Handy Drill Tips: How Well Do You Know Your Power Drill?

A power drill is likely the most-used tool by all our dedicated do-it-yourselfers. Whether you’re building a dog house or a new deck, you probably can’t even count the number of times you reach for your power drill. It’s like your third arm, and you depend on it to get the job done right every time. Inspect your trusty drill and all your drill bits regularly, and if it’s time for an upgrade or time to start your drill family, we have many drills and bits for you to choose from. Our experts will help you select the best drill and bits for your job!

Drills are extremely versatile, as they can quickly make a large hole or drive a screw into wood. Let’s take a closer look at the parts of a drill.

1. The most important part of any power drill is the motor that powers the drill. Drills have a brushed or brushless motor. Brushed motors operate with metal brushes and magnets to keep the shaft spinning, while brushless motors operate with an electronic sensor and circuit board to keep the shaft spinning. Brushless motors use electric circuitry and provide more power and a longer-lasting drill.
2. The battery supplies the power to the drill, unless it’s a power drill with a cord, in which case, the cord supplies the electricity. Most cordless drills use a lithium-ion battery because they provide a consistent power and longer runtime. The battery is located on the lower part of the drill and can be removable or non-removable. Batteries can be charged by attaching them to a charger that comes with your drill. There are a few types of batteries you can choose from depending on what drill you have:
   • 4V or 8V batteries are for lighter jobs
   • 12V batteries can handle almost any job
   • 18V/20V/24V batteries are great for heavy-duty jobs
   • 36V/40V/60V/80V are used less often and are for bigger jobs such as drilling concrete
3. The chuck is the adjustable part of the drill that holds the bit. You can easily loosen or tighten the chuck to exchange the drill bits. Most newer drills have a keyless chuck that indicates when your bit is securely in place with a clicking sound.
4. Power drills require bits, which can make holes of various sizes or driving bits which are used to screw things in. They come in a lot of varieties from a spade bit to make holes to a nut driver that tightens nuts to a screwdriver bit that sets screws.
5. The trigger is the “on-switch” of the power drill. Most models have a variable setting, allowing you to determine the speed and power at which your drill spins.
6. The rocker switch (or toggle) is a button located on either side of your drill that you press to determine the direction the chuck spins: to insert (forward) or extract (backward).
7. A gear selection switch allows you to switch from 2 to 4 gears on your drill. Not all drills have this feature. Just remember that the higher the gear, the higher the speed and the lower the gear and speed, the lower the torque and vice versa. (Torque is the force with which the drill spins.)
8. Some drills have a torque control clutch, which lets you set the torque. All power drills have a handle to comfortably hold, which is usually padded. Some have an auxiliary handle that acts as an extension allowing you to hold the drill with two hands for tougher jobs. Simply place one hand on the main handle and the other on the auxiliary handle for a tighter grip.
9. Some drills have the added feature of an LED light to help you see what you’re drilling if the lighting is not bright enough.

The Born to Build know how to use a drill, yet a few reminders never hurt!

1. Although you may want to, resist the urge to use too much force. It can damage your drill. The drilling process should be smooth.
2. Use a lower torque setting to begin with and then increase it if needed, so you have more control over your drilling.
3. Line up the drill with the screw in one line, to get a straighter screw.
4. Use a higher speed when drilling holes with small bits, so debris doesn’t get stuck in the bit and clog up your drill.
5. Make sure you clear the swarf (shavings) off your drill bits and your drill after each use.
6. If you have a big-sized hole to drill, start with small bits and work your way up.
7. If you are worried about the depth and going too far into the surface, you can use tape around the drill bit to know when to stop.
8. Punch your mark location before your drill, by making a divot in your marked spot. You can purchase an automatic center punch tool for this.
9. It's always best to make a pilot hole especially when you need an exact screw location, are working with dense material, or working on the end of a piece of material. Make your pilot hole the same size as the shaft of the screw. You can easily line up the bit with the screw, and you should see the threads (or sides) of the screw on either side of the bit.
10. When drilling into wood, it’s a good idea to use a backer, so the back of your wood piece doesn’t splinter.
11. Remember to drill at a faster speed when drilling wood and slower when drilling metal.
12. Keep your drill bits safe and usable by replacing them when they look worn.

1. Always wear eye protection! You won’t regret it.
2. Keep a clear workspace, so you can easily find what you need.
3. loose hair and clothing away from your drill.

If a dog is man’s best friend, a drill is a DIYer’s best friend! Getting better acquainted with the parts of your drill and maintaining it will help you keep that drill whirring away, and you knocking out your projects in record time. We have many drills for you to choose from along with all the drill bits and kits you need! Come on in, and we’ll help you choose the best drill for you!