As part of my ultimate goal to reduce workshop clutter, I have now turned my attention to my drill bit drawer.
I have self-centering bits, brad-point bits, jobber-length twist drill bits, mechanics-length bits, Forstner bits, spade bits, self-feeding bits, and auger bits.
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There is a lot of overlap, and while I’m not throwing anything away I need to pick and choose which drill bits stay in the workshop and which are given away or sent to offsite storage.
These Irwin Speedbor Max drill bits are not quite spade bits, nor are they true auger bits. I suppose you could consider them hybrid self-feeding auger spade bits.
Pros: 3-spur fluted design for quick chip removal, self-feeding screw tip, 1/4″ hex shank, less drilling pressure and effort needed.
Cons: 1/4″ hex shank, somewhat short flute lengths reduce performance in deep holes.
Irwin Speedbor Max drill bits bore quick clean holes in wood. I wish their shanks were thicker, but I don’t have any reason to believe they need to be thicker. The 1/4″ shanks mean they fit common 1/4″ hex chucks, but I typically use these bits with cordless drills equipped with keyless 3-jaw chucks.
Speedbor Max drill bits are pricier than regular flat spade bits, but they’re still very affordable. They perform decently, but the screw tip and triple flute spur design make these bits better suited for more powerful drills. On the other hand, less effort is needed on the user’s part.
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Sizes range from 7/16″ to 1-1/2″. The two largest bits have 3/8″ shanks. You can buy these bits individually or as part of 3pc, 6pc, and 10pc sets.
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Transparency: I have purchased Speedbor Max drill bits and sets in the past, and would purchase them again. Irwin has also provided a set or two of these bits as well. I have lost track as to whether the bits on-hand now were purchased or supplied by Irwin.
John S
Any chance you have the bosch daredevil spades to compare to these? I have always wondered how they compared… I have been quite impressed with the bosch spade bits but they don’t leave the cleanest holes…. You can drill from both sides to help that some, but boy they are FAST.
Stuart
I use Bosch Daredevils on occasion as well. I purchased a set a while back and at the moment I have no clue where they are.
The Daredevils are decent, and I tend to use them (when I can find them) for holes in softer wood.
The last time I saw my Daredevil bits, I tried to bore a hole in a bamboo workbench. The bit kept grabbing and I felt like I was losing control. I pulled out a Speedbor Max and had a somewhat easier time drilling through. In that case, 3 cutting spurs worked a lot better than 2.
Compared to regular flat spade bits, the Bosch Daredevil are a bit easier to use and only cost a little bit more.
PJ
Are you using them on an impact or regular drill (question for both of you)?
Stuart
I use them with non-impact rotary drills.
John S
I typically use them on an impact…
mnoswad1
I only use spade bits on an impact now.
Justin
I actually went out and bought a 10pc Bosch Daredevil set because these Irwin speedbores peev me off, and if I need to make deep holes with more reach, the auger bits get used.
Robert
These bits do have the same issue as the daredevil bits where they leave a pretty ragged hole on the other side. The issue is when the pilot screw clears the material there is nothing to pull it through the rest of the way and you have to give it a good shove to get the last 1/8″ which can chip-out. I use them to bore holes in joists for wire runs so that doesn’t really matter and they are blazing fast even with 12v cordless tools.
Jason
when they stop self feeding, the feed screw will likely have penetrated the far side. I then just come in from the back when possible and end up with a clean cut on both sides. YMMV.
Michael Quinlan
I appreciate the 1/4″ hex shank, especially since I started carrying my Milwaukee M12 Fuel screwdriver in my tool bag in place of my DeWalt. Any time I can bring fewer tools into a job, it’s a good thing, and the Milwaukee screwdriver had about 90% of the torque that the drill has.
andron frolov
we had too much issues with bent bits and so switched over to lennox bits (similar 3 flute design but all with 3/8 shanks)
Mike
I use these as well when hole quality isn’t a concern. I like them. I always use them in impacts now. If you aren’t carefully with a normal drill they will rip your arm off! Yes this will happen with any drill bit, but these seem to snap your arm around faster then you can sense problems.
Hilton
I bought the 3 bit set (subsequently no longer available on Amazon), chucked the 3/4″ bit in my 18v Makita Drill and promptly managed to bend the 1/4″ shaft.
I haven’t had the guts to try the others.
Kirby
I was disappointed when I got home and opened my set of Irwin Speedbor’s. The cutting edges are full of burrs from the poor factory grinding. I am not even going to try them. Plan to get a refund. I’m sure that they will just make a lot of raggedy holes, and quickly get even duller than they are now. I have sent emails to Irwin to let them know what I think of their Chinese sweatshop made drills. I’m glad the Trump plans to tear up the Asian Pacific trade deal. We need to keep this kind of junk from landing on our shores. We need put up the tariffs on this slave made stuff and put skilled Americans back to work making quality goods that the country once thrived on.