How to Use a Drill

Before you can use a drill, there are certain things you need to know to be safe and to get decent results. This page provides information on how to use a drill.

Introduction

  • A drill can seem intimidating if you don't know how to use it. But it's also a very useful tool. Instead of asking for help when you need something drilled, why don't you learn how use a drill?

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Drill

  • Before you use a drill, learn the different components of the drill and how prepare it for drilling.
  1. A drill is used with a drill bit, the removable head for the drill which does the actual drilling. Make sure you get the appropriate size and type for the work you will perform. Different materials require different types of drill bits.
  2. Some drills run on batteries, others on electricity. Insert the battery or connect the cord before using the drill.
  3. The trigger on the drill starts the actual drilling.
  4. Some come with a safety button you need to press when you are drilling.
  5. A drill bit is tightened either by a chuck key (a small metal piece which inserted in the drill and turned) or two tightening collars.
  6. You can attach a second handle to the drill for more stability.

Step 2: Insert the Drill Bit

  • After making sure you have the correct drill bit for the material and size of the hole you wish to make, insert the drill bit.
  1. If the drill bit has a chuck key, insert it in the tightening collar and turn it clockwise to tighten the bit.
  2. If the drill bit has tightening collars, they are located close to each other and the outer one is where the drill bit is inserted. Grab the tightening collar and the other tightening collar tightens the bit. (A button on the drill determines whether the collar is tightening or releasing the bit.)

Step 3: Safety Precautions

  1. There are several thing to keep in mind when drilling. Review them before you start drilling.

  2. If you are not drilling a wall or immobile surface, secure the item you are drilling.

  3. Wear safety glasses.

  4. Wear tight clothes and if, you use it, tight gloves, that will not get caught in the drill.

  5. Take frequent short pauses to avoid chips.

  6. Hold the drill with both hands or if possible, use an extra handle for more stability.

  7. Do not blow on splinters but brush it away instead.

Step 4: Use the Drill

  1. Chose the slow speed for attaching screws, nuts, and bolts and the high speed for drilling.

  2. Some drill have several clutch setting; use a lower one for softer material and a higher one for harder ones.

  3. Mark the point you want to drill.

  4. You can drill a smaller hole first to make the drilling easier when you switch to the correct bit.

  5. Push the trigger.

  6. Drill slowly and don't push to hard.

  7. Hold the drill straight in relation to the material you are drilling.

Step 5: Remove the Drill and Drill Bit

  1. When the drilling is done, slowly pull the drill out.

  2. When removing the drill bit, disconnect the cord if you have an electric drill.

Conclusion

A drill can seem intimidating at first, but as you learn the simple steps of drilling, it is not any more complicated than using other tools.


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