Definition

Noun: A type of drill bit characterized by a flat, spade-like blade with a sharp central point and two cutting edges on either side. It is designed for boring large, clean holes in wood.

Usage

A spade bit is used primarily in woodworking and carpentry with power drills to quickly create holes, often for plumbing, electrical, or general construction purposes. It is not typically used for precision drilling or in metal.

Examples

• Noun:
  • For installing the door lock, I used a 1-inch spade bit to bore the main hole.
  • The carpenter selected a spade bit from his toolbox to make a hole for the cable.
  • Spade bits are efficient for rough drilling but can cause splintering on the exit side of the wood.

Advanced Usage

• "to use a spade bit": To employ this specific tool for drilling.
  • You should use a spade bit when you need a large hole quickly.
• "spade bit hole": A hole made by this tool.
  • The spade bit hole was clean on the entry side but required sanding on the back.

Variants and Related Words

• Paddle bit: Another common name for a spade bit.
• Flat wood bit: A descriptive term for the same tool.
• Brad-point bit: A different type of wood drill bit with a sharper, centered point for more precision, often contrasted with a spade bit.
• Forstner bit: A bit designed for drilling flat-bottomed holes in wood, offering more precision and a cleaner cut than a spade bit.

Synonyms

• Flat bit
• Paddle bit

Related Phrases

• Drill bit: The general category of tools to which a spade bit belongs.
• Bore a hole: The action commonly performed with a spade bit.

Noun

1. a thin bit with a center point and cutting edges on either side