Twist

drill bit

DRILL PRESS SPEED CHART

Black & Decker Recommended operating speeds (RPM)
Bullet pilot-point bit
Softwood Hardwood Aluminum Steel
Accessory Acrylic Brass ShopNotes
(Pine) (Hard Maple)

Twist drill bits*

1 mm - 5 mm 3000 3000 2500 3000 3000 3000 Lubricate drill with oil when cutting steel
6 mm - 10 mm 3000 1500 2000 1200 2500 1000 3mm or thicker.
Brad-point bit 11 mm - 15 mm 1500 750 1500 750 1500 600 Use center punch on all holes to prevent
16 mm - 25 mm 750 500 NR 400 1000 350 drill from wandering.
Black & Decker Bullet pilot-point bits*
1 mm - 5 mm 3000 3000 3000 2000 1500 3000 Good all-around bit.
6 mm - 10 mm 3000 3000 2400 1500 1000 2000 These cut more quickly than brad points
13 mm 3000 1500 1600 1500 750 1200 and twist drills.
Forstner bit Brad-point bits*
3 mm 1800 1200 1500 NR NR NR
Glass-and- 6 mm 1800 1000 1500 NR NR NR
tile bit 10 mm 1800 750 1500 NR NR NR
12 mm 1800 750 1000 NR NR NR Raise 6mm and smaller bits often to clear
15 mm 1800 500 750 NR NR NR shavings and prevent heat build-up.
19 mm 1400 250 750 NR NR NR
22 mm 1200 250 500 NR NR NR
25 mm 1000 250 250 NR NR NR
Forstner bits
6 mm - 10 mm 2400 700 NR NR NR NR
13 mm -16 mm Raise 6mm-10mm bits often to clear
2400 500 250 NR NR NR shavings and prevent heat build-up.
Hole saw
19 mm - 25 mm 1500 500 250 NR NR NR
1000 250 250 NR NR NR Make several shallow passes with larger
28 mm - 32 mm bits; allow bit to cool between passes.
35 mm - 50 mm 500 250 NR NR NR NR
Multi spur Glass-and-tile bits (Listed speeds are for glass and tile—not softwood.)
bit
3 mm 750 N N N N N
5 mm 600 R R R R R Wear safety goggles. Use drill press
6 mm 500 NR NR NR NR NR only. Do not apply excessive pressure.
8 mm Lubricate with water while drilling.
400 NR NR NR NR NR
10 mm 350 NR NR NR NR NR Reduce quill pressure when bit tip
13 mm emerges from back side.
200 NR NR NR NR NR
Hole saws*

25 mm - 38 mm 500 350 NR 250 250 NR Do not use with brass or aluminum

40 mm - 50 mm 500 250 NR 150 250 NR thicker than 1,5 mm
53 mm - 64 mm 250-500 NR NR 150 250 NR Avoid dense hardwoods such as hard
maple.
Spade bit Multi spur bits*

54 mm - 100 mm 250 250 NR NR NR NR Smaller sizes also available; use Forstner

Spade bit
with spurs
speeds.
Spade bits*
6 mm - 13 mm 2000 1500 NR NR NR NR
15 mm - 25 mm Clamp work to table to improve quality
1750 1500 NR NR NR NR of hole.
28 mm - 38 mm 1500 1000 NR NR NR NR

Stanley Spade bits with spurs

Powerbore bit Best bit for acrylic.
9 mm - 25 mm 2000 1800 500 NR NR NR
Clamp work securely.
Stanley Powerbore bits*
9 mm - 13 mm 1800 500 NR NR NR NR
19 mm - 25 mm 1800 750 NR NR NR NR Ideal for deep holes and end-grain drilling.