DeWalt Drill Drivers

DeWalt DC731KA 14.4v Drill Driver

The DeWalt DC731KAV 14.4v Cordless Drill Driver is a truly powerful 14.4 Volt cordless drill driver that can be applied to any range of drilling and screwdriving applications. It features a lightweight design that is also appealing compact, and has a 17 position torque control that will give the user consistent performance when drilling and screwing no matter what the material or bit size.

DC731KAV Specifications:
- KA Model with NiCd batteries
- KB Model with NiMH batteries

Voltage: 14.4 Volt
Battery: 2 x 2.6Ah NiCd (NiMh for the KB model)
No Load Speed: 0-400 / 0-1400
Max Torque: 40 Nm
Chuck Capacity: 13mm
Max Drilling Capacity
Wood: 35mm
Metal: 13mm

Wonderful examples of 12v Cordless Drill Drivers include the Black & Decker CP12KB 12v, Bosch PSB12VE-2 12v, DeWalt DC7442AV 12v, Hitachi 12DVF3 12v, Makita 312DWDE3 12v, and the Ryobi CHD1201 12v

In the event that 14.4v Cordless Drill Drivers are more your thing, then make sure to look at the Black & Decker Lithium Ion 14.4v, Bosch GSR Tough 14.4v, DeWalt DC731KA 14.4v, the Hitachi DSDL Li-Ion 14.4v,Makita 6280DZ 14.4v, and the Ryobi CHD-1441 14.4v

To cover your your 18v Cordless Drill Drivers desires, compare prices of the Black & Decker CD18CA 18v, Bosch PSR 18v, DeWalt DC920KB 18v, Hitachi DS18DL 18v, the Makita BDF451RFE 18v or the Ryobi CCD-181M One+ 18v

In the world of cordless drill drivers, power is measured in battery voltage. Higher voltage means more torque-spinning strength to overcome resistance. Over the last decade, top-end voltage has increased from 9.6 to 18V, but the range of models include 6, 7.2, 9.6, 12, 14.4 and 18V. Today's higher-voltage drill drivers have enough power to bore big holes in framing lumber and flooring. That's impressive muscle. But the trade-off for power is weight. A typical 9.6V drill weighs 3 1/2 lbs, while an 18V model weighs up to 10 lbs.

A Hammer Drill is not only able to provide a rotary motion but may also apply a small amount of hammer action to the drill bit, as though someone was tapping the back of the drill while the bit was spinning. This enables the drill to work through masonry. A Hammer Drill may typically have the ability to switch the hammer action off and on as required. You may find that motor wattages start around 600w for this type of drill and a good idea is to look at machines with around a 700w motor, these may enable you to drill masonry with up to a 16mm bit. This type of drill is a good all rounder for the home.

Drills come in three distinct handle styles. The many popular cordless models have the T-handle style where the handle is placed nearby the middle. The T-handle style distributes the weight for better balance and less wrist strain. Some people still prefer the more traditional pistol-grip style. The third style is the right-angle version, designed for use where space is limited.

Accessories for drill drivers include bits for drilling wood, metal, ceramic, glass, and masonry. In addition to bits other accessories include hole saws, screwdriver bits, files, rasps, and sanders.

Lithium-ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a type of rechargeable battery in which a lithium ion moves between the anode and cathode. The lithium ion moves from the anode to the cathode during discharge and from the cathode to the anode when charging.

Check out drill drivers in DIY centres noting their weight and balance. Try out vertical and horizontal drilling positions to see how comfortable you feel. Contoured grips and rubber cushioning on some models make them very comfortable, even when you're applying direct palm pressure. While you're at it, see how easy it is to change clutch settings and operate the keyless chuck.

An electric or portable (battery powered) drill can be a scary thing. But they aren’t hard to use. The most common drill drivers come in a pistol shape, making them easy to hold and use. The drill has a trigger you squeeze in order to make the drill bit rotate. Sometimes there is also a safety button located on the pistol handle that has to be pressed at the same time you squeeze the trigger in order to make the drill bit rotate. The battery pack is usually inserted into a docking station on the bottom of the pistol handle. Between uses the battery pack is charged in another docking station which is connected to an electrical outlet.

A drill without a drill bit is useless. A drill bit is the piece at the end of the drill that does the actual drilling. Drill bits come in a wide variety of sizes (diameter) and length. First you have to insert the bit into the drill. The end of the drill’s barrel has an opening. Insert the dull end of the drill bit into this hole. Now you have to tighten the drill bit into this hole so the bit is secure and does not come free. This is accomplished in one of two ways. The many traditional way is to use a chuck key. The chuck key is a small piece of petal shaped in a right angle. One piece of the key fits into the tightening collar around the bit. There is a hole there for that purpose. Then you simply turn the key clockwise tightening the collar over the bit. Turn it clockwise to tighten. Turn it counter-clockwise to loosen the collar and free the bit. When you do this make certain the drill is unplugged from its power source. This is a safety precaution. The second way does not include a chuck key. Instead there are usually two tightening collars. The bit is inserted in the outer most collar. Grasp this collar with one hand holding it steady. With a small bit of power provided by squeezing the trigger the loose collar spins freely and tightens the bit into the collar. If you want to tighten the bit the collar must spin clockwise. If you want to loosen the bit the collar must turn counter-clockwise. The direction of the collar’s spin is determined by moving a switch on the drill usually located nearby the trigger. Now your drill is ready to go. You now have the correct bit size and it is securely settled into the drill. You are ready to drill. First make certain the bit is the appropriate material for the material you are drilling. Select a bit designed for metal should you are drilling through metal and select a bit designed for wood when drilling through wood. Using the incorrect bit may damage the bit and perhaps not accomplish the task. Using a wood bit on metal often does not penetrate the metal. When you have marked on the material to be drilled where you want the hole mark it with a pencil or marker with a dot or ‘x’. Place the drill bit exactly on the mark, squeeze the drill trigger and give just the slightest push to the drill. Let the drill do the work. Be patient and don’t force the drill bit through the hole. Try to keep the drill as perpendicular to the material as possible.

Twist bits are available coated with Titanium nitride (TiN). These are easily identified by the gold like colour. This coating increases the hardness of the bit and adds a self-lubricating property. The coating is only really effective when metal is being drilled, it has little effect when working with other materials. Twist bits are usually available in sizes 0.8-12 mm plus. They are designed for drilling relatively small holes and they sometimes tend to clog quickly especially when the wood is 'green'. When drilling deep holes (especially in hardwood) the bits might be withdrawn regularly to remove the waste. Special care is required when using the smallest sizes since these bits are thin and brittle. Always hold the drill square to the work and apply only light pressure when drilling. To sharpen use a drill sharpener, a grindstone jig or an oilstone. Titanium nitride bits cannot be sharpened without destroying the coating (although should the drill needs sharpening, the coating may probably have already been destroyed). Forming the correct angle at the tip is important for efficient cutting.

DIY Safety tips:

If a fuse blows for no obvious reason or an appliance is not working properly, turn off the appliance at the plug and unplug it before trying to find out why. If the fault can't be found or you are uncertain how to find the fault, get expert help. The same principles apply to fuse boxes or circuit breakers - always turn off at the mains before you investigate and remember to replace the cover before switching back on.
Store tools in a safe place, out of the way of children and pets. Keep them in a box or a rack. When using knives, always cut away from you. Use a baton as a guide and run a sharp knife along the edge of it. Always store knives securely.

When using a power drill, chose a model that has a plastic non-conducting body. Unplug the drill before fitting parts and remove the chuck key before switching it on. Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewellery, which could get caught in the drill.

Do not work with electricity in damp or wet conditions. If you MUST, always use an RCD. Always place the cable of a hedge trimmer or mower over your shoulder and keep it behind you at all times.

Always read the labels on materials to ensure that you know what safety precautions are required and action to be taken in the event of an accident. Many products give off harmful vapours. The recommendations regarding ventilation and/or respiratory protection might always be followed.