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How to Use a Drill the Right Way

Drilling pilot holes

The Spruce / Jacob Fox

Drills are so versatile that they can be used for drilling everything from needle-thin holes for crafts to large holes for recessed lights. Drills are also the standard tool for driving screws.

Whether you're a dedicated DIYer or a homeowner who needs to hang a shelf now and then, a drill is a necessity. Read on to find out how to use a drill, as well as tips for buying a drill and essential features you'll need.

How to Buy a Drill

Power drills come in either corded or cordless versions. Corded power drills offer reliability and strength at the expense of being tied to an electric cord at all times.

Cordless drills, powered by onboard, rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs, free the user from the power cord. However, battery packs are expensive and are prone to failure.

Usage Level Power Chuck Cost
Light 4V, 8V, 12V, or 18V cordless 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch $20 to $30
Average 18V cordless 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch $50 to $100
Heavy-Duty 20V cordless or corded 1/2-inch $100 to $300

Choose a power drill based on your needs and your abilities. If you need a power drill only for light work, such as hanging the occasional shelf or mounting a bathroom mirror, an inexpensive, lightweight 4V, 8V, 12V, or 18V cordless drill should be enough.

For mid-range power drill work, such as hanging sheets of drywall as a do-it-yourselfer, an 18-volt cordless model is best.

For heavy work with hole saws and auger bits, or any type of constant all-day use, purchase a 20-volt cordless drill or a corded power drill.

Basic Features of a Drill

All drills, whether cordless or corded, have these features:

  • Chuck: Clamp at the front of the drill that holds the drill bits or drivers in place
  • Clutch: Ring located behind the chuck that adjusts the torque and speed
  • Trigger: Lever that turns the drill on or off as well as controls the drill's variable speed
  • Forward/reverse: Lever located near the trigger that controls the drill's forward (clockwise) or reverse (counter-clockwise) direction
  • Power source: A docking lithium-ion battery for cordless drills or an electric power cord for corded models
Parts of a power drill diagram

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Drill Options You May Want

Optional drill features you might need:

  • Built-in light: LED light located near the chuck or trigger to illuminate the work area
  • Driver bit holder: Magnetic or clip-on holder for spare driver bits
  • Brushless motor: Quieter operation and more compact
  • Side handle: Detachable handle for a safer, more secure grip

Types of Drill Bits and Drivers

For driving screws, use a driver bit in the shape of Phillips and flat-head screws. You can purchase additional driver bits with different shapes for screw brands such as Torx and Spax.

For drill bits, the numbers on the storage box indicate the diameter of the drill bit. Drill bit sets usually range from 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch bit sizes. Larger and smaller bits are available separately. Flat, shield-shaped spade bits are used for augering large holes up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

Choose the type of drill bit that corresponds to the material you are drilling. For example, glass drill bits are ideal for non-tempered and ceramic glass.

Safety Considerations

Wear eye and hearing protection when using a drill in any capacity. Drill torque can strain or even injure your hands or wrists, so use a drill with a built-in or attachable side handle for better grip. If the drill does not have a side handle, use two hands to hold the drill's pistol grip.

How to Use a Drill

  1. Select the Drill Bit or Driver

    Drill bits: If drilling a pilot drill for a screw, the bit should be the same diameter as the shank of the screw. The shank is the screw's inner core or its shaft.

    Drill drivers: Select a Phillips head, flat head, square head, or other type of driver shape to match the fastener that you are driving.

    Selecting the right drill bit or driver

    The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen

  2. Adjust the Drill's Clutch

    After checking whether the drill is in forward or reverse, adjust the drill's clutch speed/torque setting. Drills differ but usually setting 1 indicates low speed and high torque, which is best for driving screws. Setting 2 represents high speed and low torque, best for drilling holes.

    Front view of drill driver

    The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen

  3. Chuck in the Driver or Drill Bit

    Most power drills have a keyless chuck function. Loosen the drill's collar by turning it counter-clockwise (if the drill is facing you) until the chuck opens just large enough to permit the driver or drill bit.

    Then, you tighten by turning the collar in the opposite direction. The rotation of the drill will keep the driver or bit securely in place.

    Chucking in the drill bit

    The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen

  4. Drill a Pilot Hole (Optional)

    For driving screws into woods prone to cracking, begin with a pilot hole. Chuck in a drill bit slightly less than the diameter of the screw that you will be driving. Drill the hole, then follow by driving the screw.

    Drilling a pilot hole in wood

    The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen

  5. Place the Driver or Drill Bit

    With your finger off the drill's trigger, place the drill bit on the spot where you intend to drill. If you are driving a screw, place the driver bit in the head of the screw.

    masonry drill bit

    Helmut Feil / Getty Images

  6. Drill the Hole or Drive the Fastener

    Brace the drill with your free hand, then gently pull on the trigger. Begin drilling or driving slowly. Most power drills have a variable speed option: the speed of the drill's rotation increases or decreases in response to the pressure of your finger on the trigger.

    Starting to drill a screw into wood

    The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen

  7. Press on the Drill

    When drilling downward, the weight of the drill often will exert enough pressure to carry the drill through the material. In most instances, though, you should gently press the drill toward the work material.

    Finishing driving the screw into the wood

    The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen

  8. Remove the Drill Bit or Driver

    Drill bits: Pull outward while the drill is rotating. Pull straight out to avoid widening the hole. If the drill bit is stuck, turn the drill to its reverse mode and slowly rotate the drill bit while pulling out.

    Drill drivers: First stop driving, then remove the driver from the fastener.

    Drill Pilot Hole

    Bill Sykes / Getty Images

Tips and Tricks for Using a Drill

  • Use the torque setting. It's easy to forget about torque, but this setting lets you more efficiently drive screws (low speed, high torque) or drill holes (high speed, low torque).
  • Use sharp drill bits both for cleaner, more precise drilling and for safety: Dull bits require you to exert more pressure on the drill.
  • When drilling metal, use an awl or punch and a hammer to tap in a small depression for the drill bit to start in.
  • Some drills, especially older drills, have a key-chuck system. The key is inserted into a hole in the side of the chuck, with the tool's teeth meshing with the teeth of the chuck.
FAQ
  • How do you attach a drill bit?

    Open the drill's chuck wide enough so you can insert the drill bit. Insert the drill bit into the chuck. By hand, twist the chuck around the bit tightly to keep it in place. Be sure that the drill bit is centered and not angled inside the chuck.

  • What kind of drill is good for beginners?

    An 18V or 20V cordless rechargeable lithium-ion battery drill is good for beginners. It is also a good drill for intermediate and advanced users.

  • Is it worth owning a drill?

    Without a doubt, it is worthwhile to own a drill. Do-it-yourselfers constantly find a need for a drill. Even if you aren't a DIYer, you will find a drill useful for light projects like hanging shelves.