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:
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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.
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 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:
When it comes to choosing the right drill bit for the job, there are three things to consider; material, coating, and the geometry of the tool. We’ll break it all down in a concise way to help clear things up to save you some time.
The first thing to think about is the composition of the drilling bit. There are three popular composites and they all serve a different purpose.
High-Speed Steel (HSS) is the most popular drill bit material for several reasons. High-Speed Steel is readily available, and we have plenty of it right here in the United States. HSS is also extremely versatile. Manufacturers can configure an HSS drill bit for just about any application you can think of.
M42 Cobalt is high-speed steel with 8-10% Cobalt added in order to increase the hardness and endurance of the tool. You can pretty much expect the same characteristics as a standard HSS drill, but with increased performance across the board.
Solid Carbide drill bits are the most expensive but they will outlast other drill bit materials by a longshot. A Carbide drill will outlast a Cobalt drill by at least twenty times, reducing the cost-per-hole significantly.
One characteristic of Carbide is that it’s brittle, so it won’t flex. This makes Carbide a bad choice for hand drilling. If you’re running a CNC or frequently use a drilling press, this material is worth the investment.
Carbide drills allow for a Through Spindle Coolant system or TSC as it’s known. In situations where you’re drilling deep into very hard materials, the feeding of coolant through the drill allows for better chip evacuation and self-cooling. This also helps to prevent wear, which is nice since TSC drill bits are pricey.
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Throw a good coating on any drill bit and you’ll completely change its characteristics. Coatings extend tool life and improve cutting performance. We’ve selected a few of the most popular coatings to keep things simple, so let’s jump in.
Bright Finish is a funny term because these drill bits are actually uncoated. Simply put, this keeps costs down.
Black Oxide finishes increase lubricity which helps to resist damage from heat and corrosion. Naturally, this also extends the life of the tool. These bits are best for use on ferrous metals.
Black and Gold finish drill bits resist corrosion and breakage while increasing lubricity. These bits are not prone to chipping and flaking.
TiN extends the drill life and is an excellent entry-level coating for machining needs.
AlTiN is a couple of steps up from TiN, with extended life and performance. An interesting charismatic is that these do not perform well on aluminum since aluminum is part of the coating.
Geometry is just as important as the material and coating when it comes to the performance and characteristics of a drill bit. Consider that every manufacturer has its own proprietary configurations so we’ll just focus on the general aspects.
Skinny drill bits snap more easily than thick drill bits. This is where spending a little more money for heavy-duty geometry is nice. That said, there is much more to drill design than the thickness and it’s not always a priority but it is a nice thing to be aware of.
A shorter drill bit is more rigid which is ideal so you should always use the shortest drill possible. That said, sometimes you have to use a longer drill bit. In these instances, you should at least use the shortest flute-length (cutting portion) possible. Using a drill with an unnecessary long flute length means that you’re choosing to use a less stable drill. This is not advised. The next question to ask is, “How much flute length do I need?” The rule of thumb for determining this is to take the diameter of the drill bit, double that, and then you’ll have the minimal flute length needed above the hole for proper chip evacuation.
There are actually a handful of drill point angles, but 118º and 135º are the two most common. A 118º drilling point is commonly put on lower-cost, general-purpose drill bits. It’s suitable for mild steel, aluminum, and other soft metals. On the other hand, 135º is for hardened steel and other tougher materials.
118º Drill PointA critical feature in twist drills, helix angles determine the process of chip formation. Large helix angles are good at removing soft, long-chipping materials. Small helix angles are good for the removal of hard, short-chipping materials. Note that there is some overlap in how helix angles are categorized.
10º to 29ºThis is an excellent and underappreciated feature in twist drills. A split-point drill bit prevents walking when starting a cut. Without a split-point, technicians would first need to drill pilot holes or use punches in order to start their cuts. This would, of course, take a lot more time and cut into your bottom line.
As we said earlier, every manufacturer has its own special sauce when it comes to drill bit design but the high-level points we covered here are universal. We hope that this condensed guide will serve as a foundation and help you understand what to consider when choosing the right drill bits for your upcoming jobs.
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