What is the primary purpose of a start drill?

• A. To bore holes into metal
• B. To drill holes in wood
• C. To drill holes in stone and brick
• D. To create pilot holes in drywall

Answer: (C)

The primary purpose of a start drill is to create pilot holes in surfaces that will later facilitate the drilling of larger holes or the insertion of screws and fasteners, particularly in harder materials like stone and brick. The start drill is designed to first penetrate the tough exterior of these materials, providing an entry point that allows subsequent drilling to proceed with greater accuracy and control.

One of its key benefits is that it prevents the larger drill bit from wandering off target when starting the hole in these dense materials. By creating a pilot hole, it ensures that the larger bit can follow the same path without additional force or friction that could cause it to bind or break.

In contrast, other drilling tools or types of drills are better suited for materials like wood or metal, where the requirements for starting holes differ due to the properties of those materials. For instance, wood drills are specifically designed to create larger holes directly and might not require a pilot hole in the same way that stone or brick would for optimal results.