So, it's fall. The kids are in school, the leaves are changing colors and there's a nip in the air. But before you can enjoy the sights and smells of fall, you're gently reminded that there's a bookcase that needs to be assembled and shelves that need to be made. But you need a cordless drill. Here are some helpful hints on what to look for when choosing a cordless drill.

1). How big a drill do you need?: Most cordless drills are available in 9.6 to 28 volts. The higher the volts, the bigger the drill. 14.4 to 18 volts are suitable for the do-it-yourselfer.

2). Weight of the drill: 9.6 volt drills weigh about 3.5 lbs as opposed to a 24 volt drill that could weigh 8-9 lbs. New lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries weigh less that the traditional Nickle-Cadium (Ni-Cd) batteries.

3). Ergonomics: At first, cordless drills had pistol grip handles, meaning the handle was behind the motor. Now, most cordless drills have T-shaped handles (Handle is midway along the drill). This allows for better balance and the weight of the battery is more evenly distributed. Along with the design of the handle, look for a cordless drill with a comfort insert. This will come in handy if the drill is used for a long period of time.

4). The clutch unit: The clutch tightens screws to a preset torque to prevent over-tightening or stripping. Most drills have 8-16 torque settings and the manual will advise which to use. Some drills also have a "drill-screw" setting. This setting allows the clutch to be ignored and full-torque is sent to the chuck.

5). Drill Speed: Inexpensive models will likely have just one speed: 300 RPM. More expensive models will have dual speeds: 300 RPM for screw driving and 800 RPM for drilling. There is usually a switch on top of the drill for selecting speed.

6). Variable Speed: Besides the dual speeds, most drills will also have variable speed built into the trigger mechanism. By adjusting finger pressure on the trigger you can control how fast or slow the drill turns allowing for greater control.

7). The chuck: Standard size is 3/8" but larger models can have 1/2" chuck for 1/2" bits. Go for the 1/2" bit if you think that you will use larger bits (ex. masonry bits). Keyless chucks are pretty much standard on all cordless drills.

8). Batteries: Most batteries are Nickle-Cadium (Ni-Cd). Ni-Cd batteries are very toxic because of the cadium. However, newer drills have NiMH (Nickle-Metal-Hydride) batteries. These batteries are smaller, last longer and hold their charges better but are only available in a few drills now. Also look for Lithium-ion batteries.

The charger is almost always included with the drill. It usually takes 15 minutes to 3 hours to completely charge a battery (depends on type and quality of charger and battery). A fast charge is not always good because recharging generates heat which can shorten battery life. Be sure to follow directions for charging times and recycle when through.

9). Match drill to Task: No need to use a hammer drill for furniture assembly. Match the drill and bit for the task at hand. Most homeowners can get away with a good cordless drill with good clutch for $50-$100.

Learn more about this author, DeBorah Pendleton.
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