A heavy-duty drill is a hand-held power tool that is capable of boring holes in a variety of construction materials, including wood, metal, and concrete. Heavy-duty drills can spin drill bits at very high rates of speed, some models up to 2,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) or more, in order to penetrate tough materials to a desired depth. Different types of electric, cordless, and pneumatic drills are standard tools in mechanics' shops, manufacturing plants, and at construction sites.
Unlike many other drills and power tools, heavy-duty drills usually need to be held with both hands. Due to its weight and power output, a heavy-duty drill typically features a stabilizing handle near the front of the tool, along with the more familiar trigger handle at the base. A worker aligns the drill on the appropriate material, applies a light amount of pressure, and squeezes the trigger. Heavy-duty drills are capable of boring through most types of construction materials using interchangeable metal drill bits.
Most types of heavy-duty drill are powered by electric motors that receive their charges from power cords or rechargeable batteries. A standard electric drill features a cord that can be plugged into a wall outlet, ensuring a constant flow of power. Standard drills are commonly found in workshops and manufacturing plants where a power source is readily available. Cordless, battery-powered drills are often utilized at construction sites and other areas where it is impossible to connect to a power outlet. Batteries can usually hold their charge for several hours before needing to be plugged into specialized charging stations.
A heavy-duty drill may also be powered by compressed air. Pneumatic drills are typically capable of reaching higher RPM levels than other types of drills, and are useful in boring through thick material. They are powered by stationary or portable air compressors, which provide streams of high-pressured air through specialized hoses. Pneumatic drills are frequently used to drill through slabs of concrete, masonry materials, and thick metal sheets.
In addition to hand-held models, a bench top or floor mounted drill press is sometimes referred to as a heavy-duty drill. Drill presses allow for more control than hand-held drills, as a worker simply needs to align and secure a piece of material under a vertical drill bit. When the machine is turned on, the worker manipulates a lever to lower the spinning drill bit into the material. Drill presses are especially useful for repetitive jobs to quickly and accurately drill holes in metal or wood.
