5 Must-Have Features in a Tapered Drill Bits

Correct. If you want to use a traditional wood screw and have it go in easily without ruining the head, esp. one with a slotted flat head, you have to pre-drill three times or use one of those sets, and use a screwdriver that exactly matches the screw slot. Many people also put lubricant like wax on the threads. Without these precautions you can mar or destroy the slot, or the screw will not hold.

It is not actually necessary to use a tapered bit - some sets are made with straight ones. Usually these sets are made so that you can either countersink or counterbore just by going deeper.

I believe wood screws are not used much now except for fine woodworking and wooden boats, because they need too much time and care to drive a lot of them in commercial use. However some people believe only a slotted head is attractive when exposed on hinges and such. True. Wood screws are both worthless and dangerous without a proper pilot. Worthless because of failure and rework. Dangerous because they can damage or even destroy your project piece.

The most common failure is stress cracking of the wood. Hardwood or softwood, most will crack eventually under the stress of an unpiloted screw. The second failure is at the head from over-torqueing. Either the head is deformed or broken. The third and most catastrophic failure is a broken shaft. This failure is most common on brass screws.

When I make repro furniture, I like to use brass screws for hinges as noted. The trouble is that most modern brass screws are made from cheap alloys and are exceedingly soft. I take special care drilling proper multistep pilots and then install exact sized steel woodscrews first. Then I remove the steel screws and install LUBRICATED brass screws. It works well MOST of the time.

Drill bits are not all created equal and some bits won’t even find their way onto your radar until you’re neck deep in the craft. If you’re new to woodworking, this video might save you some time, money, and frustration as I show you the bits you should buy and the ones you should avoid. Unfortunately, many bits that excel in the construction industry just won’t cut it for fine woodworking and that means you may not find the good stuff at the local hardware store. Let’s dig in!

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Twist Bits Vs Brad Point Bits

The standard twist bit is what most people think of when they hear the word “drill bit.” They feature a conical tip that can be tricky to locate accurately. They also have a tendency to cause tearout on the way it and on the way out of the material. Brad point bits are the much better choice for the fine woodworker. The spurs on the end of the bit are able to cut the wood fibers cleanly so the bit often has much less tearout. It’s still a good idea to have a Twist Bit set on hand for general use but when it comes to furniture projects, I’m using brad point bits.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from KunXu Drill Tools.

• Here’s a good fractional set of twist bits that should last you a very long time: Irwin 29-Piece Set 
• Here’s a budget-friendly set of brad point bits: Fisch 7-Pieces Brad Point Set
• Here’s a premium set of brad point bits: Lee Valley Carbide-Tipped Brad Point Bits

Forstner Bits vs Spade Bits

Twist and brad point bits only get so large, so at a certain point you’ll need to turn to a different style bit to make bigger holes. In construction, the spade bit is often used because it’s aggressive and hogs through softwoods like my son on a plate of pizza rolls. But if you use a spade bit on hardwoods you’ll not only have a bunch of tearout and an ugly hole, you also might find the drill jumping and bucking like an angry bull. Thankfully there’s a better way: forstner bits. Forstner bits are capable of making very clean holes with zero tearout and a nice flat bottom. I use them quite often for making counterbores and small recesses for hardware. There’s very little reason for a woodworker to have spade bits in their tool box.

• If you disagree and you think you need spade bits, here’s a decent set you can waste your money on: DeWalt 6-Piece Space Bit Set
• Here’s a budget-friendly set of forstner bits to get you started: Freud 4-Piece Forstner Bit Set
• Here’s a nice higher-grade forstner bit set: Freud 7-Piece Carbide Forstner Bit Set

Countersink Bits

All countersink bits are generally considered part of the furniture-building world but some are better than others. For years I struggled with a basic countersink that certainly worked, but it also left burn marks on the surface and clogged after every hole. A few years ago I came across a much better option in the Amana Countersink Bit. The bit is fully adjustable and features a rotating stop that won’t mar the surface. Furthermore, the design allows the chips to clear instead of clogging.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Tapered Drill Bits. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.