Drill Bit Types

Steel: Uncoated steel drill bits will cover a majority of basic drilling applications - normal paper stock, light to medium weight.

CHT (Teflon): Teflon coated to prevent build-up and increase drill bit life by reducing heat. Works great for medium to heavy weight and coated stocks. 

Drill Bit Measurements

Drill Bit Measurements

Drilling Tips

Keep Drills Sharp: Sharpen drills every 4 to 8 hours of use - even more when drilling through hard or abrasive stock. Most breakages occur as a result of dull drills.

Keep Drills Clean: This is especially true when drilling perfect bound books and glue. If the inside of a drill is not cleaned, glue will harden and snap a drill bit upon next use. Use a small brush with solvent to clean the inside of the drill bit. Bits can also be lightly oiled to reduce rust or corrosion when not in use.

Keep Drills Lubricated: Some bits are coated (i.e., Teflon), which will provide lubrication. Consider using a lubricating stick to reduce heat and clogging.

Drill Speed Suggestions

Below is a table of suggested speeds to run your drill machine for optimal performance at each drill bit diameter.

Drill Bit Diameter Speed (RPM)
1/8" 3000
5/32" 2800
3/16" 2700
7/32" 2600
1/4" 2500
9/32" 2200
5/16" 2000
11/32" 1900
3/8" 1700
13/32" 1600
7/16" 1200
1/2" 1000

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