Drill
Products and appliances

Drills

Drills

A drill is an essential power tool for all keen DIYers. But it’s important to choose the right one for your needs, and not to be complacent in taking proper safety precautions. 

The most basic drill for domestic use is a drill driver, great for drilling in wood, metal, plastic, and driving screws. A combi drill is more versatile with drill, driver, and hammer modes, ideal for home DIY. 

An impact driver drill delivers a high torque via rapid rotational impacts for driving long screws and fasteners. A hammer drill uses rapid blows to drill into masonry, and an SDS drill adds a pneumatic hammer action for heavy-duty masonry and concrete. 

Corded drills tend to be more powerful, cheaper, and last longer but can’t generally be used for driving screws. But rechargeable battery powered drills offer more flexibility and portability and are increasingly popular for most home DIY tasks. 

Asterisk

Key points

  • All drills (or their chargers) must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse. 
  • Whichever type you choose, avoid buying second-hand drills. 
  • When drilling, apply light, steady pressure only. 
  • Use a low drill speed, increase it only if the drill isn't moving smoothly. 
  • Keep a drill unplugged when not in use or when doing maintenance on it. 

Buying a drill

  • Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as it may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Avoid buying second-hand drills as you won’t know their history and they may not meet the latest safety standards. 
  • Safety features to look for include a side handle for better grip and control (prevents kickback), an adjustable clutch to prevent stripping screws or damaging materials, settings for different speeds, a chuck lock to prevent the drill bit from flying out, an emergency stop button, and safety guards and shields. 
  • Register your drill so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall. It’s also much easier to return a faulty product or order a repair if it’s registered. 

Using a drill safely

  • Before you start, for cabled drills make sure the cable is long enough to easily reach the area you’re working in. If it isn’t, plug the drill into an extension lead or fully unwound cable reel to extend your reach safely. 
  • It’s advisable to wear a pair of goggles while drilling. And if you’re going to be drilling for a long period, consider ear protection. 
  • Don’t wear long sleeves, baggy clothing, or dangly jewellery that could get in the way. Tie back long hair and keep pets and children away from the area you’re working in. 
  • Check the drill for any signs of damage or a chewed cable and don’t use it if you spot anything suspicious. 
  • Only insert or remove a drill bit while the drill is unplugged. And don’t pick the drill up by the cable, drill bit, or trigger. 
  • When drilling into loose material (such as a block of wood), secure the item first with a clamp or another heavy object. 
  • When drilling, apply light, steady pressure to push the bit into the material. If you must press hard to drill a hole, you’re probably using the wrong bit. 
  • Start at a low drill speed and only increase it if the drill isn't moving smoothly. 
  • Drill bits can get hot during use, so let them cool down before touching or storing them. 
  • Unplug the drill at the socket when not in use. Store it in a cool, dry place such as a shed or garage 

ALWAYS

  • Do plenty of research first before buying.  
  • Buy from a reputable retailer. 
  • Buy a known and trusted brand. 
  • Register your drill with the manufacturer.
  • Store the drill in a cool, dry place.  

AVOID

  • Buying second-hand drills or from third-party sellers online. 
  • Picking the drill up by the cable, drill bit, or trigger. 
  • Using the drill if you spot any signs of damage. 
  • Touching or storing drill bits until they have cooled down after use. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check your drill

If you notice a burning smell or any unusual noises, switch the drill off immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer. 

Unplug the drill before doing any maintenance on it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the saw is plugged in.

Safe charging

For a cordless drill, only charge the battery using the original charger or a replacement charger obtained from the manufacturer or reputable retailer.  

Charge it in a safe place on a stable surface and disconnect batteries once they are charged. Don’t overcharge or leave it charging overnight as this could be a fire risk. 

Check the batteries

If there are unusual odours, sparks, smoke, swelling, cracks, or any form of damage, stop using the battery immediately and make sure it is unplugged from the charger. 

If you need a replacement or additional battery, or if your current battery no longer holds a charge, buy directly from the original manufacturer. Don’t use batteries from other manufacturers or battery adapters, as these may pose safety risks. 

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Additional info

There are also many specialized and heavy-duty drills for more advanced DIY work such as a right-angle drill for tight or awkward spots, a diamond core drill for making large holes in hard materials, a power screwdriver, and a drywall gun. Some home workshops even contain a drill press for precise, repeatable holes. 

Adobestock 861596157 1

Stay updated with our newsletter

Whether you are a member of the public or an electrical professional, we will keep you in the know with the latest electrical safety news and information.

Chat with us