ure that into my measurements." He adds that several factors impact
the kerf, including the width of the blade, the set of the blade's teeth,
the amount of wobble created during cutting and the amount of mate-
rial pulled out of the sides of the cut.
• Bits and compatibility. The quality of the machinery — in particu-
lar the bit and how it fits into the drill — is also a key consideration.
"You want a very high-quality machine bit," says Dr. Lincoski. "If I
want to drill a 2-millimeter hole, there is no real margin for error. The
key thing is that it drills true and straight. There is no tolerance in sur-
gery for the drill bit to wobble."
To prevent that wobble, make sure the chuck — a specialized type of
clamp in the drill — tightly secures the bit. There is also something
called a "quick chuck," a universal adapter that addresses another
important factor: compatibility.
You need to have good interchanging parts, so keep compatibility —
of the chuck and the bit, and of the chuck and the saw blade — in
mind.
"Let's say I'm fixing an ankle fracture or doing a fusion," says Dr.
Biggerstaff. "I might use 2 or 3 different drill bits depending on the
size of the screw. I know 30 to 45 seconds doesn't sound like a lot of
time to chuck up a drill bit every time you want to change it. But if
you're putting a bunch of screws in, the time adds up. And when you
expand that to an entire day of operating, there is a lot of wasted time
if you don't have that compatibility."
• Ergonomics. Most of the tools are ergonomically balanced now,
and it's important that the drill have a comfortable feel. Even the pen-
cil and pistol grips provide varying tactile sensations in your hands.
You want as little vibration as possible and very little kickback from
the instruments.
Thinking of Buying …
TB
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