Drill Skills

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Drill Skills
Drilling isn't difficult and, at least in comparison to sawing, it isn't particularly dangerous. Still, skilled workers drill with care.

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Drilling isn't difficult and, at least in comparison to sawing, it isn't particularly dangerous. Still, skilled drillers drill with care.

Fixing the Workpiece. Place the workpiece in a clamp

or vise

. This leaves both hands free to manage the drill, and will prevent the piece from moving as you drill

.

Locating the Hole. When drilling metal or using a twist drill on wood, you'll need to establish a precise center point for the hole to be drilled. A punch or, in the case of wood or sheet metal, a nail can be used to make a tiny hollow to start the hole. A pilot hole drilled with a smaller drill may be necessary if you're drilling a large hole in metal or hardwood.

Drilling the Hole. Place the drill bit

on the center point indentation. Begin drilling at a slow speed to be sure the bit doesn't wander away from the center point.

Never force the drill; the machine will slow or groan if you do. Too much pressure is more likely to dull or break the bit than to quicken the drilling process.

Slow to medium speeds suit metal and masonry drilling; fast speeds will help you race through wood. Monitor the progress of the drill as it proceeds through the workpiece. If the drill appears to lug or jams, withdraw the drill partway, allowing the bit to clear the debris from the hole.

As the bit approaches the far side, drill more slowly. When a drill bit breaks through the far side rapidly - or if you are applying considerable weight to the drill - the edges of the exit hole will probably be ragged, leaving burrs if the material is metal or tearing out large chips from the wood. Sometimes, too, a workpiece that isn't properly fixed in place will spin on the drill as it passes through the far side. Finish off the hole gently for safe, smooth work.

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