Drilling in Wood

You will need a cordless drill, a twist drill bit or flat wood bit to match the diameter of hole you require, a try square to use as a drilling guide, and a portable workbench.

1. Clamp the wood you are drilling to the workbench. Fit the bit into the jaws (chuck) of the drill and tighten it.
2. Press the tip of the bit into the wood at the point where you want to drill, and stand the try square upright on its stock next to the drill so that you can use it as a guide to keeping the drill absolutely vertical.
3. Start the drill and push the bit steadily into the wood without forcing it.
4. If you are using a flat wood bit, drill until the point just pierces the underside of the wood. Turn it over, insert the point in the hole, and complete the hole by drilling in the reverse direction. This prevents the cutting edges of the bit from splintering the wood as they emerge.
5. When you have drilled the hole, withdraw the bit with the drill running to clear the waste from the hole.
6. To drill a stopped hole - one that goes only partly through the wood - you need to know when to stop drilling. Either wind a strip of plastic tape round the shank of the bit at the required distance from the tip, or fit a depth stop attachment to it. Drill the hole until the tape or depth stop touches the surface.