Drill

What is a Drill?

A drill is a tool fitted with a cutting tool attachment or driving tool attachment, usually a drill bit or driver bit, used for boring holes in various materials or fastening various materials together with the use of fasteners. The attachment is gripped by a chuck at one end of the drill and rotated while pressed against the target material. The tip, and sometimes edges, of the cutting tool does the work of cutting into the target material. This may be slicing off thin shavings (twist drills or auger bits), grinding off small particles (oil drilling), crushing and removing pieces of the workpiece (SDS masonry drill), countersinking, counterboring, or other operations.

Drills are commonly used in woodworking, metalworking, construction and do-it-yourself projects. Specially designed drills are also used in medicine, space missions and other applications. Drills are available with a wide variety of performance characteristics, such as power and capacity.

Choosing the Proper Bit

Bits by Type

Drill bits are first organized according to the medium on which they can be used, then by material. This is why you will find bits labeled for use on wood, masonry and metal. Once you’ve identified your medium and material, you’ll select the size that suits your particular needs.

Wood Drill Bits: These can be identified by a small, pointed tip at the very end. If you look closely, you can see spurs on each side. These grab wood and carve it away. Steel bits are great for softwood varieties; hardwoods will eventually dull them. Titanium-coated wood drill bits last longest. The wood drill bit is the most versatile and commonly used bit.

Masonry Drill Bits: These bits have a gently sloping tip. Sometimes, the tip of masonry bits is coated in carbide, which prolongs their sharpness. A masonry bit works best with stone and cinder block, and it can work well with some tile as well. It’s highly durable and — with a lot of effort — will get your favorite photo hung on a tough surface like a brick wall.

Metal Drill Bits: These have a wide-angled point at the end, and they may also be painted black. If you are buying new metal drill bits, look for a label with the name high speed steel (HSS). These bits are highly versatile. More expensive metal bits may have a titanium coating or contain cobalt. Steel bits will drill through soft aluminum, though high-speed steel is required for other metal types.

Bits by Size

For Softwoods - Use a bit 1/64” smaller than the target hole size

Metals and other materials - Use a bit exactly the same size as the hole

**If you’re not sure which to select, choose a drill bit 1/64” small than the hole you wish to create. You can always make your hole larger if needed

How to Use a Drill