The do-it-yourself bug is spreading. Being able to build a custom bookshelf for the family or a bunk bed for your kids is a rewarding experience that's beyond description. For those who want to jump in and join the bandwagon they have some common questions: what tools do I need and how do I get started?

There are a number of common tools for battery screwdriver home improvement warriors. One of them stands out above all the others. You can easily learn to use it, make quick work of a tedious job, and produce professional-looking results even if you are doing it the first time. We are talking about the cordless drill of course. When you go to a hardware store and look at the tools section you are bound to see this modern wonder tool. And the next question is: which one is the best cordless drill?

At this time the 18V cordless drill is the best in terms of flexibility. What is "best"? Let's look at the criteria: projects, ease-of-use, and cost.

PROJECTS

You will see so many projects once the DIY bug bites you in the head. It can be fixing a door lock, building a bathroom vanity cabinet, installing a backyard swing set, etc. All projects large and small, the handyman love them all. So the best cordless drill should be flexible and can work on all kinds of projects.

The tool should put out a lot of power when needed, to make something like a children swing set strong and secure and be able to stand up to lots of stress. The 18V has plenty of torque in its turning power. Together with a right socket bit it can assemble a swing set quickly and securely. When you don't need that much power you can turn down the torque output by adjusting the clutch setting. Something like taking out and putting in the screws of a door lock doesn't need much torque at all. No problem with the mighty 18V, just dial down the clutch setting and it's ready to go.

WEIGHT

To have the power to tackle various jobs is nice. But generally the more power a cordless tool has, the heavier it weighs. When a tool is heavy it gets tiresome to use after a while. That's an important factor to consider. The 18V cordless drill is about the right weight for people who are used to physical work. Tools that have higher voltage ratings are not something that you want to work with for long periods of time. The 14V or 12V are lighter, though not as powerful. Some prefer the light weight instead of the power. The 14V tool used to be the general-purpose cordless drill tool of choice. But a new class of battery has changed the equation. The new 18V drill with lithium-ion battery can weigh less than an old 14V drill. That makes it both light-weight and high-torque - the best tool for a home improvement warrior.

PRICE

The price of an 18V cordless drill can range from $60 to $200, depending on the built quality, battery technology, what comes with it - just the tool itself or with full 2-batteries set plus charger and a case. As usually, you get what you paid for. Investing on a quality 18V cordless drill may give you the most useful and used tool in your building career. It's worth it.