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The Different Types of Drills and Their Uses

Drills are an essential part of your garage tool kit. It’s a versatile device that can be used in household repairs, DIY projects, and industrial work where drilling is required.

In the history of human inventions, the first ever drill was named the primitive awl. But today, what are the different types of drills and how do they work?

Different Drill Types

The two major types of the drill are manual and electric drills. The common features they have today include multi-function power, selection of driver bits, and varied drilling power.

Knowing the different drill types can help you get the exact drilling tool you need. Here are the best options you can choose from:

drilling a wall

1. Hand drill.

The hand drill or eggbeater drill is a gear-driven manual tool. A turning handle spins the drive wheel when drilling a hole.

While the wheel is spinning, the pinion moves together with the chuck. As a result, the shank or attached bit also rotates. This type of drill is used for drilling holes on soft metal, plastic, and softwood.

2. Brace drill.

This is another manual drilling tool invented in the 1420s. What makes this unique from other drills is the U-shaped spindle. The grip on the spindle is cranked to bring more torque.

With the top spindle, it’s easier to grip and fix the manual tool. The brace drill is used for piercing and countersinking holes in wooden materials.

3. Corded drill.

When it comes to electric drills, the corded drill type is a good choice. It requires a power supply to function optimally. The most popular design is the pistol grip. It makes drilling projects easier and comfortable.

Unlike cordless drills, this type of drill is more powerful since it lends greater torque. You can use this in drilling through metal, plastic, fibreglass, and wood.

4. Hammer drill.

With rotary and hammer actions, the hammer drill is an excellent tool to drill through stone, metal, and concrete blocks. You can find cordless and corded hammer drills depending on your requirements.

This can be used as a standard drill, but the hammer drill can work through deep concrete. It’s extremely unique from other types because of its powerful pounding action.

5. Cordless drill.

In terms of design, cordless drills are almost similar to their corded counterpart. However, the difference can be noticed through their weight. Since it’s cordless, you’ll find that this model is lighter than other drills.

Cordless hammer drill (24v)

If you choose one with a higher voltage, it will give you more powerful drilling function. Battery-operated drills, like the Cordless Drill C/W 2x Batteries, are not meant for heavy boring on hard concrete. Instead, you can use it on a thin metal sheet, plastic, fibreglass, and wood.

6. Drill press.

As a stationary type of drill, the drill press is made with stationary and motor bits. They make multiple and rapid holes with predetermined width and depth.

You can adjust the angles from which you want to drill holes. In terms of application, you can conveniently use this both on tougher materials and on softer materials.