Drill Press Speed Chart
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1Drill Press Speed Chart
***Always wear safety glasses and clamp work at all times.***
Twist bit
Recommended operating speeds (RPM)
Accessory
Softwood
Hardwood
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
1/16
3/16
Bullet pilot
” -
”
3000
1500
2000
1200
2500
1000
1/8” or thicker.
1/4
3/8
-point bit
”-
”
1500
750
1500
750
1500
600
Use center punch on all holes to prevent drill
7/16
5/8
” - 1”
750
500
NR
400
1000
350
from wandering.
11/16
Bullet pilot-point bits
” -
”
3000
3000
3000
2000
1500
3000
Good all-around bit.
1/8
3/16
” -
”
3000
3000
2400
1500
1000
2000
These cut more quickly than brad points and
1/4
3/8
”
3000
1500
1600
1500
750
1200
twist drills.
1/2
Brad-point bit
Brad-point bits
”
1800
1200
1500
NR
NR
NR
1/8
”
1800
1000
1500
NR
NR
NR
1/4
”
1800
750
1500
NR
NR
NR
3/8
”
1800
750
1000
NR
NR
NR
Raise 1/4” and smaller bits often to clear
1/2
”
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
1”
1000
250
250
NR
NR
NR
Forstner bit
Forstner bits
” -
”
2400
700
NR
NR
NR
NR
1/4
3/8
Raise
”-
” bits often to clear shavings
1/4
3/8
” -
”
2400
500
250
NR
NR
NR
1/2
5/8
and prevent heat build-up.
” - 1”
1500
500
250
NR
NR
NR
3/4
Make several shallow passes with larger bits;
1
” - 1
”
1000
250
250
NR
NR
NR
1/8
1/4
allow bit to cool between passes.
1
” - 2”
500
250
NR
NR
NR
NR
3/8
Glass-and-tile bits (Listed speeds are for glass and tile– not softwood.)
Glass and
”
750
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
1/8
tile bit
”
600
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
Use drill press only. Do not apply excessive
3/16
”
500
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
pressure. Lubricate with water while drilling.
1/4
”
400
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
Reduce quill pressure when bit tip emerges
5/16
”
350
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
from back side.
3/8
”
200
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
1/2
Hole Saws
1” - 1
”
500
350
NR
250
250
NR
1/2
Do not use with brass or aluminum thicker
1
” - 2”
500
250
NR
150
250
NR
5/8
than
”
1/16
2
” - 2
”
250-500
NR
NR
150
250
NR
1/8
1/2
Hole saw
Multi spur bits
Smaller sizes also available; use Forstner
2
” - 4”
250
250
NR
NR
NR
NR
1/2
speeds.
Multi spur bit
Spade bits
” -
”
2000
1500
NR
NR
NR
NR
1/4
1/2
Clamp work to table to improve quality of
” - 1”
1750
1500
NR
NR
NR
NR
5/8
hole.
1
” - 1
”
1500
1000
NR
NR
NR
NR
1/8
1/2
Spade bits with spurs
Best bit for acrylic.
” - 1”
2000
1800
500
NR
NR
NR
3/8
Clamp work securely.
Powerbore bits
” -
”
1800
500
NR
NR
NR
NR
3/8
1/2
Ideal for deep holes and end-grain drilling.
” - 1”
1800
750
NR
NR
NR
NR
3/4
Circle cutters
1
” - 3”
500
250
250
NR
NR
NR
Drill one side, flip material over, place center
1/2
3
” - 6”
250
250
250
NR
NR
NR
bit in its hole, and resume cut.
1/4
Shear-cutting countersinks
Left: Spade bit
Right: Spade bit with
1000
1000
700
700-1000
700-1000
NR
spurs
1/4” - 3/8”
Cuts cleaner than traditional countersinks.
750
700
700
250-700
250-700
NR
Countersinks
Powerbore bit
2-flute
1400
1400
NR
NR
NR
NR
Raise and lower frequently for quicker cut-
5-flute
1000
750
750
250
250
250
ting.
Countersink screw pilot bits
All sizes
1500
1000
500
500
NR
NR
Clear twist drill often.
Taper drill bits with countersinks
All sizes
500
250
250
NR
NR
NR
Clear bit often to prevent heat build-up.
Plug cutters
All sizes
1000
500
NR
NR
NR
NR
Cut to full depth so bit chamfers plug.
NR—not recommended
NOTES
Circle cutter
Recommendations are based on visual and tactile tests under shop conditions. Drilling faster than recommended can cause over-
heating. Speeds slower than recommended may cause poor-quality holes.
All wood testing done on face grain. Reduce speed when drilling into end grain.
Speeds based on new bits from the factory.
Shear-cutting countersink
Countersink
Countersink screw pilot bit
Taper bit w/ countersink
Plug cutter
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