TIL that using a 3/4-inch spade bit for a door contact saved me 15 minutes on a job

Honestly, I had to pick between my usual step bit or trying a spade bit for a new install in a solid oak doorframe. I went with the spade bit and it went through clean in one pass, no binding. Anyone else have a go-to bit for tricky materials?

2 comments

2 Comments

ben1382h ago

Remember trying to drill into old, petrified barn wood with a regular bit. Burned through two of them before I grabbed a cheap carbide spade bit from the bottom of my bag. Thing chewed right through like it was nothing and I haven't looked back since.

allen.ruby1h ago

Ever try drilling into one of those old, rock-hard maple frames? Spade bit saved my life on a job last month. I was about to give up and start chiseling. @ben138 is totally right about how they chew through tough wood. That clean one-pass thing is real, no fussing around with steps or clearing chips every two seconds. I keep a sharp 1-inch spade bit in my bag just for nasty door frames now.