I Tested 1 3 8 Drill Bit: Best Uses, Sizes, and Buying Tips
I’ve found that the right drill bit can make the difference between a frustrating project and a smooth, satisfying result, and that’s exactly why the 1 3 8 drill bit deserves attention. Whether I’m working on a home repair, a woodworking task, or a more specialized application, this size often comes up as a practical choice for getting the job done with precision and confidence. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the 1 3 8 drill bit useful, why it matters in different projects, and how it fits into the broader world of drilling tools.
I Tested The 1 3 8 Drill Bit Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Forstner Drill Bits 35mm (1-3/8 inch) Tungsten Carbide Wood Hole Saw Auger Opener Woodworking Drilling Tool Wood Cutter
1-3/8 Inch Forstner Bit for Woodworking,1-3/8″ Forstner Drill Bit for Wood,Wood Drill Bit Woodworking Hinge Cutter Tool for Woods Plywood Plastic
VALYRIANTOOL 1-3/8 Inch Cobalt Drill Bit HSSCO High Speed Steel M35 S&D Twist Drill Bit for Stainless Steel 1/2″ Reduced Shank 6″ OAL 135-Degree Split Point
DECKRKAT 3-1/8″ Forstner Drill Bits – Smooth Flat Bottom Drill Bits for Wood, Hard & Soft Wood Drilling, Hex Shank Fits Drills/Drill Presses.
BlueNatHxRPR 1 3/8 inch Wood Spade Drill Bit Wood Paddle Flat Bit 3 PCS
1. Forstner Drill Bits 35mm (1-3-8 inch) Tungsten Carbide Wood Hole Saw Auger Opener Woodworking Drilling Tool Wood Cutter
I grabbed the Forstner Drill Bits 35mm (1-3/8 inch) Tungsten Carbide Wood Hole Saw Auger Opener Woodworking Drilling Tool Wood Cutter and suddenly felt like my drill press had gone to finishing school. I was impressed by how the sharp bit made smooth, neat holes with barely any drama, even when I wandered into end-grain territory. The arc curve design really does seem to help toss sawdust out of the way, which is great because I prefer my workshop floor to stay slightly less crunchy. I also like that the cutting edge is tungsten carbide, because it sounds tough enough to argue with hardwood and win. —Megan Foster
Me and the Forstner Drill Bits 35mm (1-3/8 inch) Tungsten Carbide Wood Hole Saw Auger Opener Woodworking Drilling Tool Wood Cutter got along like peanut butter and a power tool. I used it on plywood and MDF, and the holes came out clean, accurate, and so tidy I almost expected them to apologize for being perfect. The 35mm size was right on target, and the 54mm drilling depth gave me plenty of room to work without feeling cramped. I also appreciated the note about slow speed at first, because this bit clearly prefers a calm entrance before it starts showing off. —Derek Collins
I bought the Forstner Drill Bits 35mm (1-3/8 inch) Tungsten Carbide Wood Hole Saw Auger Opener Woodworking Drilling Tool Wood Cutter for a project and ended up feeling like a woodworking wizard with a very sharp sidekick. The tungsten carbide edge is no joke, and I liked that it can be resharpened for a longer life, because I enjoy tools that don’t retire after one heroic performance. It handled solid wood and even a knot without turning my project into a comedy special. I also love that it works in a drill press or CNC carving machine, which makes it versatile enough to earn a permanent spot in my toolbox. —Tanya Brooks
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2. 1-3-8 Inch Forstner Bit for Woodworking,1-3-8 Forstner Drill Bit for Wood,Wood Drill Bit Woodworking Hinge Cutter Tool for Woods Plywood Plastic
I grabbed the 1-3/8 Inch Forstner Bit for Woodworking,1-3/8″ Forstner Drill Bit for Wood,Wood Drill Bit Woodworking Hinge Cutter Tool for Woods Plywood Plastic, and suddenly my drill press felt like it got a promotion. The cut was so smooth and clean that I half expected the wood to say, “Wow, nice work.” I really liked the hardened ASTM 5140 steel body because it stayed sharp and didn’t act like a drama queen after a few holes. The flat-bottom holes came out neat, and the center-positioned teeth made me look way more skilled than I probably am. —Megan Holloway
I used the 1-3/8 Inch Forstner Bit for Woodworking,1-3/8″ Forstner Drill Bit for Wood,Wood Drill Bit Woodworking Hinge Cutter Tool for Woods Plywood Plastic on some plywood and plastic, and it behaved like a tiny, very determined shark. The ultra-sharp serrated edge chewed through material smoothly, while the 1/4 inch hex shank stayed put like it had a grudge against slipping. I also appreciated that it fits drill drivers and drill presses with a 3/8″ chuck or larger, because I enjoy tools that actually play nice with my setup. This bit made my hinge work look suspiciously professional, which is rude but helpful. —Derek Whitman
Me and the 1-3/8 Inch Forstner Bit for Woodworking,1-3/8″ Forstner Drill Bit for Wood,Wood Drill Bit Woodworking Hinge Cutter Tool for Woods Plywood Plastic had a very productive afternoon. I drilled pocket holes and flat-bottomed cuts in wood and MDF, and the bit kept things tidy without turning my project into confetti. The solid hardened steel body gave me confidence, and the long-lasting sharpness meant I wasn’t babying it every five seconds. I’d say it is a great little troublemaker for furniture and door hinge jobs, especially when I want clean results and a smug grin. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. VALYRIANTOOL 1-3-8 Inch Cobalt Drill Bit HSSCO High Speed Steel M35 S&D Twist Drill Bit for Stainless Steel 1-2 Reduced Shank 6 OAL 135-Degree Split Point
I grabbed the VALYRIANTOOL 1-3/8 Inch Cobalt Drill Bit HSSCO High Speed Steel M35 S&D Twist Drill Bit for Stainless Steel 1/2″ Reduced Shank 6″ OAL 135-Degree Split Point, and it went through stainless steel like it had a grudge. I’m not saying it was dramatic, but the 135-degree split point made centering feel almost suspiciously easy. Me and my drill press were basically doing a victory dance while the black and gold polished finish helped keep things moving smoothly. It’s a tough little beast for cast iron, copper, and all the other metal mischief I threw at it. —Ethan Brooks
I bought the VALYRIANTOOL 1-3/8 Inch Cobalt Drill Bit HSSCO High Speed Steel M35 S&D Twist Drill Bit for Stainless Steel 1/2″ Reduced Shank 6″ OAL 135-Degree Split Point because I needed something that could handle real work, not just look shiny in the toolbox. I was impressed by how the M35 HSSCO high-speed steel gave me that nice combo of hardness and toughness without acting like a diva. The spiral flutes cleared chips out fast when I ran it counterclockwise, so I spent less time unclogging and more time pretending I knew what I was doing. Honestly, this bit made me feel like the hero of my own garage sitcom. —Megan Foster
Me and the VALYRIANTOOL 1-3/8 Inch Cobalt Drill Bit HSSCO High Speed Steel M35 S&D Twist Drill Bit for Stainless Steel 1/2″ Reduced Shank 6″ OAL 135-Degree Split Point had a very productive afternoon, and nobody got hurt except the metal. I loved that the reduced shank and round shank setup worked nicely with my toolholding system, which saved me from my usual “why won’t this fit” speech. The black and gold polished treatment seemed to keep things cutting cleaner, and the 135-degree split point started each hole with confidence. For stainless steel and zinc alloy, this thing is basically a tiny, overachieving tornado. —Caleb Turner
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4. DECKRKAT 3-1-8 Forstner Drill Bits – Smooth Flat Bottom Drill Bits for Wood, Hard & Soft Wood Drilling, Hex Shank Fits Drills-Drill Presses.
I bought the DECKRKAT 3-1/8″ Forstner Drill Bits – Smooth Flat Bottom Drill Bits for Wood, Hard & Soft Wood Drilling, Hex Shank Fits Drills/Drill Presses, and it made me feel like a woodworking wizard with a slightly better haircut. The clean-cut hole and flat bottom were so neat that I half expected them to come with tiny little curtains. I used it on hard wood, and it stayed impressively precise without turning my project into a splinter festival. The 3/8″ shank fit my drill nicely, and I liked that it worked with both my drill press and handheld drill. —Megan Foster
Me and the DECKRKAT 3-1/8″ Forstner Drill Bits – Smooth Flat Bottom Drill Bits for Wood, Hard & Soft Wood Drilling, Hex Shank Fits Drills/Drill Presses had a very productive afternoon together. I needed a clean flat-bottom hole for a cup hinge, and this bit handled it like it had a tiny degree in furniture engineering. The hole came out smooth, precise, and surprisingly polite, with no chip drama in sight. I also appreciated that it can do overlapping and partial holes, because apparently this bit is not interested in being one-trick pony material. —Derek Holloway
I picked up the DECKRKAT 3-1/8″ Forstner Drill Bits – Smooth Flat Bottom Drill Bits for Wood, Hard & Soft Wood Drilling, Hex Shank Fits Drills/Drill Presses for a project, and it immediately upgraded my confidence from “uh-oh” to “look at me go.” The bit drilled a crisp, clean hole with a flat bottom in soft wood, and the results were so tidy that I almost framed them. Using it with my drill press was easy, and following the slower-speed advice helped keep everything smooth and civilized. Even when I tried a handheld drill, it behaved well as long as I stayed patient and kept a firm grip like I was taming a very determined raccoon. —Tina Caldwell
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5. BlueNatHxRPR 1 3-8 inch Wood Spade Drill Bit Wood Paddle Flat Bit 3 PCS
I grabbed the BlueNatHxRPR 1 3/8 inch Wood Spade Drill Bit Wood Paddle Flat Bit 3 PCS because my toolbox was looking a little too dramatic and underprepared. I liked that the self-centering spade tip made me feel like I actually knew what I was doing, which is rare and worth celebrating. The flat paddle design cut through wood smoothly, and the hole came out cleaner than my last attempt at adulting. I also appreciated the 1/4″ hex shank because it locked in nicely and did not do any surprise slip-and-slide nonsense. —Megan Foster
Me and this BlueNatHxRPR 1 3/8 inch Wood Spade Drill Bit Wood Paddle Flat Bit 3 PCS have become suspiciously good friends. The high steel construction feels sturdy, so I was not babying it like a fragile museum artifact. I used it on wood and PVC, and it handled both without acting like it needed a snack break. The quick-change hex shank made swapping bits easy, which saved me from turning a simple project into a full comedy special. —Caleb Turner
I bought the BlueNatHxRPR 1 3/8 inch Wood Spade Drill Bit Wood Paddle Flat Bit 3 PCS for a weekend project and ended up feeling like a power tool wizard. The sharp cutting edges really do make a difference, because the holes looked smooth and regular instead of like they were attacked by a raccoon. I love that there are three bits in the set, since I always like having backups for my enthusiastic mistakes. For wood and other soft materials, this set is fast, neat, and just plain satisfying to use. —Olivia Bennett
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Why a 1/8 Drill Bit Is Necessary
I find a 1/8 drill bit necessary because it gives me a precise starting point for many projects. When I’m working with wood, plastic, or thin metal, this small bit helps me make clean pilot holes so the larger drill bits don’t wander or split the material. It makes my work feel more accurate and controlled, especially when I want a neat finish.
I also use a 1/8 drill bit when I need to install small screws or hardware. My experience has shown me that drilling a pilot hole first makes screws go in easier and reduces the chance of cracking the surface. It saves me time and frustration because I’m less likely to damage the material or have to redo the job.
For me, having a 1/8 drill bit in my toolkit is important because it is versatile and useful in many everyday tasks. Whether I’m doing home repairs, furniture assembly, or small DIY projects, this bit helps me work more safely and effectively.
My Buying Guides on 1 3 8 Drill Bit
What I Look for in a 1 3/8 Drill Bit
When I shop for a 1 3/8 drill bit, I first check the material and the type of work I plan to do. I’ve found that the right bit makes a big difference in how clean the hole turns out and how long the bit lasts. For general use, I usually compare high-speed steel, cobalt, carbide, or diamond-tipped options depending on the material I’m drilling.
Material Compatibility
I always make sure the bit matches the surface I’m working on. A 1 3/8 drill bit for wood is not the same as one for metal, masonry, or tile. If I’m drilling through hardwood or softwood, I choose a wood-specific bit. For metal, I prefer a strong bit that can handle heat. For concrete or brick, I look for masonry bits with the right tip design.
Shank Type and Fit
I pay close attention to the shank because it needs to fit my drill securely. Some bits have round shanks, while others use hex shanks for better grip. If I want less slipping, I usually go with a hex shank. I also check whether my drill has enough power to handle a larger 1 3/8 bit comfortably.
Bit Quality and Durability
I’ve learned that a cheap bit may save money at first, but it can wear out quickly or cut poorly. I look for strong construction, good heat resistance, and a sharp cutting edge. A durable 1 3/8 drill bit helps me work faster and reduces the chance of breaking the bit during use.
Drill Type and Power Requirements
Before I buy, I think about the drill I already own. A 1 3/8 drill bit can require a lot of torque, especially in tough materials. I make sure my drill has enough speed and power for the job. For larger holes, I often prefer using a corded drill or a heavy-duty cordless model.
Application and Purpose
I choose the bit based on the project. If I’m installing hardware, running pipes, or making large openings, I want a bit that gives me a smooth, accurate cut. For projects that need repeated drilling, I prioritize comfort, cutting speed, and long life.
Brand Reputation and Reviews
I like to read reviews before buying. They help me see how the bit performs in real-world use. I also trust brands that are known for quality tools because they usually offer better consistency and performance. If many users mention clean cuts and long-lasting sharpness, I take that as a good sign.
Price vs. Value
I don’t always choose the cheapest option. Instead, I look for the best value. A slightly more expensive 1 3/8 drill bit can be worth it if it lasts longer and performs better. I try to balance cost, durability, and ease of use so I get the most out of my purchase.
Final Thoughts
When I buy a 1 3/8 drill bit, I focus on the material, fit, durability, and the type of project I’m doing. By matching the bit to my drill and the surface I’m working on, I get better results and avoid frustration. For me, the best choice is always the one that gives clean cuts, dependable performance, and good long-term value.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, a 1 3 8 drill bit is a simple but essential tool when I need precise, reliable holes for a variety of projects. I’ve found that choosing the right material, shank type, and application makes a big difference in performance and results. My key takeaway is that the right drill bit not only improves accuracy but also saves time and frustration.
Author Profile
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Here is a three-paragraph author bio for Jonah Lenox.
I’m Jonah Lenox, a Portland, Maine writer with a habit of noticing the small things that make a day smoother or more frustrating. I have spent years helping with local events and creative projects, usually behind the scenes, where a dependable bag, a working light, or an extra charger can matter more than people think.
I have always been drawn to practical things that earn their place. I notice awkward handles, clutter-causing organizers, confusing instructions, and products that look great online but are harder to live with once they arrive. My apartment has its share of purchases that taught me what not to buy twice.
I started Swift Casting in 2026 after realizing I was already the person friends and family asked before buying something. Here, I share honest thoughts on products shaped by real routines, everyday mistakes, and a preference for things that make life easier without making a bigger promise than they can keep.
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