5 Cordless Power Tools To Make Your Projects Easier

Cordless power tools offer you the flexibility and freedom to work just about anywhere. They're portable, light weight and easy to handle. Here are our top five cordless tools that will help make your D.I.Y. dreams a reality.

Drill

Cordless drills come in a variety of sizes with different functions and features. The most common are drill drivers, hammer drills and impact drivers. Each has different levels of driving power and torque (rotation power).

Some drills have keyed chucks for changing out drill bits, but many are keyless for quicker tightening or loosening by hand.

Drill drivers are the most commonly used. Ideal for plaster, wood, metal and plastics, they bore holes and drive in screws. Most have two speed options and different power settings for greater control. The size of the chuck is adjustable, giving you more versatility.

Hammer drills are for harder materials like stone, concrete or masonry. They spin like a drill driver but also have a hammer action to drill holes into masonry a lot quicker.

Impact drivers are designed to drive screws in faster. Ideal for wood and metal, they're more powerful with greater control. They also use a hexagonal socket for drill bits, which you can change out quickly.

Angle grinder

Angle grinders are extremely versatile. They can cut, grind, sand or polish a variety of materials, including metal, tiles and pavers.

Parts and accessories can be changed easily. Wheels come in different thicknesses and abrasions to suit specific tasks. The handle can be switched to either side of the tool to suit left- and right-hand users. Plus, the safety guard can be adjusted to the angle you need.

Multi-function tool

Multi-function tools can be used for many jobs. The oscillating head can be fitted with different cutters and accessories to grind, sand, scrape and more. You can adjust the blade position to get into areas other tools can't.

The oscillation speed (side to side movement) is variable for more control. The higher the speed, the more power you get but you can reduce it for more delicate tasks.

Circular saw

Circular saws are ideal for deep cutting. They make quick straight cuts and can be set to make bevel cuts. Cordless models are best suited to timber, due to the limitations of their batteries.

You can adjust the cutting depth and angle, depending on the task. They also have a dust extraction port standard on most models. And when it comes to power, the higher the RPM, the more efficient the saw.

Sander

Cordless sanders are best for detail work and smoothing surfaces. They're a faster way to sand and ideal for corners and tighter areas.

There are multi-sanders for detailing, orbital sanders for larger areas, and corner sanders. Plus, buffers and polishers for finishing.

Most models have variable speeds for more control. The sanding pads are removable to change the sandpaper grade, depending on the task and how smooth a surface you want. They also have built-in dust collectors.

Choose the right cordless tool

When choosing a cordless tool it's important to consider power, mobility, speed and weight. In most cases, the higher the battery voltage; the more power. However, battery size will affect the weight of your tool.

Also, consider whether it has a brushed or brushless motor. The brushless variety uses the latest technology, helping to improve performance and run time.