How to choose a drill?

[nagumuthu]

Hello Members,

I'm looking for a good hand drill machine.  I'm looking for long lasting drill bits as I'm not interested to grind and use it.

1. Can you please propose good hand drill machine @ bunnings.

2. Drill bits used for the purpose of for hanging photo frames, mirrors, small carpentery work, drilling tiles etc.

The drill machine shall cater for drill bits that drills multiple materials (Bricks, plasters, tiles, wood etc.) as on long term I would like to use that for DIY Projects.

Are One time use and throw drill bits available that is cost-effective ?

Thanks for your attention.

Best Wishes

M.Muthu.

[Noyade]

"Yes, I too have a masonry bit versus drill experience."

Hi @Dave-1 @EricL 

25 years ago I was buying only "the best of the best" and had acquired the famous Southern Cross Tool brand of a SDS hammer drill, from Clints.

Only the best....

In a nutshell I must have drilled the wrong diameter hole in the concrete for an ankascrew.

So I re-drilled a larger diameter - but the bit became totally embedded and stuck. Putting the drill in reverse only produced a 'clacking' (safety clutch?) sound with no movement.

Disengaged the drill bit.

Had to use a pipe wrench to remove the bit.

Tried to re-screw the ankascrew with my BigW $12.95c socket set (only the best) - and the 11/16 socket shattered into three pieces.

Welded it together as a reminder of a rather unsuccessful DIY day.

Such is life.

[EricL]

Hi @Noyade 

When I first started handling power tools, I was not yet familiar with overheating, hand tool limits and cool down/rest process. I just kept going and learned the hard way that tools as well as drill bits need a breather. The drill bit got ruined and the tool ended up in the bin.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Evening All and sorry @Ange11 

So here is a throw in question as it has bugged me since my apprenticeship days I had to drill a bunch of gun metal bollards and the drill would catch in the gun metal everytime. Made no difference the size of the drill/pilot hole. Id go slow, fast and it would catch and wrap around and belt my leg (still remember the "wrench" Any suggestions to throw in on how to drill gun metal (The hole had to be 1/2")?

Dave

[EricL]

Hi @Dave-1 

I've run into this situation before, and my friends gave me a hard time about it as they hid the drill press guide so that I would have to drill the holes manually. Despite using a steel punch, the drill bit would catch on the asymmetrically curved surface of the pipe work I was drilling into. It would wobble and catch the sides as there was no guide. Eventually the drill press guide magically appeared, and I managed to finish my work, but not before ruining 2 access holes and a drill bit.

It might be possible to build a timber drilling guide to prevent the drill bit and drill from wobbling or leaning if you are only doing a few holes. But accessibility and space availability are some of the key things you'll need to contend with.  

Eric

[Nailbag]

HI @Ange11 

Just another tip, is to consider a drill bit set that has a reduced shank for bits over 10mm, even though your drill might have a 13mm chuck, I have been caught out helping a mate out needing a 12mm hole which he had a bit for, but didn't fit his 10mm drill.

Nailbag

[Noyade]

G'day Dave. @Dave-1 

"Any suggestions to throw in on how to drill gun metal (The hole had to be 1/2")"

I'm familiar with the 'wrench' you mentioned on the other page - especially beyond the 12mm diameter as the cutting edges 'grab' the back of the metal. I related to you how years ago I destroyed a small electric drill with a 10mm bit which shattered at that same moment with cogs and gears rolling down the driveway. This was drilling in the vertical plane.

My solution after that experience - was to acquire bigger and heavier drills to counter that 'wrench' - and with very low RPM. I bought a variety from Sunday markets and swap meets.

At the top of the one seen below you can install a length of threaded gal pipe.

Plenty of drawbacks. Big, heavy and I am distrustful of all-metal machines (even a metal trigger fitted) electrically. But there were no further issues with big drill bits.

Acquiring the drill-press and using lubricants have tended to solve most problems these days, Dave. But then, I've never drilled bollards.

Cheers mate!

[Dave-1]

Morning @Noyade 

I pretty much ended up with a bigger heavy duty drill as well lol I also would wedge it against my leg so the spiining couldnt happen, tho it still tried. There was no way I colud lift the bollards to get them near any drill press as they were solid (meant to stop dockyard workers from damaging the phone service inside lol) 

On a side note it was my task to repair if possible the drills that broke (very few were able to be as they all had plastic bearing mounts and that was what would crack)

Thank you for confiming tho

Dave

[HopelessHandy]

Hi all

As my nickname suggests, I'm pretty hopeless at DIY and manage to make things worse quite frequently. 

I've recently bought some security cams which should be straight forward enough to install myself. It would involve drilling so I'm looking at a suitable drill that can also act as a screwdriver. As I already have a couple of ryobi 18v+ equipments, I'm thinking of the ryobi hammer drill. I'm just trying to foolproof for the future as my house is brick so the hammer function may come in handy esp if the security cam need to go on the bricks. However at this stage, I'll most likely install them on timber parts. Is hammer drill a good option? 

The other question is what drill bits should I get? I read that ryobi drill bits are really of less ideal quality. As mentioned earlier, I'd also like to use the drill as screwdriver as intend to use of for flat pack furniture/ handy work. 

Many thanks in advance for your kind advice!

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @HopelessHandy. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about drills.

The Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Premium Hammer Drill would be a good option from driving screws and for drilling into masonry. You'll note there is the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hammer Drill All Rounder Kit which is more budget friendly and comes with a battery. It is less powerful, but ok for occasional masonry drilling.

The quality of Ryobi bits are perfectly fine for Home D.I.Y.. However, you might like to splurge a bit and get the Makita 38pce Impact Driver Bit Set, which is of trade quality and comes with an assortment of bits suitable for furniture assembly. For masonry bits, you could buy a kit, but for occasional use, I'd typically recommend purchasing the individual drill bit for that project.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[HopelessHandy]

Thanks so much for your prompt and helpful reply. 

I am looking at the 18V one+ hammer drill tool only as I already have the battery and charger. Hopefully that's good enough as I shouldn't need to do too much masonry drilling (really hope i can get away with installing the cams at timber or plaster bit of the house)

In that case, I might give ryobi drill bits a go. Do they all come with screwdriver bits as well? 

Is the makita bits compatible with the ryobi drill? 

Thanks again!