What Are the Different Types of Drill Bits?

Power drills are an essential tool in your home-improvement arsenal and there is a drill bit for almost every type of application. These drills bits may be made from steel or cobalt and have special coatings and tips like titanium, carbide, or diamond for extra strength. Approximately 20 types of drill bits exist, although only a small portion is used by the everyday do-it-yourselfer.

Twist Bit

The twist bit is the most common drill bit and can be used for a wide field of general drilling tasks in wood, soft or thin metal, and plastic.

Spade Bit

Sometimes referred to as a flat wood bit, the spade bit has a center point tip and a flat blade surface that bores holes in wood in varying diameters that are perfect for recessing a screw or bolt head.

Masonry Bit

The masonry bit is similar to a twist bit, only it has a special cutting tip made from either tungsten carbide or a resilient composite of silicon and bronze. This bit is designed for drilling into hard rock or stone-type surfaces such as brick, concrete and natural quarried stone.

Hole Saw Bit

The hole saw drill bit looks like a round cookie cutter with tiny, sharp teeth and is used for boring large holes in plastic, light metals and wood.

Tile and Glass Bit

Resembling a long finishing nail with a rounded, arrow-shaped tungsten carbide tip, this bit is optimal for glass and ceramic tiles.

Forstner Bit

Best used on timber products only, the Forstner bit drills holes with a round, flat bottom, a desirable quality when building cabinetry and furniture.

Resources

• Lowe's Drill Bit Buying Guide