cordless drill for your needs.
Torque and speed
Torque and speed are two important considerations when choosing a cordless drill for metal. This is because it will dictate how well your drill can perform in different tasks and how quickly you can complete them.
The torque measures how much force the drill can apply to turn screws or bolts, while the speed is how fast it can do this. The higher the torque, the more powerful the drill will be. The higher the speed, the quicker it will work.
Batteries
Since not all cordless drills are the same, keep an eye out for the following:
Drills without a battery or charger are called “bare drills,” Interchangeable chucks, several batteries, and many accessories are included in advanced kits.
Batteries come in various sizes, letting you employ lighter, lesser capacity (Ah) batteries when weight is a concern or heavier, bigger capacity batteries when you need the most extended run-time possible between charges. It’s best to have two or more batteries on hand so you may use one while charging the other. Moreover, The batteries of cordless drills for metalwork will depend on the type of work you need.
Chuck Size
Another element to think about is the chuck size. Most cordless drills have a 1/2-inch chuck, while some have a 3/8-inch one. The chuck size determines the maximum shank size of the bits the drill can carry — larger bits have wider hocks, so be cautious when selecting drill bits. Furthermore, the chuck size corresponds to the drill’s strength and capabilities; larger chucks correspond to more efficient drills.
A Substantial Warranty
When purchasing a cordless drill, the warranty is an essential factor to consider. Most cordless drills come with a three-year, five-year, or even lifetime warranty. However, specific tools come with a two-year guarantee. Ensure the warranty includes both the drill/driver and the battery, as these are the most likely parts to be damaged.
Ergonomic Design
Drilling is standard for workers, especially when working on large projects. And if you’re stuck with a hefty cordless drill that’s difficult to use, your workweek will rapidly become a nightmare.
As a result, employees should invest in lightweight cordless drills with an ergonomic design that is comfortable on the hands. Ergonomic design is an essential factor in the workplace. It reduces the risk of injury and discomfort for the user, making it good practice for companies to adopt.
Moreover, the lightweight cordless drills are beneficial because they allow users to work on their projects without worrying about carrying around a heavy object.
It would be best to consider Those mentioned above when buying the best cordless drills.
Let’s discuss some of the best cordless drills.
Our Top 4 Picks for Metalwork
Best Overall Cordless Drill
Key Specifications
- Brand: DEWALT
- Voltage: 18V (20V MAX)
- 12 clutch settings
- Max speed: 2000 RPM
- Max power: 820 UWO
- Max torque: 1020 in-lbs
- LED footlight
- Ergonomic handle
- Three-speed gearbox
If you’re an avid metalworker, you would be well advised to have a DCD991P2 drill in your arsenal. This drill is a beast when it comes to drilling metal surfaces. It can drill through 1-inch titanium at the fastest speed and the most torque to date.
The DeWalt DCD991P2 cordless drill has a half-inch head, two Li-ion batteries, and a three-year guarantee. The DCD991P2’s electronic clutch adjusts torque instantly to one of three pre-set settings and produces constant, easily available power.
It can drill up to 55mm into hardwood and has a rust-resistant all-metal nitro-carburized grip for an efficient run and extended life. Diamond inserts boost drill bit holding power, ensuring that all that on-tap power isn’t wasted. A strong and customizable LED torch completes the package, giving the operator a clear view of the operation. If you’re in the market for a drill, this is for you!
Performance
It has a powerful motor that delivers up to 820 unit watts of power and can run at speeds of up to 2,000 RPM. The drill also has a dual speed range of 0-450 and 0-1,300 RPM, making it suitable for drilling in different materials.
An electric motor drives the rotary drill bit by spinning a shaft using alternating magnetic poles. The traditional method uses metal brushes with contrary magnets to maintain the shaft rotating; however, the DeWalt cordless drill uses an electronic circuit and a sensor rather than brushes.
Brushless cordless drills are popular for various reasons: they are compact and run colder due to the lack of friction caused by brushes, which ensures a considerably longer life.
You should go with this one if you want a perfect cordless drill with extraordinary features.
Best Runner-Up Cordless drill
Key Specifications
- Brand: CRAFTSMAN
- Voltage: 18V (20V MAX)
- 24 clutch settings
- Max speed: 1500 RPM
- Max power: 280 UWO
- Max torque: 448 in-lbs
- LED footlight
- Ergonomic handle
- Two-speed gearbox
Craftsman is a company that has been in the business of manufacturing and selling power tools for decades. The company’s latest product, the Craftsman CMCD700C1, is a cordless drill that has been designed to be durable and robust.
The Craftsman CMCD700C1 features a 0-1,500 RPM variable speed trigger, which can be adjusted to suit your needs. It also has two-speed ranges: 0-350 RPM and 0-1,500 RPM. This drill also features an LED light, making it easy to work in dark areas.
The Craftsman CMCD700C1 is durable and powerful while providing the necessary control options.
Features
This drill has a powerful motor that can produce up to 448-inch-pound torque. It also comes with an LED light for working in dark areas and an adjustable clutch for controlling the speed of the drill.
The CRAFTSMAN CMCD700C1 V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit includes a 20V battery, a quick charger, and many configurable options. It’s a precise power tool for medium to heavy-duty drilling, perfect for DIY home repairs and specific renovation projects.
Lastly, you can quickly drill through anything in your house, yard, or job site with this drill. CraftsMan has thought of everything about this cordless drill, including super-long lasting battery life, quick charging for less downtime, and three-speed settings for drilling power and control.
Best Value for the money
Key Specifications
- Brand: MAKITA
- Voltage: 18V (20V MAX)
- 21+1 clutch settings
- Max speed: 1900 RPM
- Max power: 386 UWO
- Max torque: 480 in-lbs
- LED footlight
- Ergonomic handle
- Two-speed gearbox
For years, Makita has been a top-of-the-line manufacturer of power tools, and their XFD131 cordless drill proves they’re not going anywhere. This drill is a beast in the toolbox with its heavy-duty metal gearing and a high-torque motor for powering through anything you put in its way. It’s lightweight and easy to handle but still reassures you of an ergonomic grip.
The drill also has a brushless motor, which helps extend battery life while decreasing wear. It also has a robust 3.0Ah battery that provides adequate power for even demanding jobs. The drill also has a two-speed transmission system ranging from 0-500 to 0-1,900 RPM. The unit has a total of 21 + 2 clutch settings to ensure that you can precisely dial in the amount of torque you apply to your screws. And if mobility is important to you, this device delivers at only 6-5/8 inches.
Features
The Makita XFD131 is an excellent cordless drill for the price. It has a powerful motor, which provides enough torque to handle all tasks. It has a compact size and weight, making it easy to use and carry around. The battery life is also good and can be charged in just 30 minutes.
Moreover, Brushless drills from Makita are reasonably priced. If you’ve decided that a Makita brushless drill is worth the extra money, you should go for it. You’re going for quality above quantity, which should always be the first consideration for power tools.
Best performance for the money
Key Specifications
- Brand: TECCPO
- Voltage: 18V (20V MAX)
- 25 clutch settings
- Max speed: 1700 RPM
- Max power: 426 UWO
- Max torque: 530 in-lbs
- LED footlight
- Ergonomic handle
- Two-speed gearbox
Forget about old-fashioned cordless drills. TECCPO’s cordless drill is the modern way to drill holes in any material. With its powerful torque and durable steel utility bits, you will never want to use a different type of drill again.
The drill features a keyless chuck and variable speed settings and has the convenience of being cordless to make it ideal for any job. It is lightweight, compact, and has many attachments like a ratchet set and screwdriver.
Performance
TECCPO TDCD03P is designed to be lightweight and compact. It is also very powerful for its size, which is a plus for anyone who needs to drill through different materials such as metal, wood, and concrete.
This TECCPO cordless drill has a high-speed motor that can deliver up to 1,700 RPMs. The tool’s high torque (530 in-lbs) can handle even the most challenging jobs. These two factors allow it to drill through any material quickly. It also has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use and handle. The best part of this product is the price point – it’s affordable for everyone!
Comparison
Performance, power of the motor chart
As you can see in the diagram, Dewalt stands out from the group regarding motor power. Of course, the tool also has a higher price tag, but Dewalt’s performance is impressive!
The others also have enough power to drill metal; they may do the job slightly slower. Perhaps Makita’s performance seems less in numbers, but in reality, it shows more.
Customer popularity chart
This section shows the customer popularity of the tools on the chart. This includes the amount and result of online reviews and the evolution of the tool’s price. We also monitor monthly and annual online sales, which we can check using special software in Amazon’s and other online stores’ systems.
Here, you can already see that Dewalt’s performance is not enough to be the most popular drill in this group. This is definitely because of its price (but many people still choose this…). Based on customer feedback and the price, the Craftsman became the most popular of the four cordless drills (but primarily because of the price). It is indeed challenging to find a better machine in this price range. But is this also the best value-for-money power tool for metalwork?
Value for money chart
Here, we show you the price/value ratio of power tools. Many factors go into the final result. The price, brand, performance, quality, accessories, the number and capacity of the batteries, the charger, general and innovative features, the carrying case… and more.
Despite its price, Dewalt seems to be the best value drill in this group. Of course, this is due to its outstanding performance, the two batteries and side handles included in the package, and its excellent quality. Of course, the other machines were worth their price, but they did not win this competition.
FAQ's
What is the difference between drilling into metal and into other materials?
When drilling into metal, it is essential to use a drill bit that is specifically designed for metal. This is because metal is much harder than other materials, so a regular drill bit will not be able to make a clean hole in metal. In addition, when drilling into metal, you need to use a lower speed than you would with other materials. This is because if you drill too quickly, the heat from the friction can cause the metal to melt and clog the drill bit.
What is the difference between drilling into metal and into other materials?
Yes, a 20-volt cordless drill can go through metal. It is powerful enough to drill through most metals, including steel.
What kind of drill bit do I need if I drill into metal?
There are different types of drill bits available for drilling into metal, and the type you need will depend on the type of metal you’re drilling into. For example, if you’re drilling into soft metals like aluminium or brass, you’ll need a different type of bit than if you’re drilling into harder metals like steel or iron.
In general, though, you’ll want to use high-speed steel (HSS) bit for most metal drilling applications.
For hard metal: Cobalt drill bits are designed for drilling through tough metals and steel. They quickly disperse heat and are highly resistant to wear, making them a better choice for drilling into hard metals than black oxide- or titanium-coated drill bits.
Is a brushless drill better than the brushed one when I drill into metal?
Usually, the brushless drills are more efficient and powerful, and able to handle tougher drilling applications. When drilling into metal, a brushless drill will be able to penetrate the material more easily and with less wear on the drill bit.
But there are pros and cons to both brushless and brushed drills when drilling into metal. Brushless drills tend to be more expensive, but they also offer more power and longer run times. Brushed drills are less expensive, but they may not offer as much power or run time. Ultimately, the best drill for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Conclusion
The cordless drills are a valuable tool for the modern tradesman and DIY enthusiast. They have many uses in a wide range of applications and materials.
The cordless drills come with many features, but it is important to understand which features are most important for your needs. The best drills will have high power, good battery life, and a variety of speed and torque settings. This article has reviewed the top four cordless drill models with a handy buying guide so that you can find the perfect drill for your needs.
