Manufacturer
Model
Category
Power (Watts)
Weight (kg)
Rotation Speed
E.R.P. (Inc. GST)
Hitachi
D6SH
240
.9
4500
$135.00
TradrTools Direct
TTD350ED
350
1.3
0-4500
$48.00
Makita
6408
530
1.4
0-2500
$195.00
TradeTools Direct
TTD65ED
1.1
Makkita
6501
230
$0
D10VC2
460
0-2300
$124.00
For comparative purposes we have generally placed tools in the following categories. Light Duty, Trade Duty or Industrial Duty however some tools may need to cross over between categories. Click here for an explanation of these categories.
In Brief These small (less than 650 Watt) high speed drills are mainly used for special purposes where convenience and light weight are more important than high power. Examples, where these drills are most often found, include sheet metal and aluminium manufacturing plants. The smaller machines do not even offer such a basic feature as reverse. We tested a range of equipment starting with basic special purpose machines, then we tried some higher powered machines with forward / reverse and variable speed control. Of the bigger machines the Makita 6408 and the Hitachi D10CV2 rated very highly in terms of their higher power and features. The TradeTools Direct TTD350ED with forward / reverse, variable speed and higher rotation speed is in a class of its own when it comes to the important value for money category. As we said in the review it would still compare well at twice the price! For us, if price is of no concern, the Hitachi D10CV2 with the side handgrip, sensible design, variable speed setting, excellent quality and plenty of power was the overall winner. The three smaller machines were almost inseparable. They all performed in very much the same way and none of these machines offer anything different in terms of features. If we were forced to choose between them, we would choose the TradeTools Direct TTD65ED, it is streaks ahead in the value for money category and it lacks nothing in any of the other categories. What We Did After performing our usual visual checks, we made notes of any accessories that are included in the purchase price. We then recorded our comments about the overall finish and manufacturing quality. To test these machines under load conditions we (gently) drilled an 18mm diameter hole into a piece of old hardwood, this is above the maximum diameter recommended for the smaller machines and towards the high end for the three larger models. When we were finished with the timber we choose a piece of 3mm steel box section and drilled some 9mm diameter holes through this. Despite the obvious lack of power all machines impressed us by their ability to perform well under these heavy load conditions.
In Brief
These small (less than 650 Watt) high speed drills are mainly used for special purposes where convenience and light weight are more important than high power. Examples, where these drills are most often found, include sheet metal and aluminium manufacturing plants. The smaller machines do not even offer such a basic feature as reverse. We tested a range of equipment starting with basic special purpose machines, then we tried some higher powered machines with forward / reverse and variable speed control. Of the bigger machines the Makita 6408 and the Hitachi D10CV2 rated very highly in terms of their higher power and features. The TradeTools Direct TTD350ED with forward / reverse, variable speed and higher rotation speed is in a class of its own when it comes to the important value for money category. As we said in the review it would still compare well at twice the price! For us, if price is of no concern, the Hitachi D10CV2 with the side handgrip, sensible design, variable speed setting, excellent quality and plenty of power was the overall winner.
The three smaller machines were almost inseparable. They all performed in very much the same way and none of these machines offer anything different in terms of features. If we were forced to choose between them, we would choose the TradeTools Direct TTD65ED, it is streaks ahead in the value for money category and it lacks nothing in any of the other categories.
What We Did
After performing our usual visual checks, we made notes of any accessories that are included in the purchase price. We then recorded our comments about the overall finish and manufacturing quality.
To test these machines under load conditions we (gently) drilled an 18mm diameter hole into a piece of old hardwood, this is above the maximum diameter recommended for the smaller machines and towards the high end for the three larger models. When we were finished with the timber we choose a piece of 3mm steel box section and drilled some 9mm diameter holes through this. Despite the obvious lack of power all machines impressed us by their ability to perform well under these heavy load conditions.