Different Types of Drill Bits & Their Uses – Which is Right for You?

Drill bits are used for a variety of household and workshop cutting and drilling projects. Whittling, woodworking and metalworking all require cutting and drilling. The most popular drill bit is the twist bit, also known as a screwdriver bit, which you use to drill holes in soft materials such as wood or plastic. These items can be stored in a toolbox along with other tools you use to accomplish your project. Screwdriver bits can be used with an electric drill, but they are useful with cordless drills because they can spin quickly.

A drill bit is a specialized type of hand tool that can be used to bore holes through materials such as wood, metal and plastic. Most drill bits are made up of a high-speed steel core affixed to a shank, which is then attached to the end of an extendable handle. While there are numerous types and sizes of drill bits available on the market today, they tend to fall into one of three categories: brad-point bits, spade bits and twist drills. Drill bits can be used to make holes in all types of materials; however, each type is designed specifically for boring holes in different kinds.

5 Different Types of Drill Bits & Their Uses

• Twist Bits

• Brad Point Bits

• Masonry Bits

• Rivet Bits

• Spade Bits

Twist Bits

Twist bits, also known as auger drill bits, have a cutter head that rotates clockwise and counterclockwise to create a corkscrew-like cutting action. This action is used for drilling pre-drilled holes through doors, metal joists, masonry, and other materials you need to get through quickly.

Whether you're doing a simple Jobsite job or trying to drill a hole in masonry, twist bits are a great general-purpose option.  Twisting the drill bit as it rotates through the material comes from the helically shaped flutes on the tip of the bit cone. This action keeps a small hole from getting wider as you drill through, allowing these bits to work well in many materials without clogging.

Brad Point Bits

Brad-point bits are used for drilling in wood, plywood, composite materials, or non-ferrous metals. They are ideal for drilling large holes because the point on the tip of the bit digs into the wood while the cutting portion of the bit stays in place. The bit's full length is exposed while it is cutting into the wood, which makes it especially good for large holes. Brad-point bits can be used with both handheld drill tools or with drill presses; they work on both wood and metal.

Brad-point bits feature a large flat-bottom cutting tip and grooves along the shank for additional stability. These give a clean, extremely accurate hole every time. They are best for drilling in wood or laminated surfaces.

Masonry Bits

Masonry bits are constructed differently than any other type of drill bit. They're manufactured with a single, large flute and a thicker cutting edge to withstand the pressure that's needed to drill holes into brick or other hard materials. Masonry bits should spin faster at low speeds and slower at high speeds than power drills, as too much speed can break them. Most modern bits will be reinforced with fluted diamond segments between the centre and flute. This helps the core remain strong as it breaks up masonry and prevents it from crumbling as it's drilled through.

Masonry bits are typically used to drill holes in brick, concrete, and masonry. These bits typically come with a hammer action that allows the user to drill into concrete or mortar with minimal chipping or cracking.

Rivet Bits

Rivet bit sets are designed for drilling one set size hole at a time, making them ideal for drilling holes in sheet metal up to 18 gauge. The bits can also take on other applications such as through-hole work, but will not leave a clean pop rivet hole.

Rivet screws go through steel, and into aluminium and soft metals. They are wider than the average drill bit and have a ball or cup shape with a shaft that can be extended through the drilled hole to keep them in place. Mostly used for applications such as fencing, building and general construction rivets, they're often used in situations where attaching things like the wiring is necessary.

Spade Bits

Spade bits are very common, general-purpose hole cutting bits used in woodworking and construction. The proper way to use a spade bit is to drill a hole approximately two-thirds of the diameter of the spade bit. With this method, the entire blade of the spade bit penetrates into the wood leaving little or no wood shavings on the surface of the cut.

Spade bits come in a variety of sizes. They are used in wood drilling applications to form nail holes, counterbore holes for sink and mirror installations, and in remodelling jobs. For all spade bits, tip the bit back about 10 degrees to keep it from walking off centre when starting the hole.