Microsoft Word - Woodshop 101 Part 1 of 3

Let’s look at the different kinds of bits that woodworkers typically use.

Fig. 3 Twist bit

Twist bits are the most common drill bits you’ll find. Most are

inexpensive and can be used in either a hand drill or an electric drill.

They can be made out of two different kinds of steel. ‘High speed steel’,

which can be used in wood, metal, and plastic, and ‘carbon steel’ which

is ground for drilling into wood. Because carbon steel is more brittle

than high-speed steel they shouldn’t be used for drilling metal and

plastic because of the risk of breaking.

Recently, some manufactures have started coating their bits with

Titanium nitride. This gives the bits a distinctive gold color. This

coating increases the hardness of the bit, which is beneficial for drilling

into metal.

Fig. 4 Brad point bit

Brad point bits have a center point that makes it easy to center the bit on

your mark. They also have two spurs on their outer edges that help the

bittotravelstraightandcutasmoothhole.Youmayseeabitatyour

local hardware store called a ‘bullet point’ bit. These are very similar to

brad points except they do a better job in metal and plastics. Either of

these bits can be used in a hand drill or electric drill.

Fig. 5 Forstner bit

Forstner bits are used when a large flat bottom hole is needed. These

should only be used with a power drill.