Know your tools6 min read
Drill or impact driver?
Check a drill/driver for ordinary holes and fine control; repeated fastening may suit an impact driver only when fastener, bit and tool requirements allow it.
Read the guideA connected starting point / Tool guide
Drills.
Know the whole story.
From the first model number to the point where you should stop and seek service. A connected collection of short, practical references for the drill you own.
Find your starting pointA little structure goes a long way
Start where
you are.
01020304
Understand & choose
Tool types, selection criteria, and finding the right manual.
Prepare & use
Read the setup and accessory basics before starting a task.
Care & troubleshoot
External care, non-invasive checks, and service boundaries.
Safety & stop points
Know the limits of your equipment, your setup, and this reference.
58 field notes
Understand & choose.
Tool types, selection criteria, and finding the right manual.
Buying basics6 min read
Choose for the job
Reject tools that cannot do the jobs before comparing fitted dimensions, compatibility and complete cost.
Read the guideKnow your tools6 min read
DEWALT: three distinct drill families
Check DCD794 for confined installation, DCD800 for adjustable lighting with ample space, and DCD805 only when its extra hammer mode suits a real task.
Read the guideKnow your tools6 min read
Milwaukee: platform before mode
Existing M12 small-hole users can start with 3403; tight-access M18 users with 3601. Larger wood holes or suitable masonry can justify 2904 bulk.
Read the guideKnow your tools6 min read
Bosch: decode the full model
Consider the 300 for tight spaces and an existing 12V setup, the 400 for ordinary drilling on 18V, and the 975C when a suitable job needs hammer mode.
Read the guideKnow your tools6 min read
Makita: three roles within 18V LXT
Check XFD15 for confined small-hole work, XFD16 for a known larger self-feed or screw requirement, and XPH16 for identified masonry work suited to hammer drilling.
Read the guide32 field notes
Prepare & use.
Read the setup and accessory basics before starting a task.
Using your tools6 min read
Choose the right bit
Material, holding system, hole capacity and operating mode must all pass; coating colour and physical insertion are not enough.
Read the guideUsing your tools6 min read
DCD794 clearance
Include the actual battery envelope in your disconnected-tool measurements. Less shank engagement, an angled hole or trapped fingers are not acceptable ways to gain room.
Read the guideUsing your tools6 min read
DCD800 light and gears
Disconnect power to set the range and clutch, then adjust the light head and switch. On gives a 20-second delay; spotlight gives 20 minutes. Three head detents are not three brightness settings.
Read the guideUsing your tools6 min read
Plan DCD805 hammer work
The US Type 1 manual lists 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) as the maximum recommended carbide-bit masonry capacity for DCD805. That is one configuration check, not permission to drill an unknown wall.
Read the guideUsing your tools5 min read
Clutch trial settings
Start low. Increase only for a proud, undamaged screw without unusual resistance; stop for seating, stripping, splitting or a sudden load change.
Read the guideUsing your tools3 min read
Gearbox versus trigger
Gear 1 favours lower speed and higher torque; gear 2 favours speed. Stop completely before shifting; the trigger varies speed within the chosen gear.
Read the guide14 field notes
Care & troubleshoot.
External care, non-invasive checks, and service boundaries.
Care & maintenance5 min read
External care and service boundaries
Aim for a dry grip, unobstructed vents and clean controls. Cracks, binding and an unreliable switch need more than cleaning.
Read the guideCare & maintenance3 min read
When your drill won’t start
Exclude danger and damage, check centre lock and battery retention, then interpret the exact model. On 3403/3404, one light flashing four times, eight times and a hot-pack indication are not interchangeable.
Read the guideCare & maintenance3 min read
DEWALT stall response
Release immediately; do not cycle a stalled drill. Isolate only after safe standstill. Restart preparation requires an identified corrected cause and restored tool/work conditions.
Read the guideCare & maintenance3 min read
Inspect or replace a bit
Inspect edges, flutes and gripping shank while isolated. Retire visible damage; investigate poor cutting conditions separately instead of extending a damaged bit’s life with pressure.
Read the guideCare & maintenance3 min read
Battery latch checks
Both side latches must engage and the pack must stay retained. Stop for deformation, damaged latches, burning or liquid traces; do not tape the pack in place.
Read the guideCare & maintenance3 min read
Bit wobble checks
Inspect the shank and three-jaw contact with power isolated. Persistent abnormal motion with a sound correctly fitted accessory requires service, not a hand, ruler or probe near rotation.
Read the guide14 field notes
Safety & stop points.
Know the limits of your equipment, your setup, and this reference.
Safety3 min read
Know when to stop
Release for moving work, lost body clearance, abnormal tool behaviour, binding or an unknown target. Isolate only after stopping and when safe to handle; do not repeat the hazard to diagnose it.
Read the guideSafety3 min read
Direction and trigger lock
With the nose pointing away from you, press from the right side for forward and from the left for reverse. Centre lock blocks the trigger but does not replace battery removal.
Read the guideSafety5 min read
Five preflight checks
Unstable work, a crooked bit or an uncertain setting means pause. Correct the setup before starting, rather than using a test hole to discover the problem.
Read the guideSafety3 min read
Plan for drill reaction
On 2904-20, engage the handle hooks in the gear-case ring slots and tighten the grip. If walls or clamps prevent safe two-hand clearance, change the setup rather than remove the required handle.
Read the guideSafety6 min read
2904 AUTOSTOP and grip
AUTOSTOP retains its last setting after a battery change. Keep the side handle securely fitted and never deliberately jam a bit to test protection.
Read the guideSafety3 min read
975C handling limits
The model manual limits activation to maximum tool speed; do not speed up to rely on protection. Use the correctly secured auxiliary handle and release immediately if the bit binds.
Read the guideMatch the exact label
Meet your model.
Bosch
GSB18V-975C
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityBosch
GSR12V-300
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityBosch
GSR18V-400
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityDEWALT
DCD794
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityDEWALT
DCD800
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityDEWALT
DCD805
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityFLEX
FX1131
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityFLEX
FX1151
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityFLEX
FX1271T
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityMakita
XFD15
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityMakita
XFD16
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityMakita
XPH16
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityMetabo HPT
DS18DDX
Compact cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityMetabo HPT
DS18DEX
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityMetabo HPT
DV18DEX
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityMilwaukee
2904-20
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityMilwaukee
3403-20
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityMilwaukee
3404-20
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityMilwaukee
3601-20
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityRYOBI
PBLDD01
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identityRYOBI
PBLHM101
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identityRYOBI
PSBDD02
Compact cordless drill/driver
Documents & identitySKIL
DL529301
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identitySKIL
DL6293B-00
Cordless drill/driver
Documents & identitySKIL
HD6294B-00
Cordless hammer drill/driver
Documents & identity