Features of twist drills for wood

When processing various wooden structures, there is often a need to create depressions in them and in their subsequent processing. The easiest way to do this is with drills. In hardware stores, you can find a variety of models of such products. Today we will talk about the features of twist drills for wood.

The twist drill for wood is a thin tool with a pointed tip that allows the balance of an electric drill. The diameter of such samples can vary from 3 to 50 millimeters.

Spiral models are most often produced with a long tapered shank. It allows you to easily mark the drilling point. The total number of revolutions produced will depend on the diameter of the structure (the drilling speed depends on the diameter of the drill).

Drills of this type are often referred to as screw drills. Some of these models are produced with special undercutters. They are small elements with a bridge, due to which significant loads are transferred to the entire product.

Spiral varieties make it possible to make even and neat grooves. Their inner walls will be completely smooth. The fixtures will be suitable for almost all types of wood.

Twist drills can be produced in several different designs.

Separately, it is worth considering options depending on the type of tip.

• Taper-tipped drills. Such models are perfect for processing metal objects, plastics, wood and many other materials with different thicknesses. Samples with this type of tip can be used both in everyday life and in industry. These tools work in such a way that rotational frequent movements lead to cutting of materials, while the subsequent feed of the drilling direction is observed. These products can be produced in three variations: with an elongated, medium and short working part. Each of them is intended for a certain type of work with the material. The tapered shank allows for a significant increase in the depth of the holes, and this leads to increased reliability, strength and durability of future fasteners. The helix is ​​connected to such a shank using a special adapter sleeve. The model provides drilling along the wood grain.

• Twist drill with cutters. These tools are designed to create particularly high quality recesses. During production, they are sharpened on a special universal sharpening machine. These models are fixed in a universal head, they do this using a collet, then they are sharpened with the periphery of the circle. Products with undercutters are most often used for wooden structures (mainly MDF and chipboard). They are designed for drilling in a direction across the wood grain.

Some standard twist drills are manufactured with additional carbide inserts. These products are suitable for the hardest wood species.

The group of twist drills also includes the Lewis model, which is specially designed for creating indentations in wood. It comes with a serpentine profile. The sharpened part looks like a simple screw.

The Lewis drill makes it possible to create indentations with perfectly flat walls. It provides maximum precision in the drilling process, which is achieved using a special design of the screw nozzle.

The indentations made with the Lewis drill have a large diameter. The model is equipped with a massive attachment that surrounds the core located in the central part. A small threaded tip is provided on the working side of the device, such an element allows the rod to penetrate the work surface at a given point without possible bending.

The outer part of the drill is subjected to a particularly careful processing. It must be absolutely smooth and have a mirror-like shine, it is this manufacturing technology that allows you to make the inside of the holes even.

In hardware stores, you can see models with a diameter of 2-6 mm, they belong to the shortened category. As a rule, they come with a tapered nozzle at the end.

There are also samples with a diameter of 5 to 10 mm (elongated category) and special drills with a value of 4–32 mm. The latter group includes various models with a center and tree cutters.

If you have to regularly work with different wooden structures, then the best option would be to buy a whole set with twist drills. In this case, each individual model will be designed for different types of wood, for surfaces of different thicknesses. Alternatively, a twist drill of the same type can be purchased separately.

Before buying a product, you must consider the type of attachment. Drills with a tapered tip are considered a universal option. They can center well on details. The conical element easily and quickly enters the work surface. In the process of work, the body of the tool experiences less stress in comparison with a device with cutters.

Products with a center and cutters are subjected to much greater loads during operation. But at the same time, they can make grooves of maximum accuracy, the latter are the most even and accurate, while there will be no scratches and other defects on the surface. Such drills are not used for a conventional drill. These attachments are best installed in low-speed tools.

Look closely at the surface of the drills. It should be fairly well sharpened, there should be no small scratches or irregularities on the devices. Otherwise, a tool with such defects can spoil the surface of the workpieces.

For more information on twist drills for wood, see the video below.