Drill Introduction

(deutsche Version: Bohrmaschinen-Einweisung - Änderungen wenn möglich auch dort eintragen!)

This is the content required for an introduction to the following tools:

• Drill Presses
• Corded Drills
• Cordless Drills
• Impact Drills
• Rotary Hammer
• Impact Driver

Reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)

If you need this introduction, please reach out to the following tutors: Patrick, Lukas, Johannes, Keno, Luzian, Martin, Luca, Jakob K., Moritz, Sebastian, Erik

Let's begin! First off, make sure you have read the machine's manual, if available (check its "InfoBox" in the wiki for instructions how to find it).

Safety

Personal protection:

(Breathing protection recommended depending on bit and material)

Dangers	Precautions
exposed & rapidly spinning chuck	wear personal protection but not gloves, they could get caught! avoid draw in danger by not wearing loose clothes, dangling jewellery or open long hair stay clear of the chuck when in operation - use a machine vise for small workpieces on a drill press make sure the drill can't accidentally be turned on when changing a bit or touching the chuck for any other reason
possible kickback due to a drill bit that binds with the material	be prepared for sudden movements of the tool or workpiece, especially when using large diameter drill bits or hole saws - clamps and vises can be very useful! never use a machine vise on top of a wooden board or two unsecured wooden boards at the same time (tower rule)! handheld drills may transfer the kickback to your hand, not just the workpiece - firmly hold the tool and use a secondary handle if possible, especially for the rotary hammer
a drill press table or an impact driver can destroy your drill bit	always check whether the tool movement you are planning is possible before turning it on adjust depth stop and/or table if necessary use a piece of scrap wood if the drill bit is too wide to fit through the hole in the table after exiting your workpiece
drill presses: belt-based speed selection	unplug the drill press before opening the belt housing at the top
some drills do not have a prevention of turning on after loss & restoration of power (keine Anlaufsicherung)	if the power has been lost for whatever reason, always press the "off" button before restoring it!
the chuck key can be flung at you if left in the chuck when the drill is turned on	always remove the chuck key right after using it, do not leave it in the chuck any longer than necessary

Speed Selection (Drill Press)

• unplug the drill press
• open the belt housing
• check the explanation inside the top to see what speed is set/which belt setup you need for your desired speed
• loosen the screw(s) holding the motor at distance
• pull the motor towards the front to loosen the belt
• repeat as necessary:
  • move the side of the belt that will go to a smaller pulley up or down (whichever you decided you'll need)
  • follow with the other side of the belt
• double-check you have the belt set up for the speed you wanted and that both sides are on pulleys at the same height
• push the motor back and tighten its screw(s) again
• close the belt housing
• plug the machine in & you're ready to drill!

Torque & Speed (Cordless Drills)

Please follow these simple guidelines to avoid damage to your screws, material, or the drill itself:

• the torque (DE: Drehmoment) can typically be set with the ring before the chuck
  • better start out too low than to round your screw in the first try - wood may also be damaged if screws (especially self-tapping/"Spax") are inserted too deep
  • the drilling setting at the end of the scale should only be used for drilling, it creates way too much torque for screws and screwdriver bits!
  • excessive torque does NOT make you screw faster, it really just wrecks stuff...
• there may also be variable speed settings (slider on top)
  • only change when the drill is fully stopped
  • use the slower one (1) for screwing to prevent slipping
  • the higher speed can be used for drilling

Torque & Speed (Impact Drivers)

Please follow these guidelines when using an impact driver:

• impact drivers do not have a torque clutch
• torque is controlled mainly by trigger pressure and electronic modes
• always start slowly and increase speed gradually
• stop immediately once the screw is fully seated
• excessive impact force can snap screws or damage material
• impact drivers are not suitable for precision torque applications

Bits & Accessories (Impact Drivers)

• only use impact-rated 1/4" hex bits
• standard (non-impact) bits may shatter under impact load
• socket adapters and sockets must also be impact-rated

• drill bits with round shanks must not be used

Safety Notes (Impact Drivers)

• impact drivers produce high noise levels → hearing protection!
• keep a firm grip even though kickback is reduced compared to drills
• do not use for drilling holes or hammer drilling

• never use for delicate or fine mechanical work

Suggested Reading

Besides these safety notes, you should read about the different drill bits to know what you're doing! Different materials usually require different bits, and the drilling speed depends on the bit as well as the type of material.