drill bit

A drill bit is a cylindrical tool used to create or enlarge circular holes in solid materials. Typically, drills rotate and are fed into stationary work, though the work may also rotate. They feature longitudinal or helical grooves, called flutes, which allow for coolant to enter and chips to be ejected. The tip of a drill is usually conical, with cutting edges where the flutes end. The angle of the point and the twist of the flutes influence the drill's cutting and chip-removal efficiency. Drill bodies are made from hardened steel or cemented carbide, and their shanks can be straight or tapered.1

Drilling and boring tools have a varied history, with early methods involving simple tools like awls and augers. Modern drilling machinery can be percussive, rotary, or a combination of both, used for activities ranging from prospecting to well sinking.23