Which Drill Bits Are Ideal for Wood?

Summary:

It is important to use the right drill bit for any wooden project. The best option really depends on the type of wood you are working with —whether softwood or hardwood—and the size of the hole you need to make.

Common wood drill bits:

• Twist Bits: These are your go-to for general purposes, especially great for softwood.
• Brad Point Bits: These are perfect for creating accurate holes in both hard and softwood and help prevent flow.
• Holy Bits: Ideal to quickly drill large holes in wood and plastic.
• Burma Bits: Thanks for their spiral shape and deep, efficient drilling.
• Self-feed bits: They have threaded tips that make boring large holes in the air.
• Countersink bits: They drill pilot holes and make it easy for screw heads.
• Forstner bits: Excellent for creating flat-bottom holes with accuracy.
• Hole Saw: Best to cut holes of large diameter in wood and other materials.

To get the best hole results, choose the right bit based on wooden density, grain structure, and accuracy.

Sometimes we have the right tool but the wrong accessory, like when you have a standard drill machine but you use the wrong wood drill bit. The purpose of this article is to help you with the selection of the right wood drill bit for your job.

How to Use the Right Wood Drill Bit 

Manufacturers use different types of drill bits, which are composed of steel, tungsten, and molybdenum alloys, to increase product life and decrease friction. 

It can be high-speed steel (HSS), HSS with a cobalt alloy, HSS with a titanium coating, HSS with a black oxide coating, or tipped carbide. HSS, titanium-coated, and black oxide-coated drill bits are ideal for wood drilling. 

Before starting drilling, you need to be sure about two main aspects: the type of wood and the type of hole you require.

A. Know the Wood Nature—The two main categories of wood are softwoods and hardwoods. There is also a lot of variety in hardness between those categories. The type of wood makes a big difference in the choice of drill bits. Drilling soft pine wood with a standard drill bit is considerably simpler and smoother than drilling hardwood. You can drill softwood with steel (HSS) drill bits, but for hardwood, you will need titanium or black oxide-coated wood drill bits.

B. Type of the Hole—The second most important thing is the purpose of the hole you need. Before drilling, first decide the hole type your drill bits will target.

WHAT TYPE OF DRILL BITS ARE BEST FOR WOOD?

Wood drill bits can vary because you can make so many projects with wood, and to satisfy those needs, they come in different sizes. If you're working on a wood project that requires a power drill then you must have the best drill bits for wood.

Here are the most common types of wood drill bits that you need to know:

• Twist Wood Bits
• Brad Point Bits (Lip and spur)
• Spade Bits
• Auger Bits
• Self Feed Bits
• Countersink Bits
• Forstner Bits
• Hole saw
• Masonry bit, etc.

Twisted Bits

The twist bit comes first when it comes to general drilling that is why it is known as "General drill bit." It is the most common type of bit used around the job site and home for general purposes. Twist bits can perform very effectively on softwood. Softwood may get trapped in the flutes, so gently scrape it by blowing it off or with a brush.

Brad-point Bits

Brad Point drill bits are specifically built to drill and bore clean holes without drifting in hard and softwoods. Such drill bits are equipped with a center screw. A Brad Point Drill bits provide a clean, straight, and accurate size wood hole.

Spade Bits

Spade bits quickly drill wood, plywood, and plastics. A spade bit is less expensive than other types of wood drill bits. These Bits are much effective to bore large holes (1/2” or greater). 

Auger Bits

Auger Bits are the most common drill bits to drill wood holes. Auger bits consist of a sharp point on their tip, which assists in drilling efficiency. This tip easily pulls the bit through the wood. An auger bit is a spiral-shaped drill bit intended to drill deep wood holes.

Self-feed Bits 

The self-feed bits also have a threaded tip like the auger bit that pulls it through the wood. It makes safe, easy work of drilling holes. The self-feed bits are used to bore medium and large holes.

Installer Bits

As the name refers to installing, these long, and skinny installer bits are best to use boreholes for electronic wires or similar applications.

Counter-sink Bits

Countersink bits are the second-most advanced drill bits. As they drill a pilot hole and countersink the hole, these bits do double duty, so the fastener head is below the surface of the wood.

Forstner Bits

Forstner bits are odd-looking bits that bore through wood. It creates a flat-bottomed hole. Forstner bits are like spade bits that have a small point at their center that works as a pivot point for the larger body of the bit.

Hole Saw

The hole saw has a wide diameter, hollow drill bit around the outer edge with a keen cutting tip. Hole saw kits creates accurate holes in bathroom basins, pipes, and exterior walls. The cutting depth is constrained by the cup-like shape of the hole saw.

Choosing The Right Drill Bit

Choosing the right drill bit mainly depends on the factors given below:

• Type of wood: The type of wood you are working on will also help you select the right drill bit. Wood’s density, grain structure, and hardness will influence the choice of drill bit. Hardwoods are difficult to drill as they have a high density and hard grain structure when compared to softwoods. They require bits that have the ability to resist heat during the process. Softwoods, on the other hand, drill easier due to their low density and soft grain structure.

• Hole size: Different sizes of drill bits have different diameters or hole sizes, which ultimately influence your choice of the right drill bit. Standard twist drill bits are mostly used for small holes. Spade bits, hole saws, and Forstner drill bits are used for larger holes and for drilling fine and intricate holes, and Brad-point bits are suitable.

We think it's obvious by now that what types of drill bits are best for wood and how to use the right wood drill bit.