How to Use a Drill

What is a Drill and Common Uses

A drill is a tool that is used to cut cylindrical holes into solid objects. They are commonly used in households for DIY projects, such as putting up shelves or assembling furniture. Drills are also used in the workplace, including in the manufacturing, engineering or construction industries. 

Drills work by attaching a piece of metal (most commonly a ‘drill bit’) to the drill which then rotates at speed and is able to bore a hole through solid material. There are many different types of drill and drill bits available and it is important to select the correct one for the job you are doing. 

As with any type of tool, using a drill runs the risk of having an accident, getting injured or causing damage, therefore it is essential to follow safety precautions and work competently when drilling. 

Using a Drill Safely 

It is important to use a drill safely and as instructed. This will reduce the chance of an accident or injury. Working safely and correctly with a drill will also improve the quality and finish of the job you are doing. 

General precautions to take prior to using a drill include

• Always follow manufacturer guidelines. 
• Register new drills with the manufacturer in case the item is subject to a safety recall or you require a repair/ replacement due to faulty goods.
• Before commencing work ensure you can easily reach your work area as overreaching can be dangerous. If necessary, use an extension cord to extend your reach. 
• Ensure that you have solid footing and are not leaning or twisting your body as this could result in a fall or other accident. 
• Check all equipment before use. Never use equipment that appears unsafe, for example if it has signs of wear and tear, scorch marks or appears damp/ wet. 
• Avoid wearing any loose fitting clothing to drill and ensure hair is secured. Loose materials (including chains or jewellery) could get caught in the drill bit. 
• Consider what PPE you will need to protect your eyes, ears and body whilst doing tasks that involve drilling. 

Using a drill safely

DO

• Unplug your drill before inserting or changing a drill bit 
• Ensure the drill bit is fitted securely and not loose 
• Drill using light, steady pressure. If you are needing press down hard you should stop drilling and change your drill bit 
• Start at a slow speed and only speed up if the drill is not moving smoothly 
• Remember the drill bit should be moving (rotating) but the object you are drilling into should stay as still as possible 
• Keep fingers away from the drill bit, any contact is likely to result in an injury 
• Practice good housekeeping – keep your workspace clean, tidy and free from hazards 

DON’T

• Pick up a drill by the cord or drill bit 
• Start drilling without checking the material or work area first. Take special care when drilling into walls and check the location of any live cables or water pipes to avoid an incident 
• Use a drill for any purpose other than what it was intended for
• Drill into loose material without securing the item with a clamp or other object 
• Use a drill when you are impaired, for example, if you have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that makes you sleepy

Risks When Using Drills

Some of the common risks associated with using drills include: 

• Burns – drill bits can become very hot during use; therefore, it is important to let them cool down before touching or attempting to change them.  
• Electric shock – it is vital that you take precautions when working with electrical tools or equipment to reduce the chance of an electric shock. Shocks can result from misuse of the equipment itself or from drilling into live cables.
• Injuries – cuts, puncture wounds and damage to fingers/ hands are the most common injuries incurred when using a drill. The drill bit rotates at speed and making any contact with it is likely to result in an injury that will require some level of medical treatment. 
• Damage – drills are designed to make holes in materials and using them incorrectly can result in damage to walls and other structures. 

To reduce the risks, it is important to work safely and ensure that you have received adequate instruction before undertaking any work with power tools. 

Types of Drills 

There are many different types of drills available and the type you use will depend on the job you are doing and the materials you are working with. 

Corded drill

Corded drills need to be plugged into mains electricity in order to work. This can be inconvenient in certain situations (for example when working outside or at height). Trailing cables can also introduce additional hazards. However, corded drills are often less weighty, more powerful and offer greater torque. 

Cordless drill

These drills allow for increased mobility and greater flexibility as you are not tethered by a cord. They also negate the need for trailing extension cables which can be a tripping hazard. Cordless drills do need to be charged, so you need to make sure that you keep an eye on the battery power and may have to take a break from your work to put your drill on charge.

Some of the most common types of drill include: 

Drill driver

Commonly used for DIY tasks within the home, drill drivers can drill into metal and wood and are ideal for putting up shelves, hanging pictures or assembling pieces of furniture. If you use the correct drill or screwdriver bit, they can also loosen or tighten screws in addition to drilling holes.

Combi drill

Combi drills have the same features as drill drivers with the additional feature of hammer action. This means that they can be used to drill into masonry and brick.

Impact driver

A tool that is primarily used for driving screws, nuts and bolts into material. Impact drivers are power tools that can be used in place of a traditional screwdriver for repetitive tasks to save time and energy.

Hammer drill

Also called impact drills or percussion drills, hammer drills can be used to drill into heavy substances like concrete or masonry. They are a type of rotary drill with an impact mechanism that uses a hammering motion to make holes in hard material whilst limiting the damage done to the surface area. 

SDS hammer drill

More powerful than the standard hammer drill, the slotted drive system (SDS) has a unique design and powerful hammer action that allows it to effectively drill into hard materials and surfaces. 

Breakers and demolition drills

these types of drills are designed to undertake high impact tasks such as removing tiles or breaking up hard materials such as asphalt, concrete or brick. 

Pneumatic drill

sometimes called a jackhammer, a pneumatic drill is a large, powerful tool that operates using air pressure. Pneumatic drills are commonly seen during roadworks as they are used to break up materials (such as a road surface) using a repeated pounding action.

Safety Precautions 

It is important to take safety precautions when using a drill to minimise the chance of accident, injury or damage occurring. 

Working Safely with Electrical Equipment 

Some drills are handheld and run on battery power and others are operated using an electrical supply. Electricity poses a risk of fire, electrocution or burns, making it essential to follow safeguarding procedures to protect people and property when using any electrical equipment.  

If you are working with electrical equipment, it is essential that you follow safety precautions and correct procedures. This should include undertaking a risk assessment to:

• Identify any hazards.
• Assess the risks that arise from those hazards.
• Decide what control measures should be used. 

It is also important that you check any electrical tools that you use, prior to each use to ensure that they are in good condition, safe to use and fit for purpose. This includes looking for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed or loose cables. 

Additional precautions include:

• Not overloading sockets 
• Check equipment is suitable for the electricity supply 
• Only use equipment that you are confident to use and have received instruction in
• Use a Residual Current Device (RCD) between the equipment and electrical supply 

Personal Protective Equipment 

The type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required when drilling will depend on the nature of the task in hand and its duration. PPE options that you may need when using a drill include:

• Eye protection – Goggles/ safety glasses/ face shield 
• Ear protection – Ear defenders (to protect your ears from noise)
• Hand protection – Gloves (ensure they do not restrict your movement/grip)
• Respiratory protection – A mask may be needed to protect from breathing in dust and debris generated from drilling into material 

You should also wear sturdy footwear when drilling to reduce the chances of a slip, trip or fall or damage to your feet from a falling object. 

Choosing the Correct Drill Bit 

A drill bit is a removable piece of metal that is inserted into the drill. Drill bits come in various shapes and sizes and can be changed depending on the task in hand. Using the wrong drill bit for the task you are doing will make the task more difficult and will increase the risk of damaging the material you are drilling into. 

You will need to know what type of material you are working with (for example wood or concrete) and the type of finish you require.

• For wood and plastic, a standard twist drill bit will usually suffice 
• For metal, you will need a high-speed steel (HSS) bit or a specialised bit for harder metals 
• For concrete or masonry projects you should select a masonry drill bit with a carbide tip

Using the wrong bit increases the risks of:

• The bit getting damaged or breaking 
• Poor quality holes (rough finishes, holes that are the wrong size for the screws) 
• The material being drilled getting damaged, for example, splintering, cracking or chipping 
• An injury occurring from a broken bit or losing control of the tool

You should always select a drill bit that is specifically designed for the material you are working with – if in doubt check with a professional, look online or call a local DIY store for advice. Additionally, ensure the bit size matches the diameter of the hole you require. Always check the condition of the bit and examine it for excessive wear and tear and take care when inserting or changing the drill bit.

Common Safety Mistakes When Using Drills 

Misusing a drill can lead to accidents or injury, broken drill bits, and damage to equipment and material. Failing to work safely with a drill can also result in an untidy, poor quality job or unsafe workmanship. 

To maximise your chances of using a drill safely and successfully completing your project well, it is important to know the common mistakes that you should avoid.

Common mistakes that people make when using drills include the following:

Before Drilling

• Failing to plan the job or assess the work area and materials
• Not marking the areas out that need to be drilled or not pre-drilling pilot holes 
• Selecting a drill or drill bit that is not appropriate for the job 
• Not performing a visual inspection of the equipment 

During Drilling 

• Using excessive force or pressure 
• Failing to secure the material that is being drilled properly 
• Using the wrong speed setting 
• Not cleaning the drill bit regularly 
• Not wearing the correct PPE
• Misusing electrical equipment (such as overloading sockets or not using an RCD device) 
• Placing fingers too close to the drill bit while it is in motion 
• Allowing the drill to overheat by failing to take regular breaks 

After Drilling 

• Touching the drill bit when it is still hot
• Forgetting to switch off/ unplug the drill before removing or changing the drill bit 

Remember, drills are useful tools for all sorts of projects that require you to make holes in materials, however, they should be used safely and in accordance with instructions in order to reduce the chance of an accident or injury occurring.