Precision Twist

A jobber drill is the most common, general-purpose twist drill bit in manufacturing. Its intermediate length (flute length 9-14 times the diameter) provides a good balance of drilling depth and rigidity for drilling various materials like steel, metal, plastic, and wood. It typically has a straight shank, two spiral flutes for chip removal, and often a 118-degree point angle. Made primarily of HSS, it's a versatile and widely used drill bit.

A reduced shank drill has a shank diameter smaller than its cutting diameter. This design allows larger drill bits to be used in drill chucks with smaller capacities, effectively expanding the drilling range of a machine.

A screw machine drill is a short, rigid twist drill bit designed for accuracy and durability in automated machining like screw machines and CNCs. Its stubby length minimizes deflection, leading to more precise holes, especially in high-speed, repetitive operations. While sacrificing drilling depth, it offers improved control and is suitable for various materials.

A spiral flute tap is a type of tap with helical grooves designed to pull chips upwards and out of the hole during tapping, especially in blind holes and ductile materials. This prevents chip buildup, leading to better thread quality, reduced tap breakage, and improved cutting efficiency. Different helix angles are available for various materials.

A spiral point tap (or gun tap) is designed for tapping through holes. Its key feature is an angled cutting face that pushes chips forward and out of the hole. This allows for faster tapping, better thread quality, and reduced tap breakage compared to other taps in through-hole applications.

A taper length drill is a twist drill with longer flutes and overall length than a standard jobber drill, allowing for deeper hole drilling in one pass. The name historically refers to its tapered core, which provides added strength for the extended length. It's used for drilling deeper holes than jobber drills but not as deep as extra-long drills.

A taper shank drill has a cone-shaped shank that fits directly into a machine spindle (like a drill press) without a chuck. This provides a strong, rigid connection for high torque and accurate drilling of larger diameter holes, typically those above 1/2". Many also have a tang for added drive and easier removal.