The correct drilling speed is fundamentally important when drilling in all materials.
However, it is more noticeable with some materials than with others.
If you move too quickly when working with metal, the drill head can burn up.
If you drill into concrete at too low a speed, you won’t be able to get a hole together.
After stumbling upon this for many years, I finally got the correct speed for drilling wood, metal, and other materials.
Keep reading while I explain the required speed for both metal and wood in a chat.
Click here also to read how to drill wood without splintering.
Why Is Drilling Speed Important When Drilling In Wood?
These problems aren’t as dramatic with wood, so it’s relatively easy to get away with using the wrong speed.
However, too much speed sometimes causes the wood to “burn.” It then smells charred and can turn slightly black at the drilling point.
Drilling with so much speed in wood can make your hole bend as a result of not being able to control it at a straight angle because of the high pressure.
Hardwood may require high speed when drilling because of its hardness but always remember that drilling from the first point requires low speed so you won’t miss the point.
I have seen workshop accidents happen in a furniture workshop because of the wrong force applied when drilling wood, and this has caused injury to many apprentices or artisans.
Speed is important when drilling wood for safety purposes and to get a clean finish. For example, drilling through wood at high speed can cause the wood to splinter.
Is your wood splintering or cracking when drilling? Click here now to read how to drill wood without splintering.
What Is The Correct Drilling Speed For Wood? Wood Drill Speed Table
In general, it is very easy to remember. I will give you a simple formula that will help you remember:
The correct drilling speed for wood is:
- Small drill diameter = higher speed
- large drill diameter = lower speed
- The softer the wood, the higher the speed.
In addition, the softness of the wood can also make a difference. The softer it is, the higher the speed can be.
Table To Show The Correct Drilling Speed For Wood
| DRILL SIZE | SPEED IN RPM | DRILL SIZE | SPEED IN RPM |
| Ø mm | rpm | Ø mm | rpm |
| 2mm | 3500 | 11mm | 800 |
| 3mm | 3000 | 12mm | 650 |
| 4mm | 2600 | 13mm | 520 |
| 5mm | 2250 | 14mm | 420 |
| 6mm | 1950 | 15mm | 360 |
| 7mm | 1650 | 16mm | 310 |
| 8mm | 1400 | 18mm | 280 |
| 9mm | 1180 | 20mm | 265 |
| 10mm | 980 | 25mm | 250 |
Note: I put together the above table about different speeds of wood through research on the internet and consulting with Expanse.
For example, if you want to know which speed is recommended for a 10 mm drill for softwood, read 980 revolutions per minute on my table.
When using a countersink bit, you should use a speed equivalent to that of a 20-mm drill.
In my experience, you can drill into very soft types of wood around 400 to 500 revolutions per minute faster than stated in the table.
Speed For Drilling Wood FAQ
Here are a few more questions in connection with the wood drill speed.
The questions I will answer here are based on the questions my students always ask me during coaching in the workshop.
Do I Have To Cool the Wood When Drilling?
No, it is not recommended to cool wood when drilling because wood does not get Hot.
Wood absorbs moisture. I’ve never tried it, but it’s really not necessary.
Already, wood is not a good conductor of heat energy, so heat does not pass through it.
Applying water to your wood when drilling will make the wood too wet and rough for your work.
Remember, you are going to sand and vanquish your wood. Moisture is not a good friend for spraying and sanding wood.
What Should I Do To Avoid Tearing Out The Bottom?
It is best to place another piece of wood under the piece of wood To prevent tearing on the underside,
Note that the wood you should place under should be a wood you no longer need because the wood must scratch and have holes when drilling.
The piece of wood allows you to continue drilling in the same material and prevents tearing out on the underside.
Don’t you know I have covered this in my previous article? Click here now to learn how to drill wood without tearing under.
Which Drill Bit Can You Use To Drill Into Wood?
There are also all sorts of special models of wood drills, such as the
- Forstner bit
- the auger bit
- Twist Bit
- countersink bit
- hole saws
- Router bits
- Brad-Point Bit
- Snake Drill Bit
- Speed Drill or Spade Brill
- Etc.
As mentioned at the beginning, this works with a wood drill with a center point or an HSS twist drill suitable for metals. Both are quite possible.
To learn more about drilling bits, click here to read my buying guide on drill bits and the types of drilling bits available.
Why Is Drilling Speed Important When Drilling Metal?
Speed is very important when drilling metal because applying the wrong pressure can get your drill bit broken.
When drilling metal, there are many aspects to consider. The correct speed and the drill chuck are two of them.
Click here to read about the different types of drill chucks.
Other options would follow, such as using the correct drilling machine and bit.
To learn more about drilling machines. Click here to read more on the types of drills and my buying guide.
You should not drill into metals at too high a speed. Two important rules are easy to remember:
- A larger drill diameter means a lower speed.
- Harder metals = lower speed
What Is The Correct Speed To Drill Metal In The Chart
Anyone who has ever drilled through metal will know that this is a very strenuous activity and that the wear on the drill bit head is quite high for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers.
In this section, I will briefly discuss the correct speed and provide a metal drill speed table.
I have shown a speed table here that differentiates between the individual materials and the diameter of the drill.
Metal Drill Speed Table
| DRILL SIZE | STAINLESS STEEL | STEEL | BRASS | ALU | DRILL |
| Ø mm | rpm | rpm | rpm | rpm | Ø mm |
| 2mm | 2000 | 2600 | 4000 | 5000 | 2mm |
| 3mm | 1650 | 2200 | 3500 | 4500 | 3mm |
| 4mm | 1250 | 1800s | 3100 | 4000 | 4mm |
| 5mm | 1000 | 1500 | 2750 | 3500 | 5mm |
| 6mm | 800 | 1250 | 2400 | 3050 | 6mm |
| 7mm | 660 | 1060 | 2100 | 2650 | 7mm |
| 8mm | 560 | 900 | 1800s | 2330 | 8mm |
| 9mm | 490 | 770 | 1540 | 2000 | 9mm |
| 10mm | 430 | 660 | 1300 | 1730 | 10mm |
| 11mm | 375 | 580 | 1080 | 1250 | 11mm |
| 12mm | 330 | 510 | 860 | 1250 | 12mm |
| 13mm | 300 | 450 | 700 | 1050 | 13mm |
| 14mm | 270 | 400 | 550 | 870 | 14mm |
| 15mm | 250 | 350 | 450 | 730 | 15mm |
| 16mm | 220 | 310 | 380 | 610 | 16mm |
| 18mm | 200 | 270 | 330 | 510 | 18mm |
| 20mm | 185 | 250 | 300 | 420 | 20mm |
| 25mm | 170 | 240 | 280 | 350 | 25mm |
| 30mm | 160 | 230 | 260 | 280 | 30mm |
For example, if you want to know what speed is recommended for an 8-mm drill for commercial steel, read 900 revolutions per minute in the table.
If you use a countersink bit, you should use a speed that corresponds to that of a 15-mm drill for the material (for example, for brass, this is 450 revolutions per minute).
Note: I put together the above table about different speeds of wood through research on the internet and consulting with Expanse.
How Do I Know If I Am Drilling Metal At The Correct Speed?
One of the factors in recognising the correct speed when drilling metal is the fact that:
- Long, beautiful chips are produced. If the chips turn black, know that your bit is blunt. 👉 Click here to learn how to identify a blunt drill bit and how to sharpen it.
- The holes are straight and clean.
- There is no smoke produced, and the drill temperature is not too high.
Therefore, pay attention to the pressure when drilling metals. If the drill gets hot, it can break very easily, especially smaller diameters, which are also often used for metals.
Please note: If smoke comes out of the drilling point or the drill tip turns bluish, it is unfortunately too late.
If your drill bit gets bad, you should replace it. Click here to learn how to choose a drill bit.
Conclusion
Knowing the correct drilling speed for metal and wood will help you a lot in your drilling job.
Working with wood drills is one of the most important things you need to learn, even if you are making a planter box.
Click here to learn how to make a beautiful wooden hanging planter.
