Shop Tested Drill Speeds for various types of drills

Posted on Tuesday, September 8th, 2015 at 1:52 pm.

Below is a chart taken from Wood Magazine on recommended speed rates for various types of drill bits.  Please note that NR means Not Recommended.

Recommended Operating speed for the given material
Drill Type Soft Wood Hard Wood Acrylic Brass Aluminum Steel Glass & Tile *Shop Note:
Twist Drill Bits
1/16″ to 3/16″ 3000 RPM 3000 RPM 2500 RPM 3000 RPM 3000 RPM 3000 RPM Lubricate drill with oil when cuttin steel 1/8″ or thicker.   Use Center punch on all holes to prevent drill from wavering.
1/4″ to 3/8″ 3000 RPM 1500 RPM 2000 RPM 1200 RPM 2500 RPM 1000 RPM
7/16″ to 5/8″ 1500 RPM 750 RPM 1500 RPM 750 RPM 1500 RPM 600 RPM
11/16″ to 1″ 750 RPM 500 RPM NR 400 RPM 1000 RPM 350 RPM
Brad Point Bits
1/8″ 1800 RPM 1200 RPM 1500 RPM NR NR NR Raise 1/4″ and smaller bits often to clear shavings and prevent heat build-up.
1/4″ 1800 RPM 1000 RPM 1500 RPM NR NR NR
3/8″ 1800 RPM 750 RPM 1500 RPM NR NR NR
1/2″ 1800 RPM 750 RPM 1000 RPM NR NR NR
5/8″ 1800 RPM 500 RPM 750 RPM NR NR NR
3/4″ 1400 RPM 250 RPM 750 RPM NR NR NR
3/8″ 1200 RPM 250 RPM 500 RPM NR NR NR
1″ 1000 RPM 250 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR
Forstner Bits
1/4″ to 3/8″ 2400 RPM 700 RPM 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″ to 5/8″ 2400 RPM 500 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR
3/4″ to 1″ 1500 RPM 500 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR
1- 1/8″ to 1- 1/4″ 1000 RPM 250 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR
1- 3/8″ to 2″ 500 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR NR
Glass & Tile Bits
1/8″ NR NR NR NR NR NR 750 RPM 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″ NR NR NR NR NR NR 600 RPM
1/4″ NR NR NR NR NR NR 500 RPM
5/16″ NR NR NR NR NR NR 400 RPM
3/8″ NR NR NR NR NR NR 350 RPM
1/2″ NR NR NR NR NR NR 200 RPM
Hole Saws
1″ to 1- 1/2″ 500 RPM 350 RPM NR 250 RPM 250 RPM NR Do not use with brass or aluminum thicker than 1/16″.   Avoid dense hardwoods such as maple.
1- 5/8″ to 2″ 500 RPM 250 RPM NR 150 RPM 250 RPM NR
2- 1/8″ to 2- 1/2″ 250-500 RPM NR NR 150 RPM 250 RPM NR
Multi-spur bits
2- 1/8″ to 4″ 250 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR NR Smaller sizes also available; use Forstner speeds.
Spade bits
1/4″ to 1/2″ 2000 RPM 1500 RPM NR NR NR NR Clamp work to table to improve quality of hole
5/8″ to 1″ 1750 RPM 1500 RPM NR NR NR NR
1- 1/8″ to 1- 1/2″ 1500 RPM 1000 RPM NR NR NR NR
Circle cutters
1-1/2″ to 3″ 500 RPM 250 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR Drill one side, flip material over, place center bit in it’s hole and resume cut
3-1/4″ to 8″ 250 RPM 250 RPM 250 RPM NR NR NR
Countersinks
2- flute 1400 RPM 1400 RPM NR NR NR NR Raise and lower frequently for quicker cutting
5- flute 1000 RPM 750 RPM 750 RPM 250 RPM 250 RPM 250 RPM
Countersink screw pilot bit
All Sizes 1500 RPM 1000 RPM 500 RPM 500 RPM NR NR Clear Twist often
Plug cutters
Any 1000 RPM 500 RPM NR NR NR NR Cut to full depth so bit chamfers plug.

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One Response to “Shop Tested Drill Speeds for various types of drills”

  1. Morris Breedlove says:
    September 17, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    Thanks for the chart a copy will hang close to the drill press. A real time saver. Probably a bit and material saver as well

    Morris

    Reply

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