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Drill Bit Types Explained

Drill bits can also be categorised by the type of hole they cut or their usage. Each one is usually suitable for drilling into specific types of materials too. Here are the most common types:

Image of Auger Drill Bits
Auger drill bits explained

Auger drill bits are designed for deep, clean drilling into thick, dry wood. They have a more pronounced central point or spur than standard wood drill bits, making it easy to locate the point that’s being drilled and keep the hole on course. This type of wood drill bit is ideal for precision drilling and creating neat holes. So, this is the best wood drill bit to use if appearance is important.

Image of Brad Point Drill Bits
Brad point drill bits explained

Brad point drill bits are another type of wood drill bit that offers precision drilling. They have a pronounced point at the end to ensure the bit stays in the right place and extra-wide flutes that help remove the waste material quickly. They also come with rubber stoppers which allow you to set how deep you want to drill into the wood.

Image of Combination Drill Bits
Combination drill bits explained

Combination drill bits is the term used for drill bit sets containing multiple drill bit types suitable for various materials and uses. These sets are ideal for tradespeople or DIYers who need drill bits for a range of jobs rather than someone specialising in working with specific material types.

Image of Cone Drill Bits
Cone drill bits explained

Cone drill bits are specialist drill bits used for drilling holes in plastic pipes and sheet metal up to 2mm thick. They are made from high-speed steel (HSS) and have a TiN coating to reduce friction. They have a cone-shaped point, making it easy to drill holes of different diameters without changing the drill bit size.

Image of Countersink Drill Bits
Countersink drill bits explained

Countersink drill bits are used to drill conical holes that enable flat-headed screws to sit flush against the material being worked on. Most countersink drill bits are designed to drill into wood, but some can drill into metal and minimise sharp edges. Also available are combined countersink with clearance drill bits, which allow you to drill the pilot hole and countersink in one operation.

Image of Diamond Tile Drill Bits
Diamond tile drill bits explained

Diamond tile drill bits are ideal for cutting through tiles and other brittle materials. They have a cylindrical shaped point made of carbide that helps to reduce the risk of the tile chipping or cracking while reducing the amount of dust produced. There are different tile drill bits designed for different types of tiles, so always check to ensure you are buying the right one for the tiles you are drilling.

Image of Flat Drill Bits
Flat drill bits explained

Flat drill bits are designed for drilling holes of 13mm or larger into shallow wood. They are also referred to as spade drill bits. They have a pronounced centre point that makes it easy to locate and drill through the centre of the hole, and the hole they produce has a flat bottom. They’re ideal for drilling large holes where the head of a screw or bolt needs to be sunk into the wood. This drill bit should always be used before drilling the pilot hole.

Image of Forstner Drill Bits
Forstner drill bits explained

Forstner drill bits are specialist drill bits used in woodworking and cabinet making. They create large, flat-bottomed holes which are required for tasks such as fitting hinges. They drill clean and smooth holes into the wood. Some have a pronounced central point for precision drilling, while others don’t.

Image of Hinge Drill Bits
Hinge drill bits explained

Hinge drill bits are similar to forstner drill bits as they are used to drill the holes needed to fit hinges. With these drill bits, you use the hinge as a template. The head of the drill bit sits in the space for the hole to enable you to cut the hole in the exact location.

Image of HSS Drill Bits
HSS drill bits explained

HSS drill bits are an acronym for high-speed steel, which these drill bits are made of. HSS drill bits are used for drilling into wood and plastic materials but are particularly good for soft metals as they are resistant to the heat generated from the fast speed operation.

Image of Mortice Drill Bits
Mortice drill bits explained

Mortice drill bits are specialist drill bits used in woodworking and cabinet making. They are used to cut square holes, corners or slots into wood to create mortise and tenon joints. They are used in mortising machines or drill presses rather than power drills.

Image of Plug Cutter Drill Bits
Plug cutter drill bits explained

Plug cutter drill bits are used in professional carpentry work to cut plugs or holes into wood to hide recessed fasteners. They’re often used alongside countersink drill bits. They allow the screw head to be inserted below the material’s surface rather than flush with it.

Image of Step Drill Bits
Step drill bits explained

Step drill bits have a cone-shaped point with a series of pyramid-shaped steps. They’re designed to drill into sheet material and enable you to drill holes of different diameters without changing the drill bit size. In addition, some step drill bits have spiral flutes, which help remove the waste material.

Shank type explained

The shank is the part of the drill bit that’s held in the chuck of a drill. There are several types available, and you should choose the one that matches the chuck of the drill you intend to use:

Hex shank – A hexagonal-shaped shank used in screw guns or electric screwdrivers with a hammer mode.

SDS max shank – A slotted drive system shank with grooves that slot into the drill’s chuck. This type of chuck is found on most hammer drills and some standard drills. It’s used for heavy-duty jobs.

SDS plus shank – This is another type of slotted drive system. It’s used for most masonry drill bits.

Straight shank – A round, straight shank with no grooves or slots, used for drills with keyed or keyless chucks that hold drill bits between 10-13mm.

Threaded shank – A shank with a thread that screws into a hand-held drill. These drills are more compact because they don’t have a chuck, so they’re ideal for use in tight spaces. Other threaded shank drill bits include bits designed to be used in grinders rather than power drills.

You can purchase drill bits with these shank types in singles or packs, but drill bit sets with mixed shank types are also available.

Double-Ended Panel Drill Bit Drilling Tools

M2 High-Speed Steel 3/16″ Double Sided Drill Bits (6pack)

Double-Ended High-Speed Steel Drill Bits Drilling Tools Set

M2 High-Speed Steel (HSS) RIVET DOUBLE ENDED DRILL BITS, M2 – 5.5mm, 7/32″

10-Pack Heavy Duty HSS COBALT 1/8″ Double Ended Rivet Drill Bit Set

RIVET DOUBLE ENDED DRILL BITS, M2 – 3mm, 1/8 inch