If you’re tired of constantly replacing your heavily worn or damaged drill bits, you may want to invest in a set of double-ended drill bits. You can use them to drill holes in a variety of materials — just like most other drill bits. Double-ended drill bits, however, last twice as long thanks to their unique design.
Overview of Double-Ended Drill Bits
Double-ended drill bits are exactly what they sound like: drill bits with cutting edges formed on both ends. Both the top and bottom have cutting edges. You can secure a double-ended drill bit to a power drill. As you press the drill against an object and pull the trigger, the double-ended drill bit will spin while simultaneously drilling a hole in the object.
There are dozens if not hundreds of different types of drill bits, but they all fall into one of two categories: single-ended or double-ended. Single-ended drill bits are the most common. They feature cutting edges on a single end, with the opposite end being flat and blunt. Double-ended drill bits, in comparison, have cutting edges formed on both ends.
You can find double-ended drill bits in different materials, some of which include:
- Carbon steel
- Stainless steel
- High-speed steel (HSS)
- Composites
Benefits of Double-Ended Drill Bits
Double-ended drill bits offer several benefits, one of which is convenience. They are fast and easy to use. You don’t have to worry about accidentally installing them backward. With your drill’s chuck open — the chuck is the clamping device that holds the drill bit — you can place the double-ended drill bit in your drill. Closing the chuck will then secure the double-ended drill bit in place.
Not only are they fast and easy to use, but double-ended drill bits last a long time as well. They essentially last twice as long as their single-ended counterparts. After the cutting edges on one end have become too dull, you can flip it to use the other end.
It’s also worth mentioning that double-ended drill bits are cost effective. Since you’ll get twice as much use out of them, you won’t have to replace them as frequently as ordinary single-ended drill bits. This results in cost-savings benefits.
In Conclusion
All drill bits have cutting edges. While single-ended drill bits only have cutting edges formed on one end, double-ended drill bits have cutting edges on both ends. This unique design makes them fast and easy to use, long-lasting and cost effective.
