Published on August 16, 2018Drilling a water well can be both exciting and challenging but it gets tough when you don’t choose the right drilling bits that fit your situation accordingly, as Water well drilling bits types are many.
Drilling bits help create holes by removing the material via cutting through them. There are many different types of drill bits available that depend on the type of hole you want for your water well. The bits are attached to a drill which electrically powers it to cut through the material.
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Choosing The Material First
The type of bit you need greatly depends on the material you want to drill into;
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Brad-Point bit
The brad point bit is very fluted with an interesting bur on the tip. The spur is useful while drilling as it embeds itself into the wood and holds the drill I place firmly for a very detailed and précised cut and allowing you to give the hole a clean finish. It allows the user to dig out the waste in a very efficient manner. Particularly useful for a job that requires precision and speed.
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Twist Bit
Twist bit is the bit you would usually find in kits and is used for low maintenance work. Though it has a fluted end just like the brad point, the twist bit is used to drill into metals at a very slow speed. These can be perfect for use at home but not on a construction site.
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Countersink bit
This is a very speedy bit that leaves a tapered pilot hole perfect for adding screw heads.
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Forstner Bit
This bit is perfect to drill into wood that needs a leveled straight base. It creates a very clean finish but the only drawback to this would be that it can’t be loaded on to a hand drill but a drill press instead, since it takes a considerable amount of force to get the excavated material and gunk out of it.
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Spade bit
The paddle bits are great for drilling into wood with a huge circumference as the cutters are huge. Perfect for running in wires or pipes
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Hole Saw
This helps make big holes in thin materials and as a faster working speed than the forstner bit. It is available in many different sizes as it only helps drill into the outer layer instead of going deep.
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Separate the Drill bits
Since you use different bits for different materials, it is best to separate the metallic ones from the wood, plastic and glass ones. The metallic bits would include HSS, Titanium and cobalt, metal hole saw and unibit. The metallic bits will always be high speed and have more strength. These can also be used for wood but you’d have to be careful as it will become hot if it is slowed down.
The wood bits include a spade, brad point, hole saw, masonry, step bit. HSS can be used in case nothing else is available. You have to be careful of the pressure you apply on the bits since you don’t want the splintering effect of the wood’s waste materials.
Diamond hole saw and Tungsten etc. are perfect for drilling into. These are preferably used to drill in larger holes.
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Rule Of Thumb and Bottom hole pattern
Rule of thumb is very helpful that will make your decision for choosing the bit easier;
- Expensive bit is applicable only when the project’s daily earning is high.
- Rolling cone bits are a great starter because of their versatility
- Diamond bits run the fastest
- Examination of dulls is helpful
- Avoid bits with high offset
- Journal bearing bits can work under higher weights
The bottom hole pattern makes it easier for you to work with a bit and to progress slowly. While you are approaching the bottom, try circulating the bit so as to avoid plugged nozzles. It is also preferable to gradually increase the rotation per minute as the weight or load increases.
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Drill off Test
Before starting the job, test the bit out. The two factors that a bit’s functionality would depend massively upon is the drill weight and the RPM or rotation per minute. The bit you select can only bear a certain amount of weight so be sure to cross check it. Now try drilling at different weights and different RPMs to see if the bit would perform the way you want it to or not.
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Cost per Foot Equation
Ideally, the best bit for any procedure would be the one to give maximum results with very little added effort and cost. There is a formula for it that denotes how much cost must a bit sell for if it gives a certain amount of rotations per minute and can drill through and indefinite amount of load specified.
Contact Dick Joyce Wells for all your well drilling needs!
