Drilling apparatus and methods of using same

1. A drilling apparatus comprising:

at least one bit;

a vacuum shroud disposed around a longitudinal axis of the apparatus and configured to be in operative communication with a vacuum attachment port; and

a first magnet disposed near a distal end of the apparatus and configured to attract metallic debris resulting from drilling apparatus operation; wherein the first magnet is disposed such that the first magnet surrounds the longitudinal axis and weight balances itself around the longitudinal axis;

a second magnet disposed to surround the longitudinal axis;

wherein the first and second magnets are disposed in a longitudinal series such that the first magnet is disposed more distally than the second magnet;

wherein the bit is at least one of a hole saw bit and a pilot bit; wherein the first and second magnets are ring magnets disposed about the pilot bit or hole saw bit for rotation with the pilot bit or the hole saw bit.

2. A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a motorized element configured to impart motion to the at least one bit.

3. A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum apparatus operatively connected to the vacuum shroud via the vacuum attachment port and configured to vacuum up at least non-metallic debris.

4. A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a compressible boot attached to the vacuum shroud.

5. A drilling apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the compressible boot is configured to be reversibly compressible by extending and contracting along a longitudinal axis of the drilling apparatus.

6. A drilling apparatus according to claim 4 , where the compressible boot comprises a plurality of reversibly compressible pleats.

7. A drilling apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the compressible boot is airtight except at an open distal end.

8. A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum attached to the vacuum attachment port.

9. A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one bit is a hole saw bit comprising a cylindrical body defining an inner cavity; wherein the first and second magnets are disposed within the inner cavity.

10. A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one bit includes at least one gap therethrough.

11. A drilling apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the vacuum shroud is removably attached to the motorized element.

12. A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bit is included in a kit of a plurality of bits configured for use with the drilling apparatus.

13. A method of using a drilling apparatus, the method comprising:

activating a drill motor;

penetrating a surface with a bit rotating about a longitudinal axis;

attracting magnetic debris from the penetrating to a first magnet disposed near a distal end of the bit; wherein the first magnet is disposed such that the first magnet surrounds the longitudinal axis and weight balances itself around the longitudinal axis;

wherein the attracting magnetic debris comprises attracting magnetic debris to the first magnet and a second magnet, wherein the second magnet is disposed to surround the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second magnets are disposed in a longitudinal series such that the first magnet is disposed more distally than the second magnet; wherein the bit is at least one of a hole saw bit and a pilot bit; wherein the first and second magnets are ring magnets disposed about the pilot bit or hole saw bit for rotation with the pilot bit or the hole saw bit; and

vacuuming away from the surface at least one of magnetic debris and non-magnetic debris resulting from the penetrating.

14. A method according to claim 13 , further comprising trapping at least one of the magnetic and non-magnetic debris within a vacuum shroud disposed around a longitudinal axis of the bit.

15. A method according to claim 14 , further comprising removing the magnetic debris from the first magnet.

16. A drilling apparatus kit comprising:

a plurality of drill bits of different configurations, each drill bit configured to magnetically attract metallic debris; wherein each drill bit is at least one of a hole saw bit and a pilot bit and comprises:

a respective first magnet, wherein each first magnet is disposed such that it surrounds the corresponding bit's longitudinal axis and weight balances itself around that corresponding longitudinal axis; and

a respective second magnet disposed to surround the corresponding bit's longitudinal axis; and wherein the first and second magnets are ring magnets disposed about the corresponding pilot bit or hole saw bit for rotation with the corresponding pilot bit or the hole saw bit;

wherein, for each drill bit, the first and second magnets of that drill bit are disposed in a longitudinal series such that the first magnet is disposed more distally than the second magnet; and

a vacuum shroud configured to be coupled about each drill bit of the plurality of drill bits, the vacuum shroud configured to be in operative communication with a vacuum attachment port.