When you need to quickly punch holes through wood you\u2019ll have a hard time beating the speed and convenience of a spade bit. These drill bits have been longtime favorites of electricians, plumbers, and other tradesmen for their ability to rapidly drill holes through wall studs \u2013 but they\u2019re also useful for a variety of DIY purposes.<\/p>\n
When it comes to drilling holes through wood, you have a number of different options.<\/p>\n
Hole saws<\/a> are a good option but come with their own set of issues \u2013 particularly around removing the wood plug after completing a hole. Auger bits<\/a> are useful for creating precise holes but are expensive and not ideal when you want to drill a hole in a hurry. Forstner bits<\/a> can bore near perfect holes but are slows and expensive.<\/p>\n Spade bits \u2013 also called paddle<\/em> bits \u2013 give you the ability to rapidly drill a hole up to about 1 \u00bd\u201d in diameter. There is no wood plug to deal with after drilling a hole, and they’re about as cheap as it gets.<\/p>\n There are a few tricks to getting the most out of these drill bits, so let\u2019s take a closer look at how to use a spade bit.<\/p>\n Jump To:<\/p>\n