5 Ways to Use Your Cordless Drill Beyond Drilling Holes

Key Takeaways

• Mixing paddles turn your drill into a paint, grout, or mortar mixer
• Brush attachments let you deep clean tile, tubs, and outdoor furniture
• Sanding discs and polishing pads extend your drill's capabilities without buying separate tools

A cordless drill's job description is simple: make holes and drive screws. But that undersells what's actually in your hand. It's a high-torque motor that spins things. The attachments you put in the chuck determine what it can do.

With a few accessories, that basic drill becomes a tool for mixing, cleaning, sanding, and polishing. You probably already own the drill. Here's how to get more out of it.

Mix paint, mortar, or grout

Stirring paint by hand is slow and tiring. Mixing mortar or grout is worse. A mixing paddle attachment costs around $10 and lets your drill do the work. Several brands make drill-specific paddles in various sizes for different container depths and material viscosities.

Insert the paddle into your chuck like a drill bit. Drop it into the bucket and let the motor stir. This works for paint, epoxy, cement, and grout. You'll save time and energy, and get a more consistent mix than manual stirring provides.

Deep clean with brush attachments

Walk into any Home Depot, Walmart, or auto parts store and you'll find brush attachments that fit standard drill chucks. These aren't just for industrial cleaning. They work well on tile, tubs, outdoor furniture, and car wheels.

Brush kits typically include several shapes: flat brushes for large surfaces, cone-shaped brushes for corners, and small round brushes for grout lines. Pair them with your regular cleaning solution. The drill provides scrubbing power that would take ten times longer by hand.

Sand wood and other materials

Sanding attachments turn your drill into a rotary sander. These are useful for small projects where pulling out a dedicated orbital sander isn't worth the setup time. They're also good for reaching spots a larger sander can't access.

Most drill sanding attachments use a backing pad that accepts hook-and-loop sandpaper discs. Buy the backing pad once and swap sandpaper grits as needed. Start with coarse grit to remove material, then switch to finer grits for a smooth finish.

Polish surfaces

Polishing pads work the same way as sanding attachments but use foam or microfiber instead of abrasive paper. These are useful for buffing car paint, restoring headlight clarity, or polishing metal fixtures.

Apply polishing compound to the pad or the surface, then let the drill's rotation do the buffing. Keep the drill moving to avoid heat buildup in one spot. The results won't match a dedicated polisher, but for occasional use, a drill attachment is more practical than buying another tool.

Handle yard work tasks

Some drill attachments cross into yard work territory. Auger bits let you dig holes for fence posts or planting without a dedicated post hole digger. Wire wheel attachments strip rust from outdoor metal furniture or tools.

These uses push the drill harder than typical indoor tasks. Make sure your drill has enough torque for the job. Most 18V or 20V drills can handle light-duty auger work in soft soil, but clay or rocky ground may stall a smaller motor.

What to look for in a drill for these tasks

Any cordless drill will handle mixing and cleaning. For sanding and polishing, variable speed control matters. You want to start slow and increase speed as needed. A clutch helps prevent over-torquing on delicate surfaces.

The Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP drill/driver sells for $79 at Home Depot and comes with a battery and charger. Harbor Freight's Bauer 20V drill is a budget option that includes the tool, battery, and charger at a lower price point. Either handles all five tasks covered here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any drill for mixing paint?

Yes. Any cordless drill with a standard chuck can accept mixing paddle attachments. Higher voltage drills (18V or 20V) handle thicker materials like mortar more easily than 12V models.

Are drill brush attachments safe for bathroom tile?

Yes. Use softer bristle attachments for delicate surfaces. Stiff bristles work well on grout but can scratch some tile finishes. Test on an inconspicuous area first.

How does a drill sander compare to a dedicated orbital sander?

A dedicated orbital sander is faster for large surfaces and leaves a more consistent finish. Drill sanders are better for small projects, tight spaces, and situations where you don't want to set up another tool.

Can a cordless drill dig fence post holes?

With an auger bit attachment, yes. Most 18V or 20V drills handle soft soil. Hard clay or rocky ground may require a more powerful tool or a dedicated post hole digger.

Source: How-To Geek