What type of drill is best for electrician work?

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

Hi, I was just wondering what drill is best for electrician work? (combi drill, impact driver or drill driver?)

Also what's the difference between all three of them? I'm a newbie starting an apprenticeship in September.

What brands would everyone recommend with a price range from 75 - 150?

Cheers Luke

 

[Pete999]

Depends what type of work you are doing, our guys get issued with the Hitachi 5 piece set 10.8v drill driver, impact driver radio small circ saw and a torch good for small jobs

 

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

They do mainly domestic work. New builds, extensions and that kind of stuff. Thanks for the response.

Cheers Luke

 

[shanky887614]

Combi drill and impact driver.

Impact drivers are great for screwing because they don't slip as often as a drill


CombI drills generally have more power so are better when drilling joists/ holesaws in steel etc.

 

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

Can you explain like what they do and stuff? I have very basic knowledge sorry!

 

[shanky887614]

Can you explain like what they do and stuff? I have very basic knowledge sorry!

Impact driver - only takes hex bits (bassically giant screwdriver bit holder)

Drill driver - drill

Combi drill - has hammer when drilling and are generally more powerful

 

[Pete999]

You need to remember there are loads of differing types of drills, lots of applications, an 18 v combi drill for day to day but for drilling joists, holes in walls etc you need something a bit more meatier. An SDS drill would be OK I imagine, check out the drill manufacturers web sites, see what you think.

 

[shanky887614]

You need to remember there are loads of differing types of drills, lots of applications, an 18 v combi drill for day to day but for drilling joists, holes in walls etc you need something a bit more meatier. An SDS drill would be OK I imagine, check out the drill manufacturers web sites, see what you think.

Sorry but you cant get an sds in to drill a joist plus it would take all day.

Ive tried it before with a 110 sds and there useless

 

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

Ok I will do that cheers.

 

[Pete999]

Like I said to the OP check the web sites, see what's available

 

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

Can you recommend any brands? I know of DeWalt, Bosch, Makita ect.

 

[jackhammerJIM]

if you only have enough money to buy one drill at the moment buy a combi drill .

you will be able to screw , drill wood/metal/plastic and embed red plugs into softer materials .

for £150 you will be able to get something decent such as dewalt/makita .

go for 18 volt , get saving some money and build a collection , you can buy batteries and bodies as separates when funds allow .

 

[Swcfisher]

Bosch GSB 18V-LI 18V 4Ah Li-Ion Cordless Combi Drill Coolpack Battery | All Power Tool Deals | NoLinkingToThis

Thatll get you started, hammer mode for masonry take the hammer of for drilling metal/wood or using as a screwdriver. This is a nice compact drill and it comes with a 4ah battery

 

[shanky887614]

No matter the brand make sure its either corded or two batteries.

2 1.5 batteries is better than 1 4amp battery.

This way you aways have one charged in box and can swap them and put one on charge so are not waiting all the time for batteries to charge.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I know you haven't mentioned an SDS drill in your post Luke, but if you do have enough money to buy one then I would definitely do it. You'll be drilling lots of holes for your red rawl plugs and its going to take a long time even with a good quality combi drill, whereas an SDS will be much, much quicker. However, a good quality cordless one with a charger and 2 batteries is expensive.

I'm not saying buy this instead of a combi. Buy a combi and if you can afford it an SDS as well.

 

[tazz]

Every drill has a purpose.....on industrial sites, we may need to drill 20mm hole through walls ....so may use a drill such as Bosh GBH with sds bit, heavy drill, but does the business.....putting up a db or control panel, then may use Makita smaller hand drill.....fixing equipment to ceilings/walls by screw, makita impact driver, saves sore hands using pozi drive.

 

[uksparks]

Personally I like Bosch, what I would say is, buy cheap buy twice, buy the best you can justify and afford.

 

[uksparks]

Also, I never used to have an impact driver until 3 months ago and was reluctant to buy one, but I tell you what it's now the most used thing in my tool bag.

 

[Eddiesparks]

Also, I never used to have an impact driver until 3 months ago and was reluctant to buy one, but I tell you what it's now the most used thing in my tool bag.

I went 6 months without one but impacts are excellent and not just for doing up screws. Just dont use to do up backbox screws like i saw a decorator do once. Smashed the #%€! out of it!!

 

[shanky887614]

I went 6 months without one but impacts are excellent and not just for doing up screws. Just dont use to do up backbox screws like i saw a decorator do once. Smashed the #%€! out of it!!

? Why not you only crack box if you overtighten it the same as by hand.

You can buy surfice patricies with 20mm knockout's on them and there softer so dont crack as soon as you touch them