Combi Drill - how do I choose??

[Rebecca75]

Hi. I need to get a combi Drill, something decent which will last. Budget £150 tops. So many brands out there and I haven't got a clue.

What would you buy/would you NOT buy??

Thank you

[peajotter]

I have Bosch 18v. Love it. Does most things, with the exception of deep drilling into concrete.

Cordless is a must. I chose a big brand because it’s very useful being able to share batteries between tools and only have one charger. I’m gradually getting a few more power tools and it’s useful to have one brand that does everything. The chargers alone are £20, plus batteries. Think about what tools you might need in the future (diy, gardening etc) and see if they share batteries.

[Rebecca75]

Good idea peajotter - I never thought about other tools.. And thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out.

[PigletJohn]

I find an 18volt combi ideal compromise between power and weight.

But try handling a few, remembering that the battery is most of the weight, and big batteries are popular. Perhaps you don't have big muscular wrists. 12v is adequate for light work only.

Anyway, get two batteries so you can charge one while you are working.

Brushless motors are said to be more efficient, but the speed changes in steps rather than seamlessly increasing as you push the trigger more, and they are more expensive.

Your budget is high enough that you don't need to get an own-brand from a DIY shed or discount supermarket, but I think not high enough for a Makita or Milwaukee. If you are a DIYer you will do as much work in a year as a builder does in a week, so you don't need the same durability. Say, an Ebauer or a DeWalt.

When buying tools, get them shortly before you start a major project, so if it goes wrong you can take it back for refund or exchange.

A plastic case with a set of drills inside is a useful accessory and usually included.

You can buy a big kit of drills, but you will end up only using about 4 of them. A set of a dozen HSS and four Masonry will do you. Screwdriver bits are very cheap in sets, made of a special hard steel, and wear out quite quickly. You will need Pozi and Slot. Phillps are seldom used unless you are in America or have a 1960's car. If you see a big kit from a reputable maker buy it and one day you may have a use for one of the others.

If you have any heavy work to do, drilling concrete or hard bricks, or chiselling out chases or removing tiles, you will need an SDS+ and set of bits and steels. It will be too heavy to use for anything else, and get a mains powered one unless you are a millionaire.

[Rebecca75]

Thanks @ pigletjohn

[Rollercoaster1920]

As a diyer I'd go corded every time. Nothing worse than having a job to do and the battery is flat. Batteries get to end of life and you can't get then, so throw away the tool. Bad for the environment.

My B&Q own make corded hammer drill has done well.

[ForestDad]

Hi +1 for multi use batteries.
I have an old Makita 14.4 v drill which is great, v comfortable.
Newer 18v lithium batteries are lighter.
Consider whether you need hammer function (you do if it's your only drill) or not.
Also consider Ryobi one+ 18v, shop around.
I got the original Ryobi tools and 2 compatible batteries which were half the price of original and so far are great (eBay).
Try something to see how heavy/comfy it is, this is where I think Makita are great, nice to use.
Wildcard: if you're a serious diyer get a 240v own branded sds plus hammer drill and a cordless drill driver. And a set of ear defenders!

[rbe78]

Definitely go cordless - if you have more than one battery, you shouldn't have an issue with them running out unless you're going to be doing a lot of drilling! Make sure that the drill you're looking at comes with two batteries and a charger, or keep an eye on the total price if buying separately.

As a pp said, chose a tool brand and stick to it so you can share batteries and charger. My tools are Makita, which are expensive but very good.

Screwfix currently have an offer on a Makita cordless drill, including two batteries and a charger. it's a bit over your budget (£180), but if you can stretch to that it's a great deal on a very good quality, and normally very expensive (£270) set.
www.screwfix.com/p/makita-dhp485ste-18v-5-0ah-li-ion-lxt-brushless-cordless-combi-drill/566jr

[PigletJohn]

I do have corded drills, they run forever as long as you have power available, and are lighter and more powerful than cordless, and cheaper as well.

But the convenience of cordless wins out. Scamper up a ladder, mend a fence, put a hook in the bathoom... much quicker and easier without a cable.

[Rebecca75]

Wow thanks, some really useful information.

A friend suggested a DeWalt, it's a pack of 2 drills from Screwfix and is about £160.

Is Screwfix the best place to buy this kind of thing?

[PigletJohn]

You can sometimes find a bit cheaper, but if you have a local branch there will be no delivery costs or delay and they deal with problems or exchanges and refunds quickly.

[ForestDad]

OP if it's the 2 drills with an impact driver and combi drill that's something slightly different.
An impact driver is great for screwing in stuff fast (and noisily). It whizzes stuff in then when there is resistance basically pulses/rotationally hammers bits in. You need specialist impact driver bits (about £8 for an entry set) for these, normal ones can shatter.
So people have 2 - one to drill the hole and one to screw in which speeds you up on a job with lots of screws to do. If you don't plan on making a load of stuff from scratch (like say decking) I'd say you don't need an impact driver but they are fun and you get extra DIY points for using one. Be careful if you use one to assemble flatpack, very easy to overtighten. Don't expect to be able to use it when anyone's asleep though, unlike a drill driver/combi drill.

[Mutunus]

What are you going to be using the drill for?
A good all rounder spec would be an 18v drill. Will cover most jobs.
Screwfix are a good firm to deal with if things go wrong.
They are currently offering this Bosch Drill brushless motor and 2 x4amp batteries for £149.99
tinyurl.com/y373jb32
If you don't need 18v then a twin pack 12v (combi and impact) like this for £150 www.screwfix.com/p/makita-clx228aj-12v-2-0ah-li-ion-cxt-cordless-combi-drill-impact-driver-twin-pack/652hp
I find the 12v does most household tasks.

[FurierTransform]

I'd get an 18v Dewalt, & look for the larger 5AH battery if possible - lasts longer & you also get more power - you should be able to tell from the pictures - the larger battery is physically more of a 'square'

[PigletJohn]

A big battery is great, but it's heavy, and we don't know if Rebecca has delicate little hands and wrists, or big burly ones.

[socialistmamma]

I bought myself this the other week and I love it, best price I found as it comes with a battery and the charger as well
www.its.co.uk/pd/DHP482WITS-18v-LXT-White-Combi-Drill-with-1-x-3Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Bag-_MAKDHP482WITS.htm

[mineofuselessinformation]

I've got both a cordless and a corded.
The corded was invaluable recently when I needed to strip paint from my garden furniture with a wire brush attachment - a cordless would have gone flat I'm sure, which would have been incredibly annoying.
A cordless is handy to keep in the house for things like flat pack assembly and such.

[PigletJohn]

@socialistmamma but I think £42 extra for a second (smallish) battery

[Rebecca75]

I'm not too delicate, but I'm definitely more lady build than burly individual..!
I'll have a look at all recommendations. Thanks so much

I need it for general work but also hanging curtain poles etc for which I need to drill into concrete wall

[Rebecca75]

1 more question. What's the real difference between 12 and 18v?

[Rebecca75]

Done it!! I have bought a DeWalt 18v combi drill with 2 batteries, been BG delivered on Monday, and I will buy some drill bits to go with it.

Thanks all🙂

[Mutunus]

Now you've started buying tools you have to get a shed. It's the law!

[Rebecca75]

Ahahaa @mutunus. I have a shed (albeit empty..) Just about to start a new thread for a pressure washer.
Help on here has been fab!!