Drill Bit Materials and Finishes
The materials from which bits are manufactured and the finishes applied to them play a significant role in the life and performance of the bit. Common materials and finishes include:
- High-speed steel (HSS) drill bits can drill wood, fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and soft metals such as aluminum.
- Cobalt drill bits are extremely hard and dissipate heat quickly. They're mostly used for boring in aluminum and tough metals such as stainless steel.
- Black oxide-coated HSS drill bits have a finish designed to help resist corrosion and increase durability. They last longer than basic HSS bits and work well on a variety of materials including metal, hardwood, softwood, PVC and fiberglass.
- Titanium-coated HSS drill bits produce less friction. They're tougher than basic HSS bits and stay sharp longer. They work for drilling wood, metal, fiberglass and PVC.
- Carbide-tipped drill bits stay sharp much longer than steel, HSS or titanium bits. They're effective for drilling tile and masonry.
Drill Bit Construction
For most drill bit types, the angle of the point helps determine what type of material the bit can drill. Flatter points, such as those with 135-degree angles, are suited for drilling into harder material. They may require a pilot hole to keep the bit from wandering. Bits with steeper points, such as those with 118-degree angles, are suited for softer material. They stay on center better and produce cleaner entry and exit holes. Bits with split-point tips improve drilling accuracy by keeping the bit from wandering when you begin to drill.
Bit size reflects the diameter of the body. Some projects call for specific drill bit sizes, but a bit set that includes sizes from 1/16 inch to 1/4 inch will work for many jobs around the home and workshop. You can add larger bits — 5/16-inch, 3/8-inch, 7/16-inch and 1/2-inch bits — if you need them.
The chuck on a hand drill or drill press secures a drill bit to the tool along the bit's shank. A smaller drill for work around the house typically has a 3/8-inch chuck. More powerful drills for heavier applications have a larger, 1/2-inch chuck. Drill presses also have larger chucks, 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch, for example. The bit shank size must not exceed the chuck size of the drill. A larger bit may have a reduced shank — a shank with a smaller diameter than the body of the bit — allowing you to use it with smaller chucks.
- A round shank allows you to accurately center a bit in the chuck.
- A hex shank has flat surfaces, allowing the tool to grip the bit more securely for greater torque. Hex shanks such as the one in the image above work with quick-change chucks — common on cordless drills — allowing you to insert and remove them without tightening and loosening the chuck.
- A slotted drive system (SDS) shank is designed for use on a hammer drill. It fits a spring-loaded chuck that doesn't require tightening. The bit can move forward and backward with the hammering motion of the drill, while flattened areas and slots on the shank allow the chuck to hold the bit.
Types of Drill Bits
Here’s an overview of the different types of drill bits. Use this information to decide on the right drill bits for the holes you need to drill and the material you’re working with.
Masonry Drill Bits, Twist Bits, Woodboring Bits and More
The most common drill bits for a do-it-yourselfer are masonry bits, twist drill bits and woodboring bits.
Masonry Drill Bits
Masonry drill bits, sometimes called concrete drill bits, can drill into tough, hard materials such as concrete. For example, you might use a masonry drill bit if you were installing anchors in concrete. The bit creates a hole in the concrete, allowing you to insert the anchor.
Twist Drill Bits
Twist drill bits are the most common type of drill bit for home use. They work for general-purpose drilling in wood, plastic and some types of metal. You might use a twist drill bit to drill a pilot hole in a board to receive a screw.
Woodboring Drill Bits
Woodboring drill bits are primarily for boring holes through wood for construction or woodworking projects. If you want larger, cleaner holes than a twist bit can create, a woodboring bit is a good choice.
Within these primary applications, there are a variety of drill bit types, as well as specialty drill bits for use on wood, metal, tile and masonry.
Brad-Point Drill Bit
A brad-point bit is a type of twist drill bit. The brad at the center of the bit tip helps position the bit precisely for accurate drilling and produces a clean exit point in the workpiece. The flutes — grooves that wrap around the bit and channel away chips and dust — are extra-wide to remove more material.
Installer Drill Bit
An installer bit is a specialized twist bit designed for running wiring when installing equipment such as entertainment or security systems. The bit can be up to 18 inches long and drills through wood, plaster and some masonry. Once you drill through the wall, floor or other surface, you insert a wire into the small hole in the bit and use the bit to draw it back through the hole you bored. You can then attach this wire to additional wire or cable and pull it through the hole.
Auger Drill Bit
An auger bit is a type of woodboring bit. It has a screw tip that starts the hole and pulls the bit through the workpiece to quickly create a clean hole. These bits can be as long as 18 inches. As with the brad-point bit, large flutes help remove chips and dust. An auger bit with a hollow center provides even more chip removal, allowing for deeper boring; one with a solid center is stronger and more rigid.
Self-Feed Drill Bit
A self-feed bit is another woodboring bit. Like the auger bit, a screw at the tip helps position the bit and draws it through the workpiece. However, this bit is more compact. It doesn't have the standard flutes of a twist bit, so you need to pull the bit back periodically to clear away chips and dust.
Spade Bit
A spade bit, also known as a paddle bit, is a woodboring bit that cuts large-diameter holes — up to 1-1/2 inches — in wood. It has a flattened blade with a sharp point that helps position and steady the bit. Some spade bits have points at the two edges that help create a neater hole and exit point.
Forstner Drill Bit
A Forstner bit is a woodboring bit that drills smooth, clean holes. You can use it to create flat-bottomed holes for receiving dowels. If you need to bore through the workpiece, it creates a neat exit hole. The design also allows you to overlap holes. A point helps you to position the bit precisely on the workpiece. Pull the bit out regularly to clear away chips and dust as you work. A handheld drill may not give you the force or control you need to use a Forstner bit, so a drill press is a better option for some applications.
Masonry Drill Bit or Concrete Drill Bit
As we mention above, you might call a masonry bit a concrete bit, since drilling into concrete is a common application. Masonry bits can also typically drill into tough materials such as brick, stone and tile. Some work with a standard drill, but those designed for use with a hammer drill or rotary hammer drill helps the concrete drill bit bore into masonry more effectively. The hammering action of the tool drives the carbide tip into the material while the rotating action channels away debris along the flutes.
SDS Masonry Drill Bit
A Slotted Drive System (SDS) masonry drill bit or concrete drill bit has a slotted shank that specifically fits SDS rotary hammer drills. The slots help the drill hold the bit securely during the hammering action the rotary hammer drill delivers. An SDS Max drill bit has a shaft diameter greater than that of an SDS Plus drill bit. SDS Max bits are capable of heavier drilling.
Hole Saw
A hole saw drills large holes for installing door hardware or creating a pass-through for wiring. It also creates a plug of waste material; a cut-out in the side of the saw cylinder allows you to push it out. Typically, a hole saw attaches to an arbor or mandrel, which includes a shank. The arbor also holds a pilot bit for centering and steadying the cutting blade. Some smaller hole saws have a built-in shank and don't use a pilot bit. A bi-metal hole saw cuts through wood and metal. A hole saw with a carbide edge works on heavier materials such as ceramic tile and masonry. A hole saw with a diamond edge also works on tile and masonry but cuts faster than carbide models.
Countersink Drill Bit
A countersink bit, also called a screw pilot bit, is a specialty bit for drilling in wood. In a single action, the bit can drill pilot, countersink and counterbore holes, allowing you to countersink a fastener and install a plug over the fastener head.
Plug Cutter
A plug cutter bores holes in wood, creating wood plugs for use in concealing recessed fasteners.
Step Drill Bit
A step bit is designed primarily for drilling in thin metal, up to 1/4 inch, but will work with wood. The stepped design allows you to use a single bit to drill holes with different diameters. Often the diameter of each step is etched into the metal drill bit. You can also use this type of bit to deburr holes, clearing away waste material.
Tile Drill Bit
A tile bit uses a carbide tip to drill into some types of tile while reducing the chance of chips and cracks. Check the packaging to determine the tile it can drill.
The larger the bit, the more torque it carries when spinning. Clamping down your workpiece — particularly when using Forstner bits and hole saws with diameters of 2 inches or more — helps prevent the bit from spinning out of control.
Drill Bit Accessories
In addition to more common drill bits, there are other options and accessories:
- Drill saw bits cut irregular holes and contours in wood and metal.
- Pocket hole bits are included with pocket hole jigs. They allow you to drill angled holes that accept screws for making wood joints.
- Scaling chisels work in rotary hammers or hammer drills for chiseling, scaling and chipping masonry.
- Depth stops prevent drilling beyond a predetermined depth.
- Driver bits and bit holders work on a drill/driver to install or remove fasteners.
- Drill bit extensions give your drill a longer reach.
- Screw or bolt extractors work with a reversible drill/driver to back out damaged fasteners.
- Right-angle attachments let you drill and drive in areas where a drill won't fit.
- Drill/driver bit sets collect various sizes and styles of bits in a convenient case.
When selecting a drill bit or accessory, make sure it's compatible both with the material you're drilling or driving and the tool you're using. Always follow manufacturers' instructions for use, maintenance and safety.
How to Choose the Right Drill Bit
When deciding which size and type of drill bit you need for the job, take into consideration the size of hole you want and the material you’re drilling into. In most cases, you should drill a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw you’re using so the threads of the fastener have something to cut into. For example, you would need a drill bit with a 2 mm diameter for a 2.5 mm screw. For wall anchors, use a drill bit with the same diameter as the anchor.
When pondering metal vs. wood drill bits or any other types, you’ll need to choose a bit that’s designed specifically for the material. For example, drill bits for wood are not intended for drilling into steel.
Drill Bit Maintenance and Lubricants
Drill bits are tough power tool accessories, but they can wear and become damaged without proper maintenance and care. There are several things you can do to maintain your drill bits and keep them working effectively:
- Keep your drill bits clean. Remove loose debris with a soft brush or cloth.
- Use the right type of drill bit for your application. Using the wrong drill bit for a material is a safety hazard. It can also damage the bit, the workpiece and the drill.
- Store your bits in a dry location where they’re protected from accidental damage. Storing bits in a drill bit case or using divided storage trays and magnetic holders helps minimize the risk of damage.
- Use a cutting tool lubricant when necessary. Drilling into metal generates lots of heat and the heat can shorten the effective life of a bit. Using a cutting tool lubricant can help your bits last longer and let you drill into metal faster.
- If you do a lot of drilling, you might want to invest in a drill bit sharpener. This tool uses a grinding wheel to sharpen the cutting edges of many types of drill bits.
- Inspect a drill bit before using it. Replace the bit if you find any damage — don’t use a damaged drill bit.