When shopping for drill bits, you may come across tapered bits. They feature a similar design as most other drill bits. The shank part of a tapered drill bit is smooth, followed by a section of helical ridges that’s used to remove material. Rather than being entirely straight, however, tapered bits are tapered.
Understanding Tapered Bits
Tapered bits are specialized drill bits that feature a tapered design. They become larger or smaller in diameter toward a particular end.
Most drill bits are straight. They run straight through the shank and the helical ridges. Tapered bits are distinguished from other drill bits by their tapered design. Some tapered bits have a tapered shank, whereas others have a fully tapered design that includes the drilling section with the helical ridges. Regardless, tapered bits aren’t straight.
Common materials in which tapered bits are made include:
- Carbon steel
- High-speed steel (HSS)
- Cobalt
- Titanium
What Are Tapered Bits Used For?
Tapered bits are commonly used to drill pilot holes for wood screws. Thanks to their tapered design, they are less likely to “wander” than straight bits. Tapered bits will remain stationary when driven into wooden objects, thus making it easy to drill pilot holes.
Some tapered bits are designed for use with a specialized drill known as a taper shank drill. Taper shank drills feature a unique chuck that accommodates bits with a tapered shank. The chuck itself is tapered, so it will hold bits with a tapered shank.
Tapered drill bits are highly effective at removing material, especially wood. They feature helical ridges that scoop out the material of the object in which they are driven. With their tapered design, though, there’s more room for this excess material to escape.
Tapered vs Taper Drill Bits
Many people assume that tapered bits are the same as taper bits, but this isn’t necessarily true. The term “tapered bit” is typically used to describe any drill bit that becomes larger or smaller in diameter toward a particular end. In comparison, taper bits are drill bits longer than jobber bits but shorter than extended-length drill bits.
Taper bits are characterized by their length. As previously mentioned, they are longer than jobber bits but shorter than extended-length drill bits. Tapered bits, on the other hand, are characterized by their shape. They aren’t straight like most other bits. Instead, tapered bits become smaller or larger in diameter toward a particular end.
