PRODUCT REVIEW
packs. In a professional tool, a big 18v battery pack would be expected to push out anything from 5Ah to 8 or 9Ah, so it should last the whole day at work. Also, it will be expected to charge in around 30 to 60 minutes, so workers never have any downtime from their tools. But such capacity costs money. The battery packs have complicated electronic monitoring systems so they don’t deep discharge, they can be partially charged safely, and believe it or not, the high quality Lithium that is used in them is more expensive compared to that used in smaller, less demanding tools. Even while doing this testing I found myself becoming very impatient having to wait three to five hours while the batteries charged between tests. (The exception here is the Wickes drill, which charges in 30 minutes.)
What will also add cost to professional tools is a smart charger, usually a custom fitted case and perhaps a couple of accessories like a belt hook and an auxiliary handle to help manage torque loadings well past the 30Nm mark.
Hilka PRO-CRAFT 18v Lithium Ion Cordless Drill from Robert Dyas Features: Case: Plastic carry case Chuck: Keyless chuck (2-handed) 10mm Torque settings: 16+1 Speeds: Variable 2 forward/reverse Battery Pack:1.5 Ah L Ion Light: LED Charger: 3-5hours Battery: X2 with 3 light charge indicator Soft grip handle Comes with 13 accessories (drill bits, driver, bit holder)
Specs: Torque 15Nm Steel: not given Wood: not given Weight 2.4 Kg Cost £39.95
The Hilka comes with two batteries and, on the basis of the holes test, it needs them because although it managed 128, 10mm diameter holes on a full charge, this was significantly fewer than the 18v Guild drill. A tad worrying was the smell of hot connections inside the motor housing and the heat from the battery pack. Heat is the enemy of battery packs so it is always better to let things cool down and change the battery pack if possible. The spade bit test was similar to the others with it being necessary to adopt ‘low speed’ to have enough torque to drill the hole. Driving screws up to 70mm was achievable, but not much beyond that.
What’s to like and dislike? The truth is, there is lots to like in these four samples I have tested. They all have enough power to do small jobs around the house at a very reasonable price – much less than my weekly grocery shop or a tank of petrol for my hatchback. Such tools will often be bought to complete a fencing job, erect a shed or to hang a few curtain poles. The motors have enough power and torque to drive screws up to 70mm quite easily, and this should be adequate for most domestic jobs.
When it comes to drilling holes, again there is enough power to do several holes, and even drill quite big holes using a spade bit. Big enough to deal with plumbing pipes and cables most of the time.
The drills are all comfortable to handle, easy to use via well-placed controls and are compact enough to fit inside kitchen cabinets for example, with LED lights to illuminate the workpiece. They are not too heavy so could be used by people with smaller hands or with odd twinges of arthritis, or above the head or working on a ladder.
In short, the technology and design of these drills is pretty well sorted and occasional users could buy one with confidence knowing that they would probably get value for money.
However - and it is a big however - what is saving the cash on these drills is the battery
So would I be prepared to swap my drill drivers for cheaper ones? The short answer is no. After trying out the budget drills I reached for my 18v name brand professional drill and did some of the tests again. What you get from a professional tool is speed and power and the sort of capability that makes jobs easy – like driving screws up to 180mm long for example. And it is so effortless – there is no need to coax the tool along. A real ‘Power to the Professionals’ feeling. These days there is no need to stick to 18v tools-10.8 and 12v professional quality tools deliver the compact size and power needed for many kitchen and shopfitters without having to wait five hours for a battery to charge.
I think that users of professional quality tools have been spoilt by the power and sophistication of them. So, unlike the very first cordless drills from the 80’s, we have all the power of the mains but keyless chucks and ergonomic designs that are easy to use safely. Workplaces are made safer too with fewer electrical hazards and no trailing cables. Professional users pay a premium for their very capable cordless tools, but DIYers also benefit from the R and D that went into them by cashing in on good tools at bargain prices well suited to their needs.
There is still a huge market for cheaper tools. Not everyone needs or can afford the best, so it is good to know that there are tools out there to fulfil a range of needs at a range of prices. Win, win I’d say.
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