Brad Point & Dowel Drill Bits for CNC Woodworking

Precision Brad Point Drill Bits for Blind-Hole Drilling

Brad point drill bits, also known as dowel drill bits or blind-hole boring bits, are designed to produce accurately positioned holes in solid wood and engineered wood panels.

Their specialized cutting geometry features a center point for accurate positioning and outside cutting spurs that score the hole perimeter before the main cutting edges remove material. This helps produce clean hole edges with minimal chipping in MDF, particleboard, plywood, and laminated panels.

GDP Tooling offers carbide-tipped and solid carbide brad point bits for CNC drilling units, point-to-point boring machines, and industrial woodworking applications.

Series 6024 Carbide-Tipped Dowel Drill Bits

Our Series 6024 carbide-tipped brad point bits are designed for precision blind-hole drilling in cabinet manufacturing, furniture production, closet systems, and panel processing.

These drills feature a 10 mm shank with a flat for set-screw retention and a height adjustment screw for accurate positioning in compatible drilling units.

Available in both right-hand and left-hand rotation, Series 6024 drills provide a versatile solution for multi-spindle boring machines and CNC drilling applications.

57 mm, 70 mm & 77 mm Brad Point Drill Bits

GDP Tooling offers carbide-tipped dowel drill bits in three overall lengths to accommodate different machine configurations and drilling requirements.

57 mm Overall Length

A common configuration for industrial boring machines and CNC drilling units, suitable for standard blind-hole drilling and dowel insertion applications.

70 mm Overall Length

Provides additional overall tool length for applications requiring a different mounting arrangement or drilling reach.

77 mm Overall Length

Offers an extended overall length for compatible drilling units and applications requiring additional tool projection.

Overall length should not be confused with usable drilling depth. The available flute length, machine setup, and required shank engagement must also be considered.

Solid Carbide Brad Point Drill Bits

For more demanding production requirements, GDP Tooling also supplies Series 6024SC solid carbide brad point drill bits.

Solid carbide construction provides excellent wear resistance and can be advantageous in high-volume drilling operations, particularly when machining abrasive engineered wood materials.

These drills are designed for precision blind-hole applications where dimensional consistency, cutting-edge durability, and reliable hole quality are important.

The appropriate choice between carbide-tipped and solid carbide drills depends on the workpiece material, production volume, cutting conditions, and tooling economics.

Applications for CNC Dowel & Blind-Hole Drill Bits

Brad point drill bits are widely used for:

• Dowel holes in cabinet and furniture components
• Shelf pin holes in cabinet and closet systems
• Blind holes for furniture connectors and hardware
• Precision drilling in MDF and particleboard
• Hole boring in melamine-faced and laminated panels
• Repetitive drilling operations on CNC and multi-spindle boring machines

The brad point geometry is particularly well suited to applications where the hole must stop before reaching the opposite face of the panel.

For holes that must pass completely through the workpiece, V-point drill bits are generally the more appropriate choice.

Right-Hand vs. Left-Hand Rotation

Industrial CNC drilling units and multi-spindle boring machines frequently use both right-hand and left-hand rotation drills.

Selecting the correct rotation direction is essential for proper cutting action and reliable machining performance.

Before ordering replacement dowel drills, verify the rotation direction, cutting diameter, overall length, and shank configuration required by the machine.

Proper Mounting of 10 mm Shank Dowel Drills

Many industrial brad point bits feature a 10 mm cylindrical shank with a flat for set-screw retention.

This design is intended for compatible drill chucks and boring units that secure the tool using a set screw.

When using these drills in precision collet-type tool holders, direct clamping over the flat may result in uneven gripping and excessive runout.

A properly sized cylindrical-shank adapter can provide a more suitable interface between the drill bit and collet holder.

Accurate mounting helps minimize drill deflection, maintain hole quality, and reduce premature cutting tool wear.

Selecting the Correct Brad Point Drill Bit

When choosing a replacement dowel or blind-hole drill bit, consider:

• Cutting diameter and required hole tolerance
• Carbide-tipped or solid carbide construction
• Overall length and usable drilling depth
• Right-hand or left-hand rotation
• Shank diameter and mounting method
• Workpiece material and production requirements

GDP Tooling provides technical assistance in selecting precision brad point drill bits and compatible mounting solutions for industrial woodworking and CNC drilling applications.