Introduction

Now that you’ve learned about how drills work, their parts, and the types of bits woodworkers use, it’s time to think specifically about using drills safely.  When you complete this section you can take the Drill Safety Test and earn your Drill Safety Badge.

—  What You Will Need to Know —

To use complete this lesson and earn your Drill Safety Badge, you will need to be able to do the following things:

Identify the ways drills can hurt you.Identify safety rules to follow when using drills.Name things to think about before starting a drill.

How Drills Can Hurt You

  1. Because drills spin, they can get tangled up with your hair, clothes, or jewelry and can pull you in.
  2. Because bits are sharp, they can cut you.  Handle drill bits carefully, even when they are not spinning.
  3. Because drills cut off small pieces as they make holes, the small chips can get into your eyes. If you are drilling metal, these small chips can be very sharp and can cut you.
  4. Because bits experience friction while cutting, they can get hot.  Recently used drill bits can burn you, especially after cutting deep holes.
  5. Because the trigger switch is near where your hands are working when you are changing bits, you can get cut by a sharp blade if you bump into the trigger switch while changing bits.
  6. Because these are electrical devices, they can produce electrical shocks, but generally only if you don’t follow the guidelines for using electrical equipment.  There are dangers associated with charging batteries, too. Don’t touch the terminals of batteries with metal tools while swapping batteries.

— Show What You Know —
How Drills Can Hurt You

Now, to check your understanding what to look out for when using drills, DRAG the words or phrases on the right into the correct places in the sentences on the left.  When you have finished, click “Check” button.

Safety Rules

To use drill safely, avoid the problems listed above by following these rules.

  • Avoid Baggy Clothing
    Loose sleeves, jewelry and hair can be a hazard when you are operating a power drill. The spinning action of a cordless drill can catch and tangle any loose objects and pull you toward the drill. While operating any power tool, check your sleeves, remove any jewelry that might come in contact with the tool, and tie your hair back (if necessary).
  • Wear Protective Gear
    Safety goggles are always a good idea when using a power drill. You may also want to use a breathing mask if the material you’re drilling produces a lot of dust or shavings. Gloves can help protect your hands, especially if drilling metals that can produce sharp cuttings or “drill dust, ”but gloves are recommended only if they are tight-fitting and not baggy.  Loose gloves can get caught in the drill and pull your finger into the bit.
  • Secure Your Work Piece
    You don’t want the wood or metal piece you are working on to shift while you’re drilling. Drills produce a lot of force and especially when using circular saw-toothed bits in hard or knotty wood the drill might throw or swing a hand-held workpiece.  It is often best to clamp the workpiece down or secure it in a vice before applying the power drill to it.
  • Drill Pilot Holes
    It’s much easier to insert a screw into a pre-drilled pilot hole in a piece of wood. Your holes tend to be straighter, too. Plus, you’ll have to apply less pressure to the power drill as the screw goes in, reducing the chances you’ll slip.  (Pilot holes also prevent splitting and stripping the screw heads, so this safety tip will also improve the quality of your work.)
  • Use a Drill Stand or Drill Press
    A drill stand acts as a guide or a frame for your power drill. You can use a stand when drilling harder materials, like metal or glass, or when straight holes are absolutely crucial. A stand prevents the power drill from slipping and scratching the workpiece as well.
  • Properly Set the Drill Bit
    Make sure the drill bit is properly inserted into the chuck and tighten it firmly with the chuck key. With a loose bit, your power drill won’t make straight holes and could slip.
  • Use a Center Punch to Start Holes
    A center punch makes an indentation on the wood, giving your power drill a target for starting perfect holes and avoiding slippage.
  • Apply Proper Pressure to the Drill
    Your power drill and bit should do most of the work, so don’t apply too much force. If you push too hard, you the power drill can slip or you can strain the motor. You can also break smaller bits, and if you push too hard and don’t lift the bit every so often to allow the wood chips to clear the bit can get very hot and can burn you if you touch it.

Additional advice to prevent accidents

  • Follow the safety rules for general wood shop safety.
  • Follow the rules associated with electrical devices.
  • When you aren’t sure how to do something, ask for advice from other woodworkers.

— Show What You Know —
Safety Rules for Drills

Now, to check what you know about safety when using drills, DRAG the words or phrases on the right into the correct places in the sentences on the left.  When you have finished, click “Check” button.

Startup Instructions for Drills

Before pulling the trigger on a drill…

  • Check to make sure that the bit is aligned correctly in the chuck or collet.
  • If there is a key for the chuck, make sure it has been removed from the chuck before starting the drill.
  • Make sure that the piece you will be working on is firmly secured (clamped or in a vice, for example).
  • Make sure you are not wearing loose clothing, jewelry, or have hair that might get tangled up.

That’s it!  

Now that you have completed this review of drill safety, you can take the Drill Safety Test.

Or, Click here to return to the Tool Badges Page.