What Drill?

[Bond28]

I need some advice on what drill to buy. I have read most of the drill topics in this forum but I am more confused now. I want a corded drill that will go through the usual materials you find in a house – concrete lintels, masonry, plaster board etc. I am not a serious DIYer, having said that, when I do want to drill into something, I want to be able to do it fairly easily and without damage to my wrists! or the drill bits. My budget is I suppose between £60 - £100 (more if the general consensus says so) bearing in mind I won't be using the drill that often. So do I go for a SDS drill (I am aware I will need special SDS drill bits) or a Percussion drill? I get the impression that Makita are pretty good and so would be happy to go with one of their drills unless advised otherwise. Thanks in advance.

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo Bond28 and welcome

appart from the exception of concrete lintols a hammer [percusion is the same]drill off about 800w will do pretty much what you need

an sds will be heavy and overkill for all but the "heavy" jobs

 

[gcol]

I have one of these. At this price it's a bargain! http://www.powertools2u.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/powertools2u/HR2450/62051

 

[mifty12]

Or alternatively try one of these-

http://www.powertools2u.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/powertools2u/GBH2-22RE/62051

I have has bosch sds drills for years now and they have never failed me. I would definately consider an sds drill over a percussion cos there's always the chance of the one time you need the power of the sds but only have the percussion.

To summarise.........go SDS !!!!

 

[Bond28]

Thanks for all that. I am more inclined to go for the SDS drill - that Makita looks a bit of a bargain why; why so cheap?. I need to put up some curtain rails above some windows next and will need to drill into the concrete lintels. If a percussion drill will fail to go through this, then an SDS it is. I can then buy a cheaper cordless drill a later date for all those minor jobs.

Thanks again

 

[big-all]

a normal percusion[hammer] drill with a good quality masonry bit has a fair chance off drilling several lintels no probs but then you get the odd ones and your stuffed regardless of how many holes you try

 

[RodWilliams]

Having used the wrong tool, andpaid for it with a leg broken in 4 places, I would definitely go SDS. I now have one and i use it when I am drilling walls which fight back when using even a good percussion. They really are chalk and cheese

 

[JohnD]

It's also useful to have a light and handy drill. Most often DIY jobs don't need a great heavy thing.

 

[Softus]

ISo do I go for a SDS drill (I am aware I will need special SDS drill bits) or a Percussion drill?

SDS Plus. If you don't use it much it will outlive you, and you won't regret it.