The $20 cordless drill I doubted became my go-to for pedal enclosures

I spent months using a heavy corded drill with a drill press stand to punch holes in aluminum enclosures. It worked but it was a pain to set up and break down each time. Last month I grabbed a cheap 12V cordless drill from a pawn shop in Chicago for $20, mostly to have something portable for a quick build. I figured it would wobble all over the place, but I tried it with a step bit and some cutting oil. The clutch setting made it way easier to control the depth, and the battery lasted through three full pedal builds without a recharge. I still use the press for bigger jobs, but that little drill has cut my setup time in half. Has anyone else had luck with a budget drill for metal work, or is there a better trick for hand drilling straight holes?

2 comments

2 Comments

gonzalez.mia1d ago

Bought a 12V Ryobi at a garage sale for $15 a few years back, mainly to avoid dragging my big corded drill out for speaker box screws. First time I tried it on a 1/8 inch aluminum plate with a step bit, I was shocked how clean it cut. The key for me was going slow with the clutch on a low setting and letting the bit do the work, not pushing hard. I also started putting a tiny divot with a center punch first, that stopped the bit from wandering completely. It won't replace my press for thick steel, but for 1590B enclosures it's all I grab now.

elizabethf851d ago

Ha, that center punch trick is exactly what I started doing after my step bit walked across a scrap piece and chewed up the edge, worst sound ever. @gonzalez.mia you're spot on about the clutch, I blew through a cheap bit before I figured out that slow and steady beats forcing it every time.