FAQ's: Wood Drill Bits

For general use, a brad point bit. For deep holes, an auger bit.

Drilling clean, accurate holes in wood and similar soft materials.

Common types include twist bits, spade bits, auger bits, and Forstner bits.

No. Wood drills best dry; lubrication is for metal or masonry.

Moderate speed—too fast can burn the wood, too slow can cause tearing.

Dry wood. Wet wood can gum up bits, swell, and split when it dries.

Flat (spade) bits are faster and cheaper; hole saws cut cleaner and handle larger diameters better.

Wood bits have a point and spurs; steel bits are blunter with a chisel edge for cutting metal.

It has a sharp center point and often spurs on the edges.

Use a sharp bit, pre-drill pilot holes, avoid drilling too close to edges, and reduce speed near the end.