Sometimes a small DIY job can turn into a nightmare when we are presented with what seems like an impossible situation. We have all been there. Such as when we have needed to drill a hole and realized that all we have to do a seemingly impossible job is a cordless drill that isn’t really known for its power.
But a cordless drill can be just as useful as a corded one and has the ability to perform even the trickiest of drill jobs, like drilling holes in concrete.
Can I Drill Through Concrete with a Cordless Drill?
With the correct drill bit and a bit of know-how, you can indeed drill through concrete with a 12-volt cordless drill. However, you will need to use a specialized drill bit to drill through concrete. This bit is called a masonry bit and is made of materials that can easily drill through any concrete surface.
It is important to ensure that the masonry bit is the correct size for your cordless drill. Read more about bit sizes in the product manual that is provided in the package. Keep this manual close and ready, and refer to it often to ensure that you are using your drill correctly.
If you are faced with a tricky drill job and feel that you need advice on how to complete the job successfully, there are a multitude of how-to articles and videos available online that you can refer to. You can also speak to a sales rep at the hardware store. These men and women are trained to assist you with all DIY drill job advice and can often provide useful tips and tricks to make any drilling job seem easy.
How to Drill Through Concrete with a Cordless Drill
Drilling through concrete is slightly more challenging than drilling through a softer material. Using a masonry bit, you can drill through concrete with your cordless drill. We have advice that might just be useful and help you feel more confident when completing a tricky drilling job.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to drill through concrete with your cordless drill.
Step #1: Make sure your battery is charged and your drill is good to go. Cordless drills rely on a battery power pack as a power source. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to drill a hole in something and realizing that your battery has been depleted. It is always a fantastic idea to buy a good-quality set of rechargeable batteries that will keep you drilling.
Step #2: Mark the area where you will be drilling a hole into concrete with a marker pen. Drilling “blind” is never a good idea. One of the most important steps in any drilling job is to mark the area you will be drilling into correctly. A marker pen is a good option to mark your guide hole and will not rub off or fade quickly.
Step #3: Insert your masonry bit into your cordless drill and ensure it is secured and ready. Always start off with a smaller masonry bit, working your way up in thickness. Most cordless drills of today have a keyless chuck to make changing the bit easy and hassle-free. Take note of the type of chuck when you are buying your drill.
Step #4: Start drilling! It is critically important that you don’t put too much force on the drill. The masonry bit can easily snap. Insert your preferred tool into the guide hole and drill slowly and carefully, not exerting too much force, and stop when it feels that the drill is no longer drilling. Drill as far as you can, pulling the drill back while it is still running.
Step #5: If you have hit a point where you feel the drill will no longer go into the wall, use a hammer and hard nail in the guide hole to increase the depth of the hole you are drilling. Insert a larger masonry bit and carry on drilling until you have reached your desired hole size.
The Benefits of a Cordless Drill
Gone are the days when corded drills were the only option for larger DIY or maintenance jobs. Today’s cordless drills are a handy tool on the market and have just as much power as a regular drill and can drill through almost anything, including drilling holes in wood and other materials.
There are two major types of cordless drills available:
1. Drill Driver
This cordless drill is ideal for drilling holes and driving screws. It is great for all those DIY jobs around the home. There is no hammer function in a drill driver, so you are limited as to what you can drill into with this drill.
2. Combination Drill
A good all-around combination drill combines hammer function with the basics of a drill driver to create a drill that can be used for small and large DIY jobs, including drilling through concrete and other harder materials.
Cordless drills are known for their convenience and versatility and are best for those tricky drill jobs that need to be done in and around the home. The first choice of a wide range of handymen everywhere, cordless drills can last years if well-maintained.
While corded drills are lighter and more reliable in terms of power, the cordless drills available today are just as efficient and have a similar compact design to that of their regular drill counterparts. If you need help choosing a cordless drill, you can speak to a sales representative at your local hardware store or read online reviews.
How to Choose a Cordless Drill
If you are in the market for a new cordless drill that has the capabilities of a corded unit, you should take a look at the following factors when choosing which option is best for your needs.
Voltage
The higher the voltage or power input of a cordless drill, the more versatile the drill can be. You can use a cordless drill to complete any DIY job around the home or workshop.
Battery
Cordless drills rely on a battery as a power source. When this battery runs out, it can seriously hinder your ability to get your drill job done. Carry a replacement battery or rechargeable batteries with your drill, ensuring that you are never left with a flat battery and a job waiting to be done. There is a wide range of rechargeable batteries available that can be used as a backup when your battery depletes.
Chuck size
Some drills require specific chuck sizes to replace or change the drill bit. A keyless chuck or “universal” chuck is ideal, making it easy to change drill bits and adapt to any drilling job.
Torque
The torque or speed of a drill is measured in RPMs. The higher the voltage, the higher the RPM or torque of the drill. Previously, only corded drills were capable of completing tricky drill jobs with good torque. The design of cordless drills has increased significantly, and they are now able to complete trickier jobs like drilling through concrete and other heavy materials with ease.
Drill modes
Hammer-action and drill driver modes are both extremely useful. Buying a combination cordless drill enables you to complete a wide variety of jobs with ease using our drill. Hammer action is important for those harder materials and drill jobs and requires a special type of drill bit.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when cordless drills could only be used in the simplest of DIY jobs. Today’s cordless drills have almost the same power and capability as a standard drill and can even drill through concrete using the correct bit. Read reviews of drills online to see which drills are recommended and which you should avoid entirely.