Schroeder Hand Drill 1/4-Inch Capacity

by Robert Larson

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Hand drills offer more than just slower RPMs. They provide control, safety and management of woods prone to splintering. These are quality hand drills meant for real work and for everyone, from students to seasoned craftsmen. This 1/4-inch drill has a quality 3 jaw chuck, smooth gears and a comfortable wood handle. Overall length is 9-1/4-inches. Made in Germany.

Product Description

Hand drills offer more than just slower RPMs. They provide control, safety and management of woods prone to splintering. This quality hand drill is meant for real work and is handy for everyone from student to seasoned craftsman. See Diefenbacher Tools storefront for Standard Duty Hand Drill.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000JRDLVY
• Item model number: 538-3010
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,243 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong, solid tool, October 17, 2007

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Schroeder Hand Drill 1/4-Inch Capacity (Tools & Home Improvement)

The day of the 'eggbeater' drill is not yet past. I want a child in my life to get started with tools, things her little-girl strength and hands can manage with reasonable safety - that rules out any cordless drill worth the name. I'm also aware that she, like any child, will probably trash at least her first set of tools. ("Experience is proportional to the amount of equipment destroyed.") Still, I refuse to buy toy tools, not least out of respect for the child's intelligence.

This meets all my requirements and then some. It's moderately priced, its mass and size match small hands, there are no extra parts (other than drill bits) to lose or abuse, and it's real. It's not big, but the gears make this machine and they are rock solid. Turn the crank: the action runs smoothly and quietly, with the precision you expect of German engineering. The chuck looks undersized, but fits a 1/4" bit comfortably and solidly. If you insist on a hollow handle for the bits - well, too bad.

People want compact tools for many reasons, and tools that don't need power supplies for many others. This meets both needs. With care, I expect it to deliver years or decades of service. Under the circumstances, it probably won't get good care - but I expect it to stand up as well as any under the loving abuse of an eager child.

-- wiredweird

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for this price, the double-bearing is slightly better, October 12, 2010

By 

G. Conner "OldSchoolSkill" (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schroeder Hand Drill 1/4-Inch Capacity (Tools & Home Improvement)

Schroeder makes two versions of this hand drill that are exactly the same size. The difference is that this one has only a single geared bearing, whereas the more expensive model has two. The advantage of the double-bearing model is that it has less "play" in the mechanism, since the shaft and drive-wheel are held firmly (in opposition) at two sides of the wheel.

Having used both models, I can tell you that this less expensive version is still very good. For the money, it is nearly impossible to beat unless you happen to get lucky at old-tool auctions. The chuck is precision made to the same quality standards as the expensive model. Since the chuck is the "business end" of these tools, the single bearing is almost a non-issue. I still opted for the double bearing model, partly because I use hand-drills so much and need the extra durability, and also because this reminds me of the fine old drill my father had.

As always, I try to add a little extra tip or advice to these rambling reviews in order to help others learn from my experience. Here's the tip: ALL METAL TOOLS, but ESPECIALLY Mechanical tools like this need some lubrication and protection against rust. Because gears are constantly rubbing against each other, they create microscopic inclusions that are nucleation sites for rust to start. Once rust starts, it is hard to stop. Rust is like a bad habit; hard to stop... much easier to prevent. Therefore, prevent rust with liquid camphor, an inexpensive non-toxic food-grade additive, available at most drug-stores.

The last 6oz bottle of camphor I purchased two years ago is still half full and I use this stuff all the time. I paid $1.49.

It only takes a few drops, applied to the spinning gears to spread it around. Don't forget the crucial chuck!

After the odor subsides (about one minute) you can then apply a light coat of household lubricating oil. Camellia oil or any other food-grade oil is OK. Yes, even olive oil works, though it can get gummy and slightly rancid over time. Walnut oil works nicely and smells fantastic! It is best to spray the oil on lightly as the gears spin, so get the spray bottle of camellia oil, or use a cheap atomizer for whatever oil you choose. My father used these rust-preventing compounds and techniques. His tools were always in perfect condition and stayed that way since his apprenticeship in 1912.

No matter which of these Schroeder drills you get, I am certain you will be delighted. My dad was an expert with hand-tools. I think he got his Schroeder drills when I was just a baby, back in the 1950s. After decades of constant use in his violin repair shop, all three of these drills were still in perfect condition. If they weren't stolen, I would still be using them today. For the money, this is actually a five star product. I only deducted one star since there is another model that is slightly better for finicky tool aficionados.

The fact is, most users do not need the extra rigidity of the expensive model. If you are a dedicated woodworker who routinely uses hand-drills for fine work, you should consider the premium model. Either way, you will have an heirloom tool that can last for generations.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Schroeder series manual Hand Drills..., August 8, 2008

By 

K. CRAIG - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schroeder Hand Drill 1/4-Inch Capacity (Tools & Home Improvement)

Schroeder makes a fantastic, rugged product. Provides exactly the kind of control desired... actually a little larger than Fiskars models that we've used for delicate/tricky drilling jobs. Have already used this model on all typical housing materials including a range of woods and with masonry and specialty bits on mortar, cement, brick, drywall, etc. with success. It has an excellent gear mechanism. Personally, I think this should be required use before folks ruin their projects with power drills they don't know how to use, though this is not a replacement for a power drill. Just my thoughts.