Drill Bit Types: Choosing the Right Drill Bit for Your Project

When you are dealing with Construction or DIY projects, a confusion that you may always face is choosing the right kind of drill bit. There are so many drill bit types out there, that it’s very obvious to get confused amongst all the choices. 

To help you out with the trouble, we are here with a complete guide of all the different drill bits you can find out there. After going through the guide, you can easily understand which drill bit will be perfect for your preferences. 

So, if you are struggling to pick the right drill for your project, stick to the end and find which one suits your needs the most. Let’s get started. 

What Does Drill Bit Mean?

A drill bit simply refers to the tool that attaches to the drill and cuts holes through various kinds of material. 

Drill bits come in various sizes and shapes to adjust the width and length of the hole that you want to create on a surface. The most common drill bits have a spiral design that creates a circular hole in the material. 

What Are Drill Bits Used For?

Well, the typical use of drill bits is for creating holes in different solid materials such as wood, cement, steel, aluminum, plastic, cast iron, and so forth. Creating these holes may have various purposes some of them include -

• Holes can be used for securing screws and bolts to fasten things together on the walls. 
• You can create holes that act as the pathway for different electrical wiring routes. 
• Attach clamps or holders on the walls to hang objects like shelves, pictures, cabinets, posters, and so forth. 

Now, let’s head over to learning about the different kinds of drill bits that you can use on different materials to fulfill various purposes. 

15 Different Types of Drill Bits and Which Should I Choose?

The 15 different types of drill bits that we are about to discuss here vary based on which material they are used on, their power, shape, and specialties. Going through these should clear out which drill bits are the perfect pick for your project. Let’s get started. 

1. Timber Drill Bits

When it comes to drilling softwood, hardwood, or plywood, timber drill bits can be your best companion. They tend to have a screw-like point and two flutes that spiral up the drill bit body. The two flutes on the drill bits help it to remove wood chips as it drills. They come in various sizes to match your hole diameter needs.

 

If you are looking for some quality timber drill bits to complete your next woodworking projects then, TurboBore 30mm Spade Bit can be a great choice for you. There are plenty of size options that you can check out to fit your needs. 

2. Metal Drill Bits

For drilling through metals like steel, stainless steel, cast iron, or aluminum, you have to use metal drill bits. They are usually made from high-speed steel (HSS) which offers them the required durability and resistance to drill through solid metal. There might be a split point tip on the bits to prevent them from wandering on the surface. Some metal drill bits also have a special surface treatment for improved performance.

 

When it’s about metal drill bits, you have to always go with high-quality ones. Such as the Alpha Premium 12mm Gold long series drill bit. These bits have plenty of sizes to offer that should definitely meet your requirements for the drill bits. 

3. Driver Bits

Driver bits can be a great way to turn your drill into a driver and use it for tightening or loosening screws with ease. These bits come in various sizes and styles to match different screw heads, like Phillips, flathead, or Robertson. They fit into the drill chuck like a regular drill bit but have a driving socket instead of a pointed tip.

 

A very high-quality driver bit with a Philips head is the ThunderMax PH2 x 150mm impact power bit from Alpha. It’s a precisely machined drill bit that can help you screw through any Philips head screw with ease. 

4. Tile/Glass Drill Bit

Drilling through materials like tile, glass, ceramic, or fiberglass without cracking them requires you to use a specialized type of drill bit. These bits have a diamond-tipped cutting edge for superior sharpness which allows them to drill through those materials without cracking them apart. You have to use these drill bits at a slower speed and use water as a coolant to prevent any overheating issues.

 

The Makita Glass and Tile TCT drill bit is a great choice when it comes to these drill bits. There are several different sizes they offer in their range. 

5. Masonry Drill Bits

If your project involves drilling through concrete, brick, or stone, then you need to use masonry drill bits for it. They are extremely hard and durable due to the carbide or tungsten carbide construction. Usually, these drill bits work with a hammer drill function to deliver enough power that drill through such hard materials.

 

For all the professionals or DIYers out there, the Makita 5 Piece assorted elite masonry drill bits are the only set you need for your job. 

6. Countersink Drill Bit

Preparing screw holes on furniture, cabinets, or any other woodworking project becomes much simpler when you have countersink drill bits. They have a pilot point to drill a starter hole, followed by a conical cutting edge that widens the top of the hole to accommodate the screw head. They come in various sizes to match different screw head diameters.

 

Save up a lot of time in your next woodworking project involving the installation of screws with the Alpha TCT Countersink drill. There are various size options to choose from for your particular project. 

7. Self-Feed Drill Bit

Whenever you need to drill through sheet metal on a project, you can blindly rely on self-feed drill bits. These bits have a special tip that grabs the material as it drills, creating a clean hole and feeding itself through the material. There might also be a special coating on the bits to reduce friction and heat buildup on them.

8. Plug Cutter Drill Bit

Creating holes for electrical outlets or sockets with round shapes becomes a cakewalk with the plug cutter drill bit. They come with a hollow center surrounded by sharp cutting edges. As the bit drills, it removes a core of material as a clean plug creating a hole for sockets and electrical boxes. 

9. Auger Drill Bit

Planning to install fences, decks, or mailboxes in your backyard? Then, an auger drill bit can ease the process of drilling holes for such posts for you. They have a large, central screw that helps pull the bit through the wood while the outer spiral cutting edges remove wood chips. It’s very easy to drill large holes in wood to install posts and stands in them with auger drill bits.

 

To get the perfect post holes for your project the Alpha WAH100457 Hex Heavy Duty Auger Bits can be an excellent choice. 

10. Step Drill Bit

When you need to drill holes of various sizes at the same time, then step drill bits are a great option to fulfill that purpose. These kinds of bits resemble a staircase with multiple steps of different diameters along the side of the bit. This allows you to drill different-sized holes without having to change bits every time.

 

You can check out the set of three-step drill bit by Bristol where you get three different sizes ranging from 4mm to 30mm. 

11. Adjustable Wood Drill Bit

Quite similar to the step drill bit, the adjustable wood drill bit is a great option for drilling holes of different sizes without switching bits every time. The bits have a central cutting mechanism that can be extended or retracted to change the diameter of the hole. They may use a chuck system or other adjustment mechanism.

12. Installer Drill Bit

Creating holes on electrical boxes, or holes for light switches and outlets, requires you to use these specialized installer drill bits. Installer drill bits come in various shapes and sizes depending on the specific application. They may have knockout notches for creating specific shapes in electrical boxes or other specialized features for electrical or plumbing installations.

13. Flat Bottom Boring Bits

To create holes with a flat and clean button for dowel joints, or other woodworking projects, flat bottom boring bits are perfect choices. A flat-bottom boring bit has a sharp cutting edge and a flat-bottom design. This ensures the bottom of the hole is clean and flat, which makes the holes perfect for tight-fitting joints.

14. Spade Drill Bits

Spade drill bits are a great way to create cleaner and larger holes very quickly without any kind of splintering. The bits come with end spurs which end up reducing the splintering issues to produce a clean and solid hole, especially for woodworking projects.

 

Try out the high-quality spade drill bits from TurboBore that provide you with some precision drilling power on your projects. There are many different sizes available in their collection. 

15. Forstner Drill

If you want to have the most precise cuts on your woodworking holes, then Forstner bits are the perfect choice for you. They feature a sharp outer rim and a center spur point for accurate drilling. They also have a flat bottom design to create clean and precise holes. These bits are typically made from high-quality materials for durability and clean cuts.

 

Check out the Makita D47363 5-piece HSS Forstner Drill bits set to fulfill all your precision hole drilling needs. 

How to Choose the Right Drill Bit Types for Professionals?

When it’s about choosing the right drill bit for your drilling needs, you have to go through several different factors. Here’s what you should be considering before you can pick the right drill for the job. 

• Check the material or surface you will be working with on your project. 
• Based on the material of the surface, you have to choose the drill bit material. 
• Next, consider the results and purpose you want to achieve with the drilling. 
• Consider special types of drill bits that are suitable for specific functions such as driver bits or installer bits. 
• Then, look for the size of the drill bit and see if it fits your requirements or not. 
• If you are unsure about the size, then get a complete drill bit set to have multiple sizes as an option. 

What is the Component That Secures a Drill Bit?

A very common issue with drill bits and DIY projects is that you end up losing your drill bits here and there. However, there is a very easy solution to that problem. All you need is a drill bit holder with a carabiner that you can attach to your belt buckle to keep the bits secured close to you.

If you are struggling to find a reliable drill bit holder, then check out this amazing drill bit holder. It’s the perfect thing for any DIYer who happens to lose their drill bits quite often. The holder can hold 7 drill bits at once, giving you the option to switch between 7 different drill bit sizes and types without moving around. 

The bit holder helps you keep all the bits organized and secured on your toolbelt. You can easily remove the drill bits from the holder to quickly switch between drill bits. 

FAQs on Different Drill Bit Types

Still, have some questions lingering in your mind regarding drill bits? Well, then check out some common questions regarding drill bits and their use to clear out all the confusion. 

What does HSS stand for on drill bits?

HSS stands for High-Speed Steel on drill bits. It’s a very common and versatile material to use for drill bits as it has the perfect balance of hardness, durability, and affordability. With HSS bits you can drill through a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and softer metals.

What is the difference between HSS and SS drill bits?

SS is short for Stainless Steel and HSS is short for high-speed steel. The difference between HSS and SS drill bits is that HSS drill bits are quite common to find, whereas SS drill bits are rare. The reason for that is, that HSS drill bits provide more hardness compared to SS drill bits, even though SS drill bits are rust and corrosion-resistant. So, HSS drill bits are much better suited for drilling tasks.

What drill bits can be used on metal?

There are plenty of different drill bits that you can use on metal. Usually, it depends on the material of the drill bit. For example, if you are drilling on softer metals like aluminum or brass, then HSS bits can work great. With cobalt drill bits, you can drill through metals like steel or stainless steel. 

Are all drill bits compatible with any drill?

No, not all drill bits are compatible with any drill. Drill bits have different shank types that fit into the chuck of your drill.  The different shank types include round shank, hex shank, SDS shank, and so forth. Round shank bits are good for drills that have a keyed chuck. Hex shank bits are suitable for impact drivers. As for hammer drills, they go well with SDS shanks. 

Conclusion

To conclude, comparing the different drill bit types is the first step to finding the right drill bit for your work. When you find the perfect drill bit for the job, it can ease the whole drilling process for you. 

As you got to know, some drill bits fulfill specific purposes which speed up the working process very much. With the right kind of drill bit for the job, you can save time, effort, and also money. So, make sure to know about the different types of drill bit and choose the one based on your specific needs.