There are a dizzying number of ways to put a hole in something. Choosing the right way not only means that you get the right hole in the right place, but that you get it with the least amount of trouble and without damaging the material, your tools, or yourself.

 Drill bits are cutting tools used to remove material to create holes, almost always of circular cross-section. Drill bits come in many sizes and shapes and can create different kinds of holes in many different materials.

 First of all, 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.

 Before you start drilling be sure to fully tighten the bit in the drill chuck and make sure it’s straight or you’ll quickly break the bit. The quickest way to check if it’s straight is to run the drill without drilling a hole. The bit should stay straight as it spins and not wobble or turn into a blurry cone. If you’re sure it’s chucked right, the bit might be bent and should be discarded.

 Mind the speed of the drill on hard materials with large bits which can heat to the point where it will stop cutting and can burn, melt, or otherwise damage what you’re drilling. It’s impossible to go too slow to be safe, but most drills don’t provide much power at low speeds. A 1/2″ bit cutting hard steel should turn around 500 RPM while a 1/8″ bit in wood can go up to 10,000 RPM without problems. A good rule of thumb is: If it starts spitting out smoke or discolored chips, slow down. Use cutting oil when drilling metal, which will not only lubricates and cool the bit, but help remove chips. You won’t typically need more than a few drops per hole and it will dramatically improve the life of the bit.

 

Hope this info is useful to you, we believe better tools makes better life.