How to Use a Drill Safely
Wear safe clothing and eye protection., Wear ear protection if drilling regularly., Protect your lungs when necessary., Choose the correct drill bit., Fit the drill bit firmly into the chuck., Clamp small pieces together., Handle the cord safely.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Wear safe clothing and eye protection.
Avoid baggy clothing or dangling jewelry that could catch in the drill as you lean over it.
Wear safety goggles or glasses that cover the sides of your eyes, to protect them from flying debris. -
Step 2: Wear ear protection if drilling regularly.
A handheld electric drill produces about 90 decibels, which is just enough to cause hearing damage after prolonged exposure.Most cordless drills are quiet enough that hearing protection is not necessary.
Impact drills (hammer drills) are the loudest handheld drills, producing over 100 dB.
Hearing protection is recommended whenever using them. , If the project kicks up a lot of dust, wear breathing protection.
A dust mask is only good for short-term comfort.
Use a respirator if you drill regularly or for long periods of time, or if the material you are drilling is a known respiratory hazard.
Each respirator is rated for certain types of hazards.
Make sure the one you use is suited to your project. , Using a bit made from the wrong material can cause the bit or the material you're drilling to break.
You can use a general-purpose bit on most wood; a masonry bit for stone, brick or concrete; an HSS (high speed steel) bit on most metals; and a carbide or diamond-tipped bit on very hard, brittle surfaces such as porcelain, glass, or glazed tiles.There are many specialized bit designs, so consult the drill manual or bit manufacturer if you're not sure which bit to use.
When drilling a hole for a screw, there's an easy way to find the right size bit.
Hold the screw up directly behind the bit.
The bit should hide the shaft of the screw from view, but the screw threads should still be visible on both sides., The chuck is the clamp in the "jaws" of the drill.
This holds the drill bit in place as it spins.
To replace a drill bit, make sure the drill is off (and unplugged if corded), then loosen the chuck by rotating it.
Depending on the drill, you may be able to do this by hand, or you may need a chuck key located in a compartment in the top or handle of the drill.Insert the drill bit into the chuck, then tighten again.
Make sure the bit is straight and secure, and remove the key before you turn on the drill.
Each chuck has a maximum size.
Most drills made for home use in the United States have a chuck of size 1/4"
3/8"
or 1/2".
The shaft of the drill bit must be smaller than this size (but the tip can be larger).Run the drill and watch the bit spin in the air.
If it wobbles from side to side (or looks like a blurry cone), the bit is bent or not secured correctly.
Discard bent bits, since they can easily break during drilling., If you are drilling into a small, loose piece, clamp it down firmly before you drill.
Do not hold the piece down with one hand while drilling, as the drill could slip and injure you., If the drill has a cord, never leave it stretched across a pathway when not in use.
Never pick up the drill by the cord.
If you are drilling in a wet or muddy area, use a cordless drill instead.If you need to plug the drill into an extension cord, check the drill manual for the minimum wire gauge (or go with 16 gauge if you're not sure).Do not chain multiple extension cords together, use indoor extension cords outdoors, or use an adapter to plug a three-prong cord into a two-prong outlet. -
Step 3: Protect your lungs when necessary.
-
Step 4: Choose the correct drill bit.
-
Step 5: Fit the drill bit firmly into the chuck.
-
Step 6: Clamp small pieces together.
-
Step 7: Handle the cord safely.
Detailed Guide
Avoid baggy clothing or dangling jewelry that could catch in the drill as you lean over it.
Wear safety goggles or glasses that cover the sides of your eyes, to protect them from flying debris.
A handheld electric drill produces about 90 decibels, which is just enough to cause hearing damage after prolonged exposure.Most cordless drills are quiet enough that hearing protection is not necessary.
Impact drills (hammer drills) are the loudest handheld drills, producing over 100 dB.
Hearing protection is recommended whenever using them. , If the project kicks up a lot of dust, wear breathing protection.
A dust mask is only good for short-term comfort.
Use a respirator if you drill regularly or for long periods of time, or if the material you are drilling is a known respiratory hazard.
Each respirator is rated for certain types of hazards.
Make sure the one you use is suited to your project. , Using a bit made from the wrong material can cause the bit or the material you're drilling to break.
You can use a general-purpose bit on most wood; a masonry bit for stone, brick or concrete; an HSS (high speed steel) bit on most metals; and a carbide or diamond-tipped bit on very hard, brittle surfaces such as porcelain, glass, or glazed tiles.There are many specialized bit designs, so consult the drill manual or bit manufacturer if you're not sure which bit to use.
When drilling a hole for a screw, there's an easy way to find the right size bit.
Hold the screw up directly behind the bit.
The bit should hide the shaft of the screw from view, but the screw threads should still be visible on both sides., The chuck is the clamp in the "jaws" of the drill.
This holds the drill bit in place as it spins.
To replace a drill bit, make sure the drill is off (and unplugged if corded), then loosen the chuck by rotating it.
Depending on the drill, you may be able to do this by hand, or you may need a chuck key located in a compartment in the top or handle of the drill.Insert the drill bit into the chuck, then tighten again.
Make sure the bit is straight and secure, and remove the key before you turn on the drill.
Each chuck has a maximum size.
Most drills made for home use in the United States have a chuck of size 1/4"
3/8"
or 1/2".
The shaft of the drill bit must be smaller than this size (but the tip can be larger).Run the drill and watch the bit spin in the air.
If it wobbles from side to side (or looks like a blurry cone), the bit is bent or not secured correctly.
Discard bent bits, since they can easily break during drilling., If you are drilling into a small, loose piece, clamp it down firmly before you drill.
Do not hold the piece down with one hand while drilling, as the drill could slip and injure you., If the drill has a cord, never leave it stretched across a pathway when not in use.
Never pick up the drill by the cord.
If you are drilling in a wet or muddy area, use a cordless drill instead.If you need to plug the drill into an extension cord, check the drill manual for the minimum wire gauge (or go with 16 gauge if you're not sure).Do not chain multiple extension cords together, use indoor extension cords outdoors, or use an adapter to plug a three-prong cord into a two-prong outlet.
About the Author
Janet Barnes
Creates helpful guides on crafts to inspire and educate readers.
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