In recent months, more and more homeowners have become interested – and actually have the time – in do-it-yourself home-improvement projects. Whether it’s setting up a feature wall with wood panelling, assembling one’s own furniture, or hanging picture frames, these projects have been increasingly popular on social media.

If there is one important skill you should have – often lacking in those who attempt home-improvement tasks – it would be knowing how to use a hand-powered electrical drill.

A drill, of course, is a piece of machinery used to make holes and drive screws on surfaces and objects. Drill bits, which come in different sizes, are attached to the front of the device, and will spin clockwise or counterclockwise interchangeably to make holes on the surface. Driver bits can also be inserted to replace the job of a manual screwdriver.

The power that works the drill can either come from a rechargeable battery, making it cordless, or by plugging it into a socket in the case of corded drills.

There are many types of drills available, each with its own plus points, but the following are the ones commonly used at home by budding DIY enthusiasts.

• The power drill

The power drill is widely used for regular work around the house, such as working with wood frames or driving screws into furniture. Power drills are usually cordless and come with either built-in batteries or removable rechargeable batteries.

A regular power drill always comes in a gun shape and is lightweight, making it easy to handle with just one hand. Power drills are not meant for heavy drilling.

• The hammer drill

Hammer drills come with a front handle for better grip while drilling through hard materials. It has the same function as a power drill but is the much stronger sibling,with an added hammer function. This hammering mode can break down particles and make holes in hardwood, drywall, bricks, masonry, and even metal.

Hammer drills are usually corded as it is meant for heavy-duty work. But cordless hammer drills are available in the market at much higher price points.

Get ready

Before you get hyped up to start drilling, here are some items you will need to grab from the hardware store.

1. The drill, of course

First and foremost, you need to decide either to get a power drill for light to medium use, or a hammer drill for more heavy-duty projects.

Houses in Malaysia are built with bricks and mortar, unlike those in western countries that often use wood and drywall. If you are looking at drilling into your wall to hang frames, fixtures or shelves, you need a powerful drill that can penetrate the material.

2. Drill bits

Drill bits are the cutting tool that you attach on the front of the drill to make holes in the work surface. These come in various sizes (in diameter) to make different-sized holes, which, in turn, depend on the size of the screw you use.

Drill bits also have variations for different types of material:

• Drywall bit – for materials that are smooth and hollow such as plasterboards, gypsum walls, and drywalls. Since these materials are not that hard, you could also use any universal bit.
• Masonry bit – this is made of tungsten carbide and provides better penetration against harder materials such as concrete, stones, and bricks.
• Spur point bit – this has a very sharp point that ensures clean and straight entry when drilling into wood.
• Tile bit – this can be recognised by its spear-shaped tip that is specially made to drill into strong but fragile surfaces such as tiles, ceramic, and glass, allowing for a more accurate hole.

Bits are usually included in the drill set but can be bought separately, too.

As mentioned above, driver bits can also be used in place of screwdrivers. These, too, come in various options that are suitable for Phillips and flathead screws of different sizes.

• Wall plugs

A wall plug is a filler that you insert into the drilled holes before you drive the screws in. Their purpose is to give a better grip to the screws so they can securely hold the weight of the item, especially on brittle walls.

For light- to medium-weight items, plastic wall plugs should be sufficient; but if the item is heavy, you may need to use a metal wall plug instead. Make sure the wall plugs match the size of the screws, too.

With all these materials in hand, you are ready to start drilling! Check back in tomorrow for part two of this article, which will cover safety checks, and the proper way to use the equipment and parts you’ve just invested money in.

This article originally appeared on Recommend.my – Malaysia’s #1 Home Improvement Services Platform. Recommend.my offers a safer and more convenient way to hire the best home improvement and home maintenance professionals. From flooring to interior design to air-conditioner servicing, get access to thousands of the best local contractors and professionals at your fingertips.