Thread: Brad Point Drill Bits - Two Types?

I grind all my brad point bits exactly the same way and have not noticed any significant difference between softwood and hardwood. The bigger difference I've found is between drilling endgrain or face grain; if you grind too much back clearance angle, they can self-feed in endgrain and leave an oversize or elliptical hole.

Bear in mind that your link is for carbide tipped bits that are designed to see a lot of work between sharpens, so an optimised shape is more likely to make a difference as they wear. I just use HSS drills and give them a quick touch-up on the grinder most times so I'm always working with a fresh cutting edge.

There have also been comments in the trade press that brad point bits in general have a tendency to follow the grain when drilling into end grain.

I've actually done some inadvertent research into the spurs while hunting for drill bits for work over the past couple of days.

The carbide-tipped brad-point drills all seem to have negative-rake spurs like those you see on carbide hinge-boring bits; they come to a sharp point, but cut downwards to make tearing effectively impossible.

The relatively complex shape and tiny size makes it impractical to achieve with freehand grinding (you would need a very narrow wheel and excellent fine-motor control) and arguably not worth the effort for non-carbide bits that need frequent touch-ups.

I do plan to try replicating the shape by hand, just to see how hard it actually is.

I would relish the opportunity to learn how to shape and sharpen brad points free hand.

There are youtube videos showing how to grind them. I have yet to see one that shows the way I was taught, but there are always different ways to get to the same place. Obviously it's not as good as being physically shown how, bit it's a starting point to experiment from.

Yeah, seen 'em. Tried a few times. Fail. Practice practice practice. Or, take them to my tooling sharpening shop!!

Tooling shop wins!

I'd just like to know where to buy some decent brad point bits. Here in Bendigo the choices are sparse. Even a set I bought at Tools Unlimited turned out to be junk, not even straight.

So seeing you guys obviously have them and must be happy with the quality if you are re-sharpening, any tips?

To get good ones you have to buy HSS, the carbon steel drills (like the Frost sets) are junk.
The Sutton D500 bits would probably be good, never tried them though - I make all my brad points myself from regular HSS twist bits

Originally Posted by IanG3145

I've got a project in mind that will require drilling some very precise holes so I've been researching drill bits and have decided to use brad point bits. Most of what I've read (overseas) specify using different profile bits for hardwood and softwood. Here's a quote:

"Not all woods are treated the same when it comes to machining, and the brad point drill bit is no exception. There are two types of wood which require two different types of these bits: hard woods, and soft woods. The difference between the two types of points is in the design of the outlining spurs. Because there is a certain amount of rubbing that occurs between the outlining spur and the wood before it is cut, the bit for softwoods is designed with rounded edges to hold down the end grains while shearing them off. For Hardwoods, the outlining spurs on this bit comes to a sharp point and simply cut the stronger grains off clean. There is no rubbing and therefore minimal tear-out". ......full article with pics.

However in Australia, all the bits I've seen either don't specify any wood type, or say suitable for hardwood & softwood. I would really appreciate some input from those more experienced with these.

Cheers

No one can answer th OP's question? Colt do several different types but I have never had any difference explained to me other than materials they are made from...Colt

I just purchased a set of brad point drill, after looking and out of desperation I ended up buying a set of Festool drill bits. I would have preferred to buy a Sutton or similar set but no-one seems to sell anything but Frost. I would be interested in where people go who are not clever enough to make their own.


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One manufacturers explanation with pictures
W.L. Fuller Inc.

Like Elan I buy HSS bits. The difference is I get them modified and sharpened by my saw doctor.

Frost brad point drills are from Sutton Tools

Wood Drill Bits | Sutton Tools

Frost Brad points kits are carbon steel not HSS, whereas Sutton individual Brad points are HSS