Drill Bits Buying Guide

25 Mar.,2024

 

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.

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