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Spade Bits

Spade Bits

Spade Bits

Spade Bits (also known as Paddle Bit, Flat Boring Bit or TurboBORE Bit) are flat-bottomed timber boring bits with a self-feeding screw-tip pilot, cutting timber holes much faster than a twist drill at the same diameter. BNA stocks 27+ of these ex stock from our Brisbane warehouse, covering the full range of diameters, lengths and shank styles that engineers, tradies, manufacturers and DIY users need for everyday drilling tasks. Same-day dispatch on online orders placed before 1pm.

Also known as: Paddle Bit, Flat Boring Bit, TurboBORE Bit.

Drill Bit Construction & Materials

Alpha TurboBORE Hardened Steel Through-hardened high-carbon steel optimised for timber cutting. The flat blade is ground to a sharp cutting edge with side spurs that score the rim before the main blade lifts the chip.

Screw-Tip Pilot The centre tip is a self-feeding wood screw with aggressive thread pitch. The screw pulls the bit through the timber once it engages, so the operator doesn't need to lean on the drill.

Spurred Cutting Edges Two side spurs cut a clean ring at the rim of the hole before the flat blade removes the bulk. This gives cleaner side walls than a standard twist drill in timber, especially across the grain.

Drive & Use

Position the screw tip on the timber, run forward at moderate speed, let the screw self-feed. No operator pressure required after the screw engages.

Spade bits work in any drill — cordless, corded, impact driver. They don't need the high torque a hole-saw needs. Cordless 18V handles even the larger sizes in softwood.

Avoid back-face splinter: drill until the screw-tip just pokes through, then flip the work and finish from the other side. Or clamp a sacrificial backing board behind. The spurred edges help but cannot prevent exit splinter entirely.

Spade bits will dull or chip immediately on metal. Use a stud finder before drilling into framing, especially in older walls where nail plates or electrical staples might be hidden. If a bit hits steel mid-cut, withdraw and finish with a metal-rated twist drill.

Sharpening: the two flat cutting edges can be touched up with a file or whetstone. Keep the side-spurs sharp — they score the rim of the hole. Equalise both sides to keep the bit cutting straight.

Sizing & Measurements

Diameter range 8mm to 25mm+ in standard step intervals. Common sizes (10mm, 13mm, 16mm, 19mm, 22mm, 25mm) stocked deepest. Larger 32mm-38mm bits for plumbing rough-ins.

Length range 150mm overall standard length. Extension bars stocked separately for deeper work, using the same hex shank format.

Shank 1/4-inch hex shank — quick-change compatible with impact drivers and holders. Some sizes available with 7/16-inch hex (the heavy-duty timber-boring standard).

For cable and conduit chases, match diameter to the OD of the cable bundle plus 3mm-5mm. 19mm conduit needs at least a 25mm chase hole.

For dowel holes, match diameter exactly to the dowel — spade bits drill on-size. For glue-up clearance, drill 0.5mm-1mm oversize.

Extension bars: BNA stocks Thundermax Quick Release Driver Bit Holders and standard extensions. Match the extension's hex size to the bit shank. For deep holes, drill in stages: 100mm-150mm at a time, withdraw to clear chips, advance again.

WHY AUSTRALIA TRUSTS BOLT & NUT

With 15+ years selling fasteners and drilling tools online from Brisbane, we hold over 25,000 stock lines and 200 million pieces. 98.75% of online orders placed before 1pm leave same day. Save more as you buy more — we offer up to 13 price breaks plus 3 spend-tier discounts. Read our customer reviews or get in touch if you need help picking the right drill bit, holesaw or set for the job.

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