Introduction

During many carpentry projects, you must drill many holes for bolts and pilot holes for screws. A power drill and a supply of sharp twist and spade bits make this chore a lot easier. With a supply of screwdriver bits you can turn your variable-speed power drill or cordless drill into a power screwdriver. Professionals often keep several drills at hand on the job site. Even an amateur deck builder can find uses for more than one drill; for example, a corded drill for heavy duty work and a cordless drill for lighter chores.

Don't overheat the bit. If you see smoke, stop drilling. Pause once in a while and check for overheating. If the bit or the drill itself is too hot, you probably are pushing too hard. With deep holes, lift the bit out of the hole every so often to clear sawdust out of the hole. Hold the drill upright as you work. Tipping the tool while drilling may break the bit.