A hand drill, also known as an auger, is a manual tool used to drill holes in various materials. Augers come in different sizes and can be powered mechanically or by hand. They are commonly used for gardening, plumbing, and construction. Proper maintenance is required to keep them in good condition.
A hand drill, also sometimes called a hand drill, is a tool, often made of steel, that is used to drill a hole. These types of tools can be used for many different things, but are perhaps most commonly employed to poke holes in dirt, ice, or wood, just like any other drill would. Augers are generally a class of tools designed for making holes of various sizes, and many of the larger models are powered mechanically or with the use of larger construction vehicles or machines. The use of the word hand in the name limits this type of tool to one that can be used by hand and is powered by human strength. Likewise, there are a couple of different sizes available in most places and a variety of different projects and tasks that the tools can be used to complete.
Augers as tools in general
The family of auger tools tends to be quite large and there are many different options in many different sizes. Some are mechanical while others are powered entirely by hand. Powered augers are usually not considered a type of manual auger. These can be stand-alone tools or they can be accessories used in conjunction with electric powered hand-held drills, while hand-held models are often the size of a screwdriver, though perhaps a little longer in some cases, and are normally powered only by human strength. Perhaps the most common mechanical auger is one that is used to create the holes into which a post for a fence or gate is inserted. These are also known as hole diggers or clamshell diggers. A plumber’s auger, also known as a plumber’s snake, is slightly different from most augers as it is used to unclog pipes by pushing the blockage through. These tools are usually included in the larger category, however, as they are handheld and user-powered.
Characteristics of hand models
The part of any hand drill that does the actual drilling is shaped like the Archimedean screw. The outside looks like a screw with loose thread and the central shaft may or may not be hollow. A traditional woodworking auger is this type of screw auger which typically does not have a hollow shaft. In this case the tool is screwed directly into the material and as it is unscrewed the material is removed and a hole is formed.
Manual and mechanical augers vary greatly in size, purpose, and usually in price as well. Steel composition is a driving force in price, with high-alloy carbon steel blades typically costing more. Ice drills typically create a hole with a diameter of between 5 inches (12.5cm) and 8 inches (about 20cm). An adjustable model, as the name suggests, allows the user to adjust the handles. Garden augers typically are 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to about 10 cm), although it should be noted that mechanical augers are much larger and appropriate for tillage or other heavy garden work.
Common applications
Hand augers are most commonly used to drill holes of various sizes in almost any type of material. Depending on the strength of the blade and the strength of the user, the material can be as hard as stone, but is more commonly a softer substance such as wood or plaster. In the ground these types of tools can also be effective; Garden augers are often used to make holes in the ground for bulbs and seeds, and sometimes for aeration as well. Augers are also used to collect soil samples to test soil pH.
However, a hand auger is not the right tool in all applications. When digging a hole to drive in a post, for example, especially in soils with a high clay content, a clamshell digger or hole digger is usually preferred. This type of auger typically has two long, curved metal panels facing each other that are driven into the material. The handles of the augers are then pulled towards each other and the tool is removed from the material, leaving a hole behind.
Care and maintenance
Augers can rust and become dull with time and use. Proper maintenance is required to maintain the integrity of the tools. As a good practice, devices should always be cleaned after each use. Oiling the metal components can also help improve the longevity of the tool. Also, the auger’s sharp edge would benefit from an occasional rub with a whetstone or sander to keep the working edge sharp.
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