Hanging a television, installing a shelf, assembling a piece of furniture, placing a stand or drilling a hole in a wall are jobs that traditionally required searching for a plug and having to deploy (in many cases) several meters of cable. The cordless drills They appeared to change that dynamic and they became one of the most versatile power tools to have at home.
The growth of the lithium ion batteries It also allowed these devices to stop being a limited alternative to electric models. They are currently available in Argentina from small drills screwdrivers designed for occasional tasks up to 18 and 20 volt equipment with striker, brushless motors and enough torque for much more demanding jobs.
Multiple options related to cordless drills appear in Mercado Libre, with brands such as Bosch, DeWalt, Einhell, Lüsqtoff, Dowen Pagio, Milwaukee, Total and Ingcoamong others. But to determine which one is suitable for each task and user profile, several details that go beyond the final price must be taken into account.
Drill, hammer or screwdriver: how they differ
The first difference to make is in the characteristics and functions of this type of equipment. A screwdriver drill It allows you to drill materials such as wood, plastic and certain metals, but also to place and remove screws by regulating the force. To assemble furniture, install shelves or make small repairs is usually enough.
He hammer drill Add small forward strokes while turning the wick. This function is especially useful for work on masonry or bricks and makes it a most versatile option for a house. It does not replace a rotary hammer when you have to drill concrete intensively, but it can solve a good part of the domestic work.
There are also the impact screwdriversdesigned mainly to place or remove screws and bolts by applying a lot of torque. For someone looking to purchase a single tool, it is usually best to start with a drill driver and, if you need to drill into walls, choose one with a hammer.
Then the numbers appear. 12V models are usually compact and lightweight, sufficient for furniture and small drilling. The 18 and 20 V ones are aimed at more demanding jobs and generally offer greater capacity and autonomy.
But more volts does not automatically mean a best drill.
You also have to look at the torqueexpressed in Newton meters (Nm), which indicates the turning force; the size of the mandrel, usually 10 or 13 mm; and the battery capacity, measured in ampere hours (Ah).
Even a 4 Ah battery does not necessarily make the drill more powerful than a 2 Ah battery, although it can offer greater autonomy.
Another differential is the engines brushless or brushless. By eliminating traditional carbons that generate friction and wear, they can offer better efficiency, less maintenance and longer useful life. It’s an interesting feature for frequent use, although probably unnecessary for someone who will use the drill a few times a year.
How much does a cordless drill cost in Argentina
In it economic segment Alternatives appear intended mainly for domestic use, for tasks such as placing pictures, assembling furniture or making small holes.
Gadnic offers, for example, an economical 20 V drill with two 1.5 Ah batteries, 10 mm chuck, two speeds and a declared maximum torque of 40 Nm. It can be obtained from the $66.000.
For who needs pierce walls More often it is advisable to look at the models that include a striker. He Black+Decker BCD704C1 20 V, incorporates variable speed, reverse, self-adjusting chuck, LED light and striking function, with prices around 140,000 pesos.
One step above, alternatives appear with motores brushless and higher capacity batteries. Due to their characteristics, they are halfway between equipment intended for occasional repairs and considerably more expensive professional tools.
Einhell, For example, you have the TE-CD 18/44 Li-i within your battery-powered tool ecosystem, while Total offers 20 V equipment with a 13 mm chuck, carbonless motors and kits with two batteries plus charger.
The brand Lüsqtoff also sells 18 V brushless equipment. TIL80-9BK Black Series account with firing pin, 13 mm chuck and a kit with two batteries, characteristics closer to intensive use than to occasional home repair.
In these cases, prices move approximately between $180.000 y 250.000 weights, depending on the model and whether they are sold together with a kit with accessories (wicks, screwdriver bits, plugs and screws).
In traditional brands in the professional segment the jump is considerable. He Bosch GSB 120-LIcompact and with a hammer function, is available in different configurations, while 18 V models such as the GSB 185-LI can exceed $500,000 when they include battery, charger and briefcase. DeWalt It also has 20 V kits that cost over 300,000 pesos.
Which cordless drill to choose
But beyond all the technical part and the models that can be found on the market, each of them can provide solutions for all types of problems in the house or apartment. If you need to assemble furniture, place screws and make small holes, a compact 12 or 18 V model It may be enough and you will have the advantage of weighing less.
For general repairs, an 18 or 20 V screwdriver with hammer appears as the most balanced alternative: it allows work with screws, wood and metalbut also solve many of the common holes in walls.
Those who carry out installations or frequently use the tool can look for greater torque, 13 mm chuck, motor brushless and two batteries. In these cases it also begins to be important to choose a platform that allows reuse batteries in future tools.
Therefore, before buying, it is not enough to look for the model that advertises the most volts. The type of work, the presence of a hammer, the torque, the autonomy and especially the included batteries are the data that allow us to know if a $100,000 drill can achieve or is really worth spending three or four times more.