Skip to content

Wood Drill Bits vs Metal Drill Bits

Wood Drill Bits vs Metal Drill Bits

This Guide will help you to understand the main differences between wood drill bits vs metal drill bits. Here you will also come to know “What types of drill bits are best for wood and metal”?

In the hardware shop, You can find different types of drill bits, but it's not easy as it seems for everyone to know which ones are better for different materials. Certain metal and wood drill bits look similar to each other and can be used with various types of drills. So,

What's the best drill bit for the work, whether you have a metal or woodwork that needs a power drill?

DRILL BITS WOOD VS METAL: WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES?

You actually won't find a big difference when you first look at most of the drill bits for wood vs. metal,  They look equal in shape & size, and also have the same colors. But, if you look closer you will find out that there are some significant differences in every type of drill bit to cut different materials.

The most common drill bit for both wood and metal is a twist drill bit. Twist bits, with minor differences, can easily pass through wood and metal worksheet. There are two major differences between metal drill vs wood drill bit is color and tip of drill bit:

  • Color- Metal and wood bits come in different colors (basically, Silver & copper color). However, drill bits are coated with titanium or black oxide, most metal bits vary from black to dark grey in color. Certain metal bits are gold in color. Mostly, wood drill bits are silver.
  • Tip- A wood drill bit's tip looks completely different from a metal drill bit's tip. Metal drill bits have an angled tip. While wood drill bits have brad which is a sharp tip that scrapes the wood and helps keep the bit from moving as it spins.

WHAT TYPE OF DRILL BITS ARE BEST FOR WOOD?

What's the best drill bit for wood? If you're working on a wood project that requires a power drill then you must have the best drill bits for wood. A wood drill bit can vary as they come in different sizes for various types of work. Here are the three most common types of wood drill bits that you need to know:

  • FLAT OR SPADE WOOD BIT
  • BRAD POINT BIT
  • COUNTERSINK BIT

WHAT TYPE OF DRILL BITS ARE BEST FOR METAL?

Metal Drill Bits do not differ as much as wood drill bits, but for metal designs, there are quite a few specialty bits that you may like. Standard (HSS) high-speed steel bits and premium high-speed steel bits are the most popular metal bits.

HIGH-SPEED STEEL (HSS) BIT

It is easy to drill metal, wood, and many other materials with HSS or high-speed steel bits. However, they can easily split wood, particularly softwood varieties, because they don't have brads to help direct them.

Most HSS bits part are made of carbon steel, which is sufficiently robust to avoid breaking under the strain exerted on them by high-performance power tools to get through the metal.

TITANIUM OR COBALT-COATED HSS BIT

Although standard HSS bits can cut through lightweight metals, such as aluminum. But when it comes to cut more rugged metals, such as steel or iron, You need something stronger such as premium HSS bits.

Usually, premium bits are more costly than normal HSS bits, but they can do harder jobs as well. They are coated with either cobalt steel, carbide-tipped steel, or titanium, which makes them tougher and heavier than their normal counterparts, which can last up to six times longer.

Conclusion: Wood Drill Bits vs Metal Drill Bits

Your wood and metal designs are not going to look or function the same, nor are they going to need the same instruments and hardware. Knowing the difference between drill bits is vital so that you do not risk harming your hard work by using a bit that is either too weak or too powerful to handle the job.

Wood vs. metal jobs can require different styles when considering drill bits, but with their similar characteristics, they can also be difficult to discern. We hope our guide has helped you explore the choices for your project that you need to find the right drill bit.

Previous article How To Change Or Replace An Angle Grinder Wheel

Compare products

{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

Select first item to compare

Select second item to compare

Select third item to compare

Compare