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A drill technically becomes a screwdriver when you insert a screw bit into it
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Bluegrass_Addict lemmy.ca Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca
Joined: 2025-10-21
(edited) Quote

43   Original
Lembot_0006 programming.dev Lembot_0006@programming.dev
Joined: 2025-12-08
#2 · Quote Reply

Both are just an engine with spindle. They are the same if you ignore nuances like torque, speed, etc...

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actionjbone sh.itjust.works actionjbone@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-09-12
#3 · Quote Reply

The device is the drill.

The driver or bit is the thing you insert into the end of the drill.

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Mpatch lemmy.world Mpatch@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-01
#4 · Quote Reply

Both are just an engine with spindle. They are the same if you ignore nuances like torque, speed, etc...

That's right. Every tool is a lathe one way or another.

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EndlessNightmare reddthat.com EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com
Joined: 2024-03-24
#5 · (edited) Quote Reply

Most drills that I've seen do have a screwdriver setting on them. It differs from normal drilling in torque and probably speed.

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ryannathans aussie.zone ryannathans@aussie.zone
Joined: 2023-09-20
#6 · Quote Reply

Most drills that I've seen do have a screwdriver setting on them. It differs from normal drilling in torque and probably speed.

Disengages the hammer too

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tiramichu sh.itjust.works tiramichu@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2025-06-04
#7 · (edited) Quote Reply

The device is the drill. The driver or bit is the thing you insert into the end of the drill.

If the attachment is what makes it a screwdriver, then the attachment is also what makes it a drill.

An electric kitchen mixer is not a drill. At least, it wasn't designed to be one. But I could weld a drill bit on there and turn it into something which can maybe drill - if terribly.

Similarly, the 'device' part of what we call an electric drill can't drill anything, not until you put the drill bit in. It's not a drill in its base form - just a handheld spinny thing waiting for a purpose.

But I could add a whisk and turn it into a kitchen mixer....

We generally call the body part of a drill 'a drill' because that's what it was designed to be. It's got speed settings and torque control and hammer function and all the things that were engineered to make it good at drilling. But it's not a drill without the bit - both practically and philosophically - and what community is more philosophical than showerthoughts.

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Kazel lemmy.dbzer0.com Kazel@lemmy.dbzer0.com
Joined: 2024-03-19
#8 · Quote Reply

The device is the drill. The driver or bit is the thing you insert into the end of the drill.

The drill is the shit you insert

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bryndos fedia.io bryndos@fedia.io
Joined: 2025-07-28
#9 · Quote Reply

I reckon as soon as you remove the bit, it is no longer a "drill", its just a generic "[spinny thing] driver".

"Drill" is a short hand for the combination of driver and drill bit.

These modern mongrel drill drivers have betrayed their pure drill ancestors by screwing around.

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Test_Tickles lemmy.world Test_Tickles@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-04
#10 · Quote Reply

So does a hammer if you hit a screw with it.

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actionjbone sh.itjust.works actionjbone@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-09-12
#11 · (edited) Quote Reply

If the attachment is what makes it a screwdriver, then the attachment is also what makes it a drill. An electric kitchen mixer is not a drill. At least, it wasn't designed to be one. But I could weld a drill bit on there and turn it into something which can maybe drill - if terribly. Similarly, the 'device' part of what we call an electric drill can't drill anything, not until you put the drill...

If we're speaking philosophically, do we really know that an electric kitchen mixer, when fitted with a bit, would make a terrible drill? It's probably not something that's been tested or studied much, if at all.

For all we know, it would make an excellent one.

Maybe we should apply for grants, talk to labs. Set up some experiments.

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actionjbone sh.itjust.works actionjbone@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-09-12
#12 · Quote Reply

The drill is the shit you insert

Sir, if you are inserting actual shit, you're not going to have much success either turning screws or making holes in things.

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presoak lazysoci.al presoak@lazysoci.al
Joined: 2025-11-29
#13 · Quote Reply

That is true.

Also, consider an impact driver. You'll thank me

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Bluegrass_Addict lemmy.ca Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca
Joined: 2025-10-21
#14 · Quote Reply

That is true. Also, consider an impact driver. You'll thank me

ex HVAC tech, impact was my go-to drill due to sheet metal screws.

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presoak lazysoci.al presoak@lazysoci.al
Joined: 2025-11-29
#15 · Quote Reply

ex HVAC tech, impact was my go-to drill due to sheet metal screws.

I am a carpenter. I use the impact a lot. Much easier on the wrist.

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idunnololz lemmy.world idunnololz@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-13
#16 · Quote Reply

That is true. Also, consider an impact driver. You'll thank me

I use my impact driver as a drill (and I own a drill) 👀

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altphoto lemmy.today altphoto@lemmy.today
Joined: 2025-04-14
#17 · Quote Reply

And a hole saw, and a grinder!

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presoak lazysoci.al presoak@lazysoci.al
Joined: 2025-11-29
#18 · Quote Reply

I use my impact driver as a drill (and I own a drill) 👀

I have done that too. For a couple big difficult holes. It seemed logical and it actually worked out better than I thought it would. But it's a technique that I save for extremis.

1
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