High-speed steel: made from carbon steel with chromium and vanadium additives. It’s suitable for drilling wood, plastic and soft metals. In addition to drill bits being available in different types, they’re also available in various sizes to allow you to drill a hole that suits your needs. The list below gives answers to the most commonly asked questions around drill bit sizes: SDS plus shank - This is another type of slotted drive system. It’s used for most masonry drill bits. Kenny’s life around power tools started early. His grandfather was an airplane mechanic in WW2 and took up woodworking as a hobby after retiring from the power industry. Building everything from bookshelves to lazy Susans, he became extremely accomplished while his young grandson observed, fascinated at the way raw wood could turn into something both beautiful and functional. In fact, Kenny still uses several pieces that his grandfather made more than 30 years ago.

Auger bits have a threaded tip that pulls the bit forward as it rotates in the wood. Its strong, full-fluted design also makes it easier to drill nice and straight. Step Bits We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.Tungsten carbide: made from a mix of tungsten metal and carbon. It's even more hard-wearing than the standard carbide above. It is suitable for drilling into extremely tough materials such as masonry.

Grey wall plugs can vary in diameter (6-14mm). So, to drill a hole for a grey wall plug, you will need a drill bit that’s the same diameter as the plug you choose. Twist bits work best for drilling in a myriad of materials when the target is a hole diameter of 1/2-inch or less. As you move beyond a 1/2″ hole diameter, you move away from traditional twist bits into some different options. Spade BitsThey’re great for moving beyond your standard twist bit sizes and eliminating the need for a punch for holes up to 1-1/4″ or a little more. They also feature a flat flute with a slight taper at each step. This gives you the ability to drill in sheet metal and other thin metals that might deform if you cut through at an angle. In addition to making new holes, they also excel at enlarging existing ones. Auger bits closely mirror spade bits but work better for deeper holes that require lots of chip removal at the point of entry. The full-fluted design makes this possible. You typically need a stronger drill when using these bits. This becomes very apparent when drilling deep holes or holes that exceed 3/4-inches in diameter. We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products. When the tips on these bits dull, consider sharpening them since cobalt runs throughout the steel. Avoid using them when you don’t need them to prolong their life for when you do. When you’re looking for the best cobalt drill bits for the money, the 15-piece kit presents a compelling option.