What Are Auger Bits and What Are They Used For?

Let's pause to address a topic related to woodworking, a central topic for Krino since we have an extensive catalog of products for cutting, drilling, milling and shaping this material that is so useful and common in our workshops.

Specifically, after describing how to drill wood, today we want to focus on spade bits. These are often confused with wood bits but that's not the case: we're talking about a specific tool to achieve an important result for those who work wood, plywood and particle board. Do you want more information on this topic? Continue reading to learn more.

What are spade bits for wood?

Spade bits are drills made of hardened steel or HSS that have the shape of a shovel with sharp and cutting wings, central point and shank. The latter, as with normal spiral bits, is inserted and fixed in the drill chuck.

The drilling area is essentially larger than usual and ranges from 10 to 40 millimeters in diameter. So we're talking about particularly wide spade bits. Which, however, are not used for enlarging holes in wood but for drilling wide and precise holes.

What are spade bits used for?

To perforate the material by creating rather wide holes. When you exceed the needs of 15 millimeters you work with different solutions: spade bits (as they are often called in technical jargon) or spade bits are perfect for deep drilling.

Especially if one of the dedicated extensions is used. Alternatively it is possible to use Forstner bits which however have a different task: they serve to make blind holes with large diameter. To create wide and deep holes, perhaps to make pipes and cables pass through, it is useful to have spade bits in your toolbox or on your equipped workshop wall.

To get an idea of what we're talking about, you can look at the Krino models: in the image we have a typical description of these tools with the tip composed of two cutting edges that dig the wood in its width and a central element that acts as a guide. At the bottom we have the shank with hexagonal attachment that provides maximum safety for intense work.

How to increase the effectiveness of spade bits?

These bits made up of a blade with blade, central element and shank can have a greater range if an extension like the one available in the Krino catalog is mounted. Thanks to this support, it is possible to work better when deep drilling operations are required. On all materials that can be worked on: wood, plywood and particle board.