Did you know that the global electric power tools market was worth an estimated $23.6 billion in 2019? What’s more, industry experts project its value to grow further and reach $39.14 billion in 2027.
While there are many types of electric power tools, drilling tools are among the most popular. These machines, after all, simplify the process of making holes, usually for fasteners. Some drills can even tighten or loosen screws and chisel away bits of materials.
With that said, drills come in various types, some of which are easy enough to use for DIY-ers out there. This guide covers the most common ones, including the ones every homeowner should have, so be sure to read on.
1. Power Drill
A power drill is a handheld motorized drilling tool with replaceable drill bits. Drill bits are the actual cutting tools attached to the tip of the machine’s chuck. The chuck, in turn, is a particular type of clamp that secures the attached drill bit onto the device.
Power drills come in two types: battery-powered cordless drills and electricity-powered corded drills. The cordless type is easier to use, especially in work areas without easy access to wall outlets. However, you’d need to replace the battery once it runs out of juice.
Regardless of the type, a power drill relies on its motor to spin the drill bit. The speed at which the drill bit rotates depends on the motor, but it can range from 200 to 2,000 revolutions per minute (rpm).
Do note that lower-end drill models often run at a single set speed, though. By contrast, the pricier ones have multiple adjustable speed settings.
Either way, you can use a power drill to make holes in brick, metal, plastic, tile, and wood materials. However, the hole’s size and depth depend on the attached drill bit. The most common drill bits include twist, auger, hole saw, masonry, and step bits.
Some power drill models also come with screwdriver bits. These attachments allow you to drive various screws straight onto a material.
2. Hammer Drill
Hammer drills are similar to power drills, except they have hammering capabilities, too. They generate a pounding force that allows them to cut through masonry. They allow you to drill holes in bricks, concrete blocks, mortar, and even concrete.
A hammer drill comes with a motor that then powers two ridged discs. The motor drives one of the discs to slide past the other, causing it to rise and fall. This action then triggers the drill’s chuck to slam forward and backward rapidly.
Most hammer drills also feature a drill mode, letting you use the tool for regular drilling tasks. So, if you plan to work on a lot of drilling projects involving masonry, a multi-mode hammer drill may be your best bet. This way, you only have to buy one drill that you can use for either regular drilling or hammering actions.
3. Rotary Hammer Drill
Rotary hammer drills (AKA rotary hammers) are like buffed-up versions of hammer drills. For starters, they’re bigger than hammer drills, as they also have larger motors. It’s thanks to their more powerful motors that they deliver greater impact energy.
Moreover, many rotary hammers come with multiple actions or mode settings. For example, they can feature a drill mode, a hammer-and-drill mode, and a hammer-only mode.
Rotary hammers cost more than hammer drills, but you can use them for more than just masonry. For example, you can attach a clay spade bit to break up hard soil or a tile remover to pull up tiles. You can also use a scaling chisel attachment to clean up rust or concrete spatters.
4. Earth Auger
An earth auger, also known as a ground auger, is a large machine used to drill holes in the soil. It uses wide drill bits that tear through, loosen, and remove dirt. It’s instrumental and time-saving for creating holes for fencing or gardening posts.
5. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Machines
Horizontal directional drilling techniques allow for minimal impact ground boring. They enable the trenchless installation of underground cables or pipes. As a result, HDD methods reduce or even eliminate the need to dig, making it faster and less invasive.
However, horizontal drilling requires heavy-duty vehicles controlled by a trained operator. The operator then follows a multi-step process to complete the task.
First, the operator creates an angled pilot hole in the ground using a specific drill head. After that, the drill head gets replaced with a reaming or boring device to enlarge the pilot hole.
From there, the product cable or pipe gets attached to the HDD machine. The machine then pulls back the cable or pipe within the created hole.
During those steps, HDD machine operators need to be on the lookout for interference. Otherwise, the drill can stray from its intended drill path. If this happens, the drill can damage nearby underground cables and pipework.
To reduce those risks, operators rely on locating systems. These machines take accurate depth and data readings even with interference sources. These sources include gas lines, power lines, invisible dog fences, and metal objects.
Examples of locators are the Ditch Witch beacon, Subsite HDD Guidance systems, and this transmitter for DigiTrak systems. These devices all help HDD machine operators analyze interference in job sites. As a result, operators can ensure the drills stay on track and that the tools won’t cut through other objects.
Stay Safe While Drilling Away
Always keep in mind that while drilling tools make work easier, their misuse can lead to injuries. These include some of the 2.4 million eye injuries that occur in the US each year. They also create loud noises that can injure the ears and shards sharp enough to cut the skin.
So, to keep yourself safe, always wear eye, face, ear, and hand protection while drilling away.
