hand drill

A hand drill is a tool used for making holes. There are two main types: a small, portable drilling machine operated by hand, and a more primitive drill with a pointed shaft that is revolved by the palms.1

Historically, early methods of making holes involved primitive tools like awls, gimlets, and augers, which simply pushed material aside or cut it away. More advanced techniques involved using a stick twirled between the palms with an abrasive, or a thong wrapped around the stick for rotation. The invention of the bow drill and later the pump drill improved efficiency.2

Modern hand drills, such as the brace and bit, use a crank mechanism to rotate a cutting tool, allowing for more controlled hole creation, especially in wood. Geared hand drills, invented in the early 19th century, further enhanced speed and efficiency.32