How to Drill Large Holes into Wood
If you need to drill large holes into wood, you may be wondering how to make sure that the holes are not only large in diameter but also large in their depth. While you may be able to use multi-purpose drill bits or twist bits to drill regular holes in wood, these will not allow you to create large, deep holes. For DIY projects that require nice clean holes, you will need the right drill bits. In this guide, we share a list of the bits you’ll need to drill large holes into wood. Keep reading to find out more.
Drilling Large Holes into Wood
Some of the best drill bits to use for drilling large holes into wood include the following:
Wood Flat Drill Bit
Wood flat drill bits are also known as spade bits or paddle bits. They have a unique shape, with a flat-spade shape that has a sharp brad point at the top. Regular wood flat bits will give you decent sized holes, while long wood flat bits are ideal for even bigger holes. This type of bit is the best choice for most projects. Their wide, flat heads make it easy to grind out holes in wood with precision and control. The brad point on the middle helps to secure and control the bit as it moves downwards.
On the flip side, this type of bit does not always give you very clean holes. They often leave a rough edge behind. This means you will need to sand any rough edges down to get a smooth hole. Another downside is that the bits only cut vertically, thanks to the shape of their head. Angled holes are impossible to drill with this type of bit.
Hole Saw
Hole saws are often used in renovation, for good reason. These versatile bits have an annular drilling head that can easily cut holes through wood. There is no need to grind the interior plug of the wood. Instead, the middle of the hole is removed as the drill is carefully brought back upwards after reaching the base of the hole. Depending on the size of the hole saw, you can make a wide range of hole sizes using this bit. There is less mess, too, as the wood is not being ground as you drill holes.
Downsides to hole saws include the fact that you cannot drill holes at an angle. Once you’ve cut the hole, you’ll need to do a few more things to finish off the job. This includes removing the wood plug carefully from the saw. This isn’t always easy and can take a bit of practice.
Forstner Drill Bit
For drilling holes at an angle, your best bet is a Forstner drill bit. The majority of bits used to cut larger holes into wood only work vertically. If you’re busy with a project that requires an angular hole, these bits will not work. A Forstner bit allows you to angle bores, giving you more versatility for projects that do not use straight holes. These bits also give you a clean, smooth cut in a variety of wood densities. You will get a smooth cut all the way to the base of the hole, meaning that you won’t have to sand out the interior for an exposed hole.
Forstner bits have traditionally been used in drill presses, taking advantage of the bit’s ability to drill deep, straight vertical holes. In a handheld power drill, you can get a good depth drilling horizontally.
Looking for a range of wood drill bits for your project? From flat wood bits all the way to step drill bits, Ruwag has everything you need to drill holes into wood.
