The humble drill is an important staple in many DIY projects, but there are also a number of drilling mistakes that can cause novice users to lose confidence or hinder their work.
It’s probably no wonder the drill was one of the first DIY tools. It’s versatile and can drill holes in wood, plastic, metal, stone, and concrete, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced DIYers.
The king of DIY tools, our home pro shares 14 drilling mistakes to avoid, how to properly use your kit, how to get the best drilling results for your project, and how to stay safe. Masu.
The 14 most common drilling mistakes DIYers make
It may seem like a simple matter to fire up the drill, drill a hole, and drive a screw. Admittedly, I’m a DIYer myself, so it’s not difficult if you know what you’re doing. Be aware of important drilling DIY mistakes to avoid to ensure a great final product.
1. Not checking where you are digging
Neatly lined art on the wall means care was taken when installing it
(Image credit: Sherwin Williams)
When excavating, you need to see what’s below the surface. If you don’t know what’s behind the walls, under the floor, and above the ceiling, you could end up drilling into utility pipes or wiring, which could cause problems.
“First make sure the area you plan to drill is safe,” says Brandon Walker, construction manager at ASAP Restoration. why? This is because you can create a mess in your walls by creating holes in electrical cords, plumbing, sewer pipes, and other items that are difficult to replace.
“Use a stud sensor (like Amazon’s Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710+ Stud Finder),” says Walker. This will tell you where the studs are in the wall if you need to drill holes in the wall. ”
Alternatively, a 5-in-1 tool like this Tyrry tool from Amazon can also identify metals and electricity.
“It’s usually safe to drill into the studs, because if there’s a water pipe running behind the studs, there’s a good chance they’ll hit the embedded nail plate and cause major damage,” Walker said. Because it can be prevented,” he added.
2. Reaching too far on the ladder
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If you’re drilling above head height or in the ceiling, we recommend using a step stool or platform like the Cosco Max Steel Work Platform on Amazon to provide a sturdy base and a place to rest your drill. Masu.
Make sure it is located directly or almost directly in line with the drill hole. Do not reach too far as this may result in a bad drill hole, dropping the drill and breaking it, or falling and injuring yourself.
3. Using the wrong drill
A standard combination drill is a popular choice for most DIY tasks. Multi-functional, you can tackle various home projects. But make sure you get a good one.
I do a lot of DIY at home, write for home renovation magazines, and speak to experts throughout the year. If you’re looking for a drill for occasional use, we recommend the BLACK+DECKER Corded Drill from Amazon. However, if you frequently do DIY projects, a more robust drill such as the DEWALT electric drill, also available from Amazon, is a better choice.
For heavy-duty DIY jobs, you’ll need a different type of drill. If you’re drilling into steel, brick, stone, or concrete, you’ll need an SDS drill. Or, if you’re putting in a lot of screws, such as when building a deck, use an impact driver like the 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver.
4. Causes unnecessary tears in the wood
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When drilling holes in wood, the drill bit can tear off large pieces of wood at the front or back (usually the back) of the drill hole. This is something you want to avoid, especially if the material around the drill hole is visible.
To avoid this drilling mistake, Walker says, “Place a scrap wood backing board on the back edge of the hole you’re drilling to prevent debris from levering up and creating chips.”
One alternative option he added is to “drill from both sides of the hole in the project to avoid tearing the back end.” Another option, says Walker, is to “apply masking tape or painter’s tape to the tear-prone area on the back edge (we recommend ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape from Amazon).” .
He goes on to say, “Be sure to start drilling before you make contact with the wood.” This helps prevent tearing because the drill is already up to full speed and won’t suffer from lack of torque upon contact. Masu. ” His final piece of advice is, “Use the right drill bit.” Typically, for minimal tearing, you’ll want to use something like a brad bit, such as the Dremel 631 Brad Point bit from Amazon. ”
5. Do not drill pilot holes
Lovely bedroom displaying stunning drill work, wall carvings, art and curtain rails
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Not drilling a pilot hole is a common mistake that many DIYers make, and knowing how to properly not drill a pilot hole is a skill every DIYer should know.
Drilling a pilot hole can save time and reduce mistakes on your project. Walker explains why pilot holes make sense: “If you need to drill a half-inch hole in something, you don’t have to start with a half-inch bit and go to town.”
He suggests a more productive option. “A better method is to take a much smaller bit on the other side of the bit set, drill a pilot hole yourself, and start working, because this small hole provides the cutting edge and bit point.” The larger one is the place to guide you. This method is also very helpful in preventing tearing of the top edges of large bits. ”
6. Using the wrong drill speed
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Many DIY users just do their best to pull the trigger on the drill to achieve maximum speed. This works for some jobs, but not all.
“Most of the wood you’ll be working with around your home will be soft, at least by drilling standards,” explains Timothy Wood, founder and CEO of Fix It Today. Therefore, it is best to use higher drill speeds when working with materials on the soft side. ”
However, different woods require different approaches. “For hard, dense hardwoods, use a slower drill speed. This is a material that most DIYers are unlikely to tackle.” Using a slower drill speed on softer woods can result in rough holes. It’s more likely that you can. ”
7. Using dull drill bits
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Drill bits do not last forever and eventually become dull and need to be replaced. However, it’s not always easy to know when it needs replacing. For regular use, the general guideline is to replace it every year.
However, if you want to hang floating shelves, for example, it is better to pay attention to the quality of the drilled holes. Usually the drilled holes are not as good as before, the fixation is less secure and it takes longer to drill.
Walker points out that “a dull drill bit can cause cracks in the wood, which puts more stress on the drill itself and shortens its lifespan over time.”
8. Not using the correct bits
Floating shelf with beautiful perforations in this stylish nook
(Image credit: Ryan Garvin)
“Not all drill bits are the same, and not all drill bits do the same job,” Walker explains. He continues, “Some are meant to cut through wood quickly, others are meant for wood but are gentler on overall cuts.” Other bits are for metal, and others still drive into concrete. is designed for. ”
Therefore, when purchasing drill bits, make sure you are getting the correct bits. If you want to drill holes in wood, get a wood bit, and if you want to drill holes in stone, get a stone bit like the DeWalt DT6952-QZ Drill Driver Bit from Amazon.
Please note that the tip of the drill is different from a wooden drill. This is a common mistake made by novice DIYers who are excited about a fancy DIY weekend project. This is something I made years ago, but when you try to drill into wood with a masonry bit, it doesn’t cut well and I promise you it will make a mess.
“We have impact bits and regular bits, but you don’t have to use one when you need the other,” Walker explains. He offers simple but sage advice: “Understand the material you’re working with and choose the right bits for that material and the intended use of your project.”
9. Drill too deep
When drilling, you may need to drill holes to a certain depth, such as when drilling holes in a wall for wall plugs or installing dowels for painted furniture ideas. “This is very common,” Wood added, “and you can accidentally damage other things that are below the surface that you’re excavating.”
Experienced DIYers may have an easy time guessing when it’s time to stop, but even they aren’t immune to mistakes. Wood offers simple tips to help you get the job done right every time. “One of the best ways to avoid this is to put a marker, like tape, on the drill bit so you always know when to stop.”
10. Break the thin drill bit
Walker explains, “When a thin drill bit gets hot, it gets weaker and won’t penetrate the wood.” This usually happens after long-term use.
Walker reveals what not to do. “Beginners tend to think that means they need to put more pressure on the back end of the drill.” But eventually it ends up twisting and bending, causing the bit to snap in half at its weakest point. There is a possibility that it will be stored away. ”Let it cool down and go again.
11. Buy cheap drill bits
With drill bits, you get what you pay for. It’s tempting to choose the cheapest one available, but it’s usually not as durable or, worse, won’t drill a decent hole.
Look for quality brands like DeWalt, Craftsman (this Craftsman drill bit set on Amazon offers quality drill bits), Milwaukee, Bosch, and IRWIN. These cost a little more, but are worth it in the long run.
12. Don’t use countersinks
Once you’ve drilled the pilot holes, it’s easy to consider the job done and start drilling the screws. This is fine if you’re building a stud wall or screwing screws into soft wood, such as pine, because the head of the screw will compress the wood and lie flush with it. However, the wood may split and it won’t look good.
Some DIY projects require a more delicate, clean finish, for example, if your project uses hard wood. This is when you need to use a countersink bit like the one found in the IRWIN Black Oxide Countersink Drill Bit Set on Amazon. Simply countersink the pilot hole to the appropriate depth and add the screws. There are no divisions here and it is nicely finished.
13. Not securing loose wood
If you have large pieces of plywood, the latest kitchen cabinet trends, or long planks of wood, you don’t want to make a mistake and end up with an unwanted, unstable drill hole. A quick, easy, simple and professional solution is to secure the wood to a surface such as a workbench or table before you start drilling.
Bar clamps, like the Jorgensen Bar Clamp on Amazon, are ideal DIY companions, especially if you don’t have a buddy to help you. Helps to securely hold the wood while working.
14. Not replacing screwdriver bits regularly
If you’re working on a lot of DIY projects, screwdriver bits can break quickly, so you’ll need to replace them regularly. If you don’t use a clean, good-condition drill bit, the threads on the screw head will wear off and you won’t be able to tighten or loosen it when you need to.
It makes a lot of sense to replace them regularly. Spare parts like this DEWALT Compact Magnetic Drive Guide Set from Amazon are very cheap, so be sure to have them on hand.
If you avoid the drilling mistakes listed above, you can try these 7 DIY projects to improve your home in 2024. However, be sure to complete any projects you work on. Try our motivational tips and make it happen in our guide to completing your home DIY projects.
