Thread: A good 240V hand drill?

Teejay, I have 2 Makita's that are fantastic. The first is more than 20 years old and belonged to my father, my father did not treat tools with much respect so beleive me for it to have lasted as long as it has is amazing. I have it mounted in one of those drill press stand attachments and it is still going great guns. The second I bought because I needed a hammer drill for concrete and is less than 12 months old.

The way I see it, if my most recent purchase lasts as long as Dad's old drill it will cost me less than $15 year.

I had an AEG (I think it was anyway) 1/2" drill and paid $250 for it, I bought it to do some 10mm holes in masonry.
It couldnt hack the pace and died in a cloud of smoke.

Get the Ozito Rotary hammer drill, you wont regret it, and for $69 for the smaller model, who cares if it dies.

The drill comes with 1/2" chuck and can be used in drill mode only.

Ask Groggy, he loves his.

Al

Yeap, the Ozito Rotary hammer drill is currently $67 at our Bunnies.

It would be good for the job as long as the holes aren't above shoulder height 'cos it has a bit of weight in it.

I don't know if Milwaukee tools are available in OZ, but if so, they make the most powerful, tough drills known to mankind.

Originally Posted by TEEJAY

I have some drilling to do into a steel stud frame into heavier steel posts.

I drill a 10mm pilot hole then open this up with a 18mm bit.

When opening up the hole with the bigger bit or even drilling the 10mm hole once it punches through the steel the drill is at full to medium speed then sudden stop (as happens with this type of drilling) a few runs at the hole and the bit finally gets through.

Now I describe this process cuz it is the deathnell of my new orange black and decker drill.


Any advice??

Teejay

You don't need a new drill, what you need is a step drill. Makes drilling large holes in light steel very easy and you don't have to change drill bits all the time. Have a look at this old post. It will drill up to about 4mm thick steel.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...88&postcount=7

Yeah as Barry said don't worry about the drill, if you get a more powerful drill it will still grab then its wrist snapping time. Actually a cordless would be better as they mostly all have clutches.
Must admit I have never seen nor heard of a step drill ...sound good.

Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

Yeah as Barry said don't worry about the drill, if you get a more powerful drill it will still grab then its wrist snapping time. Actually a cordless would be better as they mostly all have clutches.
Must admit I have never seen nor heard of a step drill ...sound good.

Used to use these in the shed industry for drilling hi-tensile steel purlins. Bunnings actually carry them but they are a bit dear there. Most specialist tool shops or engineering suppliers would carry them. They come in metric and imperial and usually go up in 2mm steps. The one I have goes from 4mm to 20mm. They also make them to go up to 30mm. I paid about $55 for mine from memory

RE: Step drills,

I looked into this recently.

McJings have the 6 - 20 mm for $40, 6 - 30 mm $60.
I also saw them on ebray for about $30.
I ended up borrowing a mates - work brilliantly - no grabbing.

Cheers

The step drills are a good tip. I do however already have 5 x 10mm drill bits i keep razor sharp along with the larger 14mm drill bit using a "drill doctor", so a reluctance to buy more drill bits.

The drills I am using are in fact 10mm and 14mm to open it up to take 12mm (half inch) bolts. My little old 240V makita is managing the 10mm hole with a sharp bit but the opening up with the B&D was the killer.

I will give the Ozito a go. THe steel is only 3mm thick and I have good access and can use both hands to hang on.

Using the drill doctor I can see it will work fine on the tip part of the drill bit but wonder how the drill bit goes without being able to sharpen the larger step part of the drill.

I do use drilling moly-poly stuff when drilling and it does help a lot with drill bit preservation.

Originally Posted by Honorary Bloke

I don't know if Milwaukee tools are available in OZ, but if so, they make the most powerful, tough drills known to mankind.

They are a fantastic drill Bob "your shout ".

I am saving up for a Domino and certainly can't afford trying to tell SWMBO I really need both

I've just survived purchasing a set of titan chisels and an old stanley No7 jointer plane so a Milwaukee would be the final nail in the coffin - but nice tip though if price didn't matter.

Originally Posted by TEEJAY

The step drills are a good tip. I do however already have 5 x 10mm drill bits i keep razor sharp along with the larger 14mm drill bit using a "drill doctor", so a reluctance to buy more drill bits.

The drills I am using are in fact 10mm and 14mm to open it up to take 12mm (half inch) bolts. My little old 240V makita is managing the 10mm hole with a sharp bit but the opening up with the B&D was the killer.

I will give the Ozito a go. THe steel is only 3mm thick and I have good access and can use both hands to hang on.

Using the drill doctor I can see it will work fine on the tip part of the drill bit but wonder how the drill bit goes without being able to sharpen the larger step part of the drill.

I do use drilling moly-poly stuff when drilling and it does help a lot with drill bit preservation.

Teejay

I appreciate not wanting to buy another drill bit but the ease with what you will do it with a step drill you would find that you would do it with your old makita without having to change drill bits and it will cost you not much more than buying a cheap drill.

Originally Posted by Barry_White

Teejay

I appreciate not wanting to buy another drill bit but the ease with what you will do it with a step drill you would find that you would do it with your old makita without having to change drill bits and it will cost you not much more than buying a cheap drill.

Bazza you could well be right. I will whilst there have a look and see if they have a step drill bit to the 14mm larger size (what-ever the smaller size is 6mm or so) and I'll give it a go.

I will however also give a go to the Ozito drill to see what the guys are raving about as it will be useful for drilling tech screws into hardwood sleepers etc.

In the Ozito thread they said the drill was some rediculous low price now near $40. Can't lose on that really - worth a try too.

I do have a couple of step drills with my square drive drill pocket hole Kreg jig - I suppose this is the same drill bit you mention?

Originally Posted by TEEJAY

I do have a couple of step drills with my square drive drill pocket hole Kreg jig - I suppose this is the same drill bit you mention?

The step drills for pocket holes are nothing like a proper step drill. Have a look at the second pic in this post.

They start at 4mm and go up in 2mm increments up to 20mm. That is the reason they don't grab and give a perfectly round hole.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...88&postcount=7

Bazza is on the money - step drills are magic for drilling thin material such as sheet metal and plastic. As a bonus they also de-burr one side of the hole as well.