My new flat appears to be constructed from the hardest material known to mankind!

I've tried drilling a couple of holes for curtain rails and the likes and my old hammer drill is really struggling. As a result, I think it's time to look for a new drill

I need the drill mainly for DIY work so would I be better off buying an SDS drill to try and attack the walls or would a good cordless hammer drill do a good enough job?

Can anyone recommend a reasonable drill? I don't want to spend too much if i can help it.

Hi graemet, the hammer action on a cordless drill is next to useless, unless you have a cordless SDS but they are very expensive.

If you want to drill into brick or concrete a Ryobi is recommended by the some of the pros here as a good price v's quality. I have never used it though. Stay away from Skill, Challenge, B&D or any of those home brand makes. They are rubbish and will break pretty quick and would struggle drilling through a digestive biscuit and chuck will fall apart in no time. The only cheapo brand I think is good is Titan. They are cheap and can take a beating. Look like they are made by Fisher price!

As you want a decent DIY drill for primarily hard material, you should really go for a mains SDS, if you can afford it. You will smash through anything no question. However a good percussion drill will do just but will struggle with hard materials or larger hole sizes. Although if sticking with a percussiion drill a decent DeWalt bit will make a good bit of difference than a cheap masonary bit. I got through my previous place with a normal drill but spend a good bit of masonary bits. For the standard 5 or 6 mm holes a percussion drill will do

For a DIY man I really would consider an SDS as its far better and the one tool thats actually worth spending a bit of money on and will pay off in the long run.

whats your budget?

A decent brand is Bosch Green (for DIY) I think but you can get some good deals on Bosch Blue, Makita and DeWalt. Starts getting pricey though!

oh yes, forgot to say.

I think it’s a good idea to buy a really cheap large (ish) selection of drill bits mainly so you get the box. You will find that you use 10% of the drill bits 90% of the time so as they bust (very quickly) just replace them with a decent make. I got a DeWalt 6mm SDS last night for £2.94 in Screwfix

The advantage if this is that you actually have a case to store them and have a wide selection of (albeit poor) drill bits for the very odd time you might use them.

I have about 50 #2 screwdriver bits which alway cam out., got them free with all sort of stuff. Tossed them out and bought 3no 50mm quality makes

I don't have a huge budget, I'd prefer to spend less than £100.

I was looking at the Titan drill on Screwfix which, according to the reviews looks pretty good:

clicky

What's the difference between percussion and SDS?

percussion is another name for hammer action

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we are all ------------------still learning

I think that is a bit big for general DIY and you wouldn't want to drag that around to drill a 6mm hole.

I would go for either
this

Or

this

John

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Growing old is compulsory, growing up is not!

I have that Titan drill and its absolutely brilliant , one of the best purchases I have made, but is more of a breaker. Its far too heavy to be used one handed, or on a chair etc and physically too big to drill near corners and totally not suitable for wood, steal, plastic etc

I spent last saturday drilling 6mm holes for boxing and the drill slips due its weight, its not the right tool at all, but I broke my percussion drill so have no choice

I was thinking about the Ryobi John pointed out or the Bosch Blue Percussion or Bosch Blue SDS, great prices.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bosch-GBH2-18RE-0 ... 492wt_1167

Speed, many thanks.

I bought one from Axminster about 20 mins ago, saw you post, rang Axminster and cancelled the order and bought one from ebay £63 incl delivery. Fantastic - No brainer ! You have saved me £40. Well done

I can't see the shop you are referring to but I got it from AT ToolCenter. They are having a DeWalt and Bosch clear out on ebay!. Will make a post in the bargin tool section?

graemet, if you get one, make sure its 240V

I got a Bosch Blue planer delivered today from axminster, just checked ebay, no cheaper, thank god, would have not been a happy bunny

John, sitting here with a smug look on my face..... I also have one of those Bosch drills, and paid just over £60.00 for it including a set of Bosch bits from the 'Build Centre'

looks like I got the last of the ones at £60, its gone from the ebay website.

Next price is the link Speed noted (£83)

graemet, please read this thread here on this site -

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum ... t3849.html

it's a review of the two ryobi sds drills.

here's one on ebay -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RYOBI-240V-SDS-RO ... 53dde50c1b

and here's the 750 one (better) available to buy now for £57 delivered!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ryobi-750w-Impact ... 4a9b727d8f

someone should buy this imo.

id recomend searching ebay for dewalt sds. im fairly sure you could pick one up for under £100

or get yaself to b&q nd buy a macallister sds drill. they have 3 year warranty and to me seem same quallity as ryobi.

that would prob set u back £50 max at a guess