Hole specialists: TOP 5 classic mid-range drills

A simple and inexpensive Interskol DU-13/580ER drill is the first contender to settle in your toolbox. This is a household grade tool with a standard set of options: reverse, additional handle and drilling depth limiter. But it compares favorably with the frankly low-cost models by the higher quality of components. Therefore, Interskol drills last longer and receive much more positive feedback from their owners than very cheap analogues from the same China.

The power of the drill is enough for domestic use: you can drill wood and metal or mix small volumes of tile adhesive and gypsum plaster. The manufacturer declares the possibility of drilling holes in concrete walls, but it is worth remembering that concrete is different from concrete. It is better to drill heavy reinforced concrete slabs with a more powerful tool, but this model will cope with foam and aerated concrete blocks, as well as masonry with a bang.

The drill is equipped with a rather rare function for a tool from this price category - speed presetting. It allows you to accurately drill holes in delicate materials, such as tiles, without fear of overheating the surface, or to tighten screws at relatively low speeds.

Some design features do not allow recommending the Interskol DU-13/580ER drill to professional builders. For example, she has a turnkey chuck, because of which it takes a long time to replace the drill. The mode switch also causes criticism: it is too light, so sometimes it spontaneously switches to the hammer drilling mode. In addition, the engine of the tool is absolutely not designed to work for several hours in a row.

But for ordinary users who use a drill from time to time to solve simple everyday tasks, the Interskol tool fits perfectly.

Among other corded drills, Black&Decker KR504CRE stands out for its light weight (1.6 kg) and, of course, the bright orange color that is typical for all Black&Decker tool models. It is impossible not to note the completely metal cartridge with a corrugated notch. It is quick-clamping, so tooling changes quickly and easily. But if you prefer an instrument with a more conservative design, then Black&Decker has a completely identical model for you Black&Decker KR504RE with a traditional turnkey cartridge.

It should be remembered that, despite the presence of an impact mode, it is not rational to use this drill as a rotary hammer. Heavy concrete is difficult for her, because the tool is designed for drilling less dense materials. But she easily copes with solid and hollow bricks, aerated concrete and ceramic blocks - those building materials from which internal partitions are made in modern houses and apartments. Also, do not use the Black & Decker KR504CRE for long-term mixing of plaster and thick finishing mixtures, because the drill motor is not powerful enough for such tasks (only 500 W).

Black & Decker drills are not intended for professional use, and the manufacturer directly writes about this in the instruction manual. But as a household tool, they are good and fully justify their cost.

The Bosch GSB 13 RE drill is one of the most compact in its class. It is designed to be used as a universal tool for simple installation and assembly work. Due to its modest size, the drill is convenient to use at a construction site or in the workshop, and its moderate weight (1.8 kg) contributes to long-term work without fatigue. The tool has a speed preset, made in the form of a small rotating disk on the start button. This model is equipped with a keyless chuck, but for lovers of traditional designs, the same drill is also available in the Bosch GSB 13 RE Professional 0601217102 with a chuck.

The ergonomics of the tool is thought out with German diligence. It is convenient to hold the drill both with one hand (there are rubber pads on the handle) and with two. The delivery set includes a removable side handle and a metal drilling depth stop. Professional builders might complain about the lack of a flight case, but Bosch branded tool boxes are not in short supply and can be customized to fit your needs.

The fly in the ointment in this barrel of honey is only the reverse button. The switch is very “gentle”, it is not fixed well enough and sometimes pops out, and its contacts often burn out. This is a very annoying “jamb” of the manufacturer, because without a reverse it is very inconvenient to remove the drill from a deep hole.

Judging by customer reviews, Bosch tools are among the best drills on the market. But it should be remembered that the Bosch GSB 13 RE, although it belongs to the professional models from the "blue" line, is still a medium power tool. This device is not capable of replacing a drill-mixer, mixing building mixtures bucket by bucket without stopping, or constantly working in the chiselling mode. If you need a tool for heavy loads and non-stop concrete work, then among Bosch drills, look for models with metal gearbox housings and motors with a power of 1000 W or more. And be prepared for the fact that they will cost two to three times more than the Bosch GSB 13 RE.

The line of Makita drills has almost fifty models, and it is constantly updated. But Makita HP1640 has been in constant demand for about ten years. The secret of its popularity lies in its low (by Makita tool standards) price and balanced set of features. This drill has a good 680 W motor and a metal gearbox, which allow you to effectively cope with typical tasks of a general construction nature. It can be used to drill wood and metal, and the impact mode allows you to make holes in sand-lime brick, ceramic blocks and medium-density concrete. If necessary, you can use a drill to stir small volumes of mortar and putty.

The drill has good ergonomics. It fits comfortably in the hand, and all the buttons and switches are placed in such a way that it is easy to reach them, but it is almost impossible to press something by accident. The speed of rotation of the cartridge is regulated by the force of pressing the start button. The adjustment works smoothly and accurately even at low speeds, so in case of emergency the tool can even be used as a screwdriver.

The drill comes with an adjustable handle, which is necessary for more convenient work, a depth gauge with which you can quickly drill a series of identical holes, and a key for tightening the cam chuck. This model is sold without a plastic case, but there is also a complete set with a case — Makita HP1640K . However, a branded tool box can always be purchased separately if you need it.

Makita power tools are an excellent choice if you want to buy a drill with a margin of safety that will faithfully last not only the entire warranty period, but much more. For a very reasonable price, you will receive a quality tool assembled from reliable components. Although this model does not claim to be completely professional (the device is not designed for high intensity work), it "closes" 95% of the tasks that drills perform at a construction site. As an alternative, you can consider the "younger" models of Metabo and AEG drills.

The DeWALT DWD024S drill has good (by the standards of the middle class) power and moderate weight. It lies well in the hands and is easy to use. Reducer gears are made of heat-strengthened steel, which ensures reliability and long tool life. The device is equipped with a keyless chuck, which facilitates and speeds up the process of changing equipment. But if you prefer the classic chuck, you can buy the exact same drill DeWALT DWD024 Price from 3 959 up to 5 513 ₴, where the drills are clamped with a traditional key.

With good drills, the drill confidently and smartly drills wood, foam blocks, metal profiles, as well as solid, hollow and silicate bricks. Some problems may arise with drilling dense concrete, because the DeWALT DWD024S, like other models of this power class, has a relatively small impact energy and amplitude of movement of the impact mechanism. But with shallow holes for dowels and fasteners, this tool does a good job.

Strong heating in the area of \u200b\u200bthe gearbox and front bearing during operation at low speeds and under heavy load is a common feature of all drills in which the gearbox housing is molded from plastic rather than metal. But in this model, the tendency to overheat is more pronounced than in others. This feature will definitely make you install the side multi-position handle (it is included in the kit) so as not to burn your hands.

In general, DeWALT DWD024S is a good model at an adequate price. If your work involves frequent drilling of holes in wood or other not too dense materials, then the tool will not disappoint you. And for more complex tasks, including drilling in dense and reinforced concrete, it is better to choose a more powerful model (there are quite a few powerful models with high torque among DeWALT drills).