How to use a cordless drill
Updated: 2026-10-23
The collar, the 1/2 switch and the hammer icon look like one dial when you pick the tool up for a wardrobe screw. They do three different jobs, and the chuck has to be still before you change any of them. This is how to use a cordless drill from this set without stripping the screw, walking the bit, or grating the gearbox. Prices and which row to buy stay on the [Drill comparison](/hub/drilling-and-accessories/drill). The steps are drawn from the controls on those kits. This is not a ranking and not a lab test.
The collar, the 1/2 switch and the hammer icon look like one dial when you pick the tool up for a wardrobe screw. They do three different jobs, and the chuck has to be still before you change any of them.
The collar, the 1/2 switch and the hammer icon look like one dial when you pick the tool up for a wardrobe screw. They do three different jobs, and the chuck has to be still before you change any of them. This is how to use a cordless drill from this set without stripping the screw, walking the bit, or grating the gearbox. Prices and which row to buy stay on the Drill comparison. The steps are drawn from the controls on those kits. This is not a ranking and not a lab test.
Our top picks
| Badge | Product | Speeds | Clutch positions | Hammer mode stated | Note | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |  Bosch Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40, 1.5 Ah | 2 | 20 positions | Yes, impact drilling in masonry | 9.4 | about £64.97 | View offer |
| Alternative |  BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB | 2 | 10 | Yes, bullets | 9.2 | about £65.99 | View offer |
| Best value |  Terratek Terratek TD18, 1.3 Ah | 1, at 650 rpm | 16+1, bullets | No. Bullets exclude brick | 8.6 | about £26.99 | View offer |
On this page
The three controls, kept apart
The numbered ring behind the chuck is a clutch for screws. A low number clicks sooner. The number is local to that drill, not a newton-metre you can copy. FAHEFANA rows print 25+1, Bosch rows print 20 positions, the Terratek bullets print 16+1, and the BLACK+DECKER prints 10. A 5 on a 10-position collar is not a 5 on a 20-position Bosch.
The 1/2 switch is the gear, where the drill has two speeds. Gear 1 is slower, for screws and larger bits. Gear 2 is faster, for smaller bits. The Terratek TD18 is one speed, listed at 650 rpm. A drill-bit symbol bypasses the clutch. A hammer icon is for masonry. The centre position locks the trigger on many of these drills.
Fit a bit and lock the trigger
Put on eye protection before the chuck is open. Stop the chuck completely. Slide the forward/reverse switch to the centre lock if the drill has one. Open a keyless chuck by hand, anti-clockwise when you are looking at the nose. Seat the bit straight in the jaws, and tighten clockwise by hand until the bit will not pull out.
Do not hold the chuck and pull the trigger to tighten it. In drill mode, and in hammer mode, the clutch is out of the way, so the tool can twist hard if it stalls. A loose bit walks and can leave the chuck. If the kit bit is already bent, stop. UK reviews on the cheaper kits say included bits bend or snap.
Screws on a number, holes on the drill icon
For a screw, pick forward, pick gear 1 if you have it, and start on a low clutch number. If the clutch clicks while the head is still proud, step up one number. If the head sinks too far, step down. The same number will not match on a 10-position BLACK+DECKER and a 20-position Bosch.
For a hole in wood, plastic or metal, move onto the drill-bit symbol if the collar has one. A numbered clutch will stall the cut. Gear 2 suits a small twist bit. Gear 1 suits a larger bit. Hammer mode is only for masonry, and it is the wrong setting for wood, tile and screws.
Mistakes that damage the gearbox or the work
Change gear only when the chuck has stopped. Shifting the 1/2 collar while the chuck is still spinning grinds the gearbox. If you need reverse, stop first, then select reverse. One FADAKWALT 12 V review describes a chuck that opens on reverse once the hole is deeper than about 2 cm. Stop and retighten by hand.
The original charger is the only charger for that pack. If the pack is swollen, or the tool sparks beyond a brief tick, stop. Do not open a lithium battery. HSE’s action value of 2.5 m/s² A(8) and limit of 5 m/s² A(8) are not measurements of these tools. They are a reason to take breaks. Which facts to check before you buy are in the cordless drill buying guide.
Common questions
What do the numbers behind the chuck mean?
They are a clutch limit for screws on that drill. A lower number slips sooner. They are not a shared newton-metre scale, so a 5 on a BLACK+DECKER with 10 positions is not a 5 on a Bosch with 20. Use them for screws. Move to the drill-bit symbol when you are boring a hole.
When do I use the drill-bit symbol instead of a number?
Use the drill-bit symbol for holes in wood, plastic or metal, where you want the clutch out of the way. Use a number for screws, starting low and stepping up if the clutch trips before the head is home. The hammer icon is only for masonry.
What is gear 1 for, and what is gear 2 for?
Gear 1 is the slow range, for screws and larger bits. Gear 2 is the fast range, for smaller bits. Change over only when the chuck has stopped. If your drill is the Terratek, there is one speed at 650 rpm and no second gear to choose.
How do I change a bit in a keyless chuck without it flying out?
Stop the chuck, lock the trigger in the centre position if the drill has that lock, and wear eye protection. Open the chuck by hand, seat the bit, and tighten by hand. Do not grip the chuck and pull the trigger to spin it tight. A bent kit bit should be replaced before you lean on it.
Can I change gear while the drill is still spinning?
No. Wait until the chuck has stopped, then move the 1/2 switch, the clutch ring or the hammer icon. Changing gear while it runs grinds the gearbox. If the chuck opens itself on reverse, stop and tighten it by hand.
What should I do if the battery is swollen or the tool sparks?
Stop using it. Do not open a lithium pack. Use the original charger only. A faulty tool can fall under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 30-day right to reject. That right is about faulty goods, not about a technique mistake.
Related pages
Sources
Public UK sources from the research digest, last checked on 22 October 2026. Shelf prices and star lines are the amazon.co.uk figures in the display file.
- Toolstation — Drill buying guide (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Homebuilding & Renovating — Types of drill (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Which? — How to buy the best cordless drill (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- HSE — Assessing hand-arm vibration risks (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- BSI — BS EN 62841-2-1 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Electrical Safety First — Drills (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- GOV.UK — UKCA and CE marking in Great Britain (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 (retrieved 22 October 2026)