Joe’s Question Corner: Can I Punch Holes With A Handheld Drill?

Q: “We occasionally need to drill holes for some binding jobs we do, but the amount we do does not justify the cost of a Paper Drill. Can I use your paper drill bits in a regular handheld drill to do it?

A: We actually get this question a lot. We do not recommend it since the paper drilling bits are thin, hollow metal tubes that – if not drilled 100% straight down could damage the bit – or worse: injure the operator!  Additionally, the hollow bits used in a standard drill have no where for the waste paper chips to exit the inner part of the bit and their collars that fit into the drill chuck are tapered or at least 1/2″ in diameter.

A paper drilling machine will allow the bit to travel straight down and has a head designed to allow the waste chips (or chads) to exit the bit into a waste chute. A standard drill press (often found in a workshop) will allow the correct bit travel, but has no waste exit method and is limited to using only the Lawson paper drill bits so long as it has a 1/2″ chuck/head.

A lower cost and frankly much safer option would be a Heavy Duty Paper Punch (like the FP-1 Punch). These punches work very similar to a paper drill press without the need for electricity and a large pocket full of cash. They are easily stowed away when not being used and capable of punching up to 300 sheets of 20# paper at a time. Now you can save your cash and possibly a trip to the ER.

Got any special punching needs? Tell us about them in the comments below.