Power drills are the wave of the future. A cordless drill allows home owners to make repairs rapidly, with little down time and a fast turnaround. Power drills are also useful for situations that require a lot of torque, or control over how much torque is applied. With adjustable settings and tips to fit nearly any screw, power drills have become an invaluable part of any well-stocked toolbox. Here is some advice for using drills responsibly.
Select a Bit
One of the most difficult parts of using a power drill is selecting the proper bit for the work you are about to do. The most direct method of choosing the proper bit for your drill is to measure it by eye sight. Simply hold the unthreaded part of the screw out in front of you, then fit the drill bit into the grooves on the head of the screw. The bit fits if you cannot see the tip of the drill bit, only the threading from the drill bit.
Once you have found the proper tip, slide it into the “chuck,” or the fat knob at the end of the drill. Turn the drill so that the chuck is facing you, then slide the bit into the chuck. Depending on your drill, you either hold the chuck in place and spin the drill to secure the bit, or you manually spin the chuck until the prongs protrude from the drill. Some tools also have a key that you can use to tighten the bit, which is usually located on the side of the drill or as part of the packaging.
Other Attachments
There are several kinds of drill bits beyond the standard screw driver ends. Twist bits are excellent tools for drilling into metal or wood. These bits have a sharp point and large divots in the threading, making it easy to burrow into the surfaces you need. Use these bits to help start the threading for a screw.
Masonry bits are similar to twist bits, but they are made specifically for stone.
Flat wood bits are intended for use on wooden surfaces only. These bits typically have a point that protrudes from the end of the bit, then there is a kind of blade attached to beyond that. The purpose is to make a small incision, then use the blade to make a recessed hole in the wall for a screw head to fit into.
Tips for Use
It helps to carry a spare Kawasaki drill battery so that your work can continue unimpeded.
The sound your drill makes can tell you a lot about the surface you’re working with. Loud, labored grinding may signal the need for a different drill bit. Your bit is also affected by the debris that gets caked onto it as you work. If you suddenly find your bit’s effectiveness drop, it could be due to excess debris that can be wiped away.
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www.toolsmithdirect.com sells tools for home or industrial use, including a cordless impact wrench and power drills.