Drill Bits from McFeely's

Drill Points – Which one will work best?

The drills we supply have various point configurations. Each type of point design has its specific uses. To choose the right drill, you need to know a little about drill points. We have six types of drill points:

• Regular or Standard Point
• Split Point or Four Facet Point
• Brad Point
• Plexi Point
• Screw Point
• Taper Point

Regular or Standard Point drills have a 118 degree included angle point with cutting relief angles suited to cut metal. Drills with standard points specifically designed to cut wood usually have a longer point angle (i.e. 80 degrees). The longer 80 degree point can sometimes work better in wood if you are experiencing a problem with excess splintering on the backside when drilling through the wood. The 118-degree point is designed to be an all purpose point and will cut almost all materials. If the standard drill point is not providing satisfactory results, one of the other types may be necessary.

Split Point or Four Facet Point drills usually have 135 degree included angle points and are designed to cut metal. Standard point drills have two cutting edges but there is a section in the center of the drill point called the chisel edge that does not actually cut, but chisels the material. The chisel edge can also cause the drill to walk across the material when you are trying to start the drill cutting on a particular spot. The Split Point drill has two additional edges ground into the chisel edge, which make the entire point of the drill one long cutting edge. This reduces the amount of pressure needed to make the drill cut. The Split Point is also self-centering which means the drill starts cutting exactly where it comes into contact with the material. These characteristics were designed for drilling in metal but could be beneficial in some harder wood.

Brad Point Drill should provide the cleanest, straightest, and most accurately sized hole in wood of any reasonably priced tool on the market today. The brad in the center of the point allows accurate positioning when starting a hole, even if the hole is not 90 degrees from the surface. The outlining spurs sheer the wood grain and leave a clean edge around the hole's opening, eliminating the need for sanding. The spurs continue to sheer the wood while drilling and producing an accurately sized hole. In most woods, the spurs also help to produce a cleaner edge when drilling through the backside of the wood.

Plexi Point drills are designed to cut Plexiglas. The point can be between 60 degree and 80 degree included angle and the cutting angles are reduced to keep the drill from biting into the Plexiglas too fast. This point produces a clean hole and prevents the drill from breaking the Plexiglas when drilling through the backside.

Screw Points are found strictly on wood cutting tools. These types of points are sometimes called Self-feeding points. Screw Points are designed to assist and control the rate of feed for that tool. In other words, the screw point controls how fast the tool cuts and all but eliminates the need to push the tool. It is a must when drilling large holes with hand held equipment. The disadvantage of tools with screw points is unless the screw point is replaceable, the tool will only last until the screw wears out. That may not take long in hardwoods.

Taper Point Drills are designed specifically to predrill for the shank and threads of standard wood screws. Available in sizes and lengths to cover a wide variety of screws. Some customers have had success using this type of drill to cut through holes when a clean edge is required breaking through the backside. The Taper Point Drill breaks through gradually and produces clean edges on both sides.