Budget 24V drill Review: Draper Expert

We’ve got to say this is our first experience with a Draper SDS Drill – and it’s a good one. Sensibly priced, it’s at the budget end of the 24V cordless SDS drill market, and it offers powerful 3 mode drilling that reminds us of the 24V Makita.

Drilling power

Whilst it can’t quite keep up with the Bosch or DeWalt 24V models in the power department, the Draper Expert is still capable of drilling 20mm diameter holes in masonry which should be enough for most users’ requirements. Draper don’t publish the impact energy of the drill so it’s hard to put this side by side with competitor drills.

• Max drilling capacity (diameter): Mild steel: 10mm, wood 20mm, Masonry 20mm

• No load speed: 0-900r/min

• Blows per minute: 4750 max.

Drill weight

Including battery the drill weighs in at a chunky 4.1kg. It’s certainly not the lightest on the market but it doesn’t have the same price tag as the more compact cordless SDS drills.

Battery type and performance

As with the other 24V SDS drills we’ve reviewed, the Draper Expert model doesn’t run on Lithium-Ion batteries; instead you get the next best thing, 2 Nickel Metal Hydride Ni-MH batteries with high energy discharge at 2.3Ah. These offer longer life and better performance than the older NiCAD batteries and are better for the environment too. A charger is supplied and the batteries recharge in 1 hour.

Chuck type

13mm geared chuck and supplied with SDS+ chuck adaptor.

Number of drilling modes

3 modes – a definite bonus as this means you can use it for light chiselling work (plaster, tiles, loose masonry). Includes rotary function, hammer and rotary stop for chiselling.

Other features worth mentioning

• Variable speed

• Safety clutch

• Forward /reverse facility

• Adjustable side handle and depth rod

• Comfortable soft grip handle and trigger.

Includes:

Please check with each retailer but a typical package includes:

• Three SDS+ drill bits

• SDS+ chuck adaptor

• 13mm geared chuck

• Carrying case

• Two 24V 2.3Ah Ni-MH battery packs

• 230V AC universal one hour fast charger with BS 3 pin plug.

Like to see more cordless SDS drills like this? See our 24V SDS drill guide

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