Pillar Drill Speed Chart

Drill speed is a crucial factor that affects the quality of a hole and in preserving the life of your drill bits. Different drill bits require different speeds to achieve the best results. If the speed is too slow, the drill bit will struggle to penetrate the material, and can lead to poor quality holes. On the other hand, too high a speed can cause the drill bit to overheat and lose its sharpness, leading to a poor finish or even breakage. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust the drill speed according to the size and material of the drill bit to ensure maximum performance, efficiency, and safety.

This chart shows recommended operating speeds (in RPM) for many different drill bits.

Bit Size	Softwood	Hardwood	Acrylic	Brass	Aluminium	Steel

Twist Drill Bit
Ø 1mm – 5mm	3000	3000	2500	3000	3000	3000
Ø 6mm – 10mm	3000	1500	2000	1200	2500	1000
Ø 11mm – 15mm	1500	750	1500	750	1500	600
Ø 16mm – 25mm	750	500	na	400	1000	350

Brad Point Drill Bit
Ø 3mm – 9mm	1800	1000	1500	na
Ø 10mm – 15mm	1800	750	1500	na
Ø 16mm – 20mm	1400	250	750	na
Ø 21mm – 25mm	1200	250	250	na

Forstner Bit
Ø 6mm – 10mm	2400	700	na
Ø 11mm – 17mm	2400	500	250	na
Ø 18mm – 25mm	1500	500	250	na
Ø 26mm – 32mm	1000	250	250	na
Ø 33mm – 50mm	500	250	na

Holesaw
Ø 16mm – 50mm	1000-500	350	1000	350	500	250
Ø 51mm – 100mm	500-250	250	500	200	250	150
Ø 101mm+	250	na	500	100	100	50

Spade Bit
Ø 6mm – 13mm	2000	1500	na
Ø 14mm – 25mm	1750	1500	na
Ø 26mm – 38mm	1500	1000	na

Countersink
All Sizes	1000	750	750	250	250	250

Plug Cutters
All Sizes	1000	500	na

Drill Speeds for Acrylic, Brass, Aluminium and Steel NOT visible on mobile devices.

Bit Size	Softwood	Hardwood

Twist Drill Bit
Ø 1mm – 5mm	3000	3000
Ø 6mm – 10mm	3000	1500
Ø 11mm – 15mm	1500	750
Ø 16mm – 25mm	750	500

Brad Point Drill Bit
Ø 3mm – 9mm	1800	1000
Ø 10mm – 15mm	1800	750
Ø 16mm – 20mm	1400	250
Ø 21mm – 25mm	1200	250

Forstner Bit
Ø 6mm – 10mm	2400	700
Ø 11mm – 17mm	2400	500
Ø 18mm – 25mm	1500	500
Ø 26mm – 32mm	1000	250
Ø 33mm – 50mm	500	250

Holesaw
Ø 16mm – 50mm	1000-500	350
Ø 51mm – 100mm	500-250	250
Ø 101mm+	250	na

Spade Bit
Ø 6mm – 13mm	2000	1500
Ø 14mm – 25mm	1750	1500
Ø 26mm – 38mm	1500	1000

Countersink
All Sizes	1000	750

Plug Cutters
All Sizes	1000	500

NA = Not a recommended drill bit for material
Recommendations are based on visual and tactile tests under workshop conditions.
Drilling faster than recommended can cause overheating.
Speeds slower than recommended may cause poor quality holes.
All wood testing done on face grain. Reduce speeds when drilling end grain.
Speeds based on new bits from the factory.