Hello, I’m Dave. After 40 years in the technical sales industry, I’ve seen people buy the right tool for the job and, more often, the wrong one. The combi drill is one of the most useful tools you can own, but choosing the right one can be confusing.
Therefore forget the marketing hype. Here is my 5-point checklist to ensure you get a tool that will serve you well for years to come.
1. Brushed vs. Brushless Motor: What’s the Real Difference?
You’ll see “brushless” advertised everywhere, and it comes at a higher price. Is it worth it?
- Brushed Motors: The traditional design. They are reliable and more affordable. For occasional DIY tasks like putting up a shelf once or twice a year, a brushed motor is perfectly adequate.
- Brushless Motors: A more modern, efficient design. The tool adjusts its power use based on the task’s difficulty. This means longer battery life (up to 50% more) and a longer overall tool lifespan because there are fewer parts to wear out.
The Bottom Line: If you plan on using your drill regularly for bigger projects (like building decking or assembling furniture), investing in a brushless model will pay off. For light, infrequent use, a brushed model will save you money.
Pro Tip: I’ve seen brushless drills sink 100 screws on a single charge, while a brushed equivalent might only manage 60. But if you’re not in a hurry, a brushed drill is fine.
2. Battery Voltage (V) and Amp-Hours (Ah): Power vs. Runtime
This is the most confusing part for many.
- Voltage (V): This is your power. For most DIY and home tasks, an 18V drill is the sweet spot. It has enough power to drill into wood, metal, and even masonry (using the hammer function) without being overkill.
- Amp-Hours (Ah): This is your runtime. Think of it like the size of the fuel tank. A 2.0Ah battery is fine for quick jobs, but a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery will last much longer. Getting a kit with two batteries is always a smart move.
Pro Tip: So think of it this way: Voltage is the engine’s horsepower, while Amp-hours is the size of the petrol tank. A 2.0Ah battery will get you through assembling a flat-pack wardrobe, but you’ll want a 5.0Ah for a day of building a garden fence.
3. The Chuck: Don’t Overlook This Key Part
The chuck is the part that grips the drill bit. Look for two things:
- Keyless Chuck: All modern drills should have this. It means you can tighten and loosen it by hand, without needing a special key.
- Metal Chuck: Cheaper drills use a plastic chuck. These can wear out, lose their grip, and even crack under pressure. A metal chuck is far more durable and provides a much better grip, preventing it from slipping.
Pro Tip: Nothing is more frustrating than a drill bit that keeps slipping. I once had a customer who almost ruined a wardrobe door because his plastic chuck wouldn’t hold the bit straight. Always go for metal.
4. Torque and Speed Settings: Your Control Panel
As a result more is not always better. You need control.
- Torque Settings: This is your rotational force, controlled by the numbers around the chuck. Low torque is for driving small screws into soft materials (so you don’t drive them too deep). High torque is for drilling large holes. A good drill will have at least 15+ settings.
- Speed Settings: A two-speed gearbox is essential. Speed 1 is low speed/high torque for screw-driving. Speed 2 is high speed/low torque for drilling.
Pro Tip: Always start with a lower torque setting when driving screws. You can always increase it, but you can’t undo a screw that’s been driven an inch too deep into your new plasterboard.
5. The Three Functions: Drill, Driver, and Hammer
So a combi drill gets its name from its combination of functions.
- Drill Mode (drill bit icon): For drilling holes in wood, metal, and plastic.
- Driver Mode (screw icon): For driving screws, working with the torque settings.
- Hammer Mode (hammer icon): This adds a rapid “punching” action while drilling, allowing you to get through masonry like brick and concrete blocks.
Pro Tip: Remember, the hammer function is for masonry, not for hammering in nails! It’s no substitute for a heavy-duty SDS drill for dense concrete, but it’s perfect for putting up a shelf on a brick wall.
Conclusion
Therefore choosing the right combi drill comes down to being honest about your needs. For most UK homeowners, an 18V brushless combi drill with a metal chuck and at least one 4.0Ah battery is a fantastic investment that will last for years.
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