Drill bits for wood how to#
Drill bits for wood professional#

Special care is required when using the smallest sizes since these bits are thin and brittle. They are designed for drilling relatively small holes, they sometimes tend to clog quickly especially when the wood is 'green' so when drilling deep holes (especially in hardwood) the bits should be withdrawn regularly to remove the waste. Twist drills are usually available in sizes 0.8-12 mm plus. The coating is only really effective when metal is being drilled, it has little effect when working with other materials. This coating increases the hardness of the bit and adds a self-lubricating property. Twist bits are also available coated with Titanium nitride (TiN), these are easily identified by the gold like colour.

'carbon steel', these bits are specially ground for drilling wood and should not be used for drilling metals, they tend to be more brittle, less flexible than HSS bits.

'high speed steel' (HSS), these are suitable for drilling most types of material, when drilling metal the HSS stands up to the high temperatures.

They can be used on timber, metal, plastics and similar materials. The front edges cut the material and the spirals along the length remove the debris from the hole and tend to keep the bit straight. Usuallyreferred to as twist drills, twist bits are probably the most common drilling tools used by the handyman with either a hand or electric drill. A sharp bit will also give a cleaner hole. A sharp bit cuts better with less effort whether used in a power or hand drill.

Drill bits for wood how to#

Learning how to sharpen drill bits is cost effective, it better to keep a bit sharp by occasional sharpening rather than waiting until it becomes really blunt. Good quality drill bits can be expensive, so take care of them, keep them in a case or box if possible, rather than allowing them to roll around loose in a toolbox where the cutting edges may be damaged. But for more sophisticated jobs/material, others bits will be required - perhaps larger, or designed for a specific material/purpose. Many jobs around the house require a hole of some kind to be drilled - whether it is putting up a shelf, building a cabinet or hanging a light fitting.įor basic requirements, a set of high-speed steel twist drills and some masonry bits will probably be sufficient for the average handyman.

To drill a satisfactory hole in any material, the correct type of drill bit must be used it must be used correctly and be sharpened as appropriate. They are generally used with a hammer power tool for more effective resultsSDS (Slotted Drive System) – These have a special shank that fits into the chuck of an SDS power tool.Twist bit - screwdriver bit - masonry - spur point - bullet pilot - countersink - tile - flat wood - hole saw - forstner - wood auger Check out our twist drill bits guide for more informationMasonry – The TCT drill bits are the best to use when drilling brick, block, stone and mortar and are most commonly used in the construction industry.

Drill bits for wood professional#

They are generally made from HSS and are suited to general household DIY tasks, as well as professional applications like maintenance and engineering. Having the right size and the right type of bit is a key factor in ensuring the highest standard of work and ensures you can drill with confidence and accuracy.Common Types of Drill BitsTwist – The most common type of drill bit and ideal for drilling wood, plastic, and metals. Drill Bits Drill bits are cutting tools that are used to remove different types of materials to create a hole, generally always in a circular motion.