J Staff: When you are organizing tools or setting them up for the work teams, it is essential to know which drills and drivers are which and how they are used. Review the following information and answer some questions about what you've learned:
Differences in Drills and Impact Drivers
JP has 4 types of tools which look like a drill:
(1) Corded Drills, (2) Cordless Drills (3) Impact Drivers and (4) Hammer Drills
1. Corded Drills
They require a power cord to operate, they are primarily used for drilling larger holes, (particularly any larger then 3/8”), at JP they are used extensively for drilling 1/2” holes for bolts, often 5” or more deep. They are also used for running the mixing blade for Silver Seal. (If that will be the use on a job site, find the oldest, yuckiest one to send)
Corded Drills ARE NOT used for driving screws or bolts, they have too much torque and will strip or break the fastener.
When sending a corded drill to a job site, make sure to include drill bits that will be required.
2. Cordless Drills
These are designed for lighter drilling projects, such as pilot holes on pickets or decking. They can be used for up to 3/8” holes. Since they can have their torque and speed adjusted, they CAN be used for driving Screws with Star bits or Phillips heads. At JP they each come in a bag with. 2 batteries and a charger. When sending one out on a job site, be sure the 2 batteries and charger is in the bag and the batteries have been charged. Also, there should be a collection at least 5 of driver bits in the bag to include T-25 Star drives (2), Phillips Head (1), Flat Head (1) and Square Head (1). If it is not in the bag , add a collection of drill bits (drill index) and any special ones requested.
3. Impact Driver
Do not mix these up with Cordless drills; they provide a different function. They are designed for high-speed installation of screws and bolts. They ARE NOT to be used for drilling. They have very high torque but in a controlled way for driving fasteners, such as Star head and Hex Head Structural screws/bolts. At JP these come in a bag with 2 batteries and a charger. There should also be a collection of Drive bits as a minimum T-25 Star drives (2), Phillips Head (1), Flat Head (1) and Square Head (1). Depending on the project the TC may specify additional drivers including T-30 Star Drive and Hex Head Drives.
4. Hammer Drill
This is a large special type of drill used for drilling into masonry or concrete. There is only one in each trailer, in a plastic case and they are marked as Hammer Drill. Do Not issue this drill to a job site where a regular drill is needed. The bits and chisels for these are already in the case.