Hole Making Tools — Drills, Reamers & Indexable Solutions

Explore our comprehensive range of high-performance hole making tools, designed for precision, durability, and efficiency. From HSS and carbide drills to spade drills, flat bottom drills, indexable drills, micro drills, and reamers, our selection covers general-purpose, precision, and high-speed machining needs. Perfect for engineers, manufacturers, and workshops seeking accurate and reliable drilling solutions. (protool-ltd.co.uk)

Shop Hole Making by Type

• HSS, HSS-E & PM Drills — High-performance drills for general and precision applications. Shop Now
  
• Carbide Drills — Ultra-rigid drills for maximum accuracy and long tool life. Shop Now
  
• Reamers — Precision finishing tools for perfect hole sizing and surface finish. Shop Now
  
• Spade Drills & Inserts — High-efficiency drilling with replaceable inserts for large holes. Shop Now
  
• Flat Bottom Drills — Ideal for angled, curved, or interrupted surfaces. Shop Now
• Indexable Drills — Cost-effective drilling with replaceable cutting edges. Shop Now
  
• Micro Drills — Small-diameter drills for ultra-fine machining and precision holes. Shop Now
  
• Varicut Drills — High-performance variable-pitch drills for superior chip evacuation. Shop Now
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are CNC drills?

A: CNC drills are cutting tools used to create holes in a wide range of materials. They come in different types and sizes for various applications, including general-purpose, precision, shallow, and deep-hole drilling.

Q: What is the difference between HSS, HSS-E, and PM drills?

A: HSS (High-Speed Steel) drills are suitable for general machining. HSS-E (High-Speed Steel with cobalt) offers greater heat resistance and durability. PM (Powder Metal) drills provide improved hardness, wear resistance, and longevity.

Q: When should I use carbide drills?

A: Carbide drills are ideal for hard materials, high-speed applications, and situations requiring maximum rigidity, precision, and long tool life.

Q: What are spot drills and centre drills?

A: Spot drills create a small indentation to guide the main drill, preventing wandering. Centre drills create a small, precise starting hole for accurate alignment, often used in turning or milling operations.

Q: What are stub drills and jobber drills?

A: Stub drills are short drills for shallow holes in hard materials, while jobber drills are standard, general-purpose drills covering a wide range of sizes for everyday use.

Q: How do spade drills work?

A: Spade drills have a wide, flat tip and are designed for drilling large holes quickly. Replaceable inserts allow cost-effective tool maintenance.

Q: What are flat bottom drills used for?

A: Flat bottom drills create holes with flat bottoms, ideal for angled, curved, or interrupted surfaces where standard drills may not work effectively.

Q: What are indexable drills?

A: Indexable drills use replaceable cutting edges, offering cost-effective drilling and extended tool life. They are perfect for high-volume production and hard materials.

Q: What are micro drills?

A: Micro drills are small-diameter drills used for ultra-fine precision holes, common in electronics, medical devices, and intricate engineering projects.

Q: What are reamers and why are they used?

A: Reamers are finishing tools used to enlarge, smooth, and precisely size a previously drilled hole. They remove small amounts of material to achieve exact tolerances and surface finish.

Q: What are Varicut drills?

A: Varicut drills feature a variable-pitch design for optimized chip evacuation and reduced vibration, delivering superior performance in challenging materials.

Q: Which hole-making tool should I choose?

A: Choose based on material, hole size, accuracy required, and production volume. For precision holes, use carbide drills or reamers; for high-volume or large holes, consider spade or indexable drills.

Benefits of High-Performance Hole Making Tools

• Precision & Accuracy: Reduces run-out and ensures consistent hole diameter.
  
• Extended Tool Life: Hardened materials and optimized geometry prevent premature wear.
  
• Versatility: Suitable for metals, plastics, composites, and other materials.
  
• Efficiency: Quick chip evacuation and high-speed capability reduce cycle times.
  
• Cost-Effective: Indexable tools and replaceable inserts reduce tooling costs.
  

Practical Tips for Engineers & Machinists

• Always select the correct drill type for your material and application.
  
• Use spot or centre drills to start holes accurately and prevent drill wandering.
  
• Consider indexable or Varicut drills for high-volume or demanding drilling operations.
  
• Maintain sharp tools and clean flutes to extend tool life and improve hole quality.
  
• Pair drills with the right collets, holders, and spindles for optimal rigidity and performance.

General Drilling Questions

Q1: What are CNC drills?
A: CNC drills are cutting tools used to create precise holes in a variety of materials, from soft plastics to hardened steel, using controlled machine spindle rotation.

Q2: What is the difference between HSS, HSS-E, and PM drills?
A: HSS is standard high-speed steel for general use, HSS-E contains cobalt for higher heat resistance, and PM (Powder Metal) drills are extremely hard and wear-resistant for tough applications.

Q3: When should I use carbide drills?
A: Carbide drills are best for hard materials, high-speed machining, and applications requiring maximum accuracy and tool life.

Q4: What are spot drills used for?
A: Spot drills create a small indentation to guide the main drill and prevent it from wandering at the start of a hole.

Q5: What are centre drills?
A: Centre drills make a small, precise starting hole for accurate alignment in turning or milling operations.

Q6: What is a jobber drill?
A: Jobber drills are general-purpose drills available in a wide range of sizes for everyday drilling applications.

Q7: What is a stub drill?
A: Stub drills are short and rigid, used for shallow holes in hard materials with minimal deflection.

Q8: How do I choose the right drill for a material?
A: Consider material hardness, hole size, depth, and required precision. HSS is suitable for soft metals, carbide for hard metals, and PM for wear-resistant applications.

Q9: What is the difference between through holes and blind holes?
A: Through holes go completely through a material; blind holes stop short of the surface. Drill selection depends on depth, diameter, and material.

Q10: How do I maintain drilling tools?
A: Keep drills clean, sharpened, and free from debris. Store properly and avoid overheating during use to prolong life.

HSS, HSS-E & PM Drills

Q11: What materials are HSS drills best for?
A: HSS drills are suitable for mild steel, aluminium, plastics, and soft alloys.

Q12: What advantages do HSS-E drills have over HSS?
A: HSS-E drills resist higher temperatures, allowing faster feeds and longer tool life in tougher materials.

Q13: When should I use PM drills?
A: PM drills excel in hard, abrasive, or high-volume drilling where precision and durability are critical.

Q14: Are HSS drills cost-effective?
A: Yes, HSS drills are economical and versatile for general machining tasks.

Q15: Can PM drills replace carbide drills?
A: For some materials, yes; PM drills offer high wear resistance without the brittleness of carbide.

Carbide Drills

Q16: What makes carbide drills so rigid?
A: They are made from tungsten carbide, a very hard material, which minimizes deflection for precise holes.

Q17: Are carbide drills suitable for high-speed machining?
A: Yes, they maintain accuracy at high RPMs and feed rates.

Q18: How do I prevent carbide drills from chipping?
A: Use proper feed rates, speeds, and cutting fluids; avoid excessive heat and lateral forces.

Q19: Can carbide drills be resharpened?
A: Yes, with the proper grinding equipment, though excessive sharpening may reduce tool life.

Q20: What applications use carbide drills?
A: Aerospace, automotive, die & mold, medical components, and precision engineering.

Reamers

Q21: What is the purpose of a reamer?
A: Reamers enlarge, smooth, and precisely finish holes to a tight tolerance.

Q22: When should I use a reamer?
A: After drilling, to achieve exact diameter and surface finish in metal or plastic parts.

Q23: Are there different types of reamers?
A: Yes — hand reamers, machine reamers, adjustable reamers, and chucking reamers for various applications.

Q24: What is a precision reamer?
A: A reamer designed to remove minimal material while maintaining tight diameter tolerances.

Q25: How do I maintain reamers?
A: Keep cutting edges clean, avoid overheating, and store in protective cases to prevent damage.

Spade Drills & Inserts

Q26: What are spade drills used for?
A: For drilling large-diameter, flat-bottomed holes quickly and efficiently.

Q27: What are replaceable inserts?
A: Cutting edges on spade drills that can be replaced without changing the entire drill, reducing cost.

Q28: Are spade drills good for hard materials?
A: Yes, especially when equipped with carbide inserts.

Q29: How do I reduce chatter with spade drills?
A: Use proper feed rates, speeds, and secure workholding to minimize vibration.

Q30: Can spade drills be used in CNC machines?
A: Yes, they are commonly used for high-volume CNC drilling of large holes.

Flat Bottom Drills

Q31: What surfaces are flat bottom drills used for?
A: Angled, curved, or interrupted surfaces where a standard twist drill cannot maintain proper contact.

Q32: Can they drill deep holes?
A: They are typically used for shallow to medium-depth holes with flat bottoms.

Q33: Are flat bottom drills compatible with inserts?
A: Some models use replaceable inserts to reduce tooling costs.

Q34: What materials can flat bottom drills cut?
A: Steel, aluminium, stainless steel, and plastics.

Q35: How do I choose the right flat bottom drill?
A: Select based on diameter, depth, material, and whether inserts are needed for wear resistance.

Indexable Drills

Q36: What are indexable drills?
A: Drills with replaceable cutting inserts, allowing worn edges to be swapped out instead of replacing the entire drill.

Q37: Why choose indexable drills?
A: They reduce tooling costs, maintain accuracy, and are suitable for high-volume production.

Q38: Can indexable drills handle tough materials?
A: Yes, especially when used with carbide inserts for hard metals.

Q39: How do I select insert geometry?
A: Match insert type to material (steel, aluminium, stainless, etc.) and desired surface finish.

Q40: Are indexable drills easy to maintain?
A: Yes — simply replace worn inserts and check for secure clamping.

Micro Drills

Q41: What are micro drills used for?
A: Drilling ultra-small holes in electronics, medical devices, and intricate engineering components.

Q42: What are common diameters for micro drills?
A: Typically 0.1mm to 3mm.

Q43: Are micro drills fragile?
A: Yes — they require careful handling and proper feed rates to avoid breakage.

Q44: Can micro drills be used in CNC machines?
A: Yes, with precise spindle speeds and accurate fixturing.

Q45: How do I extend the life of micro drills?
A: Use proper speeds, minimal deflection, coolant, and avoid lateral forces.

Varicut Drills

Q46: What are Varicut drills?
A: Drills with variable-pitch geometry that improves chip evacuation and reduces vibration.

Q47: What are Varicut drills best for?
A: High-speed drilling in metals where chip evacuation and heat reduction are critical.

Q48: Can Varicut drills replace standard twist drills?
A: Yes, particularly in materials that produce long chips or in deep-hole applications.

Q49: Are Varicut drills available in indexable versions?
A: Yes — some designs allow replaceable inserts for cost-effective production.

Q50: How do I choose the right Varicut drill?
A: Match diameter, depth, material, and pitch to your CNC machine and workpiece requirements.