Are you planning a renovation of your home as a DIY project? Or perhaps you have found your ideal wood pieces, and now you want them drilled? Then you must be thinking if Lowe’s can do this job for you.
Unfortunately, Lowe’s will not specifically drill holes for you at the store. However, when it comes to drilling holes, you need to hire them for the complete installation process.
However, fret not; read along to know how Lowe’s can drill holes for you and some safety tips if you are drilling it yourself.
Does Lowe’s Drill Holes In Wood For You?
Lowe’s does not drill holes in the wood, but they offer a free rough-cutting service for a variety of wood components. But if you don’t have access to a drilling machine and still need to complete the task, you can get the installation services offered by Lowe’s.
Safety Precautions To Follow Before Drilling
If you are drilling holes yourself, you must check these safety precautions before starting drilling.
Dress Safely & Wear Protection for the Eyes
This is the first piece of advice to keep in mind when operating a drill machine to keep yourself safe. Never use a power instrument like a drill while wearing loose clothing or hanging jewellery, as these could become entangled in the tool as you bend over it. For the same reason, you should protect your eyes from flying objects using safety goggles.
Put on Some Earplugs
The importance of wearing ear protection increases if you drill frequently. About 90 decibels of sound are produced by a handheld electric drill, which is loud enough to damage hearing over time.
Select The Appropriate Drill Bit
If you are using the drill for the first time, you must first understand how to use it. It will enable you to use your power tool safely. The bit and the material being drilled might crack or break if inappropriate material is used.
Therefore, a quick method is to select the proper-sized bit when drilling a screw-hole. Directly behind the bit and hold the screw in place. Make sure the screw shaft is concealed by the bit and that both sides of the screw threads can still be seen.
Secure The Drill Bit into The Chuck
The drill’s clamp is known as the chuck. While the drill bit is whirling, this keeps it in place. Ensure the drill is turned off before replacing a drill bit, and then rotate the chuck to loosen it.
Depending on the sort of drill you have, you might be able to accomplish this by hand, or you could require a chuck key, which is kept in a compartment on the drill's handle or top.
Place the drill in, then tighten it once more. Make sure the drill bit is in a straight and secure position, and take out the key before you start drilling.
Attach The Small Parts
If you’re drilling into a tiny or movable object, tighten the drill’s clamp. Ensure you’re not holding the item down with only one hand because that could cause it to slip and hurt you.
Carefully Handle The Cord
When not in use, a corded drill should never be left stretched across a walkway. Additionally, avoid handling the drill’s cable.
Also, a corded drill is not recommended for usage in a muddy or wet environment. Verify the minimum wire gauge in the drill handbook before starting any drilling while using an extension cord.
Furthermore, you should avoid connecting numerous extension cords in a chain, using indoor extension cables outside, or connecting a three-prong cord to a two-prong outlet with an adaptor.
How Can You Drill Safely?
Knowing how to drill securely before you begin is crucial once you have implemented all the safety precautions. It’s essential to follow safety precautions when using this power equipment, whether you’re a pro or a novice.
So let’s look at the procedures for drilling safely.
- Drilling with a bit smaller than the desired diameter of the finished hole usually yields better results. Therefore, drill the pilot hole first, then finish the job with the larger bit
- Glass and other brittle materials need to be handled with great caution
- To prevent slippage and chipping, mark a little X with masking tape where the hole should go
- Push the drill into the substance you are drilling while maintaining stability. You’re most likely using the incorrect bit if drilling the hole requires more than a mild force
- Every drill has a twistable collar that can be used to change the torque. The drill will apply more torque the higher the number
- Increase the torque if you are having trouble piercing the material. Reduce the torque if you are overdriving screws or drilling too deeply for fear of damaging something
- Stick to slow rates and take breaks sometimes to allow the bit to cool down while drilling into tough materials or making numerous holes in any kind of material
- Give a continual flow of water while drilling in glass, ceramic, or stone to keep it cool. Give the drill bit some time to cool off even if it does not appear to be hot
- Do not attempt to force the stuck drill bit out by operating the drill if it becomes embedded in the material
- Disconnect the drill’s power source, then use hand tools to separate the bit from the chuck, and remove it.
Final Words to If Lowe’s Will Drill Holes For You
DIY projects are fun and engaging but they can be daunting too. For this reason, you might want to get your holes drilled from Lowe’s, but sadly, they don’t, so you have to do it yourself! But with the aforementioned safety tips and precautions life is much easier.
Therefore, make sure to follow them when drilling holes in the wood as they make your job easier and much faster.
