Cordless SDS drills are a boon to the tradesman and the serious DIYer alike, they are convenient, getting more powerful and lasting much longer with new technology coming on all the time.

 

Using a cordless or battery drill is easy and an essential tool for DIY home improvement but one must remember it is a power tool with moving parts and often pointy bits sticking out of the end so a common sense approach to safety is required.

 

Here are some tips for your safety:

 

1. Wear safety goggles at all times, yes we know they make your eyes sweaty and get covered in dust so you cannot see properly but we are all born with two eyes and we really do perform better with them both.

 

2. Wear gloves. A good pair of gloves will protect your hands and provide you with a better grip.

 

3. Do not wear loose or flapping clothing, it is easy for a stray bit of cloth to wrap around a drill with bad consequences.

 

4. Know your tool. You can only operate a power tool safely if you know what it does.

 

5. Do not walk around with your finger on the trigger of a drill, one slip can have a disastrous outcome.

 

6. Do not use any power tool in a gaseous or powdery environment. Many people are unaware that fine dust can explode just like gas..

 

7. Using a cordless tool in the wet is certainly safer than using a mains one but dampness should be avoided as it can lead to moisture being sucked into the tool which will corrode the innards.

 

8. Be aware of what you are drilling, when drilling into a wall try to ensure that there are no buried pipes and more importantly no buried mains cables. Check abve and below where you intend to drill for signs such as sockets, lihght switches or taps. Preferably buy a pipe and cable detector.

 

9. Keep animals and children well away from any working area.

 

10. If required use a vice to hold any material you wish to drill. Holding a metal plate whilst drilling is a good way to lose a finger.

 

11. Only use the charger supplied with the battery, different batteries and chargers can have widely varying characteristics and be dangerous if not compatible.

 

12. Wear ear defenders. Prolonged exposure to high decibels can affect your hearing for life. No point being deaf when the customer says "Want a cup of tea?"

 

Treat your cordless SDS drill with respect and you can keep all your fingers and eyes for next time.