The Difference: Drill bit and driver bit

Woodworking tools, terms and techniques can sometimes be confusing. Here, we help you make sense of the finer points of woodworking so you can make the right decision for your situation.

A drill bit is an accessory used with a hand drill, cordless drill/driver or drill press to create holes. Drill bits are designed for specific materials, including wood, plastic, metal and glass, and compos­ite materials like concrete. They come in a wide range of sizes (for specific hole diameters) and lengths. Drill bits are typi­cally made from high-speed steel (HSS), carbide, cobalt or titanium-coated met­als. Most can be resharpened using bench grinders or specialized drill bit sharpeners. Woodworkers frequently use several types of drill bits, such as twist bits, Forstner bits, brad point bits, tapered bits, spade bits and auger bits. Drill bits have a mix of cir­cular and hex shanks.

A driver bit, also called a screw bit, is used to fasten screws and sometimes nuts and bolts. Screws come in various head styles, including slotted (flathead), Phillips, Robertson (square), hex and Torx. Driver bits are designed to match these screw-head styles and are available in different lengths to suit various tasks. Made from hardened steel to withstand high torque, driver bits are often used with bit holders for better control and convenience. Driver bits generally have hex shanks.