Module Four: Specialist Electrician's Tools
Power Tool Accessories: Drill Bits
Wood Drill Bits
Brad Point Bit
The brad point bit is a variation of the twist drill which is optimized for drilling wood.
The brad point prevents wander – it simply pushes into the wood at exactly the centre of the hole making accurate positioning of holes very easy.
The cutting edges of the drill bits are specially ground to have the outside corner of the cutting edges leading (the lip). This is so that it cuts through the fibres of the wood on the outside edge of the hole first. the image on the right shows the beginning of a drilled hole with a brad point bit.
This makes the hole clean and splinter free.
Many people use a metal twist drill for wood; however, the action of this type of drill tends to drag the wood fibres out at the edges – this leaves a splintered and messy hole.
Brad point bits are also very effective in soft plastic.