CNET: Home improvement and DIY projects are on the rise (In 2020, up nearly 75% in some areas according to Cognition Smart Data). People are opting for customization as well as the cost-saving advantages of doing versus buying. In the world of DIY one thing is certain, you're gonna need some tools, and the most commonly used tool for home projects is the drill.
4 comments:
I have always thought these little 12 volt drills were pretty funny, and never really saw any need for them. Honestly, that probably stems from some toxic masculinity where I feel like my tools need to be big and bulky in order to perform well, but that is something else for me to work through. Now, I am starting to see the value of having a smaller drill in your tool kit. I probably would never replace my 18 volt drill with one of these little ones, because I do think in general that is going to outperform and be more versatile than a smaller counterpart, but I will definitely consider getting a small one to go along with it. For props work especially I can see how this added dexterity and precision that you could obtain with a small drill could come in handy. There are definitely times during load ins where a standard size drill has just been too big for some application as well. In those instances I usually go for a right angle drill, but those can be incredibly annoying, so having a smaller drill to grab in those cases would be nice too.
Like Cooper, I used to kind of look down on 12v tools. In a construction or other fabrication environment, they tend to under perform compared to 18 and 24v tools. However, that is because they are not meant to be used in this scenario. 12 volters shine best in their niche as a weekend warrior's best friend. These folks don't need construction equipment, they just need something that will get the job done. I bought a Milwaukee 12v drill a few years back, and was really impressed. While it certainly doesn't have the power of an 18v, I tend to reach for it more frequently when working on stuff at home (I sometimes use it in place of an electric screwdriver), such as hanging picture frames or assembling furniture. Another nice perk of the 12 volters is their cost- they tend to cost less than their bigger, stronger cousins, which can be great if you don't need that extra power.
I think my perception of 12v tools is a little different from others. Growing up in my house the first set of battery powered tools that my dad bother’d getting for him self where 12v tools and from an early age I used them just as I do my current day 18v set. I even still carry a 12v vibration saw in my tool kit rather than a corded or 18v set as I find the littler and smaller form factor of the overall tool works better for what it is. I’ve never run not anything that I’ve wanted to use it on that I couldn’t have. I feel like with multi tools like it you're only as good as the blade or attachment your using drills is where I think the bigger difference comes into play. That being said I don’t often find my self drilling with a 3/4 forster bit or into concrete or trying to screw in 4 inch lags. I think for a lot of people especially with the new generation of batter tools if the 12v system makes sense for you its a perfect option for a cordless set up.
My experience with 12 volt tools is definitely closer to that of Mattox's. I have always had both a set of 12 volt and 18+ volt tools in the house, and have loved working with both. 12 volt power tools absolutely have their place both in the DIY world and in the professional world. People often sleep on them for being small, but with the new lines of 12 volt tools, they are extremely powerful. Currently, I have both the 18 volt and 12 volt sets from Milwaukee. I keep my 12 volt drills in mar car to have around and my 18 volt tools at home unless I need them somewhere else. I have yet to find too many day to day things the smaller drills can't do. I love having them in my truck for small projects at work around the firehouse or in the office space on campus. That being said, know the limitations and don't be too sad when the smaller drills can't quite do something.
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