How to use your cordless drill safely

Here we have listed some cordless drill safety tips for you, please take the time to read these simple tips as they may save your health and prevent serious injury.

Dress safely

* You should not wear loose fitting clothing when drilling, try to roll up your sleeves so you do not have any loose cuffs which can get caught up in the drill bit.
* Always wear safety glasses when using any type of drill – either corded or cordless, both splinters can enter the eye during drilling operations or dust from drilling can cause eye problems and irritation.
* Dust is always a prolem when drilling – especially when drilling into some man-made boards such as MDF – this type of dust can cause lung problems, use a dust mask when you are in doubt.
* Modern hammer drills can generate a lot of noise – mainly when drilling deep holes into concrete and brick – use hearing protection, this can be either ear defenders which loop over the head or ‘pop in’ type ear plugs, both offer good protection to your ears.

Remember these simple safety points

1. SAFETY GLASSES
2. AVOID LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING
3. WEAR A DUST MASK
4. USE EAR DEFENDERS

Using your cordless drill safely

Here are a few tips on how to use your drill in a safe manner, follow this advice and you will be a safer drill user.

1. Use a higher drill speed to drill into metal
2. Use a slower drill speed to drill into thick timber
3. Never force the drill, let the drill do it’s job, pushing too hard generates excess heat which will damage your drill bit
4. If your drill has variable soft start speed then slowly increase the revs for say 5-10 seconds up to full speed
5. Drill pilot holes if drilling into timber whenever possible
6. Always use sharp drill bits – buy a drill sharpener to help you maintain your various bits – sharp bits slice through the material being drilled far easier and give you a more accurate hole.
7. When drilling into timber periodically remove the drill to clear chippings
8. Clamp the item to be drilled securely – use a vice whenever possible
9. Hold the drill securley, if possible use both hands, a drill with a side mounted handle provides a solid way of holding the drill.
10. Try to vary the drilling pressure if drilling very deep holes, this removes swarf from the drill bit area and helps to cool the bit.
11. Finally – do not rush the job, take your time, a modern cordless drill has lots of torque and an excellent battery life so there should never be a need to “hang on” the drill pressing with all your strengh.