Buying your first cordless drill is easier once you separate three tools that look similar. A drill driver turns screws and drills small holes. A combi drill adds a hammer action for masonry. An impact driver delivers short, sharp turning force for long screws and large fixings. Most tradespeople end up with a combi drill and an impact driver, because the two cover almost everything.
Start with the chuck
A drill driver and a combi drill both use a keyless chuck, usually 13mm, which takes round-shank drill bits and screwdriver bits. That makes them the flexible choice for flat-pack furniture, shelf brackets and pilot holes. Check the direction switch and the clutch settings before you start, and set the clutch low for screws so you do not strip the head. The Torvik T18 Brushless Combi Drill runs on the Torvik T18 platform and takes the same 2.0Ah, 4.0Ah and 5.0Ah batteries as the rest of the range. If you drill into brick, the hammer setting saves you a second tool.
When an impact driver earns its place
An impact driver has a 1/4 inch hex holder rather than a chuck. It is shorter, lighter and much better at driving long screws without the bit cambering out. It is not the tool for drilling holes, and it will not hold a round masonry bit. The Torvik T18 Brushless Impact Driver shares the battery platform, so one charger covers both tools. A twin pack makes sense if you are starting from nothing, because you get two bodies, batteries and a charger in one box.
Battery, weight and the honest answer
An 18V platform is the sensible middle ground for DIY and most site work. Bigger numbers add weight and cost, and smaller ones limit the harder jobs. Check the bare unit weight before you buy, because you will hold the tool above your head at some point. A 2.0Ah battery keeps a drill light for odd jobs. A 4.0Ah battery lasts longer but adds bulk, which matters on a ladder. Two batteries and one fast charger are more useful than one large battery.
If you only buy one tool, buy the combi drill. If you drive a lot of screws, add the impact driver later. Do not buy a third battery platform unless you have a reason.
Checklist before you buy
- Decide whether you need hammer action for masonry.
- Check that the chuck takes the bits you already own.
- Confirm the battery platform and the charger are included.
- Compare bare unit weight, not just the headline number.
- Allow for two batteries if you work away from power.
- Budget for a fast charger and a spare bit set.
- Check the guarantee terms and register the tool.
Wear eye and ear protection when drilling, and check for pipes and cables before you start. Isolate the power before working near electrics. A dust mask helps in masonry, and a vacuum on the drill keeps the room cleaner. The right drill is the one that fits your jobs, your hands and your existing batteries, not the one with the biggest number on the box.
