Cordless SDS Drills Maintenance

A cordless sds drill is such a handy tool for the builder, plumber or electrician as well as the have a go do it yourselfer. There are no long extension leads to worry about, no finding an electrical socket, just pick it up and away you go.

The ease of using a battery drill does tend to make people a it lazy about caring for it but, with a little attention the cordless drill will last a lot longer. It is also a matter of safety.

Like any tool that is subject to a fair bit of wear and tear the first thing to take notice of is the outer casing. The casing or shell holds the drill together, keeps out the worst of the dust and debris and provides a place to put your hands.

If the casing gets cracked or the fixing screws become loose then added stress is put upon it, bearings will wear faster, debris will enter and if you have ever caught a little bit of skin in the crack you will know how hard it can pinch.

Take a couple of seconds to check over the casing and make sure the screws are tight, it is a quick and simple check.

The chuck on an SDS drill really takes the brunt of the forces put upon the drill and again a bit of care can prolong the active life of it. Most SDS cordless drills will come with a tube of lubricant and by ensuring that you stick to the lubricating instructions of the manufacturer you can save the time and expense of a trip to the service agent.

A common problem with all power tools is the wear on the brushes. The brushes are little sticks of carbon material which allow the electricity to flow around the commutator. If the brushes are worn it will be apparent by the drill slowing down, operating erratically or just plain refusing to work.

In most drills the brushes are fairly easy to replace. Some models require you to undo the fixing screws and split the case and some others provide two slots in the sides of the drill through which the brushes can be reached. Worn brushes will create a lot of arcing which you will see through the ventilation holes, this will produce a lot of dust which will eventually foul the commutator. Replace the brushes when you see a lot of sparking.

The batteries cordless drills use will be one of three types, Ni-Cad, Li-Ion or NiMH. These three batteries all have differing requirements and so it is in your interest to know which sort your cordless drill uses and to follow the charging instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Taking care of your cordless SDS drill will prolong its life, help it to operate at maximum performance and save you money on servicing and repairs.