How to Use a Cordless Drill Safely

On this page (10 sections)

1. What should you put on before you drill?
2. How do you pick and fit the right bit?
3. How should you hold the drill and stand?
4. How do you start a hole without wandering?
5. How much pressure and speed should you use?
6. How do you stay safe when the drill binds or breaks through?
7. How do you handle the battery and charger safely?
8. How do you drill into walls without hitting wires or pipes?
9. How do you tidy up and store the drill safely?
10. What are the most common cordless drill mistakes?

To use a cordless drill safely, wear safety glasses, fit the right bit, grip the drill with both hands, and keep your body out of the bit's path before you squeeze the trigger. Let the drill do the work at a steady speed and stop when the bit breaks through.

A cordless drill is one of the most useful tools in a home, and most injuries come from small habits rather than the tool itself. The steps below cover how to use a cordless drill safely from setup through cleanup.

What should you put on before you drill?

Safety glasses are the one item you never skip, because chips and dust fly at the face. Add ear protection for loud work and closed shoes for anything overhead.

Goggles that seal against the face beat open safety glasses when you drill above your head. Dust and small chips fall straight down, and a sealed goggle keeps them out of your eyes.

Skip loose sleeves, dangling jewelry and long hair near the chuck. A spinning chuck grabs fabric and hair faster than you can pull back.

Roll sleeves to the elbow and keep them clear of the housing.

Leave gloves off while drilling. They can catch on the bit or chuck, so wear them only for handling rough lumber or sharp fasteners.

Take them off before you reach for the trigger.

How do you pick and fit the right bit?

Match the bit to the material and to the chuck, then tighten the chuck firmly before you start. A loose bit wobbles, drills an oversized hole and can slip out.

Use wood bits for timber, masonry bits for brick and concrete, and twist bits for metal. A mixed set covers the common sizes in one case.

The DEWALT Drill Bit Set runs from 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch with titanium nitride coating and pilot points that start on contact. The sizes cover most household drilling and driving jobs.

To fit a bit, open the chuck, push the shank in fully and tighten it. Our guide to how to change a drill bit walks through the chuck and keyless steps in order.

Why does the bit type matter so much?

Each bit is built to cut one kind of material, and using the wrong one wastes the edge and heats the tip. A wood bit has a sharp point for biting into timber.

A masonry bit has a blunt, hardened tip that pulverizes brick and concrete. A twist bit is ground for metal.

The set lists bits down to 1/16-inch in pairs, so you can keep a spare of the small sizes that snap most often. The tapered web adds strength behind the cutting edge to reduce breakage.

Check the bit for cracks, chips or a bent tip before use. A damaged bit can snap under load.

How should you hold the drill and stand?

Hold the drill with both hands and stand to the side of the bit, so your body is never directly behind the spinning tool. Grip the main handle with your trigger hand and the front of the housing with the other.

Keep your wrist straight and your elbow close to your body. A straight line from shoulder to bit gives you more control when the bit bites.

Set your feet shoulder-width apart and lean slightly into the drill. Don't lock your knees or overreach; move your feet rather than stretching.

On a ladder, keep three points of contact and never lean past your center. For overhead work, stand firmly and keep the drill below eye level where you can.

How do you start a hole without wandering?

Mark the spot and make a small dimple first, then start the drill slowly until the bit takes hold. This stops the bit skating across a smooth surface.

Press a nail set or awl into the mark to create a starter dimple. On metal, a punch does the same job.

Hold the drill level and squeeze the trigger gently for a low speed. Let the bit sit in the dimple before you press.

Once the hole is started, raise the speed and apply steady pressure. Our guide to how to drill through metal covers pilot holes and cutting oil for steel and aluminum.

How much pressure and speed should you use?

Use light, steady pressure and let the bit cut, because pushing hard overheats the bit and strains the motor. The right speed depends on the material and the bit size.

Run slow for metal and masonry, and faster for wood. Big bits need lower speeds than small ones, so ease off the trigger as the diameter grows.

The DeWalt DCD771C2 has a two-speed transmission: a low range for driving and a high range for fast drilling.

Stop pressing when the motor slows or the bit gets hot. Back the bit out to clear chips, then continue.

Don't force a bit that stops cutting. A dull bit or the wrong type causes more problems than a pause to swap it.

How do you stay safe when the drill binds or breaks through?

Release the trigger the instant the bit binds, and keep your hands clear as the drill kicks. Binding happens when a bit catches in the hole or hits a hidden void.

Keep your body to the side so a sudden twist turns the tool away from you. A firm two-handed grip reduces the kick but never removes it.

The DeWalt DCD771C2's compact body fits into tight spots, but it still needs room for both hands.

Ease up as you near the far side of the material. Breakthrough is when the bit can grab and jerk, especially in metal and hard plastics.

Set the clutch to a low setting for driving screws so the drill stops turning when the screw seats. That setting protects both the screw and your wrist.

The clutch does not protect you when drilling, so keep the grip and stance in place.

How do you handle the battery and charger safely?

Keep batteries away from heat, water and metal, and charge them on a dry, flat surface. A damaged or hot battery should never go back on the charger.

Let a warm battery cool before charging, and pull it off once the light shows a full charge. Don't charge in a wet area or near flammable material.

Store spare batteries in a dry place, away from loose screws or tools that could bridge the terminals. A shorted battery can overheat.

The DeWalt kit includes two 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries and a charger. Its 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck grips bits firmly, and the two speeds run 0-450 and 1,500 rpm for drilling and driving.

The 300 unit watts out of power and the 3.6 pound body keep it easy to control in one hand and steady in two.

Follow the charger instructions and never modify a battery or charger. A swollen or cracked pack should be replaced, not reused.

How do you drill into walls without hitting wires or pipes?

Check for hidden cables and pipes before the bit goes in, because a drill can cut through wiring or a water line in seconds. Use a stud finder with a live-wire alert and look for sockets, switches and plumbing runs nearby.

Avoid drilling directly above or beside electrical outlets and light switches. Water pipes often run behind kitchen and bathroom walls.

In masonry, the drill can also hit rebar or a hard aggregate that throws the bit.

Our guide to how to drill into brick covers masonry bits and the right drill mode for hard walls. Start with a small bit and widen if needed.

Turn off the circuit at the breaker if you're unsure what's behind the wall. A cheap inspection camera can show you what's there before you commit.

How do you tidy up and store the drill safely?

Remove the bit and clear the chips before you put the drill away, because a fitted bit is a sharp edge waiting to catch a hand. Brush dust off the vents and wipe the housing.

Take the battery off the drill for storage. That stops accidental trigger presses and protects the contacts.

Sweep or vacuum the chips and dust, and check the floor for screws. A stray screw underfoot causes slips.

Keep the drill and bits in a dry case or drawer. The Kurui kit includes 135 plastic anchors and 135 galvanized screws in five sizes, sorted in a clear box for wall-hanging jobs.

The ribbed nylon anchors grip drywall and the Phillips screws resist rust indoors and out.

What are the most common cordless drill mistakes?

The usual mistakes are skipping eye protection, forcing a dull bit and standing behind the drill, and each one is easy to fix. Small changes in habit prevent most accidents.

Other frequent slips include leaving the chuck loose, drilling with gloves on and charging a hot battery. Drilling without checking for wires is the most serious risk.

Learn how to use a cordless drill safely by building these habits into every job. Pick the right bit, grip with two hands, keep your body clear and stop when the drill binds or breaks through.

The DeWalt kit covers drilling and driving with two batteries, while the bit set and anchor kit keep the right parts within reach for the next wall job.

Frequently asked questions

What should you wear when using a cordless drill?

Wear safety glasses every time and ear protection for loud work in hard materials. Skip loose sleeves, dangling jewelry and gloves near the spinning chuck, and tie back long hair.

Safety-toe shoes help if a bit or fastener drops.

Should you wear gloves while drilling?

Keep gloves away from the spinning chuck and bit. Gloves can catch and pull your hand into the tool.

Wear them for handling rough material or sharp fasteners, then take them off before you drill.

Can a cordless drill hurt your wrist?

Yes. A bit that binds in the hole can make the drill twist suddenly, which can strain your wrist or hand.

Grip with both hands, keep your wrist straight, stand to the side of the bit and release the trigger the moment it catches.

How do you stop a drill bit from wandering on a smooth surface?

Mark the spot and press a sharp point, like a nail set or an awl, into it to make a small dimple. Start slowly with the bit in the dimple, then increase speed once the hole is established.

A pilot bit helps on metal and hard plastics.

Is it safe to leave a battery on the charger all the time?

Follow the charger instructions and remove the battery once it finishes charging. Don't charge in a wet area or near flammable material, and let a hot battery cool before charging.

Store batteries away from metal objects that could bridge the terminals.

When should you stop drilling?

Stop when the bit breaks through the far side, when the motor labors or smells hot, or when the bit binds. Also stop if the battery gets very warm or the chuck loosens.

Set the tool down and let it cool before you continue.