What do you need to know to buy the drill you want?
A drill is a tool used to make round holes or to drive fasteners.
For general drilling around the house, an easy-to-use 12-volt drill kit that comes with a pair of lithium-ion batteries is a great choice. This tool offers the best combination of power, maneuverability, run time, and value.

There are several factors to consider when purchasing a drill:
- Size: The drill is available in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch sizes. These measurements refer to the size of the drill chuck—the part that holds the bit—and indicate the largest shank the drill will fit into. The 3/8-inch drill accepts a wide range of bits, making it versatile for common tasks around the house. The 1/2-inch drill handles heavier jobs.
- Speed: A variable speed drill with adjustable torque gives you the versatility to drill into different materials and use different bits. Drilling into soft wood, hard wood, metal, and stone requires different speeds and torque or torque force. Harder materials and larger bits require lower speeds and more torque. Higher speeds and lower torque work with softer materials and smaller bits.
- Drill trigger: This controls the speed. You set the trigger to the desired torque level. Properly adjusted, it prevents you from driving the screw too deep and reduces the chance of stripping the screw head or stripping the screw. The gear selector allows you to set the drill to low speed and high torque or high speed and low torque.

- Efficiency: Some drills have keyed locks that are required to tighten and loosen the tool, but many drills have keyless locks that can be tightened or loosened by hand. If you need to change drill and driver bits frequently, a keyless lock makes the job faster and easier, especially if the lock allows for one-handed adjustment.
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