what is the
Best Cordless Drill for Hanging Pictures on Walls .
We have researched this in depth and below you will find 3 recommendations and a lot of information on picture hanging
Thanks for taking your time to read our information on the best cordless drill for hanging pictures on a wall. We will make a few recommendations below on the best cordless drill, and we will also give you a few alternatives.
Before we do that, it is important to know what the wall is made of, before you buy anything to use on it. The good news is that in most cases, it can only be one of two types.
- A solid wall - this is a wall that is made of brick or block. All outside walls are made of these, and in many houses the internal walls are also made of brick or block and usually covered by plaster.
- A stud wall, is a wooden frame structure and plasterboard has been nailed onto this structure. In most cases the board will also be plastered over, as plaster gives a much neater finish.
That should be your first consideration, and then the next one is the weight of the actual picture. The value, both cost and emotional attachment, should also be a strong consideration, but we shall explain all of that below. Some people still prefer the corded drill models but really cordless is totally taking over now and they are fully powerful enough for all jobs.
If you are in a hurry just go straight to Bosch Cordless Hammer Drill as we found this to be the best cordless Drill for hanging pictures on walls.
- geoff magee
Cordless Drill for a Stud Wall
As we explained above, a stud wall is built using a wooden frame structure of uprights and joists. This structure is then covered with plasterboard. That is then plastered over, as plaster gives a much neater finish.
Home owners will then paint this or use wallpaper to leave their preferred finish.
This type of wall does really not need to be drilled at all. You can easily push a hole though this with something as basic as a screwdriver. For cheaper and lighter pictures or other wall ornaments many people will simply tap a nail into the wall and hang them up.
However this is not a secure or safe option as it will not take a great deal to knock the picture off the wall. There are many better methods known as picture hanging tools, which you can read about by clicking here.
Locating the Stud
A much better option is to try and find the stud, which is the wooden structure behind the wall, and if you can find that, then you can screw directly into the wall.
The biggest problem with this method is that the stud doesn't always actually run where you want to hang your picture but when they do, its the strongest fixing.
These stud finders are very handy and will help you get the screw in the right place first time, every time. They will also help you to avoid pipes and electrical cables.
Plasterboard Fixings
These are a very secure method for attaching any picture to a stud wall if the stud isn't in a suitable place.
They are specially designed plasterboard or cavity wall fixings which are very secure.
These are designed for using in thin or hollow walls such as drywall, plasterboard, and other board materials.
These are strong enough to be used for heavier items such as radiator brackets and kitchen/bathroom cabinets.
For stud walls you can use any cordless drill and any type of drill bit if you need to make a hole to accommodate something like a fixing.
Cordless Drill for Solid Brick, Block or Concrete Walls
When it comes to hanging a picture on a solid wall made of brick, block or concrete, then you will need to have a cordless drill with a hammer action. You will also need to have masonry drill bits.
Understanding the Hammer Feature
Before you spend any money, it is really important to understand exactly what this hammer function really is. A hammer drill does two things:
- Rotates - the drill spins around and is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm)
- Hammers - the drill also hammers very quickly in and out and is measured in bumps per minute (bpm) and some refer to this as blows per minute.
The ordinary rotational function is suitable for drilling wood, plastic and metal and the hammer function should never be used for drilling through those materials. You only ever use the hammer function for drilling through tougher materials such as brick, cement, mortar, granite, stone etc.
Our Recommendation for the Best Cordless Drill for Hanging Pictures.
Bosch Cordless Hammer Drill UniversalImpact
- We would recommend this model from the Bosch brand as it has 2 batteries and a charger, and most importantly a reliable hammer action
- This is a versatile and strong drill ideal for bigger and tougher projects such as drilling masonry
- Online buyers rate this very highly with a big 92% online satisfaction
- We also think this model is great value for money
Just below we have included the pros and cons of what real life buyers had to say..
Pros
Cons
We picked this Bosch model because of the value for money aspect, and the fact that it will so an excellent job when drilling masonry. There are more expensive options available with more features, but we know this will be able to drill any type of masonry really well.
The Runner Up
Dewalt 18V Cordless Combi Drill
- It is actually unfair to call this the runner up as it is an excellent choice if you are willing to pay just a little bit more
- It comes with one battery and a 1 hour charger.
- So although this one is a slightly more powerful drill, the Bosch one offers better value we believe
- That is not to knock this Dewalt model as it has a 96% buyer satisfaction and packed with features
Just below we have included the pros and cons of what real life buyers had to say..
Pros
Cons
Dewalt make some of the best cordless drills on the market. If you have ever used any Dewalt branded tool you will know what we mean. They look great and when you use them you know they are high quality.
This model deals with masonry drilling with the ultimate ease.
The Cheapest Alternative
BLACK+DECKER 18 V Cordless 2-Gear Combi Drill
- You can normally find this Black & Decker model for around £50-60 and it comes with a battery, charger and case which represents great value
- A lot of UK online buyers opt for this model as it has a high 92% buyer satisfaction and a great and affordable price point
- The hammer action on this cordless drill/driver is very good according to buyers
Just below we have included the pros and cons of what real life buyers had to say..
Pros
Cons
The Black & Decker brand sit at the lower price point in the British market. Many buyers trust the brand and really like their tools. They are reliable and they have a very solid customer service.
More Helpful Information
So as you can see there is a cordless drill/driver available at a range of price points. They all have a hammer action which is what you need for getting through masonry of all types. I would strongly recommend that you get a rapid bit holder to use with any drill for putting in screws. They are so handy once you get one you'll never be without one again!
Masonry Drill Bits
You do of course also need to buy a set of masonry bits that work with the drill. These bits are hardened and have an unusual shape at the bottom, and they are designed to be durable and highly effective when working with harder materials.
All the major brands make masonry drill bits, and they will have a tungsten carbide tip. They have also been especially fluted for fast waste removal.
We like this Draper masonry drill bit set as it contains a really useful range of sizes. In this set you get 3 x 3mm, 3 x 4mm, 3 x 5mm, 2 x 6mm, 2 x 8mm and 2 x 10mm bits. Those will be ideal for most wall plug sizes.
We also like these because they are affordable and will suit most home owners for occasional use. If you plan on doing a lot of masonry drilling, then spend a little more and get a Dewalt set of drill bits that are designed for heavier masonry work.
There is a very natural tendency to force or push really hard on a drill when trying to go through a harder material such as brick or block. There really is no need to do that as if you have a sharp masonry drill bit, and a high powered cordless drill, it will do the work.
Avoid using blunt drill bits as those are useless, and they will make your drill do more work that it should be doing.
Summary of Cordless Drills for Hanging Pictures
Hopefully we have provided you with enough information on what to look for when buying a cordless drill/driver that can be used to hang pictures.
For stud walls, the reality is you don't need a drill at all. If you do, then any drill will do the job and any standard type of drill bit.
For solid brick and block walls just make sure that your chosen drill/driver must have the hammer feature. You will also need a set of masonry drill bits.
After that it really does come down to two requirements. The first is how much you can afford, or are willing to pay. The second should inform the first choice. It really does depend on how much masonry drilling you are planning to do.
Most people only need to do a little of this from time to time. If that is the case, then there is no real need to buy an expensive drill. You might not get all the power and speed that you need, but an affordable drill will get the job done.
However, if you just want the right tool for the job, or have a little more money available, then buy a higher quality one that will last you for years, and work when you need it.