

It can be used for decorative finishes - hiding the screw head with a dowel - or to join two pieces of material without needing a full-length screw. A counterbore is a deeper hole, wide enough to take the screw head. Is a counterbore the same as a countersink? A. Although it's not always practical, you generally get more consistent, chatter-free results using a drill press rather than a hand-held drill. It can be caused by a blunt bit or inconsistent drilling pressure. It's coarse vibration and an irregular shape, created when the countersink bit doesn't cut smoothly. The exception is precision-engineered cobalt countersinks, which can exceed $100 - though these will probably last a lifetime. From there on up, price largely depends on the quantity and quality of the drill bits, though even metal-cutting tools rarely top $40. Price You won't pay very much for good quality countersink drill bit sets, with prices starting at around $10. Countersinks specifically made for metal might have tungsten and molybdenum or cobalt added to the steel, making them very hard indeed. They can have either nickel, black oxide, or titanium nitride (TiN) coatings, which help reduce heat build-up - so they cut better and stay sharp longer - and also resist corrosion. Features All countersink bits are made of high speed steel (HSS), though finishes and additives vary.

Hexagonal shanks work perfectly well in these chucks, but they are primary intended for slot in, quick-release systems - where loosening and tightening a chuck isn't necessary. Round shanks are designed primarily for inserting in a chuck - either a pillar drill, or a hand-held model. Shanks Shanks are either round or hexagonal. Guide bits aren't usually suitable for drilling metal, so countersinking holes becomes a separate process which the conical cutter is better suited for. This versatility has made it by far the more common choice in a countersink drill bit set, though conical versions remain popular with engineers and metalworkers. A variation on the guide bit uses a tapered drill, which helps center the countersink in pre-existing holes, and provides faster cutting. It can also be adjusted for different depths. It can be used to guide the countersink, or it can drill and countersink or counterbore at the same time. This has a standard drill bit with a countersink bit that fits around the shank. All-in-one The composite (or all-in-one) countersink are generally easier to line up for precise cuts. They are also very effective for deburring holes in metal and plastic (many engineers will just give them a quick twist by hand) but they are awkward to line up properly. Basic conical countersinks are used when the screw hole has already been drilled. More flutes means more cutting edges, usually resulting in a cleaner finish and faster waste clearance.

Standard The basic model is a conical (or standard) cutter, usually with three to five flutes. Considerations when choosing countersink drill bit sets Countersink drill types There are two basic types of countersink drill: standard and all-in-one. We've also made a few recommendations, including our favorite, the DeWalt Countersink Drill Bit Set, which combines the clever design that the brand is known for with the fast, accurate cutting that professionals demand. To help you choose the right one, we've put together a concise guide.

With the wide range of screws, a countersink drill bit set with a selection of sizes is an economical solution. When you're using screws as a fixing, neatness usually demands you use a countersink to seat the heads properly.
