Drills are handy instruments that benefit everyone from a DIYer to skilled craftspeople. However, to make sure that you don’t destroy the fabric you are attempting to drill into, it’s crucial that you use the proper drill bit.
The following is a complete listing of the commonest drill bits and their uses. Read on to seek out probably the most appropriate drill bit for your mission.
What are Drill Bits Used For?
Drill bits are designed to drill holes in a variety of various widespread materials. These embrace different types of wood, steel, plastic, ceramic tile, porcelain and concrete. Drill bits made for steel, aluminum, copper, solid iron, sheet metallic, fiberglass, brick, vinyl flooring and extra are also accessible.
Sized for his or her diameter, drill bits are constructed in a variety of kinds to help with particular duties. Unsure which drill bit you want or what you want in your toolbox? Keep reading for a rundown of the several types of drill bits you’re likely to come back across.
Drill Bit Materials and Finishes
The supplies from which bits are manufactured and the finishes utilized to them play a significant function within the life and efficiency of the bit. Common supplies and finishes embrace:
High-pace steel (HSS) drill bits can drill wood, fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and soft metals such as aluminum.
Cobalt drill bits are extraordinarily laborious and dissipate heat rapidly. They’re largely used for boring in aluminum and tough metals reminiscent of stainless steel.
Black oxide-coated HSS drill bits have a finish designed to assist resist corrosion and improve durability. They last longer than primary HSS bits and work nicely on a variety of supplies together with steel, hardwood, softwood, PVC and fiberglass.
Titanium-coated HSS drill bits produce less friction. They’re more durable than primary HSS bits and keep sharp longer. They work for drilling wood, steel, fiberglass and PVC.
Carbide-tipped drill bits stay sharp much longer than steel, HSS or titanium bits. They’re efficient for drilling tile and masonry.
Types of Drill Bits: Top 10
A twist bit is the commonest sort of drill bit for home use. It works for common-objective drilling in wooden, plastic and light steel. twist drill; Learn Alot more, bits are the most typical sort of drill bit and are used for on a regular basis drilling in every type of fabric. They’re additionally essentially the most complicated as a result of sheer number of size, tip, and material specs.
2. Flat Drill
The sort of drill is usually made by beating slender sticks of high carbon steel. Their innovative is ground and then hardened and tempered. It may be made easily in any shape or measurement. These are made in numerous sizes after forging them. These drills are very cheap.
It’s not used for boring holes in iron. It’s usually used for boring holes in carpentry work and comfortable metals. The slicing point is stored at a 90° angle. On these solid metals where other drills get damaged, this drill can be used after correctly hardening and temping.
3. Straight Fluted Drill
A straight fluted drill consists of grooves or flutes running parallel to the drill axis. A straight fluted drill might be regarded as a cutting software with zero rakes. This type of drill isn’t out there in normal follow because the chips do not mechanically pop out of the hole.
They’re primarily used in drilling brass, copper, or other softer supplies. In drilling brass, the twist moves faster than the rate of the drill feed, and the drill digs into the metallic. There is no such thing as a such difficulty in using a straight fluted drill.
4. Spur level bit
You would possibly find the spur point bit additionally being known as wooden or dowel bit. They are designed to have a central point and a further two raised spurs on the sides.
The intention of these two spurs is to maintain the drill bit drilling straight. It is advisable to use a power drill when working with a spur point bit.
This is because it will go away a clear-sided gap. Apart from drilling wood, the identical can be used for drilling plastics.
As for sharpening, use a advantageous file to sharpen the spurs and the central point at the entrance of the bit. Make it possible for the angle between the spurs and central level is ninety levels.
5. Brad Point Drill Bit
The brad point drill bit, or spur point, has the identical form as the twist bit, however the tip is shaped like a “W.” That enables the outer points on the sting to begin cutting the opening earlier than the center point makes contact with the fabric. Sizes vary from three mm to 10 mm.
It means you get much less resistance and a cleaner hole. Brad level drill bits are perfect for drilling wooden and plastic, in addition to specific jobs like dowling. These drill bits typically have a depth cease to allow you to decide on the required depth of the opening you drill.
6. Countersink Drill
There is no such thing as a higher tool for setting screws into wooden than a countersink drill. It’s designed particularly for drilling pilot holes in wooden. Don’t mix up countersink with counterbores; they’re two completely different kits.
Countersink drills, they’re additionally known as ‘screw pilot bit’. As the drill drills deeper, the holes narrow, allowing for a extra convenient and safe screw set up.
7. Step Bit
You’ll barely discover a metalworker who leaves residence and not using a step-bit drill in his sack. However, this drill bit is specially made for thin metallic.
To drill metal or bore a hole into it, we must take into account the metal’s resistance and the pace of the bit. We can’t count on an important end result without the correct combination.
One of the fascinating facts in regards to the product is that it comes with a stepped design. Which means we are able to use the identical drill bit to make holes of a wide range of sizes. Additionally, the particular design allows us to deburr holes, keeping the holes waste-free. Actually, many of us have found that this is a suitable software for drilling timbers as effectively.
8. Hole Saw
Hole saws are bits that allow you to drill large holes similar to those for door hardware set up.
This bit works equally well on skinny as well as thick metallic. To create large holes and wire cross-throughs, professionals often stick with this selection. It is designed with two elements- a mandrel and a blade. Typically on heavier metals, corresponding to ceramic, a hole saw with a diameter of four inches works well. Even so, it is best suited to iron, steel, and aluminum.
In addition, you need to use an attachment to middle the outlet and use a pilot bit to stabilize the blade. Small hole saws include a constructed-in shank somewhat than a pilot bit. Using a bi-metallic gap noticed, you can make holes in each wood and steel.
9. Forstner Bits
These are what you utilize when trying to bore easy and clean holes into woods. This bit additionally comes with a pointed tip to permit for straightforward positioning of the bit.
If you wish to make clear and clean holes in wooden, then this kind of drill bit is best for you. This bit permits precision cut holes. It has a pointed tip that helps to keep the bit precisely the place you want it.
10. Installer Drill Bit
An installer bit is a specialised twist bit designed for putting in wiring like what’s used for leisure or security systems. The bit will be as much as 18 inches lengthy and drills by way of wooden, plaster and some masonry.
Once you drill by means of the wall, floor or different floor, you insert a wire into the small hole within the bit and use the bit to attract it again by way of the outlet you bored. You’ll be able to then attach this wire to additional wire or cable and pull it through the hole.
Other Bit Options
In addition to extra common drill bits, there are other options and accessories:
Drill noticed bits reduce irregular holes and contours in wooden and steel.
Pocket gap bits are included with pocket hole jigs. They help you drill angled holes that settle for screws for making wood joints.
Scaling chisels work in rotary hammers or hammer drills for chiseling, scaling and chipping masonry.
Depth stops stop drilling beyond a predetermined depth.
Driver bits and bit holders work on a drill/driver to put in or remove fasteners.
Drill bit extensions give your drill a longer attain.
Screw or bolt extractors work with a reversible drill/driver to again out damaged fasteners.
Right-angle attachments let you drill and drive in areas the place a drill won’t match.
Drill/driver bit units gather various sizes and types of bits in a handy case.
Operating Tips
There are a number of pointers that, when adopted, will preserve the life of any of the above drill bit sorts.
Hard supplies require sluggish drilling speeds, and tender supplies require sooner drilling speeds. Also, speeds ought to generally be decreased as the opening turns into deeper. For accurate beneficial drilling speeds for HSS drill bits see the components below.
You may centre punch holes first for more correct drilling.
For higher drilling results, steel drill bits apply slicing fluid to the bit when drilling metals (with the exception of brass and iron).
In case you intend to drill all the best way by way of a chunk of timber use a wood backing board behind the work to avoid materials break out.
Always let the drill bit cool naturally. Never force them to cool down in water (or another liquid).
Large drill bits will transfer substantial reaction forces onto the drill, so be prepared to hold on!
All drill bits ought to be lifted often to clear material from their flutes, and also to extend air movement around the bit to assist it cool.
Always ensure bits are sharp to ensure much less load on the facility tool and higher reducing results.
Always apply pressure in a straight line with the drill bit. You need to apply enough so as to keep the drill biting, however not so much that the instruments motor stalls or the bit deflects.
To stop breaking through the fabric, reduce the strain you might be making use of and cobalt drill bits ease the bit by way of the last a part of the opening.
Final Thoughts
With all the different kinds of drill bits on supply, it may be somewhat complicated. Titanium nitride coated drill bits are robust, however cobalt is harder. Carbide drill bits are the strongest.
Remember to consider what you need it for when contemplating which one it is best to use. What materials are you drilling, and does it require a drill bit with power, super-energy, or cutting energy prefer it came from one other planet?
It boils down to this – choose your drill bit based on value, the task you’re using it on, should you desire a bit with longevity, and whether or not you’ll hand-sharpen it. Carbide-tipped and titanium nitride drill bits will lose their superpowers in case you hand sharpen them.