If you’ve been hearing a lot about spot drills and you’re wondering if it’s something you need for your next DIY project, this article is for you.
This article discusses common applications, when you might need it, and how to choose the right one for your needs. Let’s dive in.
What is a Spot Drill?
First, the basics. What is a spot drill? Well, a spot drill is a type of drill bit made specifically for drilling small diameter holes. Mostly, you use this to mark a spot for further drilling. Its primary purpose is to create a small hole to correctly locate the center of a drill when initiating a plunge..
These drills are used when working with sheet metal and thinner gauge metal. It can be used on a variety of metals including steel, brass, copper, aluminum, and others.
What’s also great about these drills is that you can use it to drill holes for very thin materials and they can drill through these materials without warping or twisting the workpiece. This versatility is what makes them so popular among different industries including construction, automotive and more.
With a spot drill, you can go anywhere in the material without affecting the surface. This means you can create complex shapes that are difficult to do with other tools like edge drills
How to Choose the Right Spot Drill for Your Application
Choosing the right spot drill for your application is critical. You will need to consider the depth of the hole, the type of material you are drilling into, and how often you intend to use it.
If you don’t know what to look for, it is easy to buy one that doesn’t meet your needs. There are a few important factors that you will want to take into consideration before making a purchase. These include:
●The depth of the hole in relation to the material being drilled into. Spotting is required for holes more than 5 diameters deep, according to some drill manufacturers. If it’s not that deep enough, you probably don’t need it.
●Whether or not you want a portable or stationary drill. If you are going to use a spot drill for small home repairs and occasional DIY projects, a handheld spot drill would be a good choice.
●How much money you have available. Consider your budget when buying. Invest in a good one if you will be using it for many projects and if it’s going to be for a long period of time.
When to Use a Spot Drill
Spot drills are typically the best choice when the object to be drilled is at or near the surface of the material, or when it is difficult to plunge-drill from one location to another. Spot drilling may also be done in order to maintain a workpiece’s integrity by avoiding cracks in brittle materials.
If accuracy is important in making the holes, you should consider using a spot drill. However, it’s not always necessary.
Spotting is usually unnecessary when using a carbide drill or a screw machine length drill. The drill will travel where it is pointed since the carbide is so hard compared to HSS or high-speed steel. In fact, most manufacturers advise against using a carbide twist drill or an insertable drill in a depression since it is simple to chip the carbide.
Self-centering carbide drills eliminate the requirement for a spot drill, cutting cycle time in half. In fact, some people use center drills for spotting instead of true spotting drills. Some people used spot drilling to create a hole for use with a self-centering lathe center, or when there is a need for close tolerances and accuracy.
Where to buy spot drills?
If you’re looking for carbide spot drills, check out Online Carbide. They have some of the best brands in the market that’s perfect for hobbyist and professionals alike. Head on over to their site today.
