Questions tagged [drill-bits]

Used to bore holes through wood. Types, techniques, safety.

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2 votes
2 answers
494 views

How to use a very large Forstner-style bit

This Forstner bit is 92mm in diameter, it's very large. I need to make a clean hole into a block of wood. Looks a bit dangerous, or looks like there's a risk to break the bit or tool. So how am I ...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

1/2" and 3/4" plywood cabinet - query about length of screws

I built a cabinet from big-box plywood. I used 1/2" for tops and bottoms and 3/4" for the sides. This 16"dx22"hx30"w deep cabinet will be inset into the wall and fastened to ...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Adapting a 4-jaw drill chuck to hex shanks?

I'm a novice woodworker doing some basic projects. I recently acquired a drill press and a set of hole saws with hexagonal shanks. The hole saws have a disturbing tendency to come loose from the drill ...
0 votes
0 answers
92 views

What type of drill bit is best for following a long pilot hole in wood?

My plan is to rout a 1/4" wide channel in 3/4" plywood cutout, then glue it facewise to a similar 1/2" plywood cutout, forming an internal 1/4" pilot hole lengthwise that is square ...
2 votes
2 answers
181 views

Cutting a stack of paper into a shape with a router [closed]

Apologies if this is not the right forum, but it seems to be a place full of people who would know how to do this. I have a stack of a paper like material (papyrus, if it makes a difference) and I ...
0 votes
1 answer
59 views

Using tape to thicken shank of the endmill/rotary bit/drill

My router has a 1/2" collet to take 1/2" shank bits. I also have this generic CNC endmill whose shank is 3/8". I want to be able to use this endmill with the router. Can I apply painter'...
0 votes
0 answers
74 views

Grinding down my endmill/drill/rotary bit's shank

I have another router with a 1/4" collet. I want to be able to use my 3/8" shank CNC endmill on it. So I'm thinking of grinding the shank to 1/4". Here's how I'm gonna do it: I'll put ...
2 votes
1 answer
179 views

Screw together possible soft and hard wood types with pilot holes and finding the right drillbits

This is my first DIY project with wood and I'm already over my expected/set budget and timeframe so I want to ensure I don't make as many more mistakes before finishing the project, but whatever ...
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

When should I use a tapered drill bit vs straight drill bit for countersinking wood screws?

I looking to buy a set of countersink bits and I'm seeing both tapered and non-tapered versions. Is this personal preference or is there a reason to use one other the other? I mostly work with ...
1 vote
2 answers
289 views

Advice for drilling dowel holes in a circle for an adjustable joint

My husband is making my daughter an adjustable pikler climbing frame and we are trying to work out the joins. I think the best way would be to do 8-dowel joins then with a bolt and nut through the ...
1 vote
2 answers
601 views

How to remove a 25mm drill bit stuck in oak sleeper

Whilst pinning three layers of oak sleepers together with oak dowels, I have managed to get the 25mm diameter auger drill bit stuck. Is there any oil or lubricant that I can use to try and release the ...
2 votes
2 answers
470 views

How can I drill a D-shaped hole to make a custom wood knob for an old stove?

I have a very old (1940's) Kenmore stove/oven that has almost no info online about it -- and have been looking and failing to find replacement knobs for years now. It has an extra large D-shaped gas ...
0 votes
1 answer
442 views

Are there disadvantages to quick-change drill and driver bits?

I've heard different names for the 'groove' that allows drill bits and driver bits to be used in a quick-change-type drill. For simplicity I'm referring to the thing labeled 'power groove' here. I ...
3 votes
2 answers
4k views

What are the pros/cons of HSS vs Chrome Vanadium in drill bits?

I need to purchase a set of brad point bits (all I own are split point). I see some that are High Speed Steel (HSS) and others made of Chrome Vanadium (Cr-V), and I'm not sure how much the steel ...
0 votes
1 answer
850 views

What are the differences between a single flute countersink bit and a five flute countersink bit?

A recommendation in a book says "The countersink must have only one flute and must be ½" diameter". As far as flutes on a router/drill bit are concerned - reading other questions here ...
11 votes
7 answers
8k views

Why is my countersink bit making hexagonal holes?

Every time I use my countersink bit, it creates a hexagonal hole. I've tried a hand drill, an electric drill, drilling fast, drilling slow, soft pressure, firm pressure - virtually every time it will ...
1 vote
3 answers
369 views

How to connect these iron strips to an MDF board?

I am making shelves for shoes using MDF boards. The place where I want to mount them is between two wooden pillars of the staircase, so I thought about having the planks a little larger than the space ...
7 votes
3 answers
19k views

What is the difference between a black oxide bit and a titanium bit?

I have a black oxide bit and a titanium bit but do not understand what the difference, if any, is between them. Is it how long they last or how they cut the wood? Anything on this would be great!
0 votes
1 answer
260 views

Wood bit vs Forstner bit for cam connector holes

I am wanting to fix my MDF cabinet together with cam dowels and connectors (I rent, so for ease of moving I want the option to flatpack. Of course I will glue up when I get somewhere permanent, don't ...
3 votes
2 answers
5k views

Forstner Bits without Brad Point?

I'm trying to drill holes most of the way through a block of wood to mount magnets which will be attracting metal through the solid face of the wood. Because of how quickly magnetic attraction falls ...
4 votes
2 answers
245 views

Are there square-taper drill bits larger than 1-1/2" for hand braces?

A project description instructs to bore 1-3/4" through-holes into a benchtop to insert round tenons from legs. ("Herculaneum Workbench", book: Ingenious Mechanicks, Chapter VI, p106, by C. Schwarz) I ...
14 votes
3 answers
2k views

Tiny core bits for broken screws

I have on several occasions broken screw heads in pieces where I can't readily access or cut into the joint they're securing. Is there such a thing as a tiny core drill bit for cutting around what's ...
5 votes
4 answers
16k views

What is the best drill bit for MDF?

I want to drill holes in MDF of varying thicknesses, laid out to sub millimetre precision. In other words, I need the positioning of the center of the holes to be accurate to within a half millimetre (...
4 votes
5 answers
3k views

How do you drill concentric holes of different diameters on a drill press?

Often times I need to drill maybe a 1/4" hole, all the way through the piece, and then a 3/8" or 1/2" hole half way through the piece in the same spot. It is often imperative that these holes are ...
30 votes
11 answers
14k views

Why do I go through so many philips bits?

When fastening 2x lumber I keep grinding down the bits. I predrill a hole and a push hard as I can on my hammer drill but still wreck the bit. I'm using 2.5" gold screws. Can anyone help with a better ...
2 votes
1 answer
303 views

Am I selecting the correct drill bit for this job?

I'm new to woodworking so hopefully this question falls within this exchanges guidelines, please advise if not. I'm trying to drill the screw below into plywood as shown in the photo: There will be ...
1 vote
2 answers
155 views

New to woodworking, appears synthetic wood(?) can't be penetrated by electric drill for adding joints

New to woodworking and I am trying to get into it as a hobby while fixing up stuff around the house. In the above image link (Desk fix), I'm trying to fix this desk. It needs joints for the legs ...
0 votes
1 answer
257 views

Is there a way to extend the length of a dowel blade?

I recently purchased a dowel blade from a hardware store, and it won't cut through a 2x4. Is there anything I can do to cut dowels from the 2x4 for mushroom cultivation?
21 votes
2 answers
266k views

How to identify a wood drill bit from a metal drill bit - and does it matter?

I have a drawer of tons of drill bits from all over the place - many donated. Almost all of these bits are dull black or gold-ish colored and don't have much else in the way distinguishing them (...
6 votes
5 answers
11k views

Enlarging a Hole made by a Hole Saw

I drilled several holes in my desk to put some grommets using a 7/8" hole saw bit. Unfortunately, I realized afterwards that the hole was supposed to be 1" to fit my grommets. Then, despite knowing ...
0 votes
3 answers
329 views

Can I use various grits of sandpaper to sharpen an old dull spade bit / bought for .75 for 1 time use

Using to bore holes in hackle berry tree stump. Used, old, spade bit paid 75 cents for one time use
4 votes
1 answer
192 views

What is this drill bit?

I've spent much time searching. Can someone tell me what this bit is used for? Here are photos: Thank you.
22 votes
3 answers
7k views

Which type of drill bit for which jobs?

I was looking at a 35 piece wood drill bit set in an online shop Although only Forstner bits are present for larger size holes, the size ranges overlap so .. If I want to drill a 10mm hole I have a ...
0 votes
1 answer
376 views

1/16 bit to cut through 1/2" MDF

I need to use a 1/16 router bit to cut through a 1/2" piece of MDF. Is there a bit with a long enough shank that will allow me to do that or what are my options? I am curing small letters with a cnc ...
5 votes
2 answers
337 views

Looking for a specific drill bit holder that reduces cam out

My father in law has a bit holder that doesn't actually allow the bit to turn unless enough pressure is applied. I've found that this helps to prevent cam out. I have not been able to find another one ...
1 vote
0 answers
97 views

Drill sharpening

So I have been using a bench grinder to sharpen my bits, which I think I have been doing real good with. But there is a 3/8 bit that I used for some metal and have a interesting profile but I reshaped ...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Will a steel guide bushing harm a drill bit?

I want to build a jig to speed up production of a furniture item. The jig will hold a piece steady while the user hand-drills a hole in a certain spot. I want to use a steel bushing to guide the ...
14 votes
5 answers
5k views

Replacing small drill bits without buying new sets (or preventing breaks)

It seems that every few months, I've broken all my pilot hole drill bits because they're so easy to break (and so frequently used). So, every few months, I buy a whole new pack of drill bits and throw ...
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is it a problem if my countersink bit is slightly larger than it needs to be?

I just want the ability to countersink (occasional use) and I have 6-7-8mm head screws and I'm buying a single 8.3mm countersink bit (Makita HSS P-73542 3 flute). But what's stopping me from not ...
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

How can I recreate this wine rack (ovular holes, proper angle, etc.)?

I have a tall, narrow alcove in my home where I would like to recreate a single "plank" of this wine rack (apologies for bad lighting, was in a dark restaurant): I will very likely have a local ...
3 votes
2 answers
6k views

How to make a 3/4" flat bottomed hole?

I recently bought a 1/2" 2 flute end mill bit, which fits in my table top drill press (1/2" chuck). I'm making perfectly flat bottomed holes (won't be seen in the final project) that go almost all the ...
4 votes
2 answers
375 views

My drill bit is randomly forcing itself forward

As I am drilling in wood my drill bit tends to grab the wood and launch forward. Never had this happen before. I go in a back and forth motion and am not forcing or nothing. Why is it doing this and ...
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

What drill bit should be used for cutting steel

I am making beds for my garden and am using treated wood with steel bracket like things. I need to make holes in them and the wood. I am doing 12 of these beds, what bit will hold up and cut through ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Triple flute drill bits Vs. 2 flute drill bits

I have found some triple flute drill bits and am wondering if they are any better than the double flute. I would think they make cleaner cuts but am sure there is some bad things that go along with it....
1 vote
1 answer
241 views

How strong is a titanium coated bit? [duplicate]

How strong is a titanium coated bit? Some people say that it can not be sharpened by a diamond file or a grinding wheel while others say yes. How much longer does a titanium bit last compared to other ...
5 votes
1 answer
5k views

How to properly sharpen a Forstner bit?

I need to sharpen some Forster bits, which are made of steel. What is best to be used and is there a proper way of doing it? Some people use sandpaper and others say diamond. Could I use the sandpaper ...
6 votes
5 answers
4k views

Bench grinder, tool sharpener or sharpening stone?

I have a chisel set and drill bits that have never been sharpened after purchased and I want to purchase sharpening equipment, but I'm confused by the variety of options. So far I've found 3 possible ...
20 votes
6 answers
8k views

How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?

My drill press doesn't have a "stop". How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?
9 votes
3 answers
7k views

Do auger bits have advantages?

While not the focus of the question I wanted to point out that when it comes to drill presses I almost always see forstner bits suggested here at WW (for good reason of course). Much to my surprise ...
11 votes
5 answers
5k views

Best method for drilling thousands of holes?

I make small hand-craft timber products from my garage and I've recently been approached by a wholesaler, who is looking to purchase large quantities of a very simple product I make. The product is ...