Portable Drills

For information on safety and PPE requirements for each machine in the MakerSpace, see the Job Hazard Analysis forms.

While the main use for portable drills is to drill holes, a drill with a controllable angular velocity (variable RPM) can be used as a screwdriver. The Tulane MakerSpace owns several types of portable drills.

Click here PPE for training (badge) levels and requirements and Personal Protective Equipment.

1/2" (maximum hole [= drill bit] size) corded (gets power from wall power outlet) drills produce high torque at lower speeds. They're heavier and typically used to drill large holes in wood or metal. All have a side handle that must be used, so you will have two hands to control the tool and keep the tool from twisting, which can lead to injury. Read instructions and safety warnings in the manual before using the tool. Options are a [Skil 6335] {Makita} {Black and Decker}

3/8" corded drills generally rotate at higher angular velocity, produce lower torque, and are more suitable for inserting screws than the 1/2" corded drills. They weigh less, making them more comfortable to use. But they're inadequate for drilling large diameter holes because of insufficient torque. We have both VSR (Variable Speed Reversible) and fixed speed drills. Options are [Harbor Freight 60614] [Black and Decker 7153 and 7190] {Craftsman}