What is the purpose of the side handle on a hand (“eggbeater”) drill? Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 23, 2019 at 23:30 UTC (7:30pm US/Eastern) 2019 Community Moderator Election ResultsWhat kind of woods can be riven with a froe?What is the purpose of a saw nib?In what cases is it useful to have more than one of the same tool?What tool would this handle be for?What are the main different types of “hand drills”?How to get better at fitting joints and “seeing” bruises?Most general purpose hand plane for limited budgetTaking apart a pre-assembled deskPrecise 90 degree cuts on small piecesTips and Ideas for Hand Planing a 11,950 N board keeping it simple
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What is the purpose of the side handle on a hand (“eggbeater”) drill?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 23, 2019 at 23:30 UTC (7:30pm US/Eastern)
2019 Community Moderator Election ResultsWhat kind of woods can be riven with a froe?What is the purpose of a saw nib?In what cases is it useful to have more than one of the same tool?What tool would this handle be for?What are the main different types of “hand drills”?How to get better at fitting joints and “seeing” bruises?Most general purpose hand plane for limited budgetTaking apart a pre-assembled deskPrecise 90 degree cuts on small piecesTips and Ideas for Hand Planing a 11,950 N board keeping it simple
What is the purpose of the side knob (circled in orange) on a hand or "eggbeater" drill? I can't remember ever using this handle for anything.
I'm considering cutting off the side knob so that the drill will fit better in my tool chest. Would this lead to any problems or loss of functionality?

hand-tools drill tool-modification
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
What is the purpose of the side knob (circled in orange) on a hand or "eggbeater" drill? I can't remember ever using this handle for anything.
I'm considering cutting off the side knob so that the drill will fit better in my tool chest. Would this lead to any problems or loss of functionality?

hand-tools drill tool-modification
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
it's another handle for convenience, if the top handle doesn't give you the stability you need. Note that for heavier drilling you'd have a top handle meant for leaning on with your chest. In this case, this looks like a medium/light model, so you'd use whatever handle was convenient for the work at hand. In this particular case you could still keep things square with the tripod of two hands and your chest, even if you couldn't fully bear down on it with your body.
– jdv
6 hours ago
"loss of functionality?" I think so, but many others disagree and actively seek out drills without a side handle and if they have one they try to remove it if they can (because of the way they're fitted sometimes having a handle you don't use is preferable to having a rod of metal sticking out the side). If you do want to remove it in drills of this type the side handles tend to attach in one of 2 ways, either they're a push-fit on to a rod (no glue) or they're screwed on. So in either case fairly easy to remove without having to resort to sawing if you want to make the drill more compact.
– Graphus
2 hours ago
If your drill does have a rod out the side and you want to remove that too, were you thinking of using a hacksaw to take it off? The body of these drills is steel and may be tool steel rather than mild, so it could be a bit of a workout! Easily tackled by a cutoff wheel in a suitable power tool though if you have something suitable.
– Graphus
1 hour ago
Side handle unscrews on my Stanley drill ... no need to cut it off!
– Brian Drummond
6 mins ago
add a comment |
What is the purpose of the side knob (circled in orange) on a hand or "eggbeater" drill? I can't remember ever using this handle for anything.
I'm considering cutting off the side knob so that the drill will fit better in my tool chest. Would this lead to any problems or loss of functionality?

hand-tools drill tool-modification
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
What is the purpose of the side knob (circled in orange) on a hand or "eggbeater" drill? I can't remember ever using this handle for anything.
I'm considering cutting off the side knob so that the drill will fit better in my tool chest. Would this lead to any problems or loss of functionality?

hand-tools drill tool-modification
hand-tools drill tool-modification
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 8 hours ago
SpacemanSpiffSpacemanSpiff
112
112
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
it's another handle for convenience, if the top handle doesn't give you the stability you need. Note that for heavier drilling you'd have a top handle meant for leaning on with your chest. In this case, this looks like a medium/light model, so you'd use whatever handle was convenient for the work at hand. In this particular case you could still keep things square with the tripod of two hands and your chest, even if you couldn't fully bear down on it with your body.
– jdv
6 hours ago
"loss of functionality?" I think so, but many others disagree and actively seek out drills without a side handle and if they have one they try to remove it if they can (because of the way they're fitted sometimes having a handle you don't use is preferable to having a rod of metal sticking out the side). If you do want to remove it in drills of this type the side handles tend to attach in one of 2 ways, either they're a push-fit on to a rod (no glue) or they're screwed on. So in either case fairly easy to remove without having to resort to sawing if you want to make the drill more compact.
– Graphus
2 hours ago
If your drill does have a rod out the side and you want to remove that too, were you thinking of using a hacksaw to take it off? The body of these drills is steel and may be tool steel rather than mild, so it could be a bit of a workout! Easily tackled by a cutoff wheel in a suitable power tool though if you have something suitable.
– Graphus
1 hour ago
Side handle unscrews on my Stanley drill ... no need to cut it off!
– Brian Drummond
6 mins ago
add a comment |
1
it's another handle for convenience, if the top handle doesn't give you the stability you need. Note that for heavier drilling you'd have a top handle meant for leaning on with your chest. In this case, this looks like a medium/light model, so you'd use whatever handle was convenient for the work at hand. In this particular case you could still keep things square with the tripod of two hands and your chest, even if you couldn't fully bear down on it with your body.
– jdv
6 hours ago
"loss of functionality?" I think so, but many others disagree and actively seek out drills without a side handle and if they have one they try to remove it if they can (because of the way they're fitted sometimes having a handle you don't use is preferable to having a rod of metal sticking out the side). If you do want to remove it in drills of this type the side handles tend to attach in one of 2 ways, either they're a push-fit on to a rod (no glue) or they're screwed on. So in either case fairly easy to remove without having to resort to sawing if you want to make the drill more compact.
– Graphus
2 hours ago
If your drill does have a rod out the side and you want to remove that too, were you thinking of using a hacksaw to take it off? The body of these drills is steel and may be tool steel rather than mild, so it could be a bit of a workout! Easily tackled by a cutoff wheel in a suitable power tool though if you have something suitable.
– Graphus
1 hour ago
Side handle unscrews on my Stanley drill ... no need to cut it off!
– Brian Drummond
6 mins ago
1
1
it's another handle for convenience, if the top handle doesn't give you the stability you need. Note that for heavier drilling you'd have a top handle meant for leaning on with your chest. In this case, this looks like a medium/light model, so you'd use whatever handle was convenient for the work at hand. In this particular case you could still keep things square with the tripod of two hands and your chest, even if you couldn't fully bear down on it with your body.
– jdv
6 hours ago
it's another handle for convenience, if the top handle doesn't give you the stability you need. Note that for heavier drilling you'd have a top handle meant for leaning on with your chest. In this case, this looks like a medium/light model, so you'd use whatever handle was convenient for the work at hand. In this particular case you could still keep things square with the tripod of two hands and your chest, even if you couldn't fully bear down on it with your body.
– jdv
6 hours ago
"loss of functionality?" I think so, but many others disagree and actively seek out drills without a side handle and if they have one they try to remove it if they can (because of the way they're fitted sometimes having a handle you don't use is preferable to having a rod of metal sticking out the side). If you do want to remove it in drills of this type the side handles tend to attach in one of 2 ways, either they're a push-fit on to a rod (no glue) or they're screwed on. So in either case fairly easy to remove without having to resort to sawing if you want to make the drill more compact.
– Graphus
2 hours ago
"loss of functionality?" I think so, but many others disagree and actively seek out drills without a side handle and if they have one they try to remove it if they can (because of the way they're fitted sometimes having a handle you don't use is preferable to having a rod of metal sticking out the side). If you do want to remove it in drills of this type the side handles tend to attach in one of 2 ways, either they're a push-fit on to a rod (no glue) or they're screwed on. So in either case fairly easy to remove without having to resort to sawing if you want to make the drill more compact.
– Graphus
2 hours ago
If your drill does have a rod out the side and you want to remove that too, were you thinking of using a hacksaw to take it off? The body of these drills is steel and may be tool steel rather than mild, so it could be a bit of a workout! Easily tackled by a cutoff wheel in a suitable power tool though if you have something suitable.
– Graphus
1 hour ago
If your drill does have a rod out the side and you want to remove that too, were you thinking of using a hacksaw to take it off? The body of these drills is steel and may be tool steel rather than mild, so it could be a bit of a workout! Easily tackled by a cutoff wheel in a suitable power tool though if you have something suitable.
– Graphus
1 hour ago
Side handle unscrews on my Stanley drill ... no need to cut it off!
– Brian Drummond
6 mins ago
Side handle unscrews on my Stanley drill ... no need to cut it off!
– Brian Drummond
6 mins ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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In my younger days, I had only this type of drill with which to bore holes. It was often necessary to place the in-line grip on my chest or belt to apply pressure. A board or similar panel provided some dispersal of force against the human body. The side handle served to stabilize the drill and to prevent rotation in an undesirable manner.
Addendum: something popped into my alleged mind during the day. The drill I would have used might have had a shoe. This image shows this feature, making the determination that much easier. Image courtesy of Shutterstock:

add a comment |
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In my younger days, I had only this type of drill with which to bore holes. It was often necessary to place the in-line grip on my chest or belt to apply pressure. A board or similar panel provided some dispersal of force against the human body. The side handle served to stabilize the drill and to prevent rotation in an undesirable manner.
Addendum: something popped into my alleged mind during the day. The drill I would have used might have had a shoe. This image shows this feature, making the determination that much easier. Image courtesy of Shutterstock:

add a comment |
In my younger days, I had only this type of drill with which to bore holes. It was often necessary to place the in-line grip on my chest or belt to apply pressure. A board or similar panel provided some dispersal of force against the human body. The side handle served to stabilize the drill and to prevent rotation in an undesirable manner.
Addendum: something popped into my alleged mind during the day. The drill I would have used might have had a shoe. This image shows this feature, making the determination that much easier. Image courtesy of Shutterstock:

add a comment |
In my younger days, I had only this type of drill with which to bore holes. It was often necessary to place the in-line grip on my chest or belt to apply pressure. A board or similar panel provided some dispersal of force against the human body. The side handle served to stabilize the drill and to prevent rotation in an undesirable manner.
Addendum: something popped into my alleged mind during the day. The drill I would have used might have had a shoe. This image shows this feature, making the determination that much easier. Image courtesy of Shutterstock:

In my younger days, I had only this type of drill with which to bore holes. It was often necessary to place the in-line grip on my chest or belt to apply pressure. A board or similar panel provided some dispersal of force against the human body. The side handle served to stabilize the drill and to prevent rotation in an undesirable manner.
Addendum: something popped into my alleged mind during the day. The drill I would have used might have had a shoe. This image shows this feature, making the determination that much easier. Image courtesy of Shutterstock:

edited 42 mins ago
answered 6 hours ago
fred_dot_ufred_dot_u
1,178127
1,178127
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SpacemanSpiff is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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it's another handle for convenience, if the top handle doesn't give you the stability you need. Note that for heavier drilling you'd have a top handle meant for leaning on with your chest. In this case, this looks like a medium/light model, so you'd use whatever handle was convenient for the work at hand. In this particular case you could still keep things square with the tripod of two hands and your chest, even if you couldn't fully bear down on it with your body.
– jdv
6 hours ago
"loss of functionality?" I think so, but many others disagree and actively seek out drills without a side handle and if they have one they try to remove it if they can (because of the way they're fitted sometimes having a handle you don't use is preferable to having a rod of metal sticking out the side). If you do want to remove it in drills of this type the side handles tend to attach in one of 2 ways, either they're a push-fit on to a rod (no glue) or they're screwed on. So in either case fairly easy to remove without having to resort to sawing if you want to make the drill more compact.
– Graphus
2 hours ago
If your drill does have a rod out the side and you want to remove that too, were you thinking of using a hacksaw to take it off? The body of these drills is steel and may be tool steel rather than mild, so it could be a bit of a workout! Easily tackled by a cutoff wheel in a suitable power tool though if you have something suitable.
– Graphus
1 hour ago
Side handle unscrews on my Stanley drill ... no need to cut it off!
– Brian Drummond
6 mins ago