The Guide to Using the Drill Like a Professional

Here's the point that all DIY enthusiasts want to explore: how to use the drill? The answer is simple, just mount the bit on the chuck, choose the right speed and keep your hand stable until you have reached your goal.

Described this way, it might seem far too simple to use a drill, but those who know this tool well and the work you can accomplish know well that it's not that trivial: to get the most out of this tool, you need technique. And you also need specific tools, hole saws for larger holes and bits for hard metal if you need to drill steel and ferrous materials.

There are professional tips that allow you to use the drill in a truly productive way. Here's what you need to know to make the most of this simple but essential tool for drilling wood, metal, concrete and many other materials.

Always Choose the Ideal Bit for You

You are on the website of Krino - a company specializing in cutting and drilling tools - and it's normal to start with this step. To learn how to use the drill like a professional, you must first define the right bit to drill properly. All the experience in this world will be useless if you want to drill a plastic pipe with a concrete bit. And vice versa.

Apart from the various options for materials (wood, metal, construction, glass and ceramic), there are bits for specific jobs like Forstner, hole saws, step bits and those with reducers to create blind holes. Choosing the right drill bit, evaluating also the materials, like HSS or HSS-Co, and the TiN coating is the first step to learning how to use the drill like a true PRO.

Grip the Drill Like a Professional

The most common mistake when you decide to use the drill: holding the elbow wide or too low. Do you want to drill straight and with less effort? Your forearm, your wrist and the drill bit must form a straight line. Position your hand on the main grip and move your body so that the thrust comes directly from the elbow, behind the motor that allows the drill to create the necessary force for drilling.

If the elbow is out of line, the drill will tend to tilt upward or downward as you apply pressure. Does your drill have a 90-degree side grip? Always use it. Other helpful tips: don't squeeze the trigger, a too tight grip takes away your sensitivity. You must feel the vibrations of the bit: they're what tell you if you're encountering a hard obstacle or if the bit is slipping.

Be Careful with Uncomfortable Drill Positions

One of the helpful tips for those who want to use the drill like a professional: use this power tool in a way to avoid unnecessary strain on your arms. This condition inevitably leads to mistakes and poor quality drilling that is better to avoid.

If you need to drill high (e.g. a ceiling), don't hold the drill with just your arms. Try to position yourself on a ladder so the drill is close to your chest. Use the weight of your body to push, not just your biceps; you'll be much more precise and you'll tire half as much.

Before You Drill, Look Carefully

Always pay attention to torque: if the bit jams in a wood knot or iron, the drill will try to rotate violently on itself. Without the second hand held firmly, you risk a wrist sprain in a split second.

You must not rely entirely on the strength of your arms to overcome difficulties, in fact: it's better to avoid them. You must invest in vision, before you start drilling it's useful to evaluate the base and make a good analysis of any obstacles to the bit.

Don't Push the Bit on the Material

One of the first tips to give to someone who wants to use the drill professionally: don't push hard. Many think they have to drill metal or plastic with the force of their shoulders and with the weight of their body. That's not how a drill works: if you push too hard, the bit overheats, loses its temper and becomes useless. The real revolution is in the choice of the right speed.

For example, generally for wood you need this combination: high speed, light pressure. If you see smoke, you're going too hard. For metal choose low speed and constant feed, while for building material you'll aim for a medium solution and a percussion motion. If you encounter a hard element, slow down and let the percussion of the drill do the work for you.

Pay Attention to Work on Walls and Concrete Blocks

If you need to make a hole in a wall you must use a percussion drill, an option to use exclusively in construction (but not for drilling tiles). If instead you need to work on reinforced concrete, don't use a cheap percussion drill. You need an anchor with SDS attachment. The difference is that the anchor can really be decisive for more demanding work on a wall.

Unload Chips to Prevent Clogging

While you drill (especially in deep wood or wall), partially extract the bit several times while it rotates. This serves to expel dust from the hole. If you don't do this, dust compacts, the bit gets stuck and the motor strains. Remember that there are also various tricks to drill without making dust and that the best bits for expelling chips are always those with three cutting edges.

Keep Your Bit Always Fixed

What happens when you need to drill a tile or a piece of smooth metal? In most cases, there's the risk that the bit will slip as soon as it starts drilling, creating a annoying effect that can compromise your work. If you're working on iron, steel or other metals, use a center punch or a nail and hammer to make a small indentation so the drill bit won't move.

How to drill tiles or ceramic tiles without breaking them? How do you proceed? Attach a piece of tape to the point to be drilled so you overcome the gloss of the ceramic and give the bit anchorage. This way it will be easier to complete your work. Alternatively, you can use hole saws with diamond profile, perfect for porcelain too.