7 Safety Precautions When Using Your Power Drill
A power drill is a handy tool that saves a lot of effort and time. It consists of several drill bits that can be used interchangeably. Power drills operate on electricity and can be corded or cordless. You can use this power tool for drilling holes or in place of a screwdriver on surfaces such as wood and metal. Because this is a powerful tool, you must be very careful while using and storing it away.
Wear Work Gloves
Power drills give off intense vibrations, especially on high torque. They can also reach high temperature because of the impact and friction. For safe handling of the tool, you must wear thick gloves at all times. This is also useful to prevent contact with the hot surface as you change drill bits or loosen the chuck.
Wear Safety Goggles
When operating a power drill, tiny materials from the target surface may fly off into the surrounding space. If such a particle enters your eye, it may be very difficult to remove, in addition to causing pain and discomfort. You best protection is to wear sturdy safety goggles that will protect your eyes.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wear a thick jacket to protect yourself while working with a power drill. Avoid long clothing that can get entangled in the work surface. Also avoid jewelry and keep long hair restrained and out of the way.
Turn Off the Drill before Changing Drill Bits
After every drilling job, turn off the switch and unplug the power cord. Never change drill bits when the power cord is still connected to the power supply. If you accidentally press the power button, you could be seriously injured. Also make it a point to use the safety latch when the drill is not in use. Most power drills have this safety-enhancing feature.
Ensure that the Chuck is Tight before Using the Drill
The chuck is the restraining mechanism that holds the drill in place. A power drill can have a keyed or key-less chuck. A keyed chuck needs a special key to turn the chuck and tighten it in place, whereas a key-less chuck can be simply tightened by hand. When you complete a drilling job, you must unplug the drill, loosen the chuck and remove the drill bit before you can fit in a new drill bit or tip. A loose chuck is hazardous, because it will not hold the drill bit in place. If the drill bit comes undone and flies off in the middle of a job, it can cause great danger to surrounding people.
Use the Correct Drill Bit for Every Job
Depending on the job and the material, ensure that you use the correct drill bit. Using the wrong bit will lead to a bad job and will also require the use of a lot of force. It can also damage the power drill over time.
Avoid Clogging or Binding of the Drill Bit
Drill bits can get clogged in wood dust or may bind when drilled into metal. To avoid this, remove the drill when you feel a block and clear the blockage before proceeding. If your power drill has a reversing torque feature, it can ease the removal process.
