Everything you need to know about drilling techniques

There are few DIY jobs that do not involve drilling a hole at some stage. Your cordless drill is the power source for all these operations, used in conjunction with a range of drill bits and other accessories.

Select the right type of drill bit for the job you are doing.

Open the chuck by twisting the knurled ring and fit the end of the drill bit inside it.

Tighten the locking ring until you feel it start to slip. The drill bit is now secure. Select forward gear and the drilling or hammer-drilling option, and you are ready to start work.

Check out our essential guide to drills.

Most people drill holes by simply pointing the drill at the surface and squeezing the trigger. With very few exceptions, drilled holes have to be at 90° to the surface.

If you have a good eye, check from two angles that you are holding the drill at more or less the right angle. This is good enough for many drilling jobs.

If you want to check the angle more accurately, hold the drill in position and set a try square against the surface you are drilling into. The drill bit should be parallel with the metal blade of the try square.

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Secure the workpiece to your workbench

Fit a twist drill bit of the required diameter and select the drilling setting on the drill.

Secure the workpiece on your workbench, with some scrap wood underneath if you are drilling a hole right through it. This prevents you from damaging your bench jaws, and also guarantees a clean exit hole through the workpiece.

Hold the drill tip at the mark and check that you are holding it upright. Drill the hole through the workpiece and on into the scrap wood. In metal, withdraw the drill bit while it is still running so that it does not jam in the hole.

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Fit a flat wood bit of the required size and select the drilling setting on the drill.

Secure the workpiece on the bench with scrap wood beneath it.

Position the lead point of the drill bit at the mark and start drilling. As the cutting blades begin to bite and cut the hole, they will cut evenly if you are holding the drill upright. Drill on into the scrap wood, which will guarantee a clean exit hole through the workpiece.

Alternatively clamp the wood so the drill can emerge from the underside into free air. Drill the hole until the lead point just penetrates the wood. Turn it over, locate the lead point in the hole and drill out the rest of the hole. This will reduce the risk of leaving a rough exit hole. Use this technique for jobs such as fitting a cylinder lock to a front door.

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Source: Reader’s Digest UK