The author tested eight brands of drill bits for the accuracy of their stated dimensions, the efficiency of their design, and their chip-clearing ability. The 3/8-in. bits were selected for the most rigorous tests, drilling 200 holes in hard maple and 875 in particleboard. The 3/16-in. bits were tested for clogging in pine; the 1/2-in. bits were tested on white oak. He found that the spade-shaped bits performed the worst, the W-shaped bits produced mixed results, and the spur-shaped bits were best overall.

The carbide-tipped bits from Highland Woodworking cut clean, accurate holes in plywood and maple and drilled almost 2 in. deep into the white oak. The design of these bits is slightly different from the others. While the tip of the 3/8-in. bit measures 0.375 in., the shank was reduced to 0.350 in. This design gives excellent chip removal but is unsuitable for a doweling jig. These bits scored an excellent on the entry-hole rating, a good/fair on the through-hole rating, and an excellent in chip clearing.

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