Start drilling at an angle, then straighten to vertical

Position the drill bit on your mark at approximately a 45-degree angle to the surface. Start the drill at very low speed so the bit tip catches and begins to scratch a small groove. Once the bit has created a visible notch or groove, slowly tilt the drill upright to your desired drilling angle (usually perpendicular) while maintaining slow speed. The initial groove prevents the bit from skating away as you straighten.

Why It Works

When a drill bit contacts a hard, smooth surface at a steep angle, the tip has less tendency to skip because only a small portion of the cutting edge contacts the material. This concentrates the cutting force on a tiny point, allowing it to bite in. Once a small notch exists, the bit naturally tracks into it when you straighten up.

Tips

• This technique works best on metal and hard plastic; avoid it on tile or glass as the angled start can chip brittle materials
• Use very low RPM (under 500) during the angled start phase -- high speed causes the bit to skip violently
• Apply moderate downward pressure during the tilt; too little and the bit rides out of the groove, too much and you risk snapping thin bits
• The resulting hole may be very slightly elongated from the initial groove -- acceptable for most applications but not ideal for precision work
• This is a field technique when you have no center punch, tape, or other aids available
• Common mistake: starting at full speed -- the bit will walk across the surface and scratch it before you can straighten up