A drill is an important tool that helps you complete small tasks around your homestead. Whether you want to drill screws into timber or make some holes in the wall, a drill is a device you cannot work without.
To get the best from your tool, you need to know to use a cordless drill. The invention of a cordless drill made things easier and you can work with it anywhere. You need to have the batteries fully charged, and you will be good to go. This guide provides you with more details on how to use a cordless drill correctly.
1. What Is A Cordless Drill?
A cordless drill is an electric tool intended to assist bore round holes, driving as well as fastening equipment together. It fastens tools like small bolts, screws, and nuts. Gets its power from rechargeable batteries. Fixed with a hammer drill which is protected by a chuck.
Some cordless drills contain a clutch that helps in injecting screws into a variety of substrates with no damage caused. There are also right-angled drills that help you to inject screws in a stiff space. Cordless drills vary in clutch size, speed, and battery voltage.
2. The Ultimate Guide to Using a Cordless Drill
I. Do You Know About Basics?
A cordless drill gets its power from the battery situated underneath the handle. First, you must charge the battery before taking the tool to the job place.
Turn on the power by clicking the trigger. Once you let go of the trigger, the battery cuts the power off.
To set up a drill, unlock the chuck jaws by holding the drill handle with one hand while rotating the sleeve anticlockwise with the other hand. Place in the bit as deep as it goes then make the sleeve tight by rotating in a clockwise direction.
Also Read: How To Change A Drill Bit — Change Without Any Hassle
II. When To Change Speed Range?
The speed management switches are situated on the inner body part. Many types of cordless drills contain a switch that offers you a chance to choose between the two speeds.
While driving screws or drilling into plastic, or metals, you should use the low speed. When drilling into wood, you should use the high-speed option.
Remember, the more you force down the trigger, the quicker the tip revolves.
III. When To Change Speed Action Mode?
There are three types of action modes – These are – Hammer settings, Drill set, and Drive setting.
Use the drive action mode when driving screws, and the drill setting when boring holes. The hammer setting is used when you need to drill into masonry or bricks.
Note that you should always employ masonry bits while using the hammer action mode.
IV. How To Use Drill Clutch Settings?
The majority of us are aware of how a vehicle clutch works. It activates or deactivates the motor. In a similar way, your drill clutch setting operates.
The drill would normally deliver all of its available torque (driving force) to the screw when you lift the trigger. Before disengaging the motor, you’re telling the drill how much torque to apply.
Did torque get you puzzled? The power of a drill may be measured in two ways: speed and torque. Most people realize that speed refers to how quickly the drill turns the bit.
The torque is the amount of force it can exert at that speed. The screw must be driven at a high speed, but torque is what permits it to keep moving when it encounters frictional resistance.
The torque adjuster is used to regulate the turning strength caused by the drill when injecting screws.
If you are working on soft material like plasterboard, you should set it low since the turning force will be less. In case you are using harder materials, for example, when decking or roofing, you should set the clutch on a high setting as the force will be great.
V. How To Set Drill Clutch
The adjustment is simple. To reduce torque, twist the collar toward the lower numbers. For more, twist toward the higher numbers.
It’s better to start small and work your way up if you’re not used to dealing with the resources you have on hand.
Start with the lowest setting for drywall and small-diameter screws. You can begin drilling into the wood with greater diameter/length screws in the center.
If you’re going to drive lag bolts, you should probably start at the top of the scale. It may take some tweaking, one set at a time, until you get it completely tuned in.
VI. How Forward and Reverse Works?
To modify the turning of the round of the chuck, you will use the forward and reverse control switches. The power used to rotate the chuck comes from the motor. If you want to drill in a forward action, click the trigger to the left.
When taking out drill bits and screws you need to press the switch to the right to turn round the drill.
3. Extra Tips and Tricks for Using a Cordless Drill
I. Which Projects Would Use This For?
A cordless drill can be used in several projects. One, you can use it to drill holes in walls in case you need to hang something like pictures or curtains. Also, it helps in fastening different parts together with the use of screws while assembling furniture.
You can also use to fit screws or drill into rock, concrete, steel, or metal. Construction projects and machine tool fabrication also require a cordless drill.
Also Read: How To Choose A Drill: Choose Wisely For Long Term Uses!
YouTube video credit: Ultimate Handyman
II. How Much Is Cost?
Different cordless drills have different costs, depending on the power and model of the drill. The more powered drills cost higher than the less powered drills.
According to prices from Home Depot, a cordless drill with power ranging from 18 to 20 Volts cost around $150. A lesser-powered drill of 12 Volts costs about $45. You can choose the type of drill to purchase depending on the nature of your project.
Read – Best Cordless Drill Under $50 In 2021 – Reviews & Buying Guide
Also, Read – Best 12v Cordless Drill In 2021 – Reviews & Buying Guide
III. How to Store It?
The most important thing in a cordless drill is the batteries. You should always store them in their original case or else in a cushion-like bag. Ensure you employ the plastic lid to prevent the batteries from short-circuiting.
The cap also prevents terminals from moisture or any breakage. You should keep the batteries in a chilly dry area. Some drills come in a zippered bag, that contains all the drill accessories together with the charger. This makes it is easy to store all the materials safely and compactly.
IV. How Often To Charge?
A cordless drill is charged depending on the work it is used for. For example, if you are using it to drill holes on the wall to hang curtains or some photos, you should not charge it often.
This is because if the battery was fully charged before the work, the battery will not go down so there will be no need to recharge it. However, if you are using the drill in big DIY projects, you will be required to charge it after every work.
This will ensure that during the next task, your drill will be good to go. The drill works efficiently when the battery is full.
4. Conclusion
Cordless drills are very simple to use and operate even for new beginners. Since there are many types of cordless drills in the market, you need to be very keen when choosing the device to use.
Make sure you check the battery power before purchasing a cordless drill. The power of the battery will determine the efficiency of your tool depending on the type of project you intend to work on.
If you are looking for an effective drill to work with, I highly recommend a cordless drill. With this tool, you will not be limited to the location of your work. I hope that I have tackled your question on how to use a cordless drill.
