In the Baxter Innovation Lab, there are four main types of hand drills engineers use for projects, shown below. The Hammer Drill Driver, the Right Angle Drill, the Impact Drill, and finally, the Three-Mode Hammer Drill. On this page, you will find information for each individual drill, what each part of a drill does, and which drills to use for which projects.
Safety Check List
Always wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris and dust.
Select the correct Drill or Driver for the application.
Choose the correct drill bit for the material you're working with (wood, metal, masonry, etc.). A dull or incorrect bit can cause damage to your work surface or result in the drill binding.
If you're using a power drill for extended periods, consider earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing.
Wear work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges, rough surfaces, or hot components, but avoid loose clothing that could get caught in the drill.
Check the drill before each use. Make sure the drill bit is securely attached and that the tool is in good condition. Check for damaged parts.
Always clamp or secure the material you're drilling into a stable surface. This will prevent the workpiece from moving or slipping, which can lead to accidents or injury.
Always maintain a firm grip on the drill. Keep both hands on the tool when possible, especially when drilling through tougher materials.
Begin drilling at a lower speed to avoid slipping or damaging the material. Once the bit has a firm hold, you can increase the speed if necessary.
Keep the drill perpendicular to the work surface, unless you're drilling at an angle intentionally. This ensures that the hole is drilled straight and helps prevent the bit from binding or breaking.
Key Components of a Drill
Chuck: A chuck of a drill is the part of the tool that holds the drill bit in place during operation. It is located at the front of the drill, near the rotating mechanism. The chuck consists of three jaws that hold the bit securely. These jaws move when you twist the chuck's body or collar, allowing you to tighten or loosen the grip on the bit.
Clutch: The clutch of a drill is a mechanism typically located behind the chuck. It controls the amount of torque applied when driving screws or drilling. When the clutch is set to a certain number, the drill applies that amount of torque. Once the set limit is reached, the clutch slips or disengages, stopping the motor from applying more force.
Gear Switch: The gear selector switch of a drill is a mechanism that allows the user to change the speed and torque settings of the drill by switching between different gears. There are two gear settings. Low Gear: provides higher torque and lower speed. This is ideal for driving screws or drilling into harder materials, as it ensures a greater force is applied. High Gear: Provides higher speed and lower torque. This setting is typically used for tasks like drilling into softer materials or for fast drilling operations.
Battery: The battery of a drill is the power source that supplies energy to the drill's motor, enabling it to function. It can be removed and replaced at the very bottom of the drill, and needs to be charged separately for the drill to function.
Trigger: The trigger of a drill is the primary control mechanism that activates the drill’s motor, allowing the user to start and stop the tool. The trigger is usually designed to be variable, meaning the more you press it, the more power is supplied to the motor. This allows for speed control, enabling the user to adjust the drill's performance depending on the task.
3-Setting Hammer Drill
Some Hammer Drills have an additional setting for extra precision, known as Clutch Settings. This rests just above the clutch torque selector, and each mode has different functions, detailed below. Otherwise, the drill is equal to the regular Hammer drill, but has the added advantage of being much more variable, and is therefore the most varied drill of the four, and one you will likely be using the most.
Drill Mode (Standard Drilling):
This is the basic mode, where the hammer drill operates like a regular drill. It rotates the drill bit without any hammering action, making it ideal for drilling into softer materials like wood, plastic, or metal.
Hammer Mode (Impact Drilling):
In this mode, the hammer drill combines rotational movement with a rapid hammering . This mode is designed for drilling into hard materials like concrete, brick, or masonry. The hammering helps break up the material, allowing the drill bit to penetrate more easily.
Combination Mode (Hammer Drill Mode):
This mode combines both rotational and hammering action. It's the most common setting for drilling into tougher materials like concrete or masonry. It allows you to drill while also applying a hammering force to break up the surface, making it much easier to drill into harder surfaces.
Screwdriver Mode:
Some hammer drills have a screwdriver mode, where the tool can function as a driver for screws. In this mode, the hammering action is turned off, and the drill just rotates to drive screws into wood, drywall, or other softer materials. The torque is typically adjustable.
Hammer Drill
A hammer drill is to be used when you would like to drill into a hard surface such as concrete, brick, or stone. The impact mechanism in the drill causes it to move in a hammering sort of motion, which is where the name "Hammer Drill" came from.
Impact Driver
The most noticeable part of the Impact Driver is its shortened stature, and hex collet inserted in its chuck, but there are also other differences to bring in consideration when using this tool. With the Impact Driver, torque is applied by the tool, making it much easier on the wrist, and more convenient for long-time usage. It's lack of ability to switch speed may seem like a hinderance, but this feature makes the Impact Driver especially good at drilling precise holes and dealing with drywall.
Right Angle Driver
Right Angle Drivers are the most compact of the four options presented on this website, and offers a unique mobility not seen in any other drill. The main appeal of the Right Angle Driver is this mobility, and it is best used for getting into small spaces, like in plumbing projects, or drilling inside a cabinet. Additionally, the ergonomic design makes it much easier to manuver around than other drills.
TAKE THE FOLLOWING READINESS QUIZ BEFORE USE OF POWER DRILLS.