When you’re buying a new drill, you might wonder – how long will this thing last? This is a good question, and it will help you get the most drill for your money. This guide will talk about how long an electric drill will last. We’ll talk about the differences between corded and battery-powered drills, and how to increase their lifespan.
The life span of an electric drill will depend on whether the drill is battery-powered or wall-powered, and whether it’s used regularly or irregularly. Drills won’t last forever, but with a little maintenance, they can last a long time. In general, corded drills will last longer than cordless drills; however, this has more to do with advancing technology than the drills themselves.
Let’s look at some of the factors that will determine how long an electric drill will last.
Note: we are talking about the lifespan of the drill itself, not just the battery (though we will consider it).
About How Long Will an Electric Drill Last?
In this article, we’ll talk about some very general guidelines. Here’s the thing about drills – they are used in many different ways. Some people might use the drill once a year, and other folks will literally use their powered drill every day. As you might expect, this can have a huge impact on how long the drill will last.
With that said, we will go over several parameters that can help you decide how long your drill will last, and when to buy a new one:
- Age of the drill
- Level of Use
- Technology
- Battery life
- Corded Drills
- Environment
- Maintenance
Okay, that’s a long list. We’ll go over each one of these things in detail, discussing how each component will have an impact on how long the drill will last.
Age of the Drill – And How Much Life It Has
First, let’s talk about the age of the drill and how this relates to its lifespan. If you have an old drill in your hands, you may be wondering if it’s time for a replacement. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
If the drill is a high-quality corded drill, then you may be able to get many more years of good use. As long as it’s working fine, and you’re maintaining it correctly, there’s no telling how long it could last! There are some corded drills from the 1980s that woodworkers are still using on a regular basis.
However, if you have an old battery-powered drill, things are a little different. Battery technology makes more jumps than corded technology. If your battery-powered drill is nearing ten years old, consider getting something new – you’ll probably be glad you did.
Of course, all this is dependent on how often you use the drill. So, let’s talk about that.
Use of the Drill and How Long it will Last
The single biggest factor that determines how long an electric drill will last is how often it gets used. Some people might only use their drill four times a year, but others might be using their drill every day. Obviously, there will be a big difference in the wear on the drill.
For those who use their drill rarely, expect the drill to last anywhere from ten to twenty years or even longer (if it’s a corded drill). There’s no telling how long the tool will last, as long as you have access to fresh batteries.
Those who use their drills moderately, perhaps on the weekends, should expect their tools to last anywhere from five to ten years. Again, it all depends on the quality of the drill and the level of maintenance.
Finally, the people who use their drills on a daily basis can probably expect two to five years out of the tool. Though, depending on how hard you work the drill, it could die faster or slower.
Now, let’s talk about the different technologies and how they impact the electric drill’s lifespan.
The Technology of the Drill (Quality Drills Will Last Longer)
As it happens, some drills will last longer than others because they are simply better quality. Now, this is a little difficult to quantify, as there are many different types of drills. But, here are some guidelines on the different technologies that can affect the lifespan of the drill.
First, is the drill a good brand? I won’t try to cast any stones here, but brands like DeWalt, RIGID, Makita, and several others make some really good, high-end electric drills. There are also some brands that make, shall we say, budget-quality drills. Needless to say, these drills won’t last as long.
Also, keep in mind that, even among these bigger brands, they usually make a professional-grade drill and a more “entry-level” drill. For maximum lifespan, try to buy high-grade products – they will work better, last longer, and be well worth the money.
Next, think about different styles of motors. Brushless and brushed motors are names to look out for. Brushless motors are usually higher quality and more efficient and will likely last longer than traditional brushed motors.
Finally, for battery-powered drills, think about buying lithium-ion batteries. These tend to be the best, and they usually last longer than other battery types.
Alright, now let’s talk about some other things that might affect the life of your drill.
Corded Drills and Their Lifespan
If you want a drill that will last almost forever, buy yourself a nice corded drill. As I said earlier in the article, there are several reasons why corded drills tend to outlive their batteries-powered brothers.
First, corded drills are less tied to battery technology. If you’re at all familiar with the tech engineering scene, then you know that battery technology is a big thing right now, and it’s getting bigger every day.
For this reason, anything that uses a battery now is more likely to become outdated in the future. As a personal example, fifteen years ago, I had a nice set of power tools from a well-known name. But these days, it would be very difficult to find new batteries for these tools – why? They simply don’t make them anymore.
This technology jump isn’t as much of a problem with corded drills, and it’s one of the reasons you’ll hear about people who still have a corded drill from the 80s (or earlier).
Key point: if you want a drill that is almost sure to last you 20 years, get yourself a quality corded drill. These things run and run.
Where You Store and Use the Drill Will Affect Its Life Span
How you store your electric drills will also have a huge impact on how long they will last. If the drills are left in a damp shed, they will be much less likely to last than if they are stored in a dry area.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to storing your electric drills.
First, if the drill is battery-powered, then store the drill with the battery removed. This will help protect the battery. Then, store the battery and the drill in a dry, temperature-controlled area. You don’t want them to get too how, and you don’t want them to get too cold!
Also, before you store the drill, take some time to clean off all the grease, mud, and dust. This will help prevent corrosion. Speaking of keeping the drill clean, let’s talk about how you can protect the drill with regular maintenance.
Regular Maintenance Will Impact the Lifespan of Electric Drills
If you want your drill to last a long time, then you need to think of it like a car – it must be maintained regularly. If you neglect it, don’t be surprised when it fails before it’s time.
How do you maintain a drill? Well, that depends on your model and type. The best thing you could do to ensure you’re maintaining the drill correctly is to review the owner’s manual. If you don’t have an owner’s manual, I would recommend contacting the manufacturer – just internet search the maker and see if they have a website with questions and answer forms.
Some common maintenance includes a little bit of oil, removing batteries after use, cleaning, and storing the drill in a dry and temperature-controlled environment.
Now, let’s go over our final words about caring for a drill.
Last Words on How Long a Drill Will Last
It’s impossible to say with any certainty how long a drill will last. However, we can say that there are many factors that will impact the lifespan of a drill. If you rarely use the drill, expect it to last anywhere from ten to twenty years – longer if it’s corded.
However, if you use the drill every day, you’ll probably be looking for a new drill within five years. Of course, all this depends on whether you maintain the drill properly, if you store the battery correctly, and if you bought a quality drill in the first place.