What Size Drill Should I Buy?

With such a large selection of power tools to choose from, one of the biggest questions is often which is right for your project and buying a drill is no exception. When you’re purchasing an electric drill size options can range from ¼ inch to 3/8 inch and on up to a hefty ½ inch model that has the power to handle just about any type of drilling job. Battery powered models start at 12 volts and can go up to 36 volt models that have the power of most electric models and a fairly large price tag.

In an ideal home improvement world you might have three drills, a 3/8 inch electric drill to handle most jobs, a ½ inch model for all day drilling power on your larger projects, and an 18 volt battery powered model for tasks when an electric outlet isn’t handy and you don’t feel like stringing out an extension cord. Unfortunately, in these challenging economic times not many people live in an ideal world, so if you can only choose one drill – how do you choose which is the right size and most suitable for your project?

Power Drill Considerations

Many home improvement enthusiasts would probably choose a 3/8 inch electric drill as the one drill to have if they could only have one. If you choose a model with variable speeds and adjustable torque, these drills have the power to handle just about any project you have planned – they can be used to install screws around the house or to drill bolt holes while building a deck or putting on a home addition. One of their best features is that even the high end models can be fairly budget friendly.

If you don’t see any deck building or home additions in your future and most of your projects consist of preventative maintenance jobs around the house, then a 12 or 18 volt cordless drill might be the ideal choice. A 12 volt drill is a little smaller and lighter than the 18 volt models, but may not have quite enough power for some household jobs. The 18 volt model can be a good all around choice that can handle most of the tasks of a 3/8 inch electric drill, but without having to worry about electric outlets for power.

The ½ inch electric drill can be a big help on large jobs, but in many cases a 3/8 inch electric drill or 18 volt cordless drill might handle the tasks just as well. The larger model can accept big bits with shanks up to ½ inch and can drill through the densest woods with no problem at all, but unless you have a lot of these types of projects on your agenda, the smaller drills might still be a better choice. One task that can make a ½ inch drill almost mandatory is drilling through masonry or concrete, but if you have that situation, a drill with hammer or rotary hammer action is desirable.

Matching a drill to the task at hand is important, but it can be just as critical to make sure the tool is comfortable to use – especially if you’ll be holding it for long periods of time. Make sure the drill you choose feels balanced in your hand and fits your grip.