One of the most cost-effective is a spade bit. Sometimes called a paddle bit thanks to its shape, spade bits throw chips out as they cut rather than sending it up through the flutes. It makes for a much cooler slow-motion video but generally leaves a larger mess. Unlike your standard twist bits, spade bits are really only good for making holes in wood. Auger Bits White wall plugs can vary in diameter (6-10mm). So, to drill a hole for a white wall plug, you will need a drill bit that’s the same diameter as the plug you choose. Auger bits have a threaded tip that pulls the bit forward as it rotates in the wood. Its strong, full-fluted design also makes it easier to drill nice and straight. Step Bits High-speed steel: made from carbon steel with chromium and vanadium additives. It’s suitable for drilling wood, plastic and soft metals.

We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work. Twist bits work best for drilling in a myriad of materials when the target is a hole diameter of 1/2-inch or less. As you move beyond a 1/2″ hole diameter, you move away from traditional twist bits into some different options. Spade Bits Cobalt: an incredibly strong alloy metal used to drill through tough materials. It can withstand heat and resistance and is the best drill bit for stainless steel. Solid carbide: a drill bit as described above, but it’s made entirely from carbide. It’s suitable for drilling into tough materials.A drill bit's suitability for drilling into certain materials usually depends on what the drill bit is made from and coated with. The drill bit guide below describes the main options:

A HSS drill bit is made from high-speed steel, as described in the materials section above. It’s often used in multi-purpose drill bits as it can be used on wood, plastic and metal. HSS drill bits are also the best drill bits for soft metals. SDS-Plus and SDS-Max rotary hammers do best for drilling on concrete and masonry materials. Hammer drills, however, more than suffice for drilling smaller diameter holes. When you start looking for the best concrete drill bits and the best masonry drill bits, the need for handling multiple materials arises. For that, our Pros consistently turn to Bosch Daredevil Multi-Purpose Drill Bits.Grey wall plugs can vary in diameter (6-14mm). So, to drill a hole for a grey wall plug, you will need a drill bit that’s the same diameter as the plug you choose. Carbide-tipped: one of the hardest materials on the planet, this drill bit only uses carbide on the tip. It’s suitable for drilling masonry, tiles and concrete. We know we didn’t cover every category of hole-making accessories like hole saws and didn’t touch driver bits, either. While we chose to draw the line where we did, keep your eyes open for more buying guides to cover those accessories down the road! Disagree With Our Choices? In addition to drill bits being available in different types, they’re also available in various sizes to allow you to drill a hole that suits your needs. The list below gives answers to the most commonly asked questions around drill bit sizes: They’re great for moving beyond your standard twist bit sizes and eliminating the need for a punch for holes up to 1-1/4″ or a little more. They also feature a flat flute with a slight taper at each step. This gives you the ability to drill in sheet metal and other thin metals that might deform if you cut through at an angle. In addition to making new holes, they also excel at enlarging existing ones.

SDS plus shank - This is another type of slotted drive system. It’s used for most masonry drill bits. The drill bit size you need for a wall plug will depend on which wall plug you use. Generally, you’ll need a drill bit that’s the same diameter (in millimetres) as the wall plug, but for accuracy, you can drill a pilot hole using a slightly smaller size drill bit first. Auger bits closely mirror spade bits but work better for deeper holes that require lots of chip removal at the point of entry. The full-fluted design makes this possible. You typically need a stronger drill when using these bits. This becomes very apparent when drilling deep holes or holes that exceed 3/4-inches in diameter. Most red wall plugs are 6mm in diameter, so to drill a hole for a red plug, you will need a 6mm drill bit. Tungsten carbide: made from a mix of tungsten metal and carbon. It's even more hard-wearing than the standard carbide above. It is suitable for drilling into extremely tough materials such as masonry.Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year. We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products.