How to use a hand drill

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Other equipment you may need

Vice

Depending on the size and shape of your workpiece, you may want a vice to hold it in place whilst you drill your holes or drive your screws.

Clamp

You may want to use some clamps to hold the workpiece in place, or two parts together, whilst you use the hand drill.

Work bench

Placing the workpiece on a work bench may make drilling or driving screws easier.

Drill bit or socket bit

You will need an appropriate size drill bit for drilling holes, or socket bit/scredriver bit for driving screws.

Measuring device

A measuring device such as a tape measure or ruler will be required to measure the correct position of the holes you wish to drill.

Pencil or other marking tool

A marking tool such as a pencil, scriber or marking knife should be used with your measuring device to accurately mark the position where screws or holes are to be placed.

Using a hand drill

Step 1 – Mark out

Before you begin drilling or driving screws into a workpiece you should always mark out the position of where you want them to go.

Using a measuring device and marking tool, measure from the edges of your workpiece, placing a mark where the screws or holes are required.

Step 2 – Secure bit

Turn the shell of the chuck anti-clockwise to separate the jaws.

You may have to place the ratchet into the ‘spindle lock’ position or hold the turning handle with your other hand whilst you do this, to prevent the chuck turning the drill. For more information on how to do this see our page: How to alter the ratchet settings of a hand drill or brace

Then turn the chuck shell clockwise to tightly grip the bit. Again, you may have to place the ratchet into the spindle lock position or hold the turning handle with your other hand whilst you do this, to prevent the chuck turning the drill.

Step 3 – Select drill setting

If your hand drill has speed settings and a ratchet, select which ones you wish to use.

Use the high speed setting for drilling very small holes or driving short screws, and the low speed high torque setting for drilling larger holes or driving longer screws.

Alternatively, set the ratchet to turn the chuck and bit anti-clockwise to remove screws from a workpiece.

Step 4 – Position drill

Place the tip of the drill bit on the point of the workpiece you marked out earlier. Position the drill so that it is perpendicular (at a 90 degree right angle) to the surface of the workpiece.

Step 5 – Hold drill

Hold the turning handle of the hand drill in your dominant hand. If your hand drill has a main handle instead of a breast plate, grip this with your non-dominant hand as you would the handle of a frying pan, if you are using the drill horizontally.

If you are using the hand drill vertically, grip the main handle with your non-dominant hand, as you would hold an umbrella.

Your non-dominant hand should grip the side handle opposite the turning handle as you would the handle bars of a bike.

Step 6 – Turn drill

Rotate the turning handle of the drill. If you are able to make complete turns of the turning handle, you should do this as it will create quicker more accurate drilling by providing a constant, smooth drilling action.

Continue this back and forth movement and the ratchet will ensure the drill bit is only turned in the direction you have set it.

Step 7 – Clear out shavings

As you drill, shavings from the workpiece will be produced and raised up out of the hole by the flutes of the drill bit.

These shavings can clog up the flutes of the drill bit and create friction, which will make the drill bit heat up and expand. This can result in the drill bit becoming stuck in the hole, or even breaking if it is a small bit.

Keep the drill bit turning whilst you do this so that the shavings continue to be removed.