Powder drilling is a manual drilling technique in which a heavy shear or hammer drill bit is attached to a cable and driven down an open borehole or into a temporary casing.

In this method, a tripod is usually used to hold the tools. By moving up and down the cable, the shear or hammer drill weakens the dense soil or rock inside the borehole, and in the next step it is removed by an auger. At the same time as the hand drill, a temporary cover made of steel or plastic can be used to prevent the borehole from falling. When the permanent filters (well screen) and casing are installed, this temporary casing is removed from the borehole.

This type of drilling has been used for drilling wells or activities related to mineral exploration for thousands of years and can be adapted to a variety of technologies. Drilling can be a simple device consisting of a heavy drill head and a cable and can be done by hand. In the new types, which are also known as cable drilling, a motor and cable are used to dig boreholes several hundred feet deep.

One of the uses of powder drilling in third world countries is as a cheap and reliable method for drilling water wells. The equipment of this method is such that it is possible to make, carry and use them simply. These drillings have less pollution than the usual manual drilling methods and this method is able to dig narrower and deeper holes than manual drilling in different types of soil and stone environments.

If the material of the environment in which drilling takes place is sufficiently resistant, drilling can be done until water is reached, and if the environment is made of loose soil or sand, a pipe may be used to prevent the well from collapsing. After the hole is deep enough, the permanent cover is also installed.