Hand and Electric Drills

Overview

Perhaps the most essential part of any tool collection, the drill is invaluable for many maintenance and repair tasks around the home and can be either manually driven or electrically powered, although the latter is the more effective and the most common of the two types of drill.

The size of the drill is determined by the maximum drill bit shank that its chuck can accommodate.

Used primarily for boring holes in nearly all materials, the electric drill can also be used for a variety of other tasks, facilitated by a number of accessories and attachments. These include sanding, screwdriving, grinding, and mixing paint to name but a few.

There are many different variants of the electric drill, and most of these are available as either mains operated drills, or battery powered cordless drills. Generally speaking, the bigger the chuck capacity, the larger the motor. As the power increases, the drill will run slower to give the greater torque or turning power needed in drilling larger holes in steel or masonry.

Depending on the purpose for which it was designed, a drill can be single speed, have two or three pre-set speeds, or incorporate a variable speed function. Variable speed is essential if using the drill to drive screws, and a reversing function allows the user to remove screws as well. Many drills also use adjustable clutches so that a screw can be driven without slowing the motor down when the screw seats, prolonging the motor's life.

The Different Variants of drills

Hand Drill

(AKA Wheel Brace, AKA Eggbeater Drill)

Uses a hand operated crank handle to turn an interlocking gear, which in turn rotates the drill bit. With a quicker set-up time than the electric drill, the hand drill is most useful when you require only a small number of holes. Effective for drilling into wood, soft metal, and plastics, hand drills will generally accommodate most drill bits up to 6mm (1/4") in diameter in either keyed or keyless chucks, and can also be used for screwdriving. Some models incorporate two speed gears, double pinion, hollow handle to store bits, and fully enclosed gear mechanisms.

Breast Drill

Essentially a larger version of the hand drill, incorporating a saddle-shaped plate to lean on so as to apply extra pressure whilst drilling. Most models are fitted with a side handle for extra stability, and many have twin speed gears.

Miniature Hand Drill

Particularly useful for fine work, such as model making, the miniature hand drill bores holes with very small, high-speed steel bits. Useful for making pilot holes for small screws, some models have collets at both ends allowing the user to have different size drills available without having to change the bit.

Brace

Similar to the hand drill, with the drill bit being rotated by manually cranking the handle whilst applying pressure. Effective for drilling into wood, the brace will generally accept larger drill shanks than the hand drill, and can also be used for screwdriving. Some models have a ratchet fitted to the chuck, allowing the user to drill/drive in places where a full rotation of the handle is not possible.

Joist Brace

With a similar chuck and ratchet construction to the standard brace, the joist brace is especially useful for drilling in restricted spaces due to a frame that uses a lever at right angles to the line of the drill bit.

Push Drill

Mainly used for drilling pilot holes, the push drill uses very fine straight-fluted drill bits (known as drill points) that are rotated via a repetitive pushing motion, that can be achieved single-handedly. Some models incorporate a hollow handle to store the drill bits.

Electric Rotary Drill

The most basic of the electric drills, the rotary drill is used mainly for boring holes in a variety of materials. These can be either mains-operated (i.e. corded), or battery-operated (i.e. cordless). Different functions incorporated into some models include variable speed and reversing, and attachments can be used to enable different functions, such as sanding and grinding.

Electric Drill/Driver

Similar to the rotary drill but with a greater torque, allowing the user to drive and remove screws as well as drill through materials at a more rapid rate. Again, these can be either mains-operated or battery-operated (cordless), and different attributes and attachments allow multiple functions.

Electric Hammer Drill

Designed for more heavy duty work than the standard electric rotary drill, the hammer drill not only rotates but also provides a rapid hammering action rated in blows per minute (b.p.m.). This makes it ideal for drilling effectively into concrete and masonry, particularly larger holes. Most models have variable speed hammering action, reversing action, and can be used as normal rotary drills. Available as corded or cordless hammer drills, different models and attachments allow for different functions.

Electric Hammer Drill/Driver

(Impact Drill/Driver, Percussion Drill/Driver)

Similar to the electric hammer drill but allowing the user to drive and remove screws, available as either mains-operated or battery-operated.

Electric Close-Quarters Drill

Useful for drilling in awkward places where a standard drill won't fit, the close-quarters drill is similar in specification to the standard electric rotary drill, but with a 55° angled chuck. Operated via a finger control on the body, most models come with reverse action and variable speed.

D-Handle Drill

Named after it's so-shaped handle, the D-Handle drill provides a stable and powerful drilling action for heavy duty work, and is particularly useful for jobs where a high level of torque is required.

Right-Angle Drill

Designed to drill holes in tight places where a standard drill won't fit, the right-angle drill is not too dissimilar to the close-quarters drill, and can be corded or cordless. Some models incorporate an adjustable side handle for greater stability, and a chuck key and wrench to allow the user to change the angle of the head.

Drill Press

(AKA Bench Drill, AKA Pillar Drill)

More accurate than any portable drill, a drill press uses a drilling head positioned above an adjustable workbench, both being fixed to a sturdy base. Most models include a clamp and a guide, allowing the user greater control when drilling.