Drill bits come in many shapes and sizes. Most drill bits are designed for specific applications or materials. The most useful for home repairs are standard (or "twist") drill bits. Other useful drill bits are masonry bits and screw and nut drivers. Take a moment to learn about each of these types of drill bits and you will better determine which drill bits must be in your toolbox.
A Drill Bit with a Twist
The drill bit most often used in home repairs is called the twist bit. A twist bit has a sharp cutting edge at its tip and spiral grooves that carry debris away as the hole is formed.
Twist bits are useful for drilling in wood, plastic or drywall. Your toolbox won't be complete with a set of various sized twist bits.
A Drill Bit in the Driver's Seat
Driver bits are used for driving screws or bolts. They look like the end of a screwdriver. Driver bits come in different sizes and types such as slotted, Philips head and Torx. Nut drivers come in metric and fractional inch measurements.
Your drill may have come with several driver bits. These are handy to have around when putting together furniture or repairing lawn equipment.
Not a Brick too Hard
Masonry drill bits are design to drill through brick, stone or concrete and usually have a tungsten carbide cutting tip. Masonry drill bits are most effective when used with a power drill.
When using masonry drill bits, be sure to pull the drill bit out frequently to clear the hole of dust and debris. Masonry drill bits are prone to binding.
Now That's a Hole!
Auger bits are designed for drilling deep, large-bore holes in wood. The design of an auger bit uses a screw tip to pull the bit into the wood. This pulling action makes auger bits hard to control with power drills.
Keep Your Cool
Tile bits are used for drilling ceramic tile and glass. Tile bits have a ground tungsten or diamond dust coating on their tips to help penetrate dense ceramic. Always use a lubricant when using drill bits on glass to keep the surface cool.
When a Normal Hole Just Won't Do
A hole saw is great for making large holes in sheet material like plywood or dry wall. A hole saw drill bit looks sort of like an open tin can with a serrated cutting edge. The cutting edge saws into the material, creating a large smooth hole.
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Drill bits undergo a lot of stress when drilling a hole. The high-speed rotation of drill bits generates friction that, in turn, generates heat. |
Rechargeable batteries have cut the cord for power tools. |
Of all the tools in your toolbox, screwdrivers may be the most specialized. Fortunately, most of the screws you'll encounter will have a flat or Phillips head. A handful of various sized screwdrivers of both of these types will cover 90% of your home projects. |
