If you are willing to drill with a common wood drill bit, here is what’s going to happen:

First, the hole can be cut larger than the diameter due to wandering. And secondly, regular drill bits can tear out the softwood or leave a ragged edge on the hole.

What type of drill bit do you need to use then?

Well, you need to select Brad point drill bits for this purpose. Since there are so many Brad point drill bits available in the market or on e-commerce sites, you need to pick the right bits according to your needs.

In this article, we’ve listed the best Brad point drill bits along with a guideline using our experience, knowledge, and user feedback.

Our best picks:

1. DEWALT Drill Bit Set, Brad Point, 6-Piece (DW1720)
2. Steelex D1034 Deluxe Brad Point Bit Set, 25-Piece
3. NEIKO 11401A 6 Piece Brad Point Drill Bit Set
4. Dremel 631 Brad Point Bits, 4 Pieces
5. Fisch FSF-134893 Brad Point Drill Bit 8-Pc Set
6. Irwin Tools 49600 5 Piece Brad Point Set
7. Century Drill & Tool 37280 Brad Point Drill Bit Set

Before diving into the details, you need to know why you should choose Brad point bits over others.

Why Choose Brad Point Drill Bits Over Other Types?

Three reasons why you need to choose the best Brad point drill bits for wood:

Firstly, you do not have to drill a pilot hole with a brand-point drill bit to start since it has a sharp point at the tip. And they do not splinter wood grain when they first make contact.

Secondly, a regular drill bit has an angular head on it with sharpened edges. A Brad point drill bit has a center point and spurs on the outer edge that helps to center and start a hole in the right place. It also helps to keep the bit centered and prevents it from wandering when drilling into wood or other soft materials.

Finally, brad point bits are available in a wide range of sizes, making them suitable for a variety of woodworking applications. From small diameters for precise work to larger diameters for drilling holes in thicker stock, there is a brad point bit to suit every need.

Here are the details of our enlisted Brad point drill bits: 

1.   DEWALT Drill Bit Set, Brad Point, 6-Piece — Best For Budget

The DEWALT Drill Bit Set, Brad Point, 6-Piece (DW1720) is a top-quality drilling set designed to offer reliable performance and precision drilling. Brad point drill bits are known for their exceptional accuracy, and this set is no exception. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, this set can help you achieve your drilling goals with ease.

Design & features:

The DEWALT Drill Bit Set, Brad Point, 6-Piece (DW1720) is designed to deliver exceptional performance, thanks to its high-quality construction and innovative features. The set includes six Brad point drill bits of different sizes, ranging from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch, making it versatile for different drilling applications. The brad point design ensures precise and clean holes in wood, and the bits have a sharp, pointed tip that allows them to penetrate quickly and effortlessly. The bits are made of high-speed steel, which makes them durable and long-lasting, even under heavy use. The set comes in a durable case for easy storage and transportation.

Pros:

The bits have a sharp and pointed tip

The set includes six different sizes

The bits are made of high-speed steel

Flutes are engineered to clean effective chip removal

Especially designed for woodworking

Cons:

May not be suitable for hard materials

Doesn’t include a case

2.   Steelex D1034 Deluxe Brad Point Bit Set, 25-Piece — Variety of Sizes

The Steelex D1034 Deluxe Brad Point Bit Set is a 25-piece set of high-quality drill bits designed specifically for woodworking applications. These brad point bits are known for their precision and accuracy, making them an excellent choice for woodworkers who need to make clean, precise holes in their projects.

Performance:

The Steelex D1034 Deluxe Brad Point Bit Set is known for its excellent performance in woodworking applications. These bits are made from high-speed steel and are designed to cut cleanly and quickly through wood without causing any tear-out or splintering. The brad point design of these bits helps to prevent wandering, ensuring that the holes are drilled precisely where intended.

Pros:

The 25-piece set includes a wide range of sizes, from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch

The brad point design of these bits helps to prevent wandering

Made from high-speed steel

Bits larger than 23/64″ have 3/8″ shank

Comes in a convenient storage case

Cons:

The bits are found not straight in some cases

3.   Neiko 11401a 6 Piece Brad Point Drill Bit Set

The NEIKO 11401A 6 Piece Brad Point Drill Bit Set is a popular choice among woodworkers due to its high-quality construction and superior performance. Brad point drill bits like NEIKO are the top choice among users for their design and performance.

Design:

The NEIKO 11401A set includes six Brad point drill bits with diameters with the size of 3/32, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8-inch. The bits are made of high-speed steel (HSS) which is known for its durability and ability to withstand high temperatures.

Performance:

The NEIKO 11401A brad point drill bits are designed to provide precise and accurate holes in wood, plastic, and other soft materials. The Brad points allow for easy starting and prevent the bits from wandering, resulting in cleaner and more accurate holes. The bits also have a sharp cutting edge that allows them to cut through the material quickly and efficiently. The HSS construction ensures that the bits are durable and long-lasting.

Pros:

The Brad points prevent the bits from wandering

The bits are made of high-speed steel (HSS)

The set includes six different sizes for various applications.

The fluted edges help to remove chips and debris

The bits have a sharp cutting edge for quick and efficient cutting.

Cons:

The set only includes limited sizes

4.   Dremel 631 Brad Point Bits, 4 Pieces

Dremel 631 Brad Point Bits, 4 Pieces is a set of high-performance Brad point drilling bits. These bits are designed to provide precision drilling in wood, plastics, and other soft materials. With their sharp tips and deep flutes, these bits can produce clean, accurate holes without causing any splintering or chipping.

Features & benefits:

Dremel 631 Brad Point Bits are made from high-speed steel (HSS), which ensures their durability and longevity. The bits have a brad point design that allows for accurate positioning and reduces the risk of wandering. The deep flutes help to clear chips and debris quickly, preventing the bits from overheating and extending their life.

Pros:

Dremel 631 Brad Point Bits are made from high-speed steel

Standard shank size that compatible with most drill chucks

Ideal for precision drilling and accurate positioning

Sharp tip to prevent splintering and chipping

Lightweight and easy to transport

Cons:

Prone to break on heavy materials  

5.   The Fisch Fsf-134893 Brad Point Drill Bit

The Fisch FSF-134893 Brad Point Drill Bit 8-Pc Set is a premium set of Brad point drill bits designed for precision drilling in a variety of materials. These bits are a popular choice among professional woodworkers for their unique design and high-quality construction.

Design:

The Fisch FSF-134893 Brad Point Drill Bit set features a unique design that includes a specially shaped flute and tip. The tip is designed to center the bit during drilling, while the flute helps to clear chips and debris quickly.

Performance:

The bits passed the test to drill precise, clean holes in a variety of materials, including wood, plastics, and composites. The unique flute design helps to prevent overheating and extends the life of the bits. Additionally, the bits’ sharp tips help to prevent splintering and chipping.

Pros:

Made from chrome vanadium

The unique flute and tip design ensures accurate positioning

Optimized spurs insure fast and easy cutting

Can be used with a variety of materials, including laminated wood, as well as MDF and acrylic glass

The bits are super sharp and variety of sizes 

Cons:

Doesn’t include case or box

6.   The Irwin Tools 49600 5 Piece Brad Point Set

The Irwin Tools 49600 5 Piece Brad Point Set is a popular set of Brad point drill bits designed for precision drilling in a variety of materials. Their flexibility makes them ideal for both professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts.

Design:

The Irwin Tools 49600 5 Piece Brad Point Set features a unique Brad point design that includes a sharp point for accurate positioning and reduced bit walking. The bits are made from hardened steel, which ensures their durability and longevity.

Performance:

The bits perform well in a variety of drilling applications. The Brad point design ensures accurate positioning and reduced bit walking, while the high-speed steel construction provides durability and longevity.

Pros:

The Brad point design reduces walking

Wide flutes provide a fast, continuous flow of chips

The hardened steel construction ensures the bits are durable and long-lasting.

These bits can be used with a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and metal.

Contains details instructions with the kits

Cons:

Lack of multiple sizes

7. The Century Drill & Tool 37280 Brad Point Drill Bit Set

The Century Drill & Tool 37280 Brad Point Drill Bit Set is a popular set of brad point drill bits that is known for its precision and versatility. This set is a great choice for both professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts.

Design:

The Century Drill & Tool 37280 Brad Point Drill Bit Set features a unique Brad point design that ensures accurate positioning and reduces the risk of wandering. The bits are made from high-speed steel (HSS), which ensures their durability and longevity.

Performance:

The Century Drill & Tool 37280 Brad Point Drill Bit Set performs exceptionally well in a variety of drilling applications. The brad point design ensures clean, precise holes without splintering or chipping. These bits can be used with a variety of materials, including wood, plastics, and composites.

Pros:

Made from High-Speed Steel

The round-shaped shank is ideal for softwood

The Brad point design reduces the risk of wandering

It has a self-centurying spur tip

The set includes 25 bits ranging from 1/8″ to 1/2″, in increments of 1/64

Cons:

Not suitable for the hard materials

What We Considered To Pick the Drill Bits Sets Featured Above

We’ve considered the following facts to pick the best brad point drill bits for wood:

Material: We first considered the materials since it has a huge impact on drilling. High-speed steel and chrome vanadium steel is common in brad point design and ideal for woodworking and Dying project.  

Design: Then we considered the design of the Brad point drill bits. Look for sets with unique flute and tip designs that help to prevent wandering and ensure accurate positioning during drilling. Consider a rounded edge for the softwood project and a sharp point for hardwood.

Shank design: Next is shank design. The straight shank design is common in Brad point drill bits since it fits most standard drill models, but there could be a round shank design like the century drill. The round shank is easy to insert and remove.  

Size: Consider the sizes of the drill bits that you will need. Some brad point drill bit sets come with a range of sizes, while others may only include a limited selection. Make sure to choose a set that includes the sizes you need.

Price: Consider the price of the Brad point drill bit set. While more expensive sets may offer higher quality and durability, there are also affordable options available that offer good performance for the price.

By considering these factors before purchasing Brad point drill bits, you can ensure that you choose a set that is suitable for your needs and will provide reliable and accurate performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are Brad Point Drill Bits for?

A: Brad Point drill bits are specifically designed for soft materials applications like woodworking. They have a pointed tip and flutes to remove the material as they drill, making them ideal for drilling clean, precise holes in wood, plastic, and board.

Q: Can you sharpen Brad point drill bits?

A: Yes, Brad Point drill bits can be sharpened. You can sharpen brad point drill bits using a customized grinding wheel or manually using flat Swiss files or taper saw files. Start with the Spurs and then sharpen points. It’s important to follow the correct sharpening angle for Brad Point drill bits.

Q: What sizes do Brad Point drill bits come in?

A: Brad Point drill bits come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1/8 inch to 1 inch or more.

Bottom Line

Finding the best Brad point drill bits can be tricky since there are variations in materials, quality and sizes. And there are variations based on materials. But it is essential to have clean, accurate holes in wood without splintering or tearing. Though you can create holes in thin metal sheet with a brad point drill bit, but we recommend using on soft materials like wood, plastic, and board.

We’ve compiled everything you need to know about brad point drill bits so that you can find the right one for your job. If you still need any information in this regard, reach out us or leave a comment.