Drill bits are tools used to cut cylindrical holes in almost any material. A tool called a drill holds the bit and turns or rotates the bit causing the cutting edge of the bit to bore a hole. Drill bits are constructed from a shaft and have a cutter on one end. The shaft is referred to as a shank and is the part that is attached to the drill. Bits can be designed to cut any material and are constructed of different materials depending on the requirements.
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What are the most common Drill Bits?
Twist drill bits are the most common. They are used to drill holes in Wood, plastic and metal. They have two twists on each side of a bar of metal that is twisted giving it helical flutes or spirals. The flutes are often ground to have a cutting edge. The cutting edge is at one end of the shank and is sharpened to different degrees and configurations depending on the material being drilled. As the drill rotates the drill bit, turning the cutting edge, a hole is bored.
What changes are made to the Drill bit to allow it to cut different materials?
Drill bits have different cutting surfaces to better-cut different materials. A spade tip is commonly used for wood. It has a sharp pointed cutting edge that stabilizes the bit in softer materials like wood. As the point penetrates and begins a hole a broader cutting edge engages the surface cutting a hole the size required. A spur or brad point is used on twist bits to start holes in metal or very hard surfaces. The spur starts a small penetration that keeps the drill bit from walking or moving as the hole is started. Masonry bits use materials like tungsten carbide for the cutting edge. Masonry bits are often used with a hammer drill, which hammers or vibrates as the bit rotates, hammering and drilling a hole.
Another way drill bits are designed to cut different materials is to differ the point angle of the cutting edge. The most common point angle is probably the 118-degree bit. It is suitable for a wide array of tasks. A 90-degree point angle is suited for softer materials like wood or plastic. A shallower 150-degree point angle is preferred for drilling steel or tougher materials.
Why do drill bits have spirals or flutes?
Drill bits have spirals or flutes for several reasons but the main two are to remove chips or cut material and to help cool the bit. The spiral or flute controls the rate of removal. A fast spiral allows higher volumes of material to be removed with a slower cut and a slower spiral is used where higher speeds remove material quicker when cutting more dense materials. The cut material needs removed to ensure a cleaner cut, and to prevent clogging or galling the cutting edge or hole surface.
The cutting edge of a twist drill bit is tempered to give it a sharper stronger edge. Heat can cause that tempered edge to soften and become dull shortening its usefulness. The spirals help dissipate the heat from the point. Another way heat is controlled at the cutting edge is slowing the drill and using cutting fluid.
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