Drills, Drill Bits and Power Fastening Tools

Choosing a bit that suits your drill

A bit is described by diameter and length, and figures such as 6 by 30 millimeters usually give the cutting diameter and cutting length. The shank, the plain end that sits in the chuck, must suit your tool: a three-jaw chuck grips round shanks up to its rated capacity, while quick-change holders need hex shanks. Material decides what the bit can cut. High-speed steel suits wood and softer metals and tolerates flex, while solid carbide cuts harder stock but is brittle and needs rigid, accurate holding.

Flutes change the finish. A single-flute cutter clears chips well in soft materials such as plastic, wood and aluminum, while two or more flutes leave a finer surface in harder stock. Spiral direction matters too: an upcut spiral lifts chips out of the hole, and a downcut spiral pushes them down and leaves a cleaner top edge.

When a right-angle drill or stapler earns its place

Right-angle drills turn the cutting axis through 90 degrees, so you can drill between studs, inside cabinets or beside a wall where a straight drill body will not fit. Compact models give up torque for size and suit small holes, while heavy-duty stud and joist drills turn large bits with high torque. Power staplers fix upholstery, insulation and sheeting: check the staple crown width and leg length the tool accepts, and whether it runs on AC power, battery or air. Cordless models are offered with or without a battery, so look for the battery and charger in the listing.

Questions about Drills, Drill Bits and Power Fastening Tools

What do sizes like 6x30mm mean on a drill bit?

Usually the first figure is the cutting diameter and the second the cutting length, in millimeters. Overall length and shank diameter may be listed separately, so check both against your chuck and the depth of hole you need.

When should I choose carbide over high-speed steel?

Choose solid carbide for hard or abrasive materials and for long runs when your tool can hold it rigidly. High-speed steel is more forgiving for hand drilling, wood and general metal, because carbide can snap when it is flexed or knocked.

What staple size does a power stapler take?

Each stapler accepts a specific staple type, described by crown width and leg length. Check both in the manual or listing, and match the staple gauge too, because the wrong size jams or fails to drive fully.