Side Handle
Affiliate link — we may earn a commissionA side handle is an auxiliary grip that screws into the collar behind the chuck on a drill or bolts onto the body of an angle grinder. It gives you a second point of contact for controlling torque reaction and vibration. On a hammer drill boring into concrete with a 1/2-inch bit, the motor can generate enough torque to twist the drill body if the bit binds. The side handle gives your other hand leverage to resist that twist. On grinders, the side handle is a safety requirement. A 4-1/2-inch grinder at 11,000 RPM has enough gyroscopic force to wrench out of one hand if the disc catches.
Why It Matters
A drill or grinder that twists out of your hand becomes a spinning projectile. The side handle prevents that. On grinders, it's not optional. Grinder manuals and OSHA require a two-handed grip. On drills, use it for any bit larger than 3/8-inch in hard material or when using a hole saw.