Powerdrill for metal

[knoba]

Does anyone; have, know of, or can recommend a good hand held power-drill for metalworking?

Ideally I'm after;

240v
Dual 500 & 1000 rpm speeds.
Comes with a case.
Side handle.
Depth stop.
Keyed chuck (Rohm or Jacobs preferred).
Corded.

Not bothered if it has any other features (other than being very well made).

Thanks in advance.

 

[zzr1200]

Makita, Bosch, Metabo, AEG and Hitachi all good makes.

Some people have problems with Dewalt tools, I think mainly because its part of Black & Decker group, personally I like their battery drills, some of their other stuff seems a bit pricey compared to other makes.

http://www.screwfix.com/cats/101376/Power-Tools/Corded-Drills


http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/browse.php/section/4554/level/4

 

[Wozzaaah]

I've got one of these babies and it's lurvly!

Loads of grunt and a fabulous Rohm one handed chuck which grips like a gripping grippy thing.
Also has anti-rotation too so if the bit snags it won't break your wrist

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I generally find hand drills to be too fast for metal...

they all seem to be designed for 'general pupose' and brick tends to need more rpm.

500 rpm would be too fast IMO, but I'm sure lots of people would disagree with me on that.

That Bosch looks handy though! Especially the anti-snag...I'm getting to a point now where it really hurts my wrists trying to hold a big drill that snags.

Regards
Peter

 

[Wozzaaah]

The first time the anti-snag cut in I thought I'd broken it, it made a horrible noise.
I was cursing myself for putting a 19mm 'blacksmith's bit' in the chuck

 

[knoba]

That looks the bee's knees Wozzaaah!

I've absolutely trawled the internet, recently, looking and it's been on my list for over a year now. That's why I thought I'd ask here. The Bosch website is useless!

The twist chucks on my cordless drills are great, but I would prefer a decent keyed chuck as it's just to be for metal work. I like the anti-kickback system Woz, that's a nice but of kit!

I like Dewalt too zzr1200 and have a fair amount myself. They do a nice drill I'd be interested in, but its States only & a single speed;

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=20

I totally agree with peterd51 though on the rpms. 500rpm was the lowest I could find, anywhere, and that only came as a single speed (not ideal). If I could get 300, 600 & 1000 rpms ...well! I'm not sure I can...

 

[Hitch]

You cannot beat a keyed chuck for bigger drill bits.
Or a small tack on the shank of a big bit, to stop it turning paut the jaws of the chuck.

As for machines, the one Woz has linked to is a gooden, but personally, im not that keen on safety clutches unless thay are set nice and high.


If you want a compact machine, Hitachi D13VF

Or this Metabo, dont be put off by the low wattage motors, they are geared very low.

 

[buffspark]

own one these bought of ebay new for 60quid` works grt 1/2" hole in box section


http://www.screwfix.com/prods/33198...sion-Drill;jsessionid=RI052W4O1KNYCCSTHZOSFFY

 

[knoba]

Cool drill!

Dewalt have a nice selection of tools, especially if you're into carpentry or building, but when it comes to metalwork (dewalt UK) they aren't so hot. Sad really. I like bosch too and hilti are coming on fast.

It's the speed that bothers me (0-1100 / 0-2700 rpm) buffspark. The "D" handle, on the dewalt above, is also a desirable feature. I'm quite attached to my wrists.

A slow speed with high torque and plenty of lube ...oops, wrong forum!

 

[gavuk]

Hi knoba,what size holes do you think you will be drilling?and in what material?,,,,most manufacturers use electronic adjustable triggers rather than just 2 speed drills as i'm sure you are aware,if your looking to use holesaws or large drills lower speed are very important,a cheap pedastel or mag drill maybe a better buy.i personally like keyless chucks(not for impact masonary work) don't like "D" handles and would only buy a drill with adjustable trigger speed,each to his own, i like hitachi,bosch and makita ,currentley using .......ryobi bought buy company!http://www.screwfix.com/prods/25225...Ryobi-EID-100-2RE-240V-1050W-Percussion-Drill haven't run for long enough to comment on reliability but does everything i need it to do,i do always drill small pilot holes which may be too time consuming for some people.....look for long warrany and local supplier who will give you a replacement and deal with returns to manufacturer themselves so you are not left without a dill for too long ......hope you find a good un......gav

 

[knoba]

hitch - thanks for the links. I agree about keyed chucks.

gavuk - thanks for posting; a lot of good questions, viewpoints and information there. Size wise it can be anything from 3-13mm hss twist bits upto 14-75mm hole saws depending on the project. Anywhere from sheet to sectional metals. I favour a pilot too. I have pillar drills & a great little cordless, for metalwork, but there's an obvious gap in my tooling. It puts a strain on my tools, my work and on me. I'm having a hard time justifying a mag drill, especially for things like austinistic stainless steels & non-ferrous. Large section ferrous is also a problem with my current tooling.

I prefer the D handle, for metal work, as a greater, in-line, load can be placed on the cutting tool with less risk of; wander, out-of-true cutting and breakage (I do centre punching where I can, but harder metals can still be troublesome sometimes).

You'd think it would be an easy thing to source... I know I'm a fussy b*st*rd, but I'm just as fussy with my work! What's right is right. I keep trying to think of a reason why manufacturers don't make such an item for the UK market - no demand? Surely other people/industries have a need for a product like this?

It's been a year of casual searching & if I don't get any joy in the next month, i'd consider more exotic options...

 

[algreenplus3]

Just ordered the one that gavuk said looks good and the price is ok too,I have been looking for a good bench drill too so thats the next on my list.

 

[Wozzaaah]

At the risk of being I don't think there is such thing as a good bench drill nowadays, there are a lot of 'ok' bench drills but none are 'good'. The castings are pretty much of a muchness, afaik all originating from China. I'd look for one with a decent motor on it. I bought one from Aldi and it was ok, nothing spectacular but it did the job....until I killed it .
(Don't use blacksmith's bits in them, they aren't up to drilling 25mm holes in 10mm plate, you need to find someone friendly with a punch for that kind of thing or get a mag drill )

 

[Damaged]

Not sure if this http://http://www.toolstop.co.uk/bosch-gbm32-4-4-speed-rotary-drill-p4205 is any good to you.

Don't think I fancy holding on to it!

 

[Wozzaaah]

One too many HTTP's mick
Link fixed

Don't like the look of that myself, reckon it would take you for a ride

 

[Damaged]

Cheers,

Sore wrists ahead (oops wrong web site!)

 

[jugs]

One too many HTTP's mick
Link fixed

Don't like the look of that myself, reckon it would take you for a ride

Be like riding a centrfuge, till the wire snaped

Remember a cat that went to sleep in a pile of damp washing, got taken to local laundrett & tipped into big tumble drier, we heard screams & rushed outside to look for murder, then realised it was inside. Opened tumble drier door to find one very sick cat + very smelly washing. (We never went back there again )

Guess where it was found next day........asleep in a pile of damp washing.

 

[gavuk]

Algreenplus3 hope the drill does u ok ,i've got the 110v version,blue light on handle is great letting u know its plugged in ,chuck has a locking button underneath rather than one handed operation but works well,,drill level built into rear of the drll is a bit gimicky as its too small to be much use ,trigger speed works well and has not let me down ,but has only seen light use so far ,which is why i haven't shouted the drills greatness.......as for pillar drill i bought a cheap ferm job from screwfix £39 (i think)and although more horsepower than clarke equal ,i was disapointed with its robustness,,,the drilling table i support with an old screwjack to remove any flex,may fill support tube with iron shot or sand to increase its weight /vibration damping ,,,its ok for light diy use ,but requires pilot drilling and going up in sizes to get large holes,but did have 9 speeds so going slow enough for holesaws is not a problem ........try and have a look before u buy ,choose high horsepower and slow speed ranges,heavier the better........hope this helps gav

 

[Hitch]

If you want a D handle type Knoba, look at a Hitachi DC120V, or Makita 8406

Neither are cheap, but again, both cracking kit.

 

[Hitch]

Thoose gut buster type drills certainly take some hanging onto

Had a few sore knuckles! Last time i used one i twisted a 22mm bit clean off the shank!