Skip to content

Splinter-Free Wood Drilling with Spur Point/Brad Point Drill Bits

BAUCOR: ENGINEERED FOR PRECISION.

EVERY BIT DELIVERS FLAWLESS RESULTS!

What is a Spur Point/ Brad Point Drill Bit? How does it work?

Brad point drill bits, also known as brad point drill bit bits, are specialized woodworking tools designed for creating clean, precise holes with minimal tear-out. Here's a breakdown of their characteristics and how they function:

Defining Features:

  • Central Spur: The defining feature is a sharp, central spur that helps center the bit and prevents wandering during drilling.
  • Chisel-Like Shoulders: The outer edges of the bit have chisel-like shoulders that cut the wood fibers cleanly, creating a smooth hole perimeter.
  • Limited Flutes: Brad point drill bits often have reduced fluting compared to twist drills, as chip evacuation is less critical in most woodworking applications.

How Brad Point Drill Bits Work

  1. Centering: The sharp central spur locates the hole center and anchors the drill bit, preventing it from wandering as you start drilling.
  2. Cutting: The chisel-like shoulders of the bit slice through wood fibers along the hole's circumference, creating a neat edge.
  3. Chip Removal: The limited flutes evacuate wood chips while drilling.

Why Choose a Brad Point Drill Bit?

Brad point drill bits offer specific advantages for woodworking:

  • Clean Holes: Their design minimizes tear-out compared to standard twist drills, resulting in smoother, cleaner holes.
  • Precision: The central spur ensures accurate hole placement, preventing wandering.
  • Drilling at Angles: They excel at drilling angled holes due to their superior centering capabilities.

Considerations:

  • Material Specific: Spur point bits are primarily designed for wood. Using them on harder materials can damage the bit.
  • Limited Depth Capacity: They're usually not ideal for very deep holes due to chip evacuation limitations.

How are Auger Drill Bits manufactured?

The manufacturing process for brad point drill bits involves several stages to achieve their specialized form and cutting geometry. Here's a general overview of the typical steps:

Raw Material Selection:

  • Steel Matters: High-speed steel (HSS) is the most common material, but other tool steel alloys might be used for enhanced durability in demanding applications. Baucor can advise on the optimal material for your specific needs.

Blank Formation:

Shaping the Base: The raw steel is cut and formed into blanks with the basic cylindrical shape and a slightly larger diameter than the final drill bit.

Fluting:

  • Chip Evacuation: The flutes, essential for removing wood chips, are milled into the blank.Brad point drill bits often have fewer or shallower flutes compared to twist drills.

Creating the Point and Shoulders:

  • Specialized Grinding: Precision grinding processes are used to form the defining features:

The sharp central spur for centering.

Chisel-like cutting shoulders for clean edges.

  • Baucor's Expertise: Our focus on precision grinding would be crucial here to ensure accurate geometry.

Heat Treatment (If Applicable):

  • Enhancing Hardness: Some tool steel alloys undergo heat treatment processes to improve their hardness, wear resistance, and overall durability. Baucor's proficiency in heat treatment optimization could ensure maximum drill performance.

Coating (Optional):

  • Performance Boost: In some cases, brad point drill bits might receive coatings like TiN (titanium nitride) to further enhance wear resistance and reduce friction. Baucor's knowledge of drill coatings is a potential asset.

Finishing and Inspection:

  • Polishing and Quality Checks: The finished drill bits may receive surface treatments to improve smoothness and reduce friction. Rigorous inspections ensure they meet dimensional tolerances and perform as intended.

Baucor: Your Potential Partner in Brad Point Drill Bit Manufacturing

Understanding the manufacturing process gives you insights into the potential for quality and customization with brad point drill bits. Here's why consulting Baucor can be beneficial:

  • Material Expertise: Get guidance on the most suitable steel alloy for your specific application and workpiece.
  • Precision Manufacturing: Baucor's focus on precision ensures your brad point drill bits have sharp cutting edges and accurate centering capabilities.
  • Custom Solutions: If your application demands a unique design or specialized material, Baucor might be able to manufacture custom brad point drill bits tailored to your exact needs.

Contact Baucor Today!

Discover the advantage of Baucor's expertise in brad point drill bit manufacturing. Whether you need standard drills or custom solutions, our team can guide you towards the perfect drilling tools for your woodworking projects.

GET A QUOTE

What sizes does Baucor manufacture Brad Point Drill Bits?

Baucor offers a comprehensive selection of brad point drill bit sizes for various woodworking needs. Here's a breakdown of typical size ranges and why consulting us is crucial:

Possible brad point drill bit Sizes:

Imperial Sizes:

  • Common: 1/8", 5/32" 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 9/32", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8", 13/32", 7/16", 15/32", 1/2" or larger, depending on their specific offerings.
  • Baucor could potentially offer incremental sizes between these standards.

Metric Sizes:

  • Common: 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, or larger.
  • Baucor might offer intermediate metric sizes beyond this standard range.

Baucor can manufacture drill bits for you ranging from very small sizes like 0.05 mm to large sizes up to 180 mm, accommodating a wide spectrum of drilling requirements. 

Why Contacting Baucor is Key:

  • Up-to-date Inventory: Our available stock is dynamic, and could include sizes outside the standard ranges mentioned above.
  • Customization Potential: For unique woodworking project requirements, Baucor might offer custom manufactured brad point drill bitsin specialized sizes to meet your exact needs.
  • Expert Guidance: Our team can advise you on the ideal drill size based on your project and the type of wood being worked with.

The Benefits of Partnering with Baucor

Beyond simply offering a wider range of sizes, Baucor can provide:

  • Material Expertise: Guidance on choosing the right steel alloy for your woodworking tasks.
  • Precision Manufacturing: Assurance that your brad point drill bits are crafted for clean cuts and accurate centering.
  • Custom Solutions: Solutions for applications demanding drill sizes outside the standard ranges.

Discover the Right Brad Point Drill Bits for You: Contact Baucor!

Find the perfect brad point drill bits for your project with Baucor's potential for vast size offerings and expert guidance. Explore the possibilities and gain insights tailored to your specific needs.

What materials are used to make Brad Point Drill Bits?

The material used for a brad point drill bit impacts its performance and suitability for different woodworking tasks. Here's a breakdown of possible options, from standard to specialized:

Common Materials:

  • High-Speed Steel (HSS): The most versatile and widely used choice. HSS offers a balance of affordability, hardness, and wear resistance, making it suitable for various woods.

Enhanced Performance Materials:

  • Cobalt Steel (HSCO): Contains cobalt for improved wear resistance and heat tolerance. Ideal for harder woods or demanding woodworking projects.
  • Tool Steel Alloys: Some manufacturers utilize specific tool steel alloys tailored for woodworking tools. These can offer enhanced toughness and edge retention. Baucor might provide insights into less common alloy options.

Rare, Highly Specialized Materials:

  • Carbide-Tipped: In rare instances, the cutting edges of spur point bits might be tipped with carbide for extreme hardness and wear resistance when working with exceptionally abrasive woods or composite materials. It's unlikely that Baucor would have these readily available, but they might explore custom options.

Choosing the Right Material with Baucor's Expertise

The specific materials Baucor offers for brad point drill bits may vary. Here's why consulting us is beneficial:

  • Inventory and Beyond: We likely stock HSS brad point drill bits and may have readily available options in cobalt steel or tool steel alloys.
  • Application Expertise: Our team can analyze your woodworking projects and recommend the perfect material, even if it's a less common choice.
  • Customization: For unique challenges,we manufacture custom brad point drill bits from specialized materials tailored to your exact needs.

What coatings improve Spur Point/ Brad Point Drill Bits?

While not as common as coatings on twist drills, applying specific coatings to brad point drill bit bits can improve their performance and extend tool life. Here's a look at potential options you might find:

Standard Coatings:

  • Titanium Nitride (TiN): A highly versatile coating that increases surface hardness, reduces friction, and improves heat dissipation. TiN-coated brad point drill bits are a good option for many woodworking applications, and Baucor might offer these. * Black Oxide: A less wear-resistant but common coating that offers some lubricity and corrosion protection.

Specialized Coatings:

  • Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN): An evolution of TiN coatings, offering even greater hardness and superior performance at elevated temperatures. Baucor might offer TiAlN coated brad point drill bits for demanding woodworking tasks.
  • Other Options: Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN), and various multilayer coatings exist for specific performance enhancements in metalworking. While rarer for woodworking, We have cutting-edge options available.

Factors Influencing Coating Choice

  • Compatibility: Certain coatings might be better suited to specific base materials (HSS, cobalt steel, etc.)
  • Application: The benefits of each coating can vary. Factors like increased wear resistance or reduced friction influence the ideal coating choice based on the wood being drilled.

GET A QUOTE

Where are Brad Point Drill Bits  used?

Brad point drill bit bits, also known as brad point drill bits, are primarily designed for woodworking tasks where these qualities are crucial:

  • Furniture Making: Creating clean, precise holes for joinery (dowels, etc.) or hardware installation.
  • Cabinetry: Drilling holes for hinges, handles, and other cabinet components where tear-out needs to be minimized.
  • General Woodworking: Drilling holes in various wood types for projects requiring clean edges and accurate placement.
  • Drilling at Angles: Their superior centering capabilities make them ideal for drilling angled holes.
  • Hard and Soft Woods: Suitable for a range of hardwoods and softwoods. Baucor can advise on the optimal drill material choice for your specific wood types.

Additional Applications

  • Plastics: While less common, spur point bits can be used on some plastics where a clean hole without chipping is desired.
  • DIY Projects: Popular among DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists due to their ease of use and clean results.

When Other Drill Types Might Be Better:

  • Very Deep Holes: Standard brad point drill bits have limitations in hole depth due to chip evacuation. For very deep holes, longer twist drills or Forstner bits might be necessary.
  • Metal: Spur point bits are not designed for metalworking.

Baucor: Your Partner for the Right brad point drill bits

By understanding these applications, you can make informed choices for your woodworking projects. Here's why Baucor is your ideal partner for brad point drill bit needs:

  • Material Expertise: Our team can advise on the optimal steel alloy for your drill based on the types of wood you commonly work with.
  • Precision Manufacturing: Baucor's focus on precision ensures your brad point drill bits have sharp cutting edges and accurate centering for clean holes.
  • Custom Solutions: If your project demands unique sizes or specialized features, we manufacture custom brad point drill bits tailored to your needs.

Contact Baucor Today!

Explore Baucor's selection of brad point drill bits and our expertise in application-specific solutions. Let our team guide you towards the perfect drill for achieving superior results in your woodworking projects.

Which industries use Brad Point Drill Bits?

  • Woodworking: The core industry for brad point drill bits. They are used extensively in furniture making, cabinetry, and general woodworking projects where clean holes and precise drilling are paramount.
  • Construction and Carpentry: Employed by carpenters and construction professionals for tasks like drilling holes for dowels, joinery, and installing hardware on wood components.
  • DIY and Hobbyists: Popular among DIY enthusiasts, woodworkers, and crafters due to their ease of use and ability to create clean holes with minimal tear-out.

Additional Industries and Applications

  • Plastics Manufacturing: In certain scenarios, brad point drill bits can be used on plastics where precision and minimizing chipping around the hole are important. Baucor's expertise in material selection can be helpful here.
  • Sign Making: Occasionally used for drilling holes in wooden signs.

Industries Where Other Drills Might Be Preferred

  • Metalworking: Spur point bits are specifically designed for wood. Industries working with metal would require different drill types.
  • Very Deep Holes:Brad point drill bits have limitations in hole depth. Industries requiring very deep drilling would likely use specialized drills like extra-long twist drills or Forstner bits.

Baucor: Your Partner for Woodworking Drilling Success

Understanding these industry applications can empower you to make informed decisions for your projects. Here's why Baucor is a strong partner for your industry:

  • Industry-Specific Knowledge: Our team likely possesses in-depth understanding of drilling requirements within the woodworking and carpentry sectors.
  • Precision Manufacturing: Baucor's focus on precision ensures your brad point drill bits excel at creating clean, accurate holes essential for professional results.
  • Customizable Solutions: We explore custom brad point drill bit options tailored to the unique needs of your industry or specific applications.

What machines use Brad Point Drill Bits?

Brad point drill bit bits are primarily designed for woodworking and can be used with a variety of machines:

Drill Presses:

  • Benchtop: Ideal for smaller workpieces and precision drilling in workshops or DIY projects.
  • Floor Standing: Offer more power and drilling capacity for larger workpieces or heavier-duty woodworking tasks.
  • Handheld Drills: Both corded and cordless handheld drills can accommodate brad point drill bit bits, offering excellent portability for on-site woodworking tasks.
  • CNC Woodworking Routers: In some setups, CNC routers can be configured for drilling operations and utilize brad point drill bits for precision and clean holes.
  • Specialized Woodworking Machines: Occasionally, machines like doweling jigs might incorporate brad point drill bit bits for specific tasks.

Factors Influencing Machine and Drill Choice

While brad point drill bits are versatile, specific factors guide the ideal combination:

  • Wood Type and Thickness: Harder or thicker woods might necessitate machines with more power (heavy-duty drill presses, CNC routers) and specialized drill materials (cobalt steel, etc.). Baucor's expertise in material selection is key here.
  • Hole Size and Depth: The desired hole diameter and depth influence the required machine capacity and choice of drill size. brad point drill bits might be limited in depth compared to other drill types.
  • Precision Requirements: High-precision woodworking tasks might demand CNC machines for accurate positioning and consistent drilling results.

What design and engineering support does Baucor provide for Spur Point/ Brad Point Drill Bits?

While brad point drill bits might seem like simple tools, Baucor goes beyond simply offering off-the-shelf options. Our focus on design and engineering to ensure you get the perfect drill tailored to your woodworking needs. Here's how they can support you:

Expertise in Drill Optimization:

  • Material Selection: Baucor's team can guide you towards the most suitable steel alloy (HSS, cobalt steel, tool steel alloys, etc.) based on factors like the types of wood you work with, desired performance, and budget.
  • Precision Manufacturing: Our focus on precision ensures your brad point drill bits have the sharp central spur and cutting edges needed for clean, accurate holes.
  • Geometry Refinements: In specific cases, we optimize elements like the cutting edge angles or the spur design within the standard brad point drill bit category to improve performance for your specialized woodworking tasks.

Addressing Unique Challenges:

  • Application Analysis: Our engineers will collaborate with you to understand your specific woodworking requirements, identifying limitations where a standard brad point drill bit might fall short.
  • Customization Possibilities: If your project demands a truly unique drill configuration, Baucor's design and engineering team can explore custom solutions tailored precisely to your needs.

Engineering Support Throughout the Process:

  • Simulation and Analysis: We utilize specialized software to model drilling forces and optimize the design of your custom brad point drill bit for exceptional performance.
  • Prototyping and Testing: Depending on the complexity of your project, we create prototypes for rigorous testing and validation before finalizing the design of your custom drill.
  • Quality Manufacturing Processes: Our commitment to quality ensures your custom brad point drill bits are manufactured to the highest standards for exceptional performance and durability.

Benefits of Baucor's Design and Engineering Support:

  • Enhanced Woodworking Performance: A custom-designed brad point drill bit can significantly improve drilling efficiency, accuracy, and minimize tear-out compared to a generic option.
  • Solutions for Demanding Applications: If you have a specialized woodworking task that standard drills can't handle, Baucor's design and engineering expertise can help you overcome those challenges.

Contact Baucor Today!

Experience the difference that design optimization can make in your woodworking operations. Explore Baucor's expertise and potential custom solutions for brad point drill bits. Our team is ready to discuss your project requirements and guide you towards the perfect drilling tool for superior results.

UNMATCHED ENGINEERING SUPPORT

Your Solution, Your Scale

Whether you need a single prototype or full-scale production, BAUCOR''s engineers are ready to collaborate with you. Contact us to discuss how we can bring your concept to life.

Tailored Solutions for BAUCOR Customers

BAUCOR specializes in providing unique manufacturing and engineering solutions designed to meet the specific needs of each client. Our expertise covers a wide range of industries and applications.

What are the design guides for Brad Point Drill Bits?

Brad point drill bits are designed for precision drilling in wood, providing clean, accurate holes with minimal tear-out. Here are the key design elements:

  1. Brad Point: The defining feature is the sharp center point, or "brad," which extends beyond the cutting edges. This brad acts as a guide, ensuring accurate hole placement and preventing the bit from wandering.
  2. Cutting Spurs: These are two raised cutting edges that score the wood fibers before the main body of the bit cuts, further enhancing hole accuracy and reducing tear-out.
  3. Flutes: The spiral grooves, or flutes, remove chips and debris from the hole as the bit drills, preventing clogging and overheating.
  4. Body Clearance: The tapered body behind the cutting spurs provides clearance, allowing the bit to cut smoothly without binding.
  5. Shank: The shank is the part that attaches to the drill chuck. Common shank styles include straight, hex, and reduced shank.

Design Considerations:

  • Point Angle: The angle of the brad point influences the bit's self-centering ability and cutting action. A sharper angle provides better centering, while a blunter angle is more durable.
  • Spur Angle: The angle of the cutting spurs affects the smoothness of the hole and the amount of tear-out.
  • Flute Design: The number and shape of the flutes impact chip evacuation and drilling speed.
  • Coating: Some brad point bits have coatings like titanium nitride (TiN) to enhance durability and reduce friction.

At Baucor, we carefully consider all of these design elements to create high-quality brad point drill bits that deliver exceptional performance and precision. Our team is available to help you select the right bit for your specific application and provide guidance on best practices for optimal results.