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How to use a combi drill

Updated: 22 October 2026

You already have the drill in your hand, and the last screw either spun in the head or the bit walked across the wall. How to use a combi drill comes down to one collar position on purpose, the slow gear for screws, and a masonry bit the same size as the plug. The numbered clutch is not the same number on every kit in the [cordless combi drill comparison](/hub/drilling-and-accessories/cordless-combi-drill). A 5 on the BLACK+DECKER, which has 10 settings, is not a 5 on the Ryobi, which has 24. This is not a lab test. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

You already have the drill in your hand, and the last screw either spun in the head or the bit walked across the wall.

Our top picks

Ryobi Ryobi R18PD3 starter kit

Best overall

Ryobi Ryobi R18PD3 starter kit
9.5/10about £97.80
View offer
Bosch Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40

Best value

Bosch Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40
9.4/10about £64.97
View offer
BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K kit

Alternative

BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K kit
9.2/10about £65.99
View offer
On this page
  1. 1.Three positions on the collar
  2. 2.Screws
  3. 3.Holes in wood and metal
  4. 4.One plug hole
  5. 5.Bits, heat and the lock

Three positions on the collar

The collar has three jobs, not one sliding scale of power. Driver mode uses the numbered clutch. Drill mode bypasses it for a hole in wood or metal. Hammer mode adds the masonry blow and also bypasses the clutch. Screws do not belong in drill mode, and hammer mode does not belong on a wood screw. These kits do not share one clutch count. The BLACK+DECKER lists 10, both EasyImpacts and the VOERJIA list 20, the Ryobi lists 24, and the LEEIKOO and the JYGMPRO list 25. Pick the symbol first, then a low number in driver mode.

Screws

Fit a driver bit that matches the screw, set a low clutch number, and use gear 1. Change gear only when the chuck has stopped. A starting point of about 3 to 6 is a rule of thumb, and a 5 on one drill is not a 5 on another. Most UK wood screws are Pozidriv. Plasterboard screws are often Phillips. A Phillips bit in a Pozidriv head will cam out. If the clutch clicks and the screw is still proud, raise the number by one or two. Do not move to hammer to force a screw.
Ryobi Ryobi R18PD3 starter kit

Testsieger

Ryobi Ryobi R18PD3 starter kit
9.5/10about £97.80
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Holes in wood and metal

Turn the collar to the drill symbol and start in gear 1 until the bit has a centre. A twist bit that skates on metal is usually speed and pressure, not a need for hammer. Do not change speed while the chuck is running. If the chuck slips on a straight round shank, stop. UK reviews of the JYGMPRO say it holds hex shafts and slips on round shanks. A BLACK+DECKER review says the chuck comes loose. Tighten hard, and if it still slips, that chuck is the limit.

One plug hole

For one plug in soft brick, use a masonry bit the same diameter as the plug, hammer mode, and gear 2. Find pipes and cables with a detector first, mark the depth with tape, and choose a screw a millimetre or two smaller than the plug. Drill a little deeper than the plug. The packet is the depth to follow. If the bit walks on plaster, begin without hammer, then switch once you have a dimple. If the dust goes grey and the bit only polishes, stop. Concrete is on the combi drill for brick page.

Bits, heat and the lock

Take the battery off before you change a bit. The bit is hot after hammer mode, so let it cool before you pinch it. If your drill has a centre position on the forward and reverse collar, that can be a lock. The VOERJIA bullets describe that middle position. That is one listing, not every brand. A combi has no hammer-only mode, so it does not chisel.

Common questions

Which collar position is for screws, holes and brick?
Screws use driver mode and a low clutch number, in gear 1. Holes in wood and metal use the drill symbol, so the clutch is bypassed. Brick plugs use hammer mode and a masonry bit, in gear 2. Using one symbol for all three is why heads strip and why holes wander.
What do gears 1 and 2 do?
Gear 1 is slow and stronger, for screws and for starting a hole in metal. Gear 2 is faster, for small holes and masonry. Change gear only when the chuck has stopped. The Ryobi gearbox bullet prints 5001800rpm with no separator, so read the two-speed claim, not that string.
The clutch clicks and the screw is not in. What now?
Raise the clutch by one or two numbers and drive again, still in gear 1 and still in driver mode. A 3 to 6 range is only a starting point, and it does not transfer from a 10-setting clutch to a 24-setting clutch.
Pozidriv or Phillips?
Pozidriv for most UK wood screws. Phillips for many plasterboard screws. The wrong bit cams out and ruins the head, which then looks like a torque problem. Match the stamp on the screw, not the bit that happened to be in the chuck.
How do I change a bit safely?
Remove the battery first. Open the chuck, swap the bit, and retighten until the shank does not slip in your hand. The bit can be hot after drilling, so do not grab it straight away. If a round shank still slips after a hard tighten, as UK reviews describe on the JYGMPRO, use a hex shank or stop using that chuck for that bit.
How deep should a plug hole be?
A little deeper than the plug, so it sits flush and the screw has somewhere to go. Follow the packet. About 5 mm, or about 5 to 10 mm, are rules of thumb, not a depth printed on these drills. Mark the bit with tape before you start.
Can I drill tiles on hammer?
Not until you are through the tile. Hammer on a glazed tile cracks it. Drill and Bit's advice is to penetrate the tile without hammer, then switch to hammer only if the wall behind is brick that needs it. A glass or tile bit, low speed, and tape on the surface to stop the bit walking are the usual controls. Stop if the tile starts to chatter.

Related pages

Cordless combi drill buying guide

Combi drill vs SDS

Cordless combi drill

Best cordless combi drill for shelves and brick plugs

Combi drill for brick plugs, and when you should stop

Sources

Public UK sources, last checked on 22 October 2026. Shelf prices and star lines are the amazon.co.uk listing figures.

  1. HSE, Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  2. HSE INDG175, hand-arm vibration (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  3. GOV.UK, Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  4. HSE noise advice for manufacturers (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  5. Screwfix, best drills guide (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  6. Bosch DIY EasyImpact 18V-40 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  7. Bosch DIY drills and screwdrivers (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  8. amazon.co.uk, Ryobi R18PD3 listing (retrieved 22 October 2026)