Loading
Bits
The small hand drill with which most people are familiar is a much different animal than the various types of heavy drills used in industrial applications. Powerful drills have a role in a variety of tasks, from locksmithing to machining to the more intensive manifestations of carpentry. There are several things which set apart the heavier drills from their lighter-weight cousins. Most of them will be mounted onto a stationary or portable press mechanism. There will usually be specialized bits used for very hard materials and, thanks to technology, some of the most powerful drills are actually cordless these days.
A drill press is generally found in a machine shop though there are portable versions of these devices on the market today. These require a fair amount of skill to operate. The press can generally put out far more pressure than the drill can handle and one must have a feel for when it's appropriate to advance the bit a bit farther into the material and when it's time to let the drill spin for a while and clear out the channel to a greater depth. Not knowing the difference can damage the equipment and cause significant injury. Though drills are small devices, on the whole, they put out an incredible amount of torque and can do serious damage to the body when used incorrectly.
The different types of bits used for hard materials require some knowledge of metallurgy to employ correctly. For instance, a tungsten bit may be hard enough for most jobs but, if one has moved into very specialized fields such as safe-cracking or drilling super-hard materials in the course of another application, diamond bits or bits with other very hard materials are generally employed. Not only are the materials different, but there is usually a cooling material of one sort or another applied to the bit during use. Knowing how to use these materials correctly requires experience and training.
For lighter uses, one can usually find cordless drill press bits for a decent price. Many shops sell off their older models when they upgrade and usually aren't looking for top-dollar for used equipment. Other good places to check are at government auctions where the municipality may be getting rid of old equipment. While their equipment may no longer be suitable for industrial applications, it should offer fine service for use by those who work out of their homes or on hobby projects.