Drill Bits – The Ultimate Guide

At first glance it may seem like all drill bits are quite similar. This is understandable, as after all every drill bit will indeed find use in a drilling job. Yet ultimately, every drill bit is different, and there’s a wide variety of different specializations among the range of drill bits. As a result, finding the right drill bits for a job requires consideration of many factors.

Choose a Drill Bit That Suits the Material

Drill bits, like those available from RS Components, are made in a variety of materials, including brass, cast iron, and stainless steel. Each of them have their own advantages. Yet while it’s true some drill bits can be quite versatile – able to do a variety of tasks well – it’s also the case that some drill bits can be totally unsuitable for a task. Using a suitable drill bit for a task is inefficient at best, and can be dangerous to people and property at worst.

Look at the Tip of the Drill Bit to Assess Its Strength

Drill bits with flatter end-points are better suited for drilling into harder materials. The reason such bits are flatter on the head is to prevent the drill bit from wandering while the drill is operating. Keep in mind however in order to drill effectively, the creation of a pilot hole with another drill bit may be required first. In turn, to always be mindful that even if flatter drill bits are better for harder materials, they still come in a range of sizes – so using one that is too small (or too large) for a task could still be the wrong move.

Consider What Range of Drill Bits Are Necessary

It’s always ideal to have extra drill bits, as opposed to being short of drill bits. This makes sense, but many people can get stuck at the start of a job – or sometimes mid-way through! – because they discover they don’t have the drill bit needed for the task. This can result in a loss of time and money having to step away from the job, heading off to acquire the necessary drill bit, and only then returning. It may even end up costing far more as buying a lone drill bit can be far more expensive overall than when buying one in a set.

So even if buying a great drill bit set requires a little more cash up-front, it can save a substantial amount of time and money in the long run. It can also create an opportunity to pursue new jobs more easily, as if there’s a drill bit set with a range of drill bits in sizes and varieties like a brad-point, auger, self-feed – and the most common twist drill bit – it can make pursuing new drilling tasks easy, that previously would’ve been impossible.

The Right Tool for the Job

Following the steps detailed here will help anyone identify the ideal drill bits for a task. First, it’s essential to understand the differences that exist among drill bits. Second, to select a drill bit that matches the material it will drill into. Then it’s necessary to consider what range of drill bits are required to get the job done, as discovering a job cannot proceed because the right drill bit isn’t on-hand can result in a significant loss of time and money. So it’s always prudent to have a few more drill bits than you need, as opposed to having too few – especially as having more drill bits can make it easier to take on a wider range of drilling jobs!