Type of drill to get?

[ferg]

Milwaukee, Bosch, Dewalt, Makita. All good not a lot between them TBH.

I have used Dewalt for many years so I stick to what I know.

Erbauer as suggested probably won't last as long but would likely last the length of this job.

I would get an 18v combi drill with 2 batteries and charger. 4Ah minimum.
As for drill bits you could ask what you need and concentrate on those rather than spend a fortune on bits you won't use.

 

[nicebutdim]

I must admit for everything except drilling out for stuffers and drilling through joists i use the impact.

Smooth cutting hole saws would save you using a drill at all, unless you're talking 63mm stuffing glands. I don't have a combi as the extra weight and length of combi ring is unnecessary in a tool that won't ever be drilling masonry. I keep a reasonbaly powerful drill/driver, mainly used with big hole saws or 1/4" bits.

 

[rewireIT]

Smooth cutting hole saws would save you using a drill at all, unless you're talking 63mm stuffing glands. I don't have a combi as the extra weight and length of combi ring is unnecessary in a tool that won't ever be drilling masonry. I keep a reasonbaly powerful drill/driver, mainly used with big hole saws or 1/4" bits.

Not sure what you mean - when i say drilling for stuffers i mean using a hole saw in a drill.

 

[nicebutdim]

Not sure what you mean - when i say drilling for stuffers i mean using a hole saw in a drill.

I know what you meant and suggested using smooth cutting hole saws in an impact driver.

These things.

 

[pirate]

I'd go with a combi first as it's quite versatile, then an impact for the "oomph" when you really need it, like setting muti-montis into concrete. Also, while I agree 2 decent sized batteries are ideal, I like a small 1.7Ah when drilling at height or above my head as it is much lighter.
As for hole saws, well I very rarely use them. If I need a hole in a metal box etc I use a hole-punch. There's no "chattering" on the enclosure which is nice, especially if it is populated, and you get a nice clean cut, albeit I run a Noga round the hole to deburr even though it's not usually necessary. If the box is installed close to a ceiling, for example, it's difficult to get a drill on top, so the punch wins by being so compact.
If the box is of thin metal then a pilot hole of 5mm followed up by a cone or step drill. Anything except attack it with jagged teeth whirly round thing!

 

[rewireIT]

I know what you meant and suggested using smooth cutting hole saws in an impact driver.

These things.

But then when i want to start screwing stuff in i have to change bits. I find it more economical to have all my screwing done with the impact and all the other stuff done with the combi

 

[rewireIT]

I'd go with a combi first as it's quite versatile, then an impact for the "oomph" when you really need it, like setting muti-montis into concrete. Also, while I agree 2 decent sized batteries are ideal, I like a small 1.7Ah when drilling at height or above my head as it is much lighter.
As for hole saws, well I very rarely use them. If I need a hole in a metal box etc I use a hole-punch. There's no "chattering" on the enclosure which is nice, especially if it is populated, and you get a nice clean cut, albeit I run a Noga round the hole to deburr even though it's not usually necessary. If the box is installed close to a ceiling, for example, it's difficult to get a drill on top, so the punch wins by being so compact.
If the box is of thin metal then a pilot hole of 5mm followed up by a cone or step drill. Anything except attack it with jagged teeth whirly round thing!

nice.

how many cuts do you get out of each punch?

 

[nicebutdim]

But then when i want to start screwing stuff in i have to change bits. I find it more economical to have all my screwing done with the impact and all the other stuff done with the combi

I wouldn't have made the suggestion, had your earlier post (quoted below) not been at odds with the above.

I must admit for everything except drilling out for stuffers and drilling through joists i use the impact.

There are also very capable bits available for drilling through joists with an impact driver, providing exceptional speed and requiring minimal effort.

Assuming your latter statement is correct, I'd encourage you to try making more use of impact drivers. In my estimation, they're up there with the multi tool in terms of 'how did we manage before their invention?' and are very versatile tools which adapt to multiple tasks with ease (mashing the insides of dist boards excepted).

 

[nicebutdim]

As for hole saws, well I very rarely use them. If I need a hole in a metal box etc I use a hole-punch. There's no "chattering" on the enclosure which is nice, especially if it is populated, and you get a nice clean cut, albeit I run a Noga round the hole to deburr even though it's not usually necessary. If the box is installed close to a ceiling, for example, it's difficult to get a drill on top, so the punch wins by being so compact.
If the box is of thin metal then a pilot hole of 5mm followed up by a cone or step drill. Anything except attack it with jagged teeth whirly round thing!

I've looked at punches many times and really like the idea, but can't help feeling they'd end up as another unloved item in the bottom of a tool box, due to more efficient means of cutting holes.

What appeals most about punches is the idea of a clean cut, with no swarf. The smooth cutting holesaws I linked earlier do produce lots of tiny metal chips, but leave behind a very clean hole and cut smoothly, without any chattering. The also have a lip that prevents protrusion into enclosures.

The only issue I have is their price.

 

[pc1966]

how many cuts do you get out of each punch?

Hundreds if you look after it. Mostly making sure the bolt/nut is lightly greased and kept clean of swarf. You can usually replace the bolts part as well.

They make for a clean hole, slight burr on the pushed-into side, but quiet and free of swarf other than the pilot hole. If you need a medium size hole in sheet metal (say to 2mm steel) they are very attractive, though bigger ones need a ~20mm pilot so cone drill, hole saw, or two sizes punch operations needed.

Here are examples:

Q Max Sheet Metal Hole Punch Metric | Hole Punches

Buy Q Max Sheet Metal Hole Punch Metric and other Q Max Hole Punches at Tooled-Up.com. Fast Delivery.

www.tooled-up.com

For smaller sizes, say to 20mm or there about, a cone drill or Armeg hole saw work as well, if you don't mind swarf (i.e. cutting before installation, without electrics to get contaminated with it). While I have hole sawed to 110mm its not a great experience and rarely that accurate a hole at the end of the day, a hole punch is far more civilised.

You also get square punches for switches, and special shaped hole punches for the likes of coax connectors (single 'D' for BNC, double D for Type N, or etc) that are great if you need them, but price is surprisingly high, as in £100-200 or more.