Here?s a list of the features that you should expect to find on a good 36V Combi drill. Torque control The torque control ring sets the point at which the clutch in the machine disengages from the more... ...less

motor. It is used for screw driving so that you do not drive your screws too deep. There are usually around 20 settings. The torque ring might also incorporate the hammer and drilling settings, or there may be a separate ring for these. SDS drills do not have this feature, so screw driving can be more difficult.

Gearbox

There should be at least a two-speed gearbox for maximum versatility. Use the higher speed for smaller diameter bits and softer materials and the slower speed for large bits and screw driving.

Batteries and chargers

These vary from tool to tool, but you should expect a pair of batteries with a Combi drill and a one hour charger.

Side handle

With tools this powerful a side handle is a necessity. You need to keep a firm grip on the tool especially when using large flat bits in timber. Should the bit jam in the timber, the torque produced by the tool can cause it to twist out of your hands possibly causing injury.

Depth Stop

This is often incorporated into the side handles to help you drill to a consistent depth. This is particularly useful when masonry drilling for wall plugs.

Chuck

There is various designs of chuck, but usually cordless tools use keyless chucks now. The majority can be tightened with one hand and are strong and reliable. Chucks need to be treated with a certain amount of care, as if they get dirt inside they can jam and are often extremely difficult to release.

When battery-powered tools first arrived on the market, they were generally only capable of coping with the easier and less demanding tasks. Powered screwdrivers could just about assemble a piece of flat-packed furniture, and cordless drills preferred small diameter bits and softwood. Battery power was limited, chargers were slow, and you had to guard against overcharging. Things have changed a bit since then. Battery technology has advanced briskly and many of the problems inherent in the early machines have been eliminated. We can now choose from a wide range of cordless tools in a variety of sizes and voltages that are able to cope with all manner of jobs from the delicate to the brutal. Obviously, the more powerful and sophisticated the tool, the higher the price and the heavier the tool (until lithium came along). For amateur users cordless tools are a bonus, for professionals they can be a necessity.

In this feature we’re looking at 36V Combi drills. These tools are perhaps on the outer limits of need, for the majority woodworkers, though if you are involved in any serious installation work without access to mains power, then you will be glad of their capabilities.

At this power level there is a choice of drill types. Along with the familiar Combi with its drilling, screw driving and hammer-drilling functions, you can now buy 36v pneumatic SDS hammer drills. Though these can be used for wood drilling, with an accessory chuck, and screw driving, they are primarily intended for masonry drilling, and are particularly effective in concrete, and unlike standard hammer drills, need very little operator pressure to work effectively.

A good range of combi drills can be found here or on our sister site www.tradessupermarket.com we will search all suppliers and publish all the prices in one place for you to compare and purchase at your convenience