Recommended operating speeds (RPM) |
Accessory |
Softwood |
Hardwood |
Acrylic |
Brass |
Aluminum |
Steel |
Shop Notes |
|
(Pine) |
(Hard Maple) |
|
|
|
|
|
Twist drill bits* |
1/16″ – 3/16″ |
3000 |
3000 |
2500 |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
Lubricate drill with oil when cutting steel 1/8″ or thicker. Use center punch on all holes to prevent drill from wandering.
|
1/4″ – 3/8″ |
3000 |
1500 |
2000 |
1200 |
2500 |
1000 |
7/16″ – 5/8″ |
1500 |
750 |
1500 |
750 |
1500 |
600 |
11/16″ – 1″ |
750 |
500 |
NR |
400 |
1000 |
350 |
Black & Decker Bullet pilot-point bits* |
1/8″ – 3/16″ |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
2000 |
1500 |
3000 |
Good all-around bit.
These cut more quickly than brad points
and twist drills.
|
1/4″ – 3/8″ |
3000 |
3000 |
2400 |
1500 |
1000 |
2000 |
1/2″ |
3000 |
1500 |
1600 |
1500 |
750 |
1200 |
Brad-point bit |
1/8″ |
1800 |
1200 |
1500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Raise 1/4″ and smaller bits often to clear
shavings and prevent heat build-up.
|
1/4″ |
1800 |
1000 |
1500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
3/8″ |
1800 |
750 |
1500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
1/2″ |
1800 |
750 |
1000 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
5/8″ |
1800 |
500 |
750 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
3/4″ |
1400 |
250 |
750 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
3/8″ |
1200 |
250 |
500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
1″ |
1000 |
250 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Forstner bits |
1/4″ – 3/8″ |
2400 |
700 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Raise 1/4-3/8″ bits often to clear shavings
and prevent heat build-up.
Make several shallow passes with larger
bits; allow bit to cool between passes.
|
1/2″ – 5/8″ |
2400 |
500 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
3/4″ – 1″ |
1500 |
500 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
11/8″ – 11/4″ |
1000 |
250 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
13/8″ – 2″ |
500 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Glass-and-tile bits |
(Listed speeds are for glass and tile—not softwood.) |
1/8″ |
50 |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Wear safety goggles. Use drill press
only. Do not apply excessive pressure.
Lubricate with water while drilling.
Reduce quill pressure when bit tip
emerges from back side.
|
3/16″ |
600 |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
1/4″ |
500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
5/16″ |
400 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
3/8″ |
350 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
1/2″ |
200 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Hole saws* |
1″ – 11/2″ |
500 |
350 |
NR |
250 |
250 |
NR |
Do not use with brass or aluminum
thicker than 1/16″.
Avoid dense hardwoods such as hard
maple.
|
15/8″ – 2″ |
500 |
250 |
NR |
150 |
250 |
NR |
21/8″ – 21/2″ |
250-500 |
NR |
NR |
150 |
250 |
NR |
Multi spur bits* |
21/8″ – 4″ |
250 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Smaller sizes also available; use Forstner speeds.
|
Spade bits* |
1/4″ – 1/2″ |
2000 |
1500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Clamp work to table to improve quality
of hole.
|
5/8″ – 1″ |
1750 |
1500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
11/8″ – 11/2″ |
1500 |
1000 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Spade bits with spurs |
3/8″ – 1″ |
2000 |
1800 |
500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Best bit for acrylic. Clamp work securely.
|
Stanley Powerbore bits* |
3/8″ – 1/2″ |
1800 |
500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Ideal for deep holes and end-grain drilling.
|
3/4″ – 1″ |
1800 |
750 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Circle cutters* |
11/2 – 3″ |
500 |
250 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Drill one side, flip material over, place
center bit in its hole, and resume cut.
|
31/4″ – 6″ |
250 |
250 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Shear-cutting countersinks |
1/4″ – 3/8″ |
1000 |
1000 |
700 |
700-1000 |
700-1000 |
NR |
Cuts cleaner than traditional countersinks.
|
1/4″ – 3/8″ |
750 |
700 |
700 |
250-700 |
250-700 |
NR |
Countersinks |
2-flute |
1400 |
1400 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Raise and lower frequently for quicker
cutting.
|
5-flute |
1000 |
750 |
750 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
Countersink screw pilot bits |
All sizes |
1500 |
1000 |
500 |
500 |
NR |
NR |
Clear twist drill often.
|
Taper drill bits with countersinks |
All sizes |
500 |
250 |
250 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Clear bit often to prevent heat build-up.
|
Plug cutters |
All sizes |
1000 |
500 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Cut to full depth so bit chamfers plug.
|
Drum sanders |
Hard rubber |
750 |
1500 |
750 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Avoid load-up and overheating.
Decrease air pressure for fine contours.
|
Soft sleeveless |
500 |
750 |
750 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
3″ pneumatic |
1750 |
1750 |
1750 |
NR |
NR |
NR |
5″ flex discs |
750 |
500 |
500 |
500 |
NR |
NR |
Adhesive-backed discs work best.
|
Polishing wheels |
1500 |
1500 |
1500 |
1500 |
2000 |
NR |
Use light pressure.
|
Flap sanders |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2400 |
Hold work firmly.
|
Grinding wheels |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
3000 |
Use 6″ or smaller wheel.
|
NR – Not recommended |
* Back material to prevent chip-out. |
Always wear a face shield for optimum protection. |
Notes |
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– Recommendations are based on visual and tactile tests under shop conditions.
Drilling faster than recommended can cause overheating. Speeds slower than those recommended may cause poorquality holes. |
– All testing done on face grain. Reduce speed when drilling into end grain. |
– Speeds based on new bits from the factory. |