The Best Self Centering Drill Bits for Woodworking (2024)

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IN THIS GUIDE:

› BEST 5-BIT SET: SNAPPY TOOLS

› BEST VALUE: BOSCH CLIC-CHANGE

› BUDGET PICK: BRAD POINT BIT SET

› FORSTNER BITS: IRWIN BIT SET

A self-centering drill bit will prevent wood grain from changing the course of your drill bit and damaging the wood. Installing hinges and wondering what the best brand is? Not sure if you need one bit or a self-centering bit set? This article will review what makes these bits unique, the best self-centering drill bits, and how to use them.

After days of careful making, I’ve experienced the frustration of damaging a project when the hinge holes were drilled out of alignment.

With this piece, it happened to be a full-size oak interior door that I didn’t grab a Vix bit for. And it resulted in a hinge hole that wasn’t perfectly aligned. Fortunately, I had four other holes to fix the alignment, but not using a self-centering bit was almost costly.

In this article, we’ll cover the following:

Types of self-centering drill bits
Classic vix bits for hinges
Brad-point bits with centering pilot tips
Tips on how to use a self-centering bit
Manufacturers (yes, brand matters)
And a guide to the best self-centering drill bits

But before we begin, a word of caution: Don’t buy generics when buying self-centering drill bits with the classic Vix-bit-like sleeves. Stick to the name brands in this article to avoid issues with springs and chip-clearing ports.

Page Contents

What is a Self Centering Drill Bit?

Let’s start with understanding the differences between a self-centering drill bit and standard bits:

First, a self-centering drill bit is encased in a metal sheath with a spring-actuated design that conceals the bit.
Then, when the drill bit is placed on a hinge, door strike plate, or other metal piece with a hole, the tip of the self-centering bit will recess into the metal and naturally self-center.
Last, once the bit is in place, the hole is drilled as usual, with the user ensuring enough pressure is maintained to keep the drill bit and guide in place.

Who Makes Them: Manufacturers

You’ll find dozens of options if you’ve spent time looking for these bits.

So who’s been around a long time and is an industry name? Well, you’ll want to start with:

So does brand matter?

With this type of bit, it does – primarily because of the springs and the need for future drill bit replacement.

Also, you’ll want to remember drill bits don’t last forever, and a self-centering bit is unique in that:

The drill bits can be custom-sized (length)
You’ll want a design with a replaceable bit (not all are)
Quality of the drill bit is key, and brand names don’t skip quality for rock-bottom prices
More isn’t better. most hinge holes are #6, #8, or #10.

And not to mention, brands like those mentioned above all have other excellent woodworking tools.

Lastly, a Vix bit is the same as a self-centering drill bit.

Alternatives to a Self Centering Drill Bit

If you’re not drilling hinge holes, you might still look for a self-centering bit set with different needs.

As an alternative to the classic sleeve design, you can consider the following:

Brad-point bits
Spade drill bits
Forstner flat-bottom drill bits
Hole punch and standard drill bits

However, you don’t want to skimp when it comes to hinges, as the slightest misalignment will often create unrepairable damage.

Best Self Centering Drill Bits

While you might not spend a lot of time reviewing a self-centering drill bit, for this article I’ve combined years of use and hours of research to provide this list of the best self centering drill bits:

1. Best Self Centering Drill Bits: Snappy Tools 40050

See on Amazon: Snappy Tools 40050

Overview

While most drill bits aren’t too exciting to review and compare (let’s be honest), there are a few things about self-centering drill bits that make them different:

Shank design – requires a hex design for maximum power
Quick change – if you only have one cordless driver
Adjustable depth – for thinner material to avoid drilling thru your stock
Size of chip escape port – to ensure adequate dust removal to not burn the drill bit

Review

First, Snappy Tools bits check the box on all core requirements. Plus, as a set, they offer all the sizes you’ll likely need.

Other brands offer some of the same capabilities but not all in one package. With solid-quality springs, a chip-clearing design, and five bits to match almost any hardware project, this will keep you drilling centered holes for years.

Pros

Five bits for any size hole or hardware
Top quality springs
Chip-clearing design

Cons

Price

2. Bosch CC2430 Clic-Change Self-Centering Bit Set

See on Amazon: Bosch Clic-Change

Overview

When paired with the (optional) Bosch clic-change chuck you’ll find these bits will drop out of your drill with one hand, and then simply insert the driver bit for fast installation of:

Drawer slides
Cabinet hinges
Door hinges
Coat hooks

Review

Price – with these bits being the most affordable of the top three manufacturers
Clic-change – makes the bits easy to swap for driver bits for garages with only one cordless drill.
Brand – Bosch is a name brand in woodworking power tools and these self-centering drill bits.

Pros

Three bits for any size hole or hardware
Top quality springs
Chip-clearing design

Cons

Doesn’t include larger bits vs. 5-piece sets

3. Original self-centering drill bit set: S. E. Vic

See on Amazon: S.E. Vick Original

Overview

As you can see, this self-centering bit set is very similar to the Bosch set but with two critical changes.

First, this set offers an adjustable depth control perfect for thinner material. By adjusting a set screw, you can avoid drilling thru your workpiece – and be confident you’ve reached a proper screw depth.

But second, if the power of grip is a concern, you’ll find the drive shaft is smooth. And that requires a higher-quality chuck to grab onto these bits.

Review

Key features:

Depth control – versus the Bosch, you can adjust depth for your projects with the S.E. Vick set.
Brand – S.E. Vick is an old and trusted brand in drill bits.

Pros

Three bits for any size hole or hardware
Top quality springs
Chip-clearing design
Hex depth adjustment

Cons

Doesn’t include larger bits vs. 5-piece sets

4. Brad Point Drill Bit Set

See on Amazon: Steelex Brad Point Drill Set

Overview

While not as fast or arguably as precise, a Brad point bit is a trusted way to self-center holes. The cons of this bit set, though, are course grained woods like oak can still throw your bit off-center if a hole punch isn’t used.

Pros

Precise size options for a wide variety of screws
Easy to use
Inexpensive for a large, quality set

Cons

Slower to use than a traditional self centering drill bit
Point can wander in grain and crease mis-alignment

How to Use a Self Centering Drill Bit

As you’d expect, these types of drill bits are pretty straightforward.

And they are a must for concealed hinges or drawer slide installation to place holes correctly. Not to mention door hinges.

But there are a few things to keep in mind to use them correctly to avoid damage to both the bit and your workpiece:

Speed & pressure: make sure you use a proper speed and drill pressure for the wood you’re using.
In & out: for deeper holes in harder woods, drill 1/4″, pull back, blow chips, and repeat.
Depth control: for thinner wood, you’ll want to use depth control for precise holes.
Clean bits: lastly, for sappy woods like pine, you may need to clean the bits with a bit cleaner to remove sap that interferes with the barrel operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a vix bit the same as a self centering drill bit?

Yes – a Vix bit and a self-centering drill bit are the same.

How do you center a drill bit?

You’ll need to use either a self-centering drill bit or a hole punch and brad point bit to center a drill bit. For hinges, it’s best to use a self-centering vix bit; in open spaces, a punch and brad point is usually best.

What is the best self centering drill bit?

The best self-centering drill bit combines three things. First, it has a high-quality spring that will last for years of use. Second, it will have an adjustable depth control. And lastly, the best self-centering bits have large chip-clearing ports to ensure dust is removed during drilling.

Summary

Are you looking to learn more about self-centering bits? See our guide to Vix bits for alternatives.

About the Author
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Eric Trion( Woodworker )

Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.