Chicago-Latrobe 52445 118 Degree 45/64 in Drill Bit 1/2 Reduced Shank

Chicago-Latrobe 52445 Drill Bit

The Chicago-Latrobe 52445 is a Silver & Deming drill bit made from High Speed Steel with a black oxide finish. It is designed for general-purpose drilling in metal and wood where a reduced shank is required. The 118-degree point angle suits standard drilling tasks. It fits drills with a 1/2 inch chuck capacity.

118-Degree Point and Reduced Shank Limits

The 118-degree point angle works well for softer materials but can walk on hard steel without a centre punch. The 1/2 inch reduced shank limits use to chucks that accept that diameter, so it will not fit 3/8 inch chucks. High Speed Steel dulls faster than cobalt or carbide on abrasive alloys. The 45/64 inch diameter creates a specific hole size that cannot be adjusted.

Installation and Common Issues

Insert the reduced shank fully into the chuck and tighten all three jaws securely to prevent slippage under load. Use cutting fluid when drilling metal to extend bit life and improve finish. The most common problem is the bit spinning in the chuck if jaws are not tight enough on the reduced shank. Another issue is overheating caused by excessive speed or lack of lubrication.