7 Different Types of Drill Bits You Should Know About
Before I wrote up this list I was rudely awakened to the fact that drill bits are not a “one-size-fits-all” type of thing. In fact, if I hadn’t have had the sense to look it up first, I would have shattered my glass shelving the second that the drill bit I was going to use, touched it. I could have been left with a cut up hand and a real sharp mess to clean up but my researched saved me the headache of finding out the hard way.
Preventing that potential headache from interrupting your projects is precisely why I decided to create this list of the different types of drill bits for you, in hopes that you will be well informed and drill-bit-savvy the next time you pick up a drill. Drill bits are used for all kinds of masonry, wood, and metal drilling but it’s knowing which one to use for each of these categories that is key to a successful drilling experience.
#1 Screw Driver Drill Bits
Screw driver drill bits comes in on my different types of drill bits list because screwdrivers are a common place in my life. From assembling some of the toys my kids own to hanging nice art work in my home, screw driver drill bits do the majority of the hard work for me. There are four types of screw driver drill bits: Posidriv, square, Phillips and flat-head. Each of these bits will fit a particular type of screw. For example, the flat head screw driver bits are used for slotted screws and the square screw driver bit is used commonly for deck screws. These drill bits are different than the others on my list as they fit the screw that will be drilling through the material rather than the bit itself. That in turn, makes screw driver drill bits more versatile and useful than the other drill bits.
#2 Glass and Tile Bits
Shaped like an ancient spear head, these glass and tile drill bits have tungsten carbide tips. They are capable of drilling cleanly through glass and tile without cracking the material. Glass and especially tile can get very expensive. Not using the proper drill bit for them can cause permanent damage that will result in extra expenses or an incomplete project.
#3 Countersink Bits
If you are anything like me, then you know how it feels to put something as simple as a wooden bathroom vanity together only to have the thin wood split in half when you start drilling. Countersink bits help to stop wood from splitting while you’re drilling into it while also allowing space for a screw head and this does not only give you the peace of mind as you work knowing that all the bits will be accounted for, but it also saves you quite a few bucks due to minimal damage to your wood. As with most of the different types of drill bits, countersink bits actually allows you to predrill the hole you need directly into the material your working with, making for a clean and easy drilling experience that gets the job done without splitting your material.
#4 Masonry Drill Bits
Masonry drill bits are pretty self-explanatory. They are made to drill into specific masonry materials such as brick and cement. They are able to drill holes into these rock hard materials through the specially designed, extra-hardened tips. I picked these out to drill holes into the brick above my balcony to hang some nice flowering plant baskets. These worked amazingly well and drilled through the brick like a knife through butter.
#5 Metal Drill Bits
Metal drill bits are almost always black. They are commonly made from titanium or cobalt coted metal which makes them long lasting and strong. They work best and last longest when used for metal drilling however, they can be used to drill holes in plastic and wooden materials. My husband pulled his set of metal drill bits out when we moved into our new condo, as he needed to hang some metal frame work for the floating desk he made for me. Though all drilling should be done with care, I suggest using some safety goggles while working with these drill bits, as metal shards are sure to spew out while you’re drilling. I wouldn’t want to the one who gets those nasty slivers in my eyes, that’s for sure.
#6 Brad Point Drill Bits
They make drilling straight and clean holes easy with their sharply pointed tips and spurs. I use these myself when I want to hang heavy items such as speaker mounts and shelving.
#7 Paddle Drill Bits
With all the many different types of drill bits, paddle drill bits, or spade drill bits, are probably the most common drill bit I have ever seen used. My father was a carpenter and I remember seeing these every time I went into his tool box or into the pocket of his tool belt. They are available in many sizes and are commonly sold in sets; each marked with its’ exact size. They work great for making wide holes in wood in preparation for drilling.
Conclusion
I made this list to let you all know what ones I am familiar with and the basics about these particular drill bits. If you have one or two you want to add to this list, please let me know in the comment section and don’t forget to like and share with all of your friends. I want to know what you think, what you like, and what you don’t like and I can’t wait to hear your ideas. Watch for more messages, ideas, and lists from me in the upcoming future.
