Using an electric nail drill is essential for a flawless at home manicure. Electronic nail file drills are used for grinding, carving, polishing as well as a cuticle remover. While an electric nail drill may seem intimidating at first and require some training, it is well worth it…I promise!

Which drill to purchase?

There are a ton of nail drills out there. To be honest I’ve only worked with one. I’d say I started doing my nails roughly 3 years ago now and I am still using the same one to this day.

How much money?

The cost varies with each brand. You can spend anywhere from twenty to several hundred dollars. I’m not here to tell you which one is better than the other since I don’t have that knowledge. I’m here to tell you my 50-something-dollar-electric-nail-drill is still kicking today and is very user friendly.

Which nail drill I use

I have been using the Makartt Professional Electric Nail File Manicure Drill JD700 30000RPM

What’s in the box?

• 1 electric nail drill main device
• 1 hand piece
• 1 hand piece stand
• 1 foot pedal
• 4 drill bits
• user manual

Easy assembly and use

• Connect hand piece to electric drill main device
• Connect foot pedal (if you wish to use this method)
• Plug the outlet in
• Choose either hand mode or foot mode (whichever you prefer)
• Adjust speed to your preference by sliding the speed control dial

How to use the drill…in more detail

Hand or foot control

This drill allows for either hand or foot control. When the hand control is selected the drill bit continuously rotates until you flip the off switch. With the foot control you’re able to control on/off with the foot pedal. Foot pedal use is commonly seen at nail salons.

Forward/Reverse feature

This drill also allows for forward or reverse direction of the bit which is suitable for either left handed or right handed individuals. This feature is very handy because you will use both hands when doing your nails. When you switch hands you will switch the direction the bit rotates. When I have the drill in my right hand I use the forward direction and when I have the drill in my left hand I use the reverse direction.

I personally do a lot of vertical movements on my nail when using the nail drill so the direction of the drill bit is important for me for controlled. I think the forward/reverse feature is pretty much user preference based on how you handle and move your drill.

Changing nail bits

The nail bits are super easy to change. Initially I thought my drill was broken because I’d twist the lock chuck and it wasn’t releasing. I would rotate the lock chuck clockwise but once it became resistant I stopped and it would return to its original position. I have never used one before and didn’t want to break it but being too rough on it.

I had my handy dandy husband take a peek at it since he has a drill tool set that works in a similar fashion and he easily released the bit (insert eye roll here). So here is what I learned: realllly give it a good twist because there is a threshold you need to get to before it opens and releases the bit.

There is an “R<–>S” label on the drill itself which stands for “release” and “secure”. Rotate the lock chuck clockwise to release the current drill bit. Once removed place the desired bit. Secure the drill bit by rotating the lock chuck counter-clockwise. You will know the bit has been secured in place when you hear a clicking noise and you can no longer pull the bit out of the drill.

Speed Control

I haven’t really messed with the speed much. I keep mine somewhat in the middle but closer to the slower (min) side. I do increase the bit speed minimally to cause abrasion to the surface of the nail before soaking off the polish. I also use a higher speed near the end of the process when I am buffing the nail for a smooth and even surface.

There is an LED display bar which shows the speed control. You can set this to whatever speed you prefer. I typically have it between 3 to 4 bars whenever when I’m using it. I personally don’t like to use my drill at fast speeds especially when I’m buffing my bare nail to prep it for the dip powder because it can cause some heat at faster speeds which may cause discomfort.

Which drill bits to use?

This electronic nail drill came with 4 nail drill bits including a sanding band. This alone was all I used for the first couple years. Once I got the hang of the drill and all it has to offer I splurged and bought the MAKARTT Blue Tungsten Carbide Nail Drill Bits Set.

I start by using the coarse sanding band on my nails to create abrasion needed prior to soaking off the nails.

Once my nails are completely soaked off and shaped I use the cuticle remover bit (thin and pointy silver bit that came with the drill) to lightly buff the nail before applying the dip steps.

Once the nails have been dipped and shaped I then use the MAKARTT Blue Tungsten Carbide Nail fine drill bits to get the desirable smooth and even surface before applying the last seal protect coat and top layers of polish

Final thoughts

At first it feels awkward to use an professional electric nail drill. Over time and with repeated use you will get the hang of it and wonder how you ever did dip powder manicures without it!!