Will a Cordless Drill Work Underwater? (Explained)

Cordless drills are built and designed to be rugged and job site tough.

And because of this, they can withstand some pretty harsh environments but will a cordless drill work underwater?

Standard cordless drills are not built or designed to work underwater. 

And using one underwater can damage or even ruin the cordless drill, not to mention pose a serious safety risk, due to the potential for electrical shock.  

However, there are special cordless drills that are built and designed to work underwater.

As Nemo Power Tools actually makes two different waterproof underwater cordless drills.  

So if you’re a boater or a pool owner and need a cordless drill that can work underwater, keep reading.

As we provide all the specifications on the Nemo waterproof underwater cordless drill and answer some of the most common questions about cordless drills and water.  

Nemo Cordless Drills:  Built and Designed to Work Underwater

While Nemo Power Tools is a relatively young company, only being founded in Santa Clara, California in 2014.

They have quickly made a name for themselves in the boating and underwater scientific research industries.

As they are one of the few tool manufacturers that design and build cordless power tools that work underwater.  

And today, Nemo Power Tools are being used all over the world by everyone from research divers, rescue teams, and the military to boat owners, pool professionals, plumbers, and construction workers.

And while Nemo Power Tools makes a full line of power tools that work underwater including an angle grinder, hammer driver, rotary hammer, and even a reciprocating saw.

One of their most popular tools is their underwater cordless drill.

Nemo Underwater Cordless Drills

Nemo actually makes two different versions of their underwater cordless drill including the Nemo Waterproof Drill and the Nemo V2 Divers Edition Drill.  

Just be forewarned though, that if you plan on picking up one of Nemo’s underwater cordless drills, you are going to have to spend some serious money.  

As Nemo underwater cordless drills are some of the most expensive power drills on the market today.  

Nemo Waterproof Drill

Quick Specs

• Price:  $600
• Submersible Up To:  16 Feet 4 Inches (5 Meters)
• Max Torque:  345 Inch Pounds
• Battery:  18V 3Ah
• Chuck Size:  1/2 Inch

The Nemo Waterproof Drill was designed for the hobbyist, worker, or boater that needs a cordless drill that works underwater.

As this fully enclosed waterproof drill is great for working around the dock, swimming pool, aquarium, or anywhere where there’s water, as this drill can be completely submerged in up to 16 feet 4 inches of fresh, salt, or chlorinated water.

And it can also handle a wide variety of jobs underwater as well including drilling holes, screwing and unscrewing nuts, and bolts, as well as removing rust when equipped with a wire brush, or removing fouling and deposits when equipped with a soft brush.

And while there is nothing cheap about the Nemo Waterproof Drill, it actually does cost less than half of what the more expensive commercial-grade Nemo V2 Driver Edition Drill does. 

For more information on the Nemo Waterproof Drill, be sure to check out Nemo’s website by clicking here. 

Nemo V2 Divers Edition Drill

Quick Specs

• Price:  $1,386
• Submersible Up To:  164 Feet (50 Meters)
• Max Torque:  345 Inch Pounds
• Battery:  18V 6Ah
• Chuck Size:  1/2 Inch

While the standard Nemo Waterproof Drill will handle the vast majority of jobs in and underwater and is all the average boater or hobbyist will need.

If you’re a commercial or research diver and need a cordless drill that can work in greater depths, you will need to upgrade to the Nemo V2 Divers Edition Drill, which can handle water depths of up to 164 feet (50 meters).

As this robust underwater cordless drill is built and designed for commercial and scientific research divers and for commercial applications such as scaping barnacles and rust off of large yachts and vessels with large hulls.  

But all of the extra engineering on this underwater cordless drill doesn’t come cheap though, as this Nemo V2 Divers Edition Drill has one of the most expensive price tags I have ever seen on a cordless drill, with an eye-popping price tag of $1,386.

For more information on the Nemo V2 Divers Edition Drill, check out Nemo’s website by clicking here.

Are Cordless Drills Waterproof?

Most cordless drills from brands like Dewalt, Makita, and Ryobi are not waterproof and are not intended or designed to get wet.

However, just because cordless drills are not completely waterproof, that doesn’t mean they’re not water-resistant.

As most cordless drills will usually have water-resistant features, that help protect the drill from moisture and water. 

For example, Makita cordless drills are equipped with Makita Extreme Protection Technology or XPT™, which uses a series of protective seals inside the tool to help keep water, dust, and debris out.

So while cordless drills are not waterproof, they’re usually water-resistant.

This means, that if a few raindrops hit the drill, your cordless drill should be just fine.  

For more information on how waterproof cordless drills are, check out our article “Can a Cordless Drill Get Wet? Answered“.

Are Dewalt Cordless Drills Waterproof?

Dewalt cordless drills are not waterproof and should be kept away from all sources of water or moisture to prevent damage to the drill.

And to further illustrate this point, take a look at what Dewalt customer support had to say about their power tools getting wet.

“Power tools cannot be used in any type of wet condition regardless of the circumstance. Corded and Cordless tools operate with electricity, which does not work in wet conditions.”

Dewalt Support

Can You Use a Cordless Drill in the Rain?

While a cordless drill can certainly handle a few drops of rain while working outdoors, in general, a cordless drill should not be used in the rain, as they are not waterproof or designed to get wet.

Because while cordless drills usually do have some water-resistant features such as inner seals and rings to keep water, dust, and debris out of the drill.

They are not waterproof, so if you were to use a cordless drill in the rain, water would inevitably work its way into the tool potentially damaging or even ruining the drill.

However, if you do happen to leave your cordless drill out in the rain by accident, you still might be able to save it, by following the steps we outlined in this article on how to dry out a cordless drill.

Sources

Nemo Power Tools – Nemo Cordless Drill Info and Pricing

Can Dewalt Power Tools Get Wet? – Dewalt Support