3 Flute Drill Bits, Ultimate Guide Price & Large Selection

A 3-flute drill bit is a specialised cutting tool that is designed with three helical grooves or "flutes" that run along its body... Read more below.

Three Flute Drill Bits Explored

Discover the precision that you can achieve with three flute drill bits, the perfect choice for professionals and DIY enthusiasts who are looking for exceptional quality and high performance in every project.

So, whether you are drilling holes in cast iron, stainless steel, or hard woods, these drill bits will give you great results, as they will help you to meet the highest industry standards. Ideal for use in stationary machines or with power tools, these bits will give you the accuracy and efficiency you need across a wide range of applications.

What are Three Flute Drill Bits?

A 3-flute drill bit is a specialised cutting tool that is designed with three helical grooves or "flutes" that run along its body. These flutes then give you improved material removal and smoother drilling compared to 2-flute designs. As a result, they are commonly used in machining and metalworking, as 3-flute drill bits offer you a good balance of strength, precision, and efficiency, making them ideal for drilling hard materials like metals, plastics, and composites, to name a few.

Their geometry also helps to minimise chatter, improves your hole finish, and allows for higher feed rates as well. Additionally, the three flutes also contribute to better stability and rigidity during drilling operations, as well as help reduce your tool deflection and enable more accurate and cleaner holes.

Application Uses

These drill bits have many uses, including, for instance:

Metal Fabrication

3-flute drill bits are ideal for drilling holes in various metals of your workpiece, such as stainless steel, cast iron, and non-ferrous metals, giving you a lot of precision and durability in your manufacturing and repair tasks as a result.

Aerospace Industry

They are also used for creating holes in lightweight yet tough materials like aluminium and titanium while giving you a level of high accuracy and reliability in doing so.

Plastic Drilling

Also ideal for drilling plastics, as they can help to minimise heat generation and reduce the risk of cracking or melting the material at the same time as well.

Composite Materials

Ideal for drilling composite materials like carbon fibre while giving you clean edges and minimal delamination as they do so.

Automotive Manufacturing

These drill bits are also used for precision drilling in engine components and other automotive parts.

Tool and Die Making

They are also used in crafting dies and moulds, giving you smooth finishes and intricate detail work as a result.

Wood Applications

Although primarily a networking drill bit, they can also be capable of drilling hard and dense woods with clean, accurate holes for furniture and cabinetry projects, as well as being ideal for hardwoods and Forstner Bits, delivering accurate and clean finishes as a result.

Construction

Suitable for creating holes in hard materials like concrete or reinforced metals used in structural components as well.

Electronics Manufacturing

Can also be used for drilling circuit boards and other delicate electronic components with precision which required minimal damage to occur here.

Specialised Drilling

These drill bits are also suitable for specialised types of drilling applications, alongside the likes of other drill bits such as: Aircraft Extension Drill, Stub Length Drill bits, and Long Series Drill bits, giving you a lot of options here as a result.

Key Features of Three Flute Drill Bits

These drill bits have a number of features that make them unique, such as for instance:

Flute Design

The 3-flute drill bit geometry design gives you very efficient chip evacuation when you are drilling, which in turn helps to reduce friction and heat buildup while maintaining a clean and accurate drilling process at the same time - this makes them ideal for small hole drilling and large hole diameters alike.

Exceptional Cutting Edges

Engineered with precision cutting edges, these drill bits offer you more of a smoother performance when used with tough materials like non-ferrous metals and high-carbon steel, as well as softer wood applications as well.

Materials

These drill bits can also be constructed with tungsten carbide, TiAlN-coated, or high-speed steel, making these bits ideal for heavy-duty tasks, from core drilling to milling cutters operations as a result.

Higher Feed Rates

This more advanced flute design also allows for faster operation as well, saving you time and increasing your productivity at the same time.

Non-Ferrous Flute Drill Bits

Non-ferrous 3-flute drill bits then excel, especially in drilling aluminium, copper, brass, and plastics. This is due to their specialised flute geometry, which helps to prevent clogging from occurring, improve your chip removal, and reduce heat at the same time - all giving you a clean and precise drilling action in soft and non-ferrous materials as well.

Solid Carbide 3-Flute Drill Bits

Solid carbide 3-flute drill bits then give you exceptional durability and heat resistance, which makes them ideal for high-speed machining of hard metals especially - as they give you more precision, longer tool life, and excellent surface finishes in demanding applications as a result of their properties here.

VHM 3-Flute Drill Bits

VHM (Vollhartmetall or solid carbide) 3-flute drill bits are then optimised for machining ultra-hard materials, giving you a lot of precision, strength, and reduced tool deflection for superior performance in critical applications as a result.

Why Does the TF Point Type Matter with this Drill Bit Type?

The TF point type here improves your accuracy by helping you to centring the drill bit, which reduces wandering from then occurring.

It also gives you faster penetration, cleaner starts, and optimal hole precision, making it ideal for complex projects as a result.

Why Does The Shank Length Matter?

The shank length then impacts your tool stability and compatibility. For instance, here, longer shanks will give you deeper drilling abilities, while shorter shanks increase the drill bits' rigidity, improving its performance and reducing vibrations in the process.

Why Does the Flute Length Matter?

The flute length with these drill bits then determines your chip evacuation efficiency. For example, longer flutes are well suited for deep holes, while shorter flutes increase your stability and precision for shallower applications.

Why Does The Bits Overall Length Matter?

The overall length of these drill bits helps to balance the tool's reach and rigidity. For example, here, longer tools allow deeper access, while shorter ones improve your stability for tighter tolerances, making them ideal for intricate projects as a result.

Why Does These Drill Bits Cutting Diameter Matter?

The cutting diameter then defines your hole size range accuracy. Precise diameters, for example, will give you more perfect fits for your components, reducing the need for secondary operations.

Does a Short 3-flute Carbide Bit Drill a Straight Hole?

A short 3-flute carbide drill bit is ideal for drilling straight holes due to its rigidity and stability. The shorter length here, for instance, will help to minimise deflection and vibration from occurring, while the 3-flute design improves its balance and precision at the same time.

This is especially true when you combine this with carbide's durability, as these factors all work together to give you the most accurate, straight holes, even in hard materials - making them very suitable for high-precision applications as a result of this.

Shank Types

The shank type you choose then affects the compatibility of the drilling bit with your machine tools.

As a result, here you have several types available,e such as:

Cylindrical Shank Type
Straight Shank Type
Weldon shank types

Why Does the Point Angle Matter?

The point angle of these drill bits then significantly affects your drilling performance. Fro example, a sharper angle (e.g., 90-118°) is ideal for soft materials, as this gives you a clean entry and reduced material deformation.

Larger angles (e.g., 135-140°) are then ideal for use with hard materials like steel, as they help to reduce the thrust force needed and improve the bit's durability at the same time as well.

3 flute solid carbide drill bits then improve these benefits further, as these bits will tend to maintain their sharpness and precision for high-speed, long-lasting performance across a diverse range of applications and uses as a result.

Contact Customer Support

If you are still not sure which 3 flute drill bit is right for you or you need help, then for further information please contact our team, and we will be happy to help you understand which ones are perfect for you and your team, from Jobber Length Drills, Taper Shank Drills to the right Twist drill set, or even cutter drill bits with a straight flute design to ones with a varying number of flutes and more.

MSC Direct's team

Standard Delivery Options

We have also extended our delivery service and ordering hours to offer you free next-working-day delivery, making your shipping experience even easier.

Place your order online by 7 p.m. and choose the delivery charge that suits you - including next-day dispatch - to ensure you get a timely, UK mainland hassle-free delivery of your products.

Standard free UK delivery is also available for all products ordered within the specified time, with free shipping and a good returns policy for certain items as well.

Who Is MSC Industrial Supply Co.?

Here at MSC Industrial Supply Co., we are a leading supplier of industrial machine tools, equipment, and maintenance supplies across the United Kingdom. As a result, we can offer trade accounts, a vast selection of new and great-value products from tool sets to metalworking cutting tools and lots more, with free next-day delivery on eligible orders as well.

Our extensive range includes everything from hand tools and power tools to specialised hole-making equipment like blacksmith drill bits, core drills, and machine reamers, to name just a few.

As a result, we can provide you with a comprehensive selection of products, including:

As a result, we serve a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and engineering to maintenance and beyond. Consequently, our commitment to providing quality products and exceptional customer service makes us a trusted partner for all your industrial needs.

With our knowledgeable customer support team and technical assistance available Mon-Fri, we ensure you have the support you need to succeed.

Three Flute Drill Bits