Spade Drills

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Spade Drills for Metalworking Explored

Definition: In metalworking, spade drills are specialised flat-shaped drill bits designed for drilling large holes in softer metals such as aluminium, brass, and sometimes cast iron. Consequently, they are engineered for speed and efficient material removal rather than precision. To this end Spade drills for metalworking often come with carbide tips or coatings, like titanium, to enhance their durability and resistance to wear - making them suitable for tougher materials and repetitive tasks, as a result. These drills are also commonly used in industrial settings for their adaptability and cost-effectiveness when creating quick, rough holes in metal components for example.

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How to Choose The Correct Spade Drill For You?

Spade drills really are key drilling tools in metalworking, as they are known for their unique flat-shaped design that is really good at creating larger holes in tough materials such as alloy steel and cast iron to name only two. They are also used in CNC machines, machine tools, traditional lathes, and milling machines, for example.

Unlike twist drills and drill bits, which have a spiral-cutting design, spade drills feature a more blade-like tip that allows for faster drilling in various metals.

As a result, these drills are typically preferred for their ability to tackle a wide range of tasks, from basic drill hole creation to deeper, precision drilling alike.

Their simplicity in structure often makes them a more cost-effective option compared to more complex alternatives like twist drills or specialised cutters as well.

But, given such a large selection to choose from, how do you know which one to buy?

Well fear not, as we have put together this handy guide to help you determine which one is right for you.

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Brief History of Spade Drills

The first spade drills can be traced back to the very early metalworking needs when simpler designs were made to handle heavy-duty materials.

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Over the Years

Over the years, these tools have since improved, adopting stronger materials such as carbide and enhanced cutting geometries to keep up with industrial demands on the whole.

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Today

Today, spade drills are widely used in both industrial and DIY settings for drilling larger diameter holes with a very high level of precision and accuracy.

For instance they are preferred in operations where high-speed and deep drilling is required - like in heavy machinery or construction for example.

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Spade Drill Applications in Various Metalworking Industries

Spade drills are used across a wide range of industries and drilling applications due to their ability to create large, precise holes in metal very well and give you efficient and high-quality results. Consequently, Spade drills can be used in nearly any application where a conventional drill is needed to create holes - typically with a diameter range from 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter giving you various insert sizes, various size ranges, and point angles to work with.

For instance, some of these include:

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Automotive Industry Applications

Spade drills are frequently used to create engine component holes, frame structures, and exhaust systems due to their durability and precision when drilling steel and aluminium.

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Aerospace and Aviation

In aerospace manufacturing, spade drills are then used to drill precision holes in lightweight metals like titanium and aluminium alloys - particularly in structural parts and fuselage components.

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Construction and Manufacturing

Construction applications also include drilling into steel beams and structural supports, while in general manufacturing, spade drills are used for producing metal fittings, fasteners, and brackets.

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Drilling Large Holes in Metal

Spade drills are ideal for creating large-diameter holes in metals like steel, aluminium, and brass in industrial settings.

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Boring Holes in Woodworking

Spade drills are often used to make clean, deep holes in wood for furniture making, cabinetry, and construction projects.

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Creating Holes for Plumbing Pipes

In construction, spade drills are used to bore holes for running pipes through wood or metal studs.

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Electrical Conduit Installation

Electricians use spade drills to create holes in walls, floors, or studs for installing electrical conduits.

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Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering

Spade drills are also used in heavy-duty drilling for ships, particularly in metal sheets and structural components for example.

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Mining and Oil Drilling

In the oil and mining industries, spade drills are used to bore through hard materials like rock, steel, and alloys for pipelines and mining equipment.

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Tool and Die Making

Spade drills are also used in the production of tools and dies, where precise and high-speed drilling in hard metals is required.

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Furniture Assembly

DIYers and manufacturers also use spade drills to create dowel holes and other fastener openings in wood and particle boards for assembling furniture.

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What is a Spade Drill Made up of?

A spade drill consists of three key components: the head, the cutting edges, and the shaft.

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The Head

The head of the spade drill, for instance, is flat and often resembles a paddle, with sharp cutting edges that extend outward from the centre.

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Cutting Edges

These cutting edges are then designed to shear through metal with minimal resistance. We should note that when the insert edge becomes worn, it can be quickly replaced directly on the machine, or with indexable spade drills, the second edge can simply be rotated into position for continued use.

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Shaft

The shaft, which is then connected to the head, gives you a lot of stability and is typically mounted into a drill press or CNC machine.

As a result, each of these components can then vary in both material and design depending on the application you need it for - such as the need for ones that have a great durability or great heat resistance for example.

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Materials Used in Spade Drill Construction

Spade drills are often made from High-speed Steel (HSS) or Carbide.

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HSS

HSS then gives you excellent resistance to wear as it can cope with very high temperatures without losing its overall cutting edge as it does so.

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Carbide

Carbide-tipped spade drills, on the other hand, are harder and more durable, making them ideal for drilling through tougher metals like stainless steel, for example.

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Surface Coatings

Then you have surface coatings, which can also be applied on top, such as Titanium Nitride or Cobalt - which are also common - as these further improve the lifespan of the tool by helping to reduce friction and heat buildup, which can wear a tool out accordingly.

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Types of Spade Drills for Metalworking

There are several types of spade drills, each suited to different tasks.

For instance, here you have:

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Standard Spade Drills

Standard spade drills are often used for general metalworking applications.

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Carbide-tipped Spade Drills

Carbide-tipped spade drills are then favoured more for high-performance tasks - especially when working with harder metals.

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Custom-designed Spade Drills

Then custom-designed spade drills are also available for more unique projects requiring specific dimensions or cutting angles for example.

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Consequently, choosing the right spade drill type will help you get the best performance and the longest use in your metalworking task, as a result.

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Choosing the Right Spade Drill for Your Project

So, how do you select the right Spade Drill for your application?

Well, there are several factors here for you to consider when determining the appropriate drill.

For instance, these include:

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• Type of metal being drilled
• Thickness
• Hole Size

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For example, carbide-tipped spade drills are ideal for hard metals like steel, whereas standard HSS drills are better for softer metals such as aluminium.

Additionally, projects involving more high precision or deeper holes may require more specialised spade drills designed for minimal deflection and consistent cutting performance for instance.

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How Do Spade Drills Work in Metalworking?

Spade drills work by cutting through metal using their flat, broad cutting edges.

As the drill then rotates, the cutting edge shears through the material, creating a smooth hole.

All while the broad surface area of the drill helps clear away metal chips and prevent clogging from occuring.

Here the drilling speeds and feeds really are key to get you the best performance, with slower speeds often recommended for harder metals to avoid overheating and premature tool wear.

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What Are The Benefits of Using Spade Drills for Metalworking?

One of the primary advantages of spade drills is their ability to adapt to handling various metal types.

For instance, their straightforward design makes them very cost-effective, while their durability and strength allow for repeated use without significant degradation in performance as they do so.

Spade drills also offer you very excellent hole quality in metalworking applications - making them ideal for both large-scale industrial use and smaller precision tasks.

Additionally, their flat design allows for better and efficient chip removal, which helps reduce the risk of overheating occurring during extended drilling sessions as a result.

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Spade Drills vs. Twist Drills

The most noticeable difference between spade and twist drills lies in their design, though.

For instance twist drills feature a more helical flute that helps remove material and cool the cutting edges - making them suitable for a wide variety of tasks as a result.

In contrast, spade drills have a simpler, flat-blade design, which can result in faster drilling but may not be as adaptable as twist drills in more complex or detailed projects.

When it comes to the tool life of the drill, though, twist drills may offer you better wear resistance, but spade drills often win out here in terms of cost-efficiency - especially for larger holes.

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What Are The Best Practices for Using Spade Drills on Metals to Get The Best Results?

To get the best results, certain best practices should be followed when using spade drills in metalworking.

For instance, we would tend to recommend:

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Mark the Exact Location

Start by marking the exact location of the hole, using a centre punch or a centre drill to help guide the drill.

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Ensure the Workpiece is Properly Clamped

You also want to make sure that the workpiece is properly clamped to avoid movement during drilling.

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Maintain Consistent Pressure

You then want to maintain the correct, consistent pressure and avoid pushing too hard, as this can cause the drill to overheat or even break.

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Apply the Correct Speed and Feed Rate

Additionally, using the correct speed and feed rate is key to reducing your tool wear and ensuring that you get a smooth finish as well.

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What Metals Can Spade Drills Be Used On?

Spade drills are very adaptable and can be used on a wide range of metals as such, with carbide-tipped spade drills recommended for harder metals.

In terms of the metals they can work on, with the right cutting bit selected, you have, for instance:

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• Aluminium
• Brass
• Copper
• Carbon Steel
• Steel
• High Temperature Alloys
• Tool steel
• Stainless Steel
• Structural Steel
• Cast Iron
• Bronze
• Titanium
• Zinc
• Nickel
• Magnesium
• Chromium
• Lead
• Molybdenum
• Tungsten
• Cobalt
• Pewter
• Platinum
• Silver
• Gold

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How Do I Maintain a Spade Drill?

Maintaining spade drills is actually really straightforward, as you should regularly inspect them for signs of wear, and if needed and possible, you also want to consider sharpening the cutting edges and applying lubricants during use can also really extend the life of the drill as well.

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Can I Use Spade Drills in a Hand Drill?

While spade drills can technically be used in hand drills, they are better suited for drill presses or CNC machines due to their flat design and the need for stable, consistent pressure.

Consequently, they wouldn't be recommended for use in this way.

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What Is the Optimal Speed for Drilling with Spade Drills?

The speed you use depends entirely on the material you are drilling into.

For instance, softer metals like aluminium may require higher speeds, while harder metals like steel should be drilled at slower speeds to help prevent overheating, for example.

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How Do I Know When a Spade Drill Needs Replacing?

Signs of dullness include difficulty in cutting, increased heat buildup, and poor hole quality.

If sharpening does not restore performance, it may be time to replace the drill bit.

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Coolants and Lubrication During Spade Drilling

As you know, the use of coolants, cutting fluids and lubrication in metalworking - especially when using spade drills.

Since spade drills generate a significant amount of heat during cutting, proper lubrication helps minimise this friction, reduce any heat buildup, and extend the life of the tool as a result as well.

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Maintaining and Sharpening Spade Drills

Proper maintenance of spade drills is also key to ensuring that you get consistent performance while simultaneously extending your tool's lifespan simultaneously.

As a result, routine inspection and sharpening can really help prevent premature wear and improve hole quality as a result.

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Proper Storage Techniques:

For example, here, you want to store them in dry, cool conditions, away from moisture, as this can cause rusting - particularly on high-speed steel (HSS) spade drills.

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Use of Spade Drill Holders

You should also consider investing in dedicated CNC tool holders or storage cases to keep your spade drills organised and to avoid accidental damage to the cutting edges as well.

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Safety Considerations for Using Spade Drills in Metalworking

When working with spade drills, safety should always be your top priority.

Metalworking, as you know, can be dangerous, especially when using high-speed machinery.

Consequently, you should always take appropriate precautions and minimise risks, to make sure you get a safer working environment on the whole.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

When it comes to PPE, there are a few areas you need to consider here consisting of for example:

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Safety Glasses or Face Shields

‌ This is because these Safety Glasses or Face Shields will protect your machinist's eyes from metal chips and debris that can fly off during drilling.

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Protective Gloves

You will also want to make sure you have Heat-resistant gloves and hand protection to help protect your hands from sharp edges and heated metal chips.

However, be cautious about loose-fitting gloves around rotating machinery, especially though.

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Ear Protection

Drilling through metal can be noisy, so ear protection is another essential, especially in high-decibel environments.

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Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Clothing

You also want to avoid loose clothing that can get caught in machinery, and always wear fitted workwear and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ensure long hair is tied back at all times as well.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Spade Drills on Metal

Even experienced metalworkers can make mistakes when using spade drills, and here are some common errors and how to avoid them to help you get the most from our drilling tools:

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Overheating the Tool

Drilling at excessive speeds without proper lubrication can cause the drill to overheat - leading to tool damage.

Consequently, always use the recommended speed and coolant for the material you are working with to get the best results and to keep your running costs down as well.

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Incorrect Feed Rates

This is one that we can see often, as pushing the drill too fast can cause poor hole quality and premature tool wear.

Consequently, it is essential to match the feed rate with the material's hardness and thickness as well.

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Failure to Use Proper Clamping and Support:

Not securing the workpiece can also lead to inaccurate drilling, tool breakage, or serious safety hazards.

Always clamp the metal securely before starting any work on it.

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Skipping Centre Marking

Failure to centre punch or mark the drilling spot can easily cause the spade drill to wander - leading to off-centre holes or damaging the workpiece as a result.

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The Importance of the Shank in Spade Drills

The shank of a spade drill plays another key role in its overall performance and especially stability during metalworking tasks.

For example, the shank is the part of the drill that is inserted into the drill press, CNC machine, or other drilling equipment, and the bit that gives you a firm grip and precise alignment.

Straight Shank Design

One of the most common shank types for spade drills is the straight shank.

A straight shank, for instance, gives you a more uniform shank diameter along its length, which makes it compatible with a wide variety of drill and lathe chucks and collets as a result.

This then gives you a secure fixing, which in turn reduces the risk of slippage during use, especially in high-torque applications for example.

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How to Choose Between Spade Drills and Other Metalworking Tools

When deciding between spade drills and other metalworking tools, such as annular cutters, twist drills, or step drills, it is important to consider the specific project needs.

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Comparing Spade Drills to Other Drilling Methods:

For instance, here you have:

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Annular Cutters

These are more ideal for large-diameter holes with minimal material removal, as annular cutters may offer faster cutting speeds but come at a higher cost.

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Twist Drills

Twist drills are then more adaptable for a variety holes to create different sizes and shapes, as twist drills are better for general-purpose tasks but may not be as effective for large-diameter holes as spade drills are for instance.

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Step Drills

These are best suited for drilling through thinner materials and are less effective in heavy-duty metalworking compared to spade drills.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues with Spade Drills

When using spade drills, certain issues may arise that affect your performance.

Consequently, we have highlighted some of the common issues you may see and why this could be the case to help you debug your issue further.

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Poor Hole Quality

If you are gettering a poor hole quality, then this is often down to an incorrect surface speed, or feed rate being used, or a lack of lubrication as well.

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Solution

Here, you want to work out which of those it is (as it could be multiple). So you could either adjust the speed and feed, while also ensuring the use of proper lubrication as well to reduce any friction build up.

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Premature Tool Wear:

If you see your tools wearing out faster than expected, you want to check correctly for overheating due to insufficient coolant or an excessive drilling speed.

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Solution

If you spot or believe this, you can then apply coolant consistently and also reduce your drill speed - which is especially important when working with harder metals.

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Drill Breakage:

If your spade drill bits are breaking, then this tends to be down to either the spade bit hasn't been stored correctly, causing structure weakness to the bit itself, too much pressure is being used, or you are using the wrong tool for the material you are drilling into.

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Solution

Here, you want to use the correct type of spade drill and apply consistent, moderate pressure during drilling while making sure your drill bits are stored correctly as well.

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Spade Drills in Metalworking - Which One Is Right For You?

As you can see above, spade drills have proven themselves to be indispensable tools in the metalworking industry due to their efficiency, precision, and large amounts of application uses.

For instance, their ability to handle a wide range of metals, from softer materials like aluminium to harder alloys such as titanium, makes them a very key part of any metalworker's toolkit.

So, whether you are working on automotive parts, aerospace components, or large-scale construction projects, spade drills offer you the reliability and effectiveness needed to complete demanding jobs as a result.

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Related Products

If you are interested in these Spade Drill Inserts, you may also like:

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• Spade Drill Bodies
• Spade Drill Inserts
• Carbide Drill Bits

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Contact Customer Support

If you are still not sure which Spade Drill is right for you or you need help, then please contact our team, and we will be happy to help you understand which ones are perfect for you and your team.

Standard Delivery Information

We have also extended our delivery service and ordering hours to offer you 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 best to ensure the timely, UK mainland hassle-free delivery of your products.

Standard next-day delivery is also available for all products ordered within the specified time, with free shipping for certain items as well.

Who Is MSC Direct?

Here at MSC Industrial Supply Co., we are a leading supplier of industrial tools, equipment, and maintenance supplies across the United Kingdom and can also offer you trade accounts, along with a wide range of inserts in our product range above.

As a result, we can offer you a vast selection of similar products, including countersinks, masonry drill bits, hand tools, indexable insert drills, cutting tools, abrasives, power tools, Reamer tools, and safety equipment, many of which are available with special offers.

We also serve a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and engineering to maintenance and beyond.

Consequently, our outstanding customer service and expert technical team, fast delivery times, and technical support make us a trusted partner for all your business needs as a result.