A new drill?

Assuming you are looking for a resonably decent tool, then there seems to be loads of choice around the 60 to 90 quid mark. Variable speed is nice to have even with a gearbox - opens up more possibilities like screwdriving, and it will also let you use things like large hole saws safely.

is it's a lot

speed up once it's

Good point. Not only that it also means you can use a speed that is slow enough, since often a two speed gearbox drill's lowest speed is still a bit on the quick side for drilling steel.

The other nice thing about variable speed (on the trigger), especially with metal, is it's a lot easier to centre without pilot drilling/punching as you can start _real_ slow and speed up once it's made a little dent.

I had very good service from a Skil mains drill, they are not too expensive, and there are some new ones on Ebay at good prices.

cheers, Pete.

Hm. I'm not keen on variable speed, it seems to me that machines with this feature go wrong more often that ones without. Maybe as you say on a drill with a gearbox it might be OK.

I won't be using whatever drill I get as a screwdriver, just as a drill. As to large hole saws, I hardly ever need such things, and they're better in a carpenter's brace (better results, and last much longer!).

Anyway, I'll peruse those links, and see what's available at the tool shop. Ta.

J.B.

Electronic speed control won't give as much torque as a lower gear.

I've got a pretty old B&D 'Tradesman' where you set the speed with a knob on the top - rather than the trigger. Very useful for the things I use a mains drill, rather than cordless, for.

I invariably use slower speeds than a 'normal' mains drill is capable of for drilling things like steel.

The only time I use the faster speeds is for drilling cable holes in joists with a 'flat' bit.

I would be impressed to see a 5 inch diameter auger bit for a brace though ;-)