How to Use A Power Drill

A power drill is a versatile tool in the hands of not just home improvement professionals, but also home owners. A power drill can also be deployed for multiple functions like waxing a car, strip painting, sanding wood, apart from drilling holes and screwing in bolts and screws. Although a cordless variant is available, you may not find it very convenient for regular professional work.

What you need to use a power drill

• Power supply
• Extension cord
• Drill bits
• Chuck key
• Drilling accessories

Power supply

While working on a work bench or in your garage, potentially you could be well away from the source of power. This could mean that the cord attached to the power drill may not be adequate and comfortable for your working. Therefore, an extension cord of appropriate length is the best solution to address this problem. You will also ensure that length of the wire in the extension cord allows adequate flexibility to move your power drill around without pulling off the pin from the socket.

Choosing drill bits

A ¼” shank is used with most accessories and drill bits that are used with power drills. The shank helps you secure the drill bit to the drill machine. It is important that you choose the right size of drill bit that is suitable for the job on hand. A masonry bit with a carbide tip is ideal for soft surfaces like bricks or cement. For wooden surfaces a drill bit in hardened steel is ideal. A wire brush fitted with a ¼” shank is your option for stripping paint.

Setting the drill bit

Before sliding the drill bit into position, the chuck at the end of the power drill is opened up to allow the drill machine to grab the drill bit. A chuck key supplied with the power drill is used for this purpose. You will generally find the chuck key attached to the power cord or on the side of the drill machine. This key is inserted into the hole that can be found on the side of the chuck and turned counter clockwise. When you have obtained a large enough opening, simply slide the drill bit into position.

Tightening the chuck

Once the drill bit is in position you can tighten it using the key and turning it clockwise. Once you have firmly placed the drill bit and tightened it, check once to ensure that the drill bit does not shake or come off. This exercise will help you ensure that the drill bit does not fly off and cause a potential injury while working.

Drilling process

Switch on power supply and hold the drill securely on the spot where you need the hole. Both hands are used to hold the drill machine with one hand on the barrel and the other on the handle and trigger. Keeping the drill perpendicular to the work piece the drill bit is guided through the work piece by applying firm pressure via the trigger.

Focus and caution are always essential while using power drill and other power tools since they work very fast and can quickly damage your work piece or cause injuries. Remember that while you can make a hole larger, you can never make it smaller. Slow and steady is therefore, the best way to achieve optimal results.