Your Complete Drill Bit FAQ & Resource Guide
Drill Bit FAQ’s – Expert Answers & Buying Guide
Welcome to Drill Bits World’s ultimate FAQ library — your one-stop source for answers to everything drill bit related. Whether you’re a contractor, machinist, DIY enthusiast, or industrial buyer, we’ve organized our most common questions by category so you can find exactly what you need fast.
From choosing the right drill bit for your material to understanding specialty designs like auger, masonry, carbide, diamond, and extra long drill bits, you’ll find detailed, straightforward answers backed by decades of experience.
Need to know what bit works best for stainless steel, how to drill without cracking brick, or what “SDS” really means? It’s all here — plus tips to help extend tool life, improve drilling accuracy, and avoid costly mistakes.
If you don’t see your question here, contact us and our team will be happy to help.
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- FAQ's: Annular Cutters
- FAQ's: Carbide Tipped Drill Bits
- FAQ's: Diamond Drills
- FAQ's: Electrician's Drill Bits
- FAQ's: Extra Long Drill Bits
- FAQ's: Holesaw Drills
- FAQ's: Masonry Drill Bits
- FAQ's: Metal Working Drills
- FAQ's: Percussion Core Drills
- FAQ's: Reamers
- FAQ's: Reduced Shank Drills
- FAQ's: Silver & Deming Drills
- FAQ's: Stanley Hydraulic HD-45 & Skil 736 Drill Bits
- FAQ's: Taper Shank Drill Bits
- FAQ's: Wood Drill Bits
Do reamers need lubrication?
Yes — cutting fluid or lubricant extends tool life, improves finish, and helps with chip removal.
What is the tolerance of a reamed hole?
Reamed holes can achieve tight tolerances, often within ±0.001" depending on the tool and setup.
Can I use a reamer in a hand drill?
Yes for some types, like construction or bridge reamers with hex shanks, but precision reaming is usually done in drill presses or milling machines.
Do reamers come in different shank types?
Yes — including straight shank, tapered shank, and hex shank to fit different drills, reaming machines, and impact wrenches.
Can a reamer drill a hole from scratch?
No. Reamers are for existing holes — the hole must be pre-drilled undersize before reaming.
What materials can reamers cut?
Steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass, and other metals — with the right material and coating for the job.
When should I use a bridge reamer instead of a construction reamer?
Bridge reamers are best when hole misalignment is common — their long taper helps guide and center the reamer quickly. Construction reamers excel at enlarging holes to exact diameters.
What’s the advantage of spiral flutes over straight flutes?
Spiral flutes provide a smoother cut, reduce chatter, and are better for reaming in softer or gummy materials, while straight flutes give a rigid cut in harder materials.
What is a spiral flute reamer?
A reamer with helical flutes designed to cut more smoothly, evacuate chips better, and work well in holes with interruptions or cross-drilled features.
What is a construction reamer?
A heavy-duty reamer designed for enlarging or aligning structural steel holes during construction work, often used in fabrication and field assembly.
What is the difference between a drill bit and a reamer?
A drill bit removes material to create a hole; a reamer refines an existing hole’s size, alignment, and finish.
What is a reamer used for?
A reamer is a precision tool used to enlarge, align, or finish an existing hole to an exact size with a smooth surface finish.
Which is better, M35 or M42 drill bits for masonry?
Neither — M35 and M42 are cobalt steel grades for metal. Masonry requires carbide tips.
Which is better, cobalt or black oxide drill bits for masonry?
Neither — both are for metal. For masonry, use carbide-tipped bits.
Which drill bits are masonry?
Any bit with a tungsten carbide tip designed for drilling concrete, brick, block, or stone.