Drills

The fact that it's cordless is a real boon when I go to do work on the boat. Have you ever gotten the extension cord wrapped around you when you're stuffed into a locker trying to reach your work? That's a thing of the past. Plus you can easily work at the top of the mast or out on the mooring.

This drill has a nice balance and isn't too heavy. It can be set on the slow range with the torque clutch eased up and used as a cordless screwdriver.

Of course, drilling stainless steel and fiberglass is very hard on the drill bits. A basic high-speed steel bit won't last very long. You're much better off with a set of titanium-coated bits so they'll hold up a little while.

For drilling through small pieces of wood, almost any drill bit will do. For heavier drilling, I like auger bits. This set includes sizes 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1", and 1-1/8" bits. You'll need a hefty drill, like the DeWalts mentioned above, to keep from stalling when these bits dig in, but you'll drill holes much faster and easier.

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South: The Endurance Expedition Shackleton's near-fatal journey to the Antarctic has received a lot of press in recent years. This is Shackleton's own account—quiet, understated, and riveting. It also describes the travails of the Aurora expedition, intended to lay the groundwork for Shackleton on the other side of the continent. (Note: commissions earned from this link help defray the costs of this website)

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