Wood drill bits types – Which ones are there and what are the differences?

Woodworking is considered uncomplicated and beginner-friendly – probably one reason why many DIY enthusiasts approach this material more readily than demanding metal types. And that's not wrong either. In general, wood is easy to work with, forgives the occasional mistake and invites even inexperienced users to let their creativity run wild.

On the other hand, wood is a natural material and that brings a certain degree of unpredictability with it. No two pieces of wood are absolutely identical and when drilling, surprises can always occur. Unlike a metal drill bit, the wood drill bits must therefore also cope with material that is not perfectly homogeneous.

When working with wood, you have a large arsenal of tool types available to choose from for your drilling work. It's worth taking a closer look here and not automatically reaching for a twist drill bit – there may be a specialist that is much better suited to the task! To help you find the right one, we've compiled an overview of the most important variants for you below.

What you need to pay attention to when drilling in wood

Due to the long wood fibres and the heterogeneous composition of the material, good guidance and centring of the drill bit is important. For this reason, many drill bit types are equipped with a centre point. Depending on the application, a pilot hole may also be worthwhile before you create the actual bore hole. The choice of wood drill bits must therefore take into account the specific requirements of the project, such as the type of wood and the type of bore hole.

The rotational speed when drilling into wood should be lower than when using metal drill bits, to avoid damaging the wood fibres. This also means: especially with soft wood types, you have a good chance of creating a clean hole with your cordless drill! Sharp cutting edges are also essential for working with wood fibres. A good, sharp wood drill bit design leads to better cutting quality and makes drilling through the material easier.

These drill bit types for wood you need to know

The type of wood influences the choice of drill bit, as not every drill bit is suitable for all wood types. There are various types of wood drill bits, including twist drill bits, flat brace bits, auger bits and cylinder bits. We present the most common types:

Twist drill bits

Let's start with the basics, namely the twist drill bit, which you certainly all know and love. The spiral wood drill bit is ideal for precise, clean holes in softwood and hardwood and is a safe choice for almost all purposes. With a centre point and sharp flutes, it handles the special characteristics of the material with ease and can be used in a drill press or cordless drill.

By the way: Although we naturally always recommend specialised tools, in a pinch you can also use a metal drill bit to drill into wood. However, due to the lack of a centre point, you will need to centre punch or pre-drill the material.

Forstner bits

Forstner bits are specially designed for flat, round holes in wood and are well suited for furniture making and decorative work. Forstner bits are particularly suitable for producing blind holes or for making mounting holes for pot hinges. They are also the best-known representative of the group of cylindrical bits.

These wood drill bits are particularly popular with hobbyists and creative enthusiasts because they are especially well-suited for making toys and decorative elements. For this reason alone, it can be worthwhile to keep a few different versions in your toolbox.

Auger bit

You can identify this type of drill bit immediately by its deep, wide flutes, which resemble a screw conveyor and function in the same way. These serve to transport a large amount of chip from great depth. Auger bits are particularly suitable for deep hole drilling in thick wooden beams or rafters and feature a thread tip that pulls the drill bit into the material automatically. They are often also referred to as beam bits.

Accordingly, you only need the auger bit if you intend to construct buildings or other structures with beams. Outside of this area, its applications are limited.

Milling drills

Flat milling drills for wood don't really look like a drill at first glance, which is mainly due to their flat shape and the absence of flutes. These tools are available in two variants: with a centre point and with a pull-in thread.

Since no real chip evacuation takes place here either, the milling drills are primarily suitable for through holes or holes with medium to large diameter. Blind holes can theoretically be produced as well, however, due to the centre point you cannot achieve a smooth bottom with the milling drill.

Whilst the flat auger bit is primarily used by carpenters, unlike the snake auger it can also serve DIY enthusiasts well depending on the project. Especially if you need larger diameters, these tools are certainly worth a look.

Hole saw

The hole saw is primarily used when large diameters need to be produced. One could argue whether this tool even belongs in the "drill" category, because although it is clamped into the drilling machine and a centre drill is part of the assembly, the actual material removal works entirely in the style of a saw.

The hole saw features a cylindrical saw blade with a centre drill bit in the middle and is particularly well-suited for creating large holes in thin materials. In this way, for example, pipe penetrations or socket openings are produced. So if you have a renovation planned in the near future, then feel free to keep the hole saw in mind.

Drill bits for wood and more in the BAER Online Shop

Our twist drill bits for wood in the BAER Online Shop convince with a precise centre point and extra-sharp cutting edges, for a clean borehole without tear-out. While you're here, be sure to check out our other twist drill bits as well as our comprehensive range for thread machining. Any questions? We're here for you! Our friendly customer service is available to you by phone or via contact form at any time.