Steps to drill holes in a Wooden plank.

Steps to drill holes in a Wooden plank.

Step 1: Measure and Mark

Measure the location of the hole. If possible, mark exactly where the hole needs to be drilled. 

Choose the drill size appropriate to the material being drilled and the tool being used. 

Step 2: Center Punch

A center punch makes a small dent in the surface of the material that prevents the drill from wandering when it first contacts the surface.

Step 3: Set Up

Align and clamp the material in place. 

Note: Clamps are always a good idea. As the drill pierces through the opposite side of the material, it can grab and spin the work piece.

 Warning: If you are holding the material by hand, injury can result. Be especially careful of this when using a hand drill. If the drill bit grabs, the entire tool can be ripped out of your hands.

Step 4: Drill

Caution: Put on safety glasses and ear protection as appropriate. Let someone else know you are using power tools, if working alone.

First, ensure that the drill is spinning the right direction and speed.

Note: If you wrap your right hand around the drill with your fingers pointing in the direction of rotation, your thumb should be pointing into the material to be drilled. 

Plunge the spinning drill into the material. The drill should be cutting without requiring a tremendous amount of force along its axis. If the drill does not appear to be cutting ensure that the flutes are not clogged.

Note: In materials such as aluminum, you need to peck at the material, plunge in to cut, and then pull out to remove chips. 

Warning: Clogging the drill while continuing to apply more and more force into the material is a sure way to break a drill bit. 

Note: For metals, cutting fluid can be helpful. Cutting fluid can be oil, water, detergent, or a mixture of those three. It helps to lubricate the sliding contact between the drill and the work piece, flush chips away from the interface, and to cool the drill.

Step 5: Clean Up the Hole

If the edges of the hole are not to your satisfaction, try a deburring tool to cut and smooth around the edge of the hole.

Step 6: Clean Up

Vacuum or sweep up any mess, wipe off any cutting fluid, and put all tools away.