| Brad-Point Wood Bit | Softwood, hardwood, plywood, and MDF | 3–20 mm | Clean holes for joinery, cabinetry, dowels, and general woodworking | Rotary drilling; low to medium speed | Center point and outer spurs reduce wandering and surface tear-out | Clamp the workpiece and withdraw the bit periodically to clear chips |
| Auger Bit | Timber, framing lumber, and thick wood stock | 6–32 mm | Deep holes for wiring, plumbing, bolts, and structural work | Rotary drilling at low to medium speed | Screw-point tip pulls the bit through wood while the flute removes chips | Use controlled feed pressure; excessive force can split thin boards |
| Forstner Bit | Hardwood, softwood, and engineered wood | 10–50 mm | Flat-bottom holes, concealed hinges, overlapping holes, and furniture work | Rotary drilling at low speed; drill press preferred for large diameters | Produces accurate, flat-bottomed holes with clean edges | Reduce speed as diameter increases to limit heat buildup |
| Spade Bit | Softwood, framing lumber, and plywood | 6–40 mm | Fast clearance holes for cables, pipes, and hardware | Rotary drilling at medium speed | Inexpensive, fast-cutting design for non-finish applications | Place scrap wood behind the workpiece to reduce breakout |
| Twist Bit, High-Speed Steel | Mild steel, aluminum, brass, plastic, and wood | 1–13 mm | General-purpose holes in metal and mixed workshop materials | Rotary drilling; low speed for larger diameters | HSS construction provides heat resistance and broad material compatibility | Use cutting fluid on metal and avoid excessive pressure |
| Cobalt-Alloy Metal Bit | Stainless steel and other hard metals | 1–13 mm | Automotive repair, fabrication, sheet metal, and harder alloys | Rotary drilling at low speed with steady pressure | Improved heat resistance compared with standard HSS bits | Apply lubricant and prevent the bit from rubbing without cutting |
| Step Drill Bit | Thin sheet metal, plastic, and electrical enclosures | 4–32 mm, depending on the bit | Creating multiple hole diameters without changing bits | Rotary drilling at low to medium speed | Graduated steps enlarge holes with relatively low risk of snagging | Use light pressure and cutting fluid when working on metal |
| Masonry Bit with Carbide Tip | Brick, concrete block, mortar, and light concrete | 3–20 mm | Wall plugs, anchors, cable routes, and light masonry installation | Hammer mode where appropriate; rotary mode for fragile materials | Carbide cutting tip withstands abrasive mineral materials | Check for hidden wiring and plumbing before drilling into walls |
| SDS-Plus Masonry Bit | Concrete, reinforced concrete, brick, and stone | 5–26 mm | Deep anchor holes, construction work, and heavy-duty masonry drilling | Rotary hammer mode with a compatible SDS chuck | Grooved shank transfers impact energy and allows rapid bit changes | Use dust extraction or periodic withdrawal to manage drilling dust |
| Diamond Grit Hole Saw | Tile, porcelain, glass, and some stone surfaces | 5–100 mm | Plumbing penetrations, bathroom fittings, and electrical openings | Rotary drilling only; no hammer action | Abrasive diamond edge cuts hard, brittle surfaces with reduced chipping | Use water cooling where permitted and start at a slight angle |
| Bi-Metal Hole Saw | Wood, plastic, drywall, and thin metal | 19–152 mm | Large openings for pipes, vents, switches, and cable boxes | Rotary drilling at low to medium speed | Flexible tooth material handles varied materials and intermittent cutting | Match the pilot drill and arbor to the hole saw system |
| Multi-Material Bit | Wood, metal, masonry, tile, and plastic | 4–12 mm | Renovation projects involving several materials in one work area | Rotary drilling; hammer mode only when specifically permitted | Versatility reduces bit changes when material composition is uncertain | Use moderate speed and let the cutting edge—not excessive force—do the work |
| Countersink Bit | Wood, plastic, and soft metal | 2–12 mm pilot range | Flush screw installation and improved surface finish | Rotary drilling at low speed | Creates a tapered recess matching common flat-head screws | Test on scrap material to set the correct countersink depth |
| Magnetic Nut Driver | Hex fasteners in wood, metal, and construction assemblies | 5–13 mm common sizes | Driving hex-head screws, self-drilling screws, and small bolts | Drill-driver mode with controlled torque | Magnetic retention helps hold fasteners during overhead or one-handed work | Use the correct size to prevent rounding the fastener head |