Need to hang a picture? Want to build a deck? Whether youre a light, medium or heavy do-it-yourselfer, Canadian Tire carries quality brand names and a large variety of drills so you are sure to find what you need, no matter what the task at hand or your level of expertise.

Corded or Cordless?

A cordless drill is ideal for most jobs. Whether you’re using it on a roof or in your back yard, the cordless drill’s battery pack gives you access to the power you need to make it work, no strings attached.

• It is portable and powerful.
• Available from 3.6 volts to 18 volts.

The following table demonstrates the difference in weight that extra voltage brings.

Cordless drill batteries and what to consider.

• Lithium Ion batteries are lighter, packed with power and hold their charge longer than Nickel Cadmium.
• Interchangeable batteries allow you to swap batteries and keep going when the one you're using needs to be recharged.

Corded drills are measured in amps.

• A higher amperage motor means a more powerful drill.
• Better choice when it comes to tough jobs like drilling masonry or boring large holes in wood.

For more specialized drilling needs, Canadian Tire also carries:

Impact or hammer drills

In addition to rotary action, a hammer drill also provides a hammering action that helps when drilling into hard substances such as masonry. The hammer action can be turned on and off.

Unlike drivers/drills that simply rotate the drill or driver bit, an impact drill applies a series of high-speed rotary hammer blows to the driver bit which in combination with the turning of the drill, prevents the stripping of the screw head.

Impact wrenches

Also known as an air gun, an impact wrench provides short but very high-powered bursts of torque. This tool is used in automotive repair as well as major construction repair.

Features to consider

Here are some of the things you need to know about when buying a drill.

Variable speed: Harder materials or larger bits need to be worked at a lower speed. A higher speed is required when drilling into softer materials and when using smaller bits. Look for a drill with variable speed which allows you to control the bit speed.

Drill speed is measured in revolutions per minute or RPM. The speed of an impact drill is measured in beats per minute or BPM.

Torque: This refers to the strength or turning force of the drill. Harder materials require more force to drill into. Think of a car in low gear climbing a hill. Just as you wouldn't cruise down the highway in first gear, so is high torque not suitable for drilling into drywall or light wood, so look for a model that has adjustable torque settings.

Torque is measured in pounds per inch (lbs/in); the higher the torque, the more powerful the drill.

Chuck: Drills come in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sizes. This measurement indicates the shaft diameter of the bits and accessories that will fit the drill.

A chuck can be keyed (tightened or loosened with a key) or keyless (the chuck can be tightened or loosened by hand).