Cordless Electric Drill
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PROBABLY the most important development in the small electric tool field in recent years has been that of Black and Decker, Ltd., with their C.601 fin. Cordless electric drill. This was first announced last year—a report appeared in The Commercial Motor on May 5, 1961—and is now generally available.
The name Cordless has been given to the drill because it is not used off an electric power supply. Power for the low-consumption D.C. motor used in the drill is supplied by four nickel-cadmium cells incorporated in the hand-grip. The cells are charged through a special recharger from a normal electricity supply point.
When fully charged, over 200 4-in.diameter holes can be drilled in 1-in.-thick timber. In f-in, mild steel, 60 holes or 12 fin, holes can be drilled per charge. There are two settings on the recharger—special charge takes 10 hours and normal charge takes a minimum of 16 hours, although the drill can be left on normal charge indefinitely. Although obviously of limited use because of the relatively few holes which can be drilled before recharging is necessary, the new drill will be extremely useful when holes have to be drilled any distance from a power point. On such things as breakdowns the drill will save a great deal of time compared with a manual drill. There is also the question of improved safety in the elimination of long electric leads in drilling holes in van roofs, etc.
The Cordless drill is similar in size to a conventional Fin, drill and weighing 4 lb. is only f lb. heavier. The no-load speed is about 800 r.p.m. and, although not as powerful as a normal drill, gives adequate torque for drilling metal or masonry.
Complete with recharger, the C.601 drill costs £28—relatively high, but not excessive when its usefulness is considered. The power pack has to be replaced after about 400 charges and this costs £8. Full details and a leaflet are obtainable from Black and Decker, Ltd., Harmondsworth. Middx.