Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (2024)

A drill is a piece of machinery used to bore holes in different materials. Drilling power tools are the most popular hand-held power tool in the world, and can be found in nearly every home and building site in the country.

There are two different types of drilling power tools – corded and cordless. In this section we will be looking at corded drills.

For information on cordless drills,click here. For larger drilling power tools, please refer to theMachinerysection.

Shortly after the invention of the electric motor in the 19thcentury, the electric drill was invented. This creation was patented in 1889 by Arthur James Arnot, an employee of the Union Electric Company in Melbourne. In 1895, German engineer WilhelmFeininvented the first portable electric drill, and 22 years later,Black and Deckerpatented a trigger-like switch on a pistol-grip handle. The drills manufactured today have continued to evolve from this original design.

Today, drills are carefully engineered to suit the wants and needs of consumers, and with everymanufacturerhaving a different interpretation of the market, there are many different types available.

The following outlines the four main types of drilling power tools, the accessories to suit, and many frequently asked questions.

Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (1)Rotary Drills

Rotary drills are a perfect tool for light duty tasks and are designed for drilling small holes through wood, metal and plastics. They feature high speeds and light weight, but aren’t hugely powerful.
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Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (2)High Torque Drills

High torque drills are capable of performing tasks such as mixing glues and plaster, and boring huge holes through wood and metal. They run at low speeds and are quite heavy, but exhibit lots of power.
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Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (3)Hammer Drills

Hammer drills are incredibly versatile drilling power tools that are capable of performing many trying tasks including drilling into masonry. They come in a variety of sizes, are the most common type of electric drills.
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Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (4)Rotary Hammer Drills

Rotary hammer drills are primarily designed for heavy-duty masonry work (but can be used on other materials too). This work can include boring huge holes into structural concrete, ripping up ceramic tiles, and even light demolition work.
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Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (5)Drill Accessories

Any power tool is only as good as the accessories it uses. This section gives you a comprehensive insight into the available accessories for drilling power tools, including drill bits, hole saws, screwdriver bits and sanding and polishing accessories.
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Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (6)Drill FAQs

This section provides answers to the many frequently asked questions about drilling power tools.
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Drilling Power Tools - The Ultimate Guide (2024)

FAQs

How do I get the most power out of my drill? ›

Charge completely, and don't over-drain your batteries. Leave the battery in charger until it's 100% full, and remove from drill as soon as you notice a reduction in power. Were any important tips left off this list? Share your thoughts at the end of this article, on our website.

What are the basic drill settings? ›

Setting 1 is low speed/high torque and is best for driving screws. Setting 2 is a medium speed/torque and can be used for drilling or driving. Setting 3 is the highest speed and is meant for drilling or driving fasteners.

What is the most commonly used power tool in the workshop? ›

Power saws are among the most commonly used power tools and they're also among the most dangerous. Train employees to take these precautions when using a table and other power saws: Make sure the saw blade is properly guarded to prevent contact with hands, arms, or legs.

How do I know how powerful my drill is? ›

Speed and power: Revolutions per minute (RPM) measure the speed of a drill. The higher the RPM, the lower the torque delivered from the power tool. More amperage equals a more powerful drill. A lower amperage corded or cordless drill will not be very powerful.

What torque setting for drill? ›

4 to 15Nm is fine for all of those smaller screw driver tasks around the home. 15 to 35Nm is a great all-rounder to drill and drive medium sizes screws and hole drilling.

What number should I set my drill to? ›

Check the speed settings on the drill -- the big switch on the top. Setting 1 is low speed and high torque, which is ideal for uses such as driving screws into the material. Setting 2 is high speed and low torque, which is good for drilling holes.

What speed should I set my drill? ›

Recommended Speeds for Standard Materials with H.S.S. Drills
MaterialRecommended Speed (SFM)
Iron-Cast (Soft) Cast (medium hard) Hard Chilled Malleable75-125 50-100 10-20 80-90
Magnesium and its Alloys250-400
Monel Metal or High-Nickel Steel, Stainless Steel30-50
Plastics or Similar Materials100-300
6 more rows

What power tool is most used by carpenters? ›

Both a drill and a screwdriver are the most used carpentry power tools in a woodworking shop. To have a more compact and portable tool that you can carry around your woodshop, you can buy an impact drill driver.

What is the most versatile power tool? ›

Drills are hands down the best and most versatile power tools to own. Whether you install shelves inside your home or work in a woodworking shop, you need a drill to create holes.

How much torque is needed for drilling? ›

Mid-range cordless drills generally have a torque rating of around 55 Nm. Entry-level models, which generally have a 14.4 V – 1.2 Ah battery, offer 16 Nm, 25 Nm or even 30 Nm. Professional cordless drills have tightening torques of 60 Nm, 85 Nm, 100 Nm or even 135 Nm.

What speed should you hammer drill? ›

Choosing a hammer drill with variable speed settings will allow you to adjust the speed depending on the material you're drilling into. A higher speed is generally better for softer materials, while a slower speed is better for harder materials.

What is never to be engaged when using power tools? ›

When using power tools, never engage the trigger lock. Before replacing parts such as bits, blades, or discs on any tool, you must disconnect the power source.

How can I improve the efficiency of my drill? ›

Another factor that influences your drilling efficiency is the drilling fluid or mud that you use to lubricate, cool, and clean the bit and the borehole. The drilling fluid also helps to control formation pressures, stabilize the wellbore, and transport cuttings to the surface.

What power drill has the most torque? ›

Milwaukee M18 2606-22CT

At 500 inch pounds, no other drill has a higher maximum torque rating. It has one of the better warranties, with five years for the tool itself, and two years for the battery. This cordless drill kit includes an M18 compact half-inch drill driver and two M18 lithium-ion batteries.

What gives a drill its power? ›

The drill's mechanism is actually quite simple: A trigger switch activates an electric motor, which in turn drives a rotating chuck. Numerous accessories can fit into in the chuck, allowing the drill to bore holes, drive screws, and sand, polish, and grind a wide variety of materials.

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