Duct tape may be the “handyman’s secret weapon” but cordless drills are probably the best tools ever invented. At least that’s my opinion. The simple rotary action of the drill interface lends itself to so many functions it’s almost not quantifiable. In my years as a tool using a guy, I discovered that the only barrier between me and my cordless drill is my imagination. I’ve used it to mix paint, strip rust, buff my car, and even fill in for a broken down grass trimmer. Amazing, huh?
Well friends, I’m not alone in my ingenuity. You can go to any DIY or home improvement store and find some pretty incredible accessories designed specifically for cordless drills – the following is a list of my top 5. Just keep in mind that some accessories are proprietary and only work with specific drills.
5. Right Angle Chuck
Driving in screws where space is tight has long been one of the biggest problems with cordless drills. For instance, working on the underside of a deck can be a real pain in the bum if you can’t maneuver your drill to the proper angle. The right angle chuck solves this problem. It’s saved me quite a few times on my outdoor projects. For my money, it’s one of the most important accessories to acquire you have a cordless drill.
4. Multi-Tool Chuck
Not every manufacturer makes a multi-tool chuck, but if yours does you need one. This chuck slightly resembles the guts of an old-fashioned revolver with a spinning cylinder. You load half a dozen different tools into it, selecting the specific one you need with a simple rotation of the cylinder. Once the tool is set in place it moves out from the Chuck by a few inches so that the rest of your tools are out of the way. With a multi-tool chuck you save a ton of time not having to switch between tools on a single project.
3. Magnetic Bit Holder
I know the magnetic bit holder is not a specific accessory for a specific job, in the same sense as the previous two items, but it is an incredible time and frustration saver. The magnetic bit holder makes it a whole lot easier for your cordless drills to hold onto their tools. And anyone who does large amounts of work outdoors knows how valuable this is. Nothing is worse than losing your favorite tool in the tall grass, knowing you’ll never see again.
2. Steel Wire Brush
One of my personal favorites is the steel wire brush. I’ve been using this accessory in several cordless drills for as long as I can remember. I’ve used it to strip paint off old furniture, remove rust from car bumpers, remove old grout, and even strip old caulking from the windows of a factory I used to work at. This little wire brush has proven to be so useful it has its own place in my toolbox. My only caution with the steel wire brush is that you be careful about what surfaces you use it on. For example, when I used it to remove old grout, the tile in question was high-quality porcelain. I wouldn’t suggest using it on lower quality tiles.
1. Paint Paddle
My all-time favorite has got to be the industrial paint paddle. Now before I go on, in order to use one of these properly you have to have a high-powered, commercial-strength drill. If you try mixing paint, or anything denser, with your 1.5 hp home drill you’ll burn out the motor quicker than you can say Bob Vila. That said I’ve used the paint paddle not only with paint but also with drywall compound, roofing tar, driveway sealer, and even quick-set concrete. As long as your chuck is big enough to accommodate the over-sized bit, the paint paddle is an absolute gem for cordless drills.
