How to use a pump drill?

Do you know the pump drill? Also known as a hand-held arc drill, the pump drill is used to drill through material by means of a regular back and forth movement around a vertical axis. Known since the dawn of time, it is mainly used by jewelers, goldsmiths, stone engravers and craftsmen. It is considered the ancestor of the drill.

This drilling tool is composed of a main axis, at the end of which is a chuck to fix the drill, and a shuttle connected to the central axis by a string.

In this video, Lucie explains how to prepare this hand drill and especially how to use it to efficiently drill polymer clay, resin, wood or metal. You will see, the gesture is very simple but it must be smooth and without jerks.

Before being able to achieve this fluid gesture, you will have to practice a little. Let's go !

How to use a drille ?

This kind of chignole is so easy to use, it can be operated with only one hand! You place your hand on the mobile part (with two fingers placed on both sides of the axis). It is this hand that will move the shuttle up and down.
The string winds up and down to create an alternate rotation of the drill bit that drills the workpiece. You need to maintain constant vertical pressure on the workpiece you want to drill.
What to do with your other hand? You can hold the workpiece in place while you drill (watch your fingers!) or you can place it on the base of the tool for guidance.

Compared to an electric drill, using a drill press has many advantages:

• It's a simple and fun technique,
• it is a handy tool,
• no noise from the drillmotor,
• no need for electricity, no need to pay attention to the wire.

Curious designers will love it. To be tested!

The only drawback is that drilling with a drill is a bit time consuming.
If you don't have time, discover another technique to drill stone with the Dremel.