Professional Nail Drill Machines and Drill Bits

A nail drill, or e-file, takes the slow part out of a service: shaping an extension, refining the surface, cleaning around the cuticle and removing product. Used well it is faster than hand filing and gentler on the natural nail. Used badly it is the quickest way to damage one, so this page is as much about choosing the right bit as the right machine.

The drills

• Viraa Pro Rechargeable Drill Machine - cordless, up to 35,000 RPM, charged over Type-C, in a pen-style handpiece with its own circular stand and a set of bits.
• 2-in-1 Rechargeable Lamp and Drill - a portable unit that cures and preps in one tool.
• 3-in-1 Lamp, Fan and Drill - a drill, a built-in dust fan and an adjustable LED lamp in one unit.
• 4-in-1 Workstation - a dust collector, drill, curing lamp and hand rest together.

Drill bits

The Viraa Pro Drill Bit is sold singly in nine shapes and grits, colour-coded and each in its own case. The names tell you the shape and, where there is one, the grit: XF is extra fine and M is medium. As a general guide:

• Barrel and large barrel bits cover broad areas, and are used for shaping and for removing product.
• Flame and torch bits reach the sidewalls and the area around the cuticle.
• Extra fine bits refine and smooth the surface after shaping.
• The round bit is for small, precise cleanup work.

Start with one barrel bit and one flame bit and add shapes as your technique needs them.

Using one safely

Learn at the low end of the speed range, keep the bit moving and never press. Hold it flat to the nail instead of tilting it into the skin, and clean or replace bits between clients. A dust collector or built-in fan keeps the air clear while you file; see choosing a nail dust collector. Buying guidance is in the professional nail drill machine guide and in buying nail equipment online.

Pair a drill with a lamp from the nail lamps range, and with polygel or builder gel from the nail extension category. Other equipment is in Nail Equipment.