Asked on Jan 19, 2017

Help me overcome my fear of drills!

Hillela G.
by Hillela G.

I'm getting a drill for as a birthday present icon

I'm really excited, but I'm also concerned. I have a bit of a fear of power tools.

What are your best safety tips for handling a power drill?

Thank you!!

  28 answers
  • Joyce Lawrence Joyce Lawrence on Jan 19, 2017

    Being very knowlegeable about the power tool is the best thing.

    Never start drilling or screwing anything on full power.

    Always, and I mean always!!! keep a firm grip on your drill. Otherwise, if you have a very tight screw you are trying to remove, the drill itself can turn, causing a painful reaction to your wrist, or worse, a sprain.

    For screws, adding or removing, be sure the screw bit is seated into the screw head, then give shorts bursts of power until you are sure it is going to turn. Otherwise the screw head will get ruined/stripped.

    If you have two batteries, keeping them charged is important.

    And, if this is the cordless Drill you are getting, Lucky you!

    Oh ya, have fun,! Cause you will be wondering why you didn't get a drill long ago!!

  • William William on Jan 19, 2017

    First read and understand the instructions that come with the drill. Who really does that =:( Learn what all the functions are and play around with them. ALWAYS. ALWAYS wear safety glasses or goggles. NO loose clothing, tie back long hair or wear a cap with hair tucked in.....More.....http://safety.ucanr.edu/files/1361.pdf

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Jan 19, 2017

    Read the instruction booklet. Then practice on something before you start a 'real' project. Power tools are wonderful compared to the old fashioned way. It will make you appreciate older workmanship. I think screws manufactured today may not have the same quality as older ones as they are so easy to strip the heads ... so there are many times I use a plain screwdriver. If you do a lot of projects you'll want a variety of saws, drill attachments, and sanders...a list that doesn't even get into yard tools. The look on my nephew's face as he rounded the corner to find me putting my new chainsaw together!

  • Kat964884 Kat964884 on Jan 19, 2017

    Ask somebody who has the knowledge of how to handle the tool just to take 10 minutes to show you and be with you the first time you use it I have a number of tools as gifts from my husband the Carpenter and he was a great teacher love it

  • K K on Jan 19, 2017

    Before getting to the instructions (excellent advise) I suggest going to the store yourself to choose the drill. There are several different kinds and weights (& uses). Some are so heavy with the cordless battery, for example, you may decide that a lighter weight corded drill with an extension cord works better for your particular needs. Ask someone knowledgeable in the store to show you and explain the differences. You'll be glad you did!

  • Irene Gronewald Irene Gronewald on Jan 22, 2017

    just don`t put it in your mouth...you will be fine.. :) seriously a piece of pine wood is your softest...just do it on low speed you will do fine...they make drill bits to go through metal too..wear safety glasses 1.00 dollar at dollar store

  • Linda H Linda H on Jan 22, 2017

    Always wear safety glasses.


  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jan 22, 2017

    Lucky you! I was like you but when you want something done and yrs pass you get over fear if they can do it so can you. Remember that drills bits can become hot to touch so not burning hot but enough to wait a couple of minutes before you remove. That's about it and to think I waited so long for something I did quickly by myself. I removed 2 kitchen cabinets and counter by myself and had sons take to basement laundry room where they were screwed together as they had been and I now had storage and folding area. I did not connect them to walls because it was unfinished. Yes I love the drill now I have to work on circular tabletop saw.

  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Jan 22, 2017

    I got a drill a few years ago for xmas. Wow was it heavy, if your buying this yourself they make smaller ones I think for woman who need less power for in home projects. It also depends on what your using it for. Getting busy or just removing and putting in a screw. They make a stick screw driver that is easy to use and rechargeable. Since my drill was to heavy for me to use, I found this stick screw driver at a garage sale for a dollar. I scooped it up pretty fast.

    I also bought a drill like the one above that is rechargeable, heavy also but when I needed to fix the door that fell off my storage area it was easy to use. No cord make it perfect for that application.

  • Theresa Shearer Theresa Shearer on Jan 23, 2017

    I'm like Hillela. I am also somewhat cautious of using a power drill. Such good advice listed here! I'm sure once I have started (and careful) I will wonder why I didn't do it sooner!


    Thanks Theresa

  • Ani5018158 Ani5018158 on Jan 23, 2017

    Get one that is comfortable for female hands and is light enough. Rechargeable batteries not electric. Practice putting screws in and out and drilling holes in scrap wood.

    You will love it.

  • James James on Jan 23, 2017

    Don't be afraid of a drill. Sit and play with it before putting a bit of any kind in it. Pay close attention to how it rotates. How much pressure you apply to the trigger to make it go slow and fast. What angle you have to hold it to drill a hole or screw a screw. Push harder on it when turning a screw or unscrewing one. I taught my 10 year old grandson how to use one and help me. You will love it.

  • Josh Bullington Josh Bullington on Jan 23, 2017

    Just treat it like a gun. (Never point it at anything you don't want to screw LOL) or anything cloth. Drills are like anything else, use common sense. Talk to the people at the hardware store in the tool department. They can help you.

  • Mary Mary on Jan 24, 2017

    If you use a hand mixer, you off to a good start. Home depot and Lowe's offer weekend "how to do " classes. These are great and can open a whole new world. You might want to hide your credit cards because working with tools can get addicting and these places are full of tools you can buy. Please try these classes

  • J Jo J Jo on Jan 24, 2017

    Watching my carpenter father work around our home, didn't remove the lack of confidence I had in myself to work with them. However, as a married lady with my own home, there were times a power drill was desirable. When I showed my father a Sears catalog photo of what I was going to purchase, he said he had one for me; said 'my' choice was a "ladies' Sunday afternoon craft drill." LOL ((((Dad)))). The one he gave me...hmm... 35 yrs. ago, is still working perfectly, and resides in the sturdy wooden box he made for it...for me! Its a regulation 'man's' power drill, one that he used until it became mine. It's corded, of course, because this was before battery drills. Now, here's my 'wisdom' to you, Hillela: ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR OWN, IN YOUR HANDS, AND GET THE FEEL OF ITS WEIGHT AND SOUNDS, IT WILL BE AS NATURAL FOR YOU TO PUT TO GOOD USE AS YOUR KITCHEN KNIVES OR SEWING MACHINE. There are safety concerns & operating procedures which you will observe. Your hands and mind make any tool a 'power tool,' now,........Get to work!

  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Jan 24, 2017

    Once you get acquainted with your power drill (or any tool that is new to you), I suggest practicing on scrap wood. (Tell an employee at the lumber yard that you are new to power tools and be prepared for a flood of good information and useful tips). If this only wets your appetite to learn more, take classes. Home Depot and Lowes offer classes, as do adult education courses. My husband and I took a class together when we first got married. Our skills improved, our tool collection multiplied and we tackled many projects together and separately over the past 30+ years. My favorite tool became a router which we used to make our own moldings and trim for our first house. Career changes could develop from what you learn, as skills with tools reveal a real talent. Good luck and enjoy what you learn.

  • Gredmore Gredmore on Jan 25, 2017

    Read and understand all of the instructions that came with the drill. Watch out for loose clothing. Wear eye protection. Don't force the drill. Let the bit do the work. Check youtube workshop videos.

  • Lyn Buerger Lyn Buerger on Jan 26, 2017

    Go to the hardware store and visit several drill and talk with them. Talk to friends us own and use drills. Do not put the turning part into your ear or mouth. I have several drills, I like the electric one (big Bertha) because she is powerful and does my job and is reliable and does NOT have to be charged to be used and she never complains because she was not returned to the charger. I like my small volt rechargeable drills (Peanut and Little Bit) because they travel well, but they do not do the big jobs that Bertha can do and they constantly require the reassurance of their charging bases. I am fond of my 18v cordless rechargeable drill (Torque) as he is always at the ready and loves those offsite job that require travel. I have a small hand turner who does delicate and easy jobs but she (Punkin) stays in my craft draw most of the time.

    So do you research or you will need to buy 6 or 8 drills like I did.

  • Neva Dew Neva Dew on Jan 27, 2017

    I guess if you have named your drills you really do "talk with them" as stated in your first line. LOL! Also good advice to " not put the turning part into your ear or mouth". Sometimes humor makes a bigger impact.

  • Theresa Shearer Theresa Shearer on Jan 28, 2017

    Any suggestions on which would be the best drill to buy for 'smaller' hands like myself?

  • Joye R. Foster Joye R. Foster on Jan 28, 2017

    Google www.ronhazelton.com

  • Lyn Buerger Lyn Buerger on Jan 28, 2017

    I would not go with anything less that 12v, (6v is very small and 18v can get heavy) rechargeable is OK but remember to keep it charged. Be sure to get a good brand; some of the off brands are also off quality.

  • Theresa Shearer Theresa Shearer on Jan 29, 2017

    Thanks Lyn!

  • Libby Libby on Feb 02, 2017

    You Can Do It!!!

    Happy Birthday 🎉

    Hope you got that drill and are getting comfortable with using it

  • Linda Broer Reagan Linda Broer Reagan on Feb 02, 2017

    Just follow the safety rules in the directions. Don't get in front of the drill bit with your fingers for other extremeties. There is really nothing to be afraid of with power drills. With power saws such as table saws, you do need to be extremely careful to keep your hands way behind the blades. This goes for any type of saw. Following the safety tips given in the nomenclature that comes with the tools is the most important thing you can do to be safe. I have oodles of power tools. Nothing to be afraid of with any of them. I have been using them for home stuff for most of my life. Good luck.

  • Stephen Stephen on Jan 05, 2020

    At the beginning you may feel it difficult to use. but it's really easy and safety is most important with this work. check here you can find some idea about tools and how to use this https://bestdrillzone.com/how-to-use-a-power-drill/

  • Angelina Angelina on Aug 16, 2023

    Overcoming a fear of drills can be achieved through gradual exposure and positive associations. Start by familiarizing yourself with the tool by learning about its components and how it functions. Hold the drill in your hand and turn it on without any bit attached, allowing yourself to get comfortable with the sound and vibrations. Gradually progress to using the drill on soft materials or scrap pieces, focusing on control and building confidence. Consider seeking support from a friend or family member who is experienced with drills, or even attending a DIY workshop to learn proper techniques. Remember to always prioritize safety by wearing appropriate protective gear and taking things at your own pace. With time and practice, your fear of drills can be replaced with a sense of empowerment and accomplishment.


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  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 16, 2023

    Practice with different drill bits and drill into different materials and thicknesses. Try different settings. Learn through trial and error and don't be afraid to make mistakes.