Drill Press Speed Chart
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1
2Twist
drill bit
DRILL PRESS SPEED CHART
Recommended operating speeds (RPM)
Black & Decker
Bullet pilot-point bit
Softwood
Hardwood
Accessory
Acrylic
Brass
Aluminum Steel
Shop Notes
(Pine)
(Hard Maple)
Twist drill bits*
3000
3000
2500
3000
3000
3000
" -
"
Lubricate drill with oil when cutting steel
1
/
3
/
16
16
3000
1500
2000
1200
2500
1000
" or thicker.
" -
"
1
1
3
/
/
/
8
8
4
Brad-point bit
1500
750
1500
750
1500
600
Use center punch on all holes to prevent
" -
"
7
/
5
/
16
8
drill from wandering.
750
500
NR
400
1000
350
" -
"
11
/
1
16
Black & Decker Bullet pilot-point bits*
Good all-around bit.
3000
3000
3000
2000
1500
3000
" -
"
1
/
3
/
8
16
3000
3000
2400
1500
1000
2000
" -
"
These cut more quickly than brad points
1
/
3
/
4
8
3000
1500
1600
1500
750
1200
"
and twist drills.
1
/
2
Brad-point bits*
Forstner bit
1800
1200
1500
NR
NR
NR
"
1
/
8
1800
1000
1500
NR
NR
NR
"
1
/
Glass-and-
4
1800
750
1500
NR
NR
NR
tile bit
"
3
/
8
1800
750
1000
NR
NR
NR
Raise
" and smaller bits often to clear
"
1
/
1
/
4
2
1800
500
750
NR
NR
NR
shavings and prevent heat build-up.
"
5
/
8
1400
250
750
NR
NR
NR
"
3
/
4
1200
250
500
NR
NR
NR
"
3
/
8
1000
250
250
NR
NR
NR
"
1
Forstner bits
2400
700
NR
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
1
/
3
/
4
8
Raise
-
" bits often to clear shavings
1
3
/
/
4
8
2400
500
250
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
1
/
5
/
2
8
and prevent heat build-up.
1500
500
250
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
3
1
/
4
Hole saw
Make several shallow passes with larger
1000
250
250
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
1
1
/
1
1
/
8
4
bits; allow bit to cool between passes.
500
250
NR
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
1
3
/
2
8
Multi spur
Glass-and-tile bits
(Listed speeds are for glass and tile—not softwood.)
bit
750
N
N
N
N
N
"
1
/
8
Wear safety goggles. Use drill press
600
R
R
R
R
R
"
3
/
16
only. Do not apply excessive pressure.
500
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
"
1
/
4
Lubricate with water while drilling.
400
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
"
5
/
16
Reduce quill pressure when bit tip
350
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
"
3
/
8
emerges from back side.
200
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
"
1
/
2
Hole saws*
Do not use with brass or aluminum
1" - 1
1
"
500
350
NR
250
250
NR
/
2
thicker than
".
1
/
16
1
" -
"
500
250
NR
150
250
NR
5
/
2
8
Avoid dense hardwoods such as hard
" -
"
250-500
NR
NR
150
250
NR
2
1
/
2
1
/
8
2
maple.
Multi spur bits*
Spade bit
Smaller sizes also available; use Forstner
" -
"
250
250
NR
NR
NR
NR
2
1
4
/
Spade bit
8
speeds.
with spurs
Spade bits*
2000
1500
NR
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
1
/
1
/
4
2
Clamp work to table to improve quality
1750
1500
NR
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
5
/
1
8
of hole.
1500
1000
NR
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
1
1
1
1
/
/
8
2
Spade bits with spurs
Stanley
Powerbore bit
Best bit for acrylic.
2000
1800
500
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
3
/
1
8
Clamp work securely.
Stanley Powerbore bits*
1800
500
NR
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
3
/
1
/
8
2
Ideal for deep holes and end-grain drilling.
1800
750
NR
NR
NR
NR
" -
"
3
/
1
4
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