What Make For Good Quality Long Lasting Spade Bits?

[pollys13]

I'm looking for 1" and 3/4" sizes.
Cheers.

 

[MikeJhn]

That's not a spade bit, thats a chisel. :lol:

Mike

 

[DiscoStu]

I like the Bosch blue "spade bits" they have a screw thread that pulls the bit through. Quite aggressive!


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[pollys13]

I like the Bosch blue "spade bits" they have a screw thread that pulls the bit through. Quite aggressive!


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OK I'll have a look.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Horrible things. I don't know why other than out of desperation anyone would use one.

 

[beech1948]

I won't use spade bits because they produce the most awful untidy oversize holes imaginable. Horrid things

 

[g7g7g7g7]

https://www.workshopheaven.com/star-m-j ... ngles.html

I got one of these with a pair of holdfasts and have invested in a few more since because they are great, highly recommended instead of flat bits.

 

[ED65]

I won't use spade bits because they produce the most awful untidy oversize holes imaginable. Horrid things

Sounds like you've never used a really sharp one, and possibly they had off-centre central spurs. Been there!

Spade bits are often not sharp enough from the factory but give 'em a good sharpen and it completely transforms how they perform, as long as the central spur is actually central.

Some say you should file to create spurs/horns on the outside edges to improve the quality of the hole wall but even without this trick if the bit is really sharp it should cut really quite well.

 

[LancsRick]

Depending on what your application is, have you considered forstner bits?

 

[pcb1962]

Depending on what your application is, have you considered forstner bits?

or Wood Beaver bits
A spade bit really is a desperate last-resort excuse for a tool.

 

[beech1948]

ED65,

I sharpen all my bits augers/forstners/HSS and many others. Saves a fortune.

When I had some I even sharpened my spade bits. Religiously. They were and continue to be utter rubbish.

Your comments are somewhat disparaging bearing in mind some 50+ years experience with wood and hole drilling.

 

[AJB Temple]

Since Auger bits don't cost much more than spade bits and are a lot better, I use them. Spade bits are a bit rudimentary and unsuitable for fine work.

 

[transatlantic]

Very pleased with the clean holes I got with these, although I was using a drill press.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeWalt-DT7943B ... ref=sr_1_1

 

[gregmcateer]

https://www.workshopheaven.com/star-m-japanese-f-type-bit-singles.html

I got one of these with a pair of holdfasts and have invested in a few more since because they are great, highly recommended instead of flat bits.

They look very sexy and I NEED some right away. Before I do, however - how does one sharpen them?

Thanks in advance

Greg

 

[AndyT]

Surely, spade bits have their place - for jobs such as boring through joists for pipes and cables, where a little roughness doesn't matter at all.

 

[pcb1962]

Surely, spade bits have their place - for jobs such as boring through joists for pipes and cables, where a little roughness doesn't matter at all.

If you don't have an appropriate size augur bit, and you don't want to spend the money on one, then a spade bit will get the job done. But I don't think there's any job where the answer to the question "What's the best tool for this job?" is "a spade bit".

 

[Beau]

But I don't think there's any job where the answer to the question "What's the best tool for this job?" is "a spade bit".

Yes there is. Whats the cheapest way to make a rough as rats holes?


In all honesty never tried the classy spade bits but I would never recommend basic ones.

 

[AndyT]

I should point out that when I've used spade bits, I've used them in a corded electric drill, spinning at high speed. They are probably a lot less good in a relatively slow battery powered drill.

 

[Doug71]

I have found these Irwin ones to be good. Cheap as chips and got me out of trouble a few times. Not for fine work but everyone should have a set in their toolkit.

https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/irwi ... AvO88P8HAQ

I don't like the Bosch ones with a threaded tip, I find they pull themselves in too quickly and make a mess.

Doug

 

[slate1234]

I agree I don' like the ones with a threaded tip far to fast for drilling out latch's on doors, I always use spade bits on site but might just try a few from the above post's to compare with,
Paul