MAXTEC flat wood drill bits with 1/4" hex shank, covering 6mm to 40mm in diameter for drilling through softwood, hardwood, chipboard, MDF, and plasterboard.
- Hex shank: 1/4" hex fits all cordless drills, combi drills, and impact drivers without adapters
- Wide size range: 6mm to 40mm across 20 individual sizes for light to large diameter wood boring
- Total length: 152mm per bit
- Working length: 50mm
- Material compatibility: softwood, hardwood, chipboard, MDF, plasterboard, and composites
- Shank: quick-change 1/4" hex for fast bit swaps on site
MAXTEC Flat Wood Drill Bit - Hex Shank - 6mm to 40mm Range
MAXTEC flat wood drill bits with 1/4" hex shank, covering 6mm to 40mm in diameter for drilling through softwood, hardwood, chipboard, MDF, and plasterboard.
- Hex shank: 1/4" hex fits all cordless drills, combi drills, and impact drivers without adapters
- Wide size range: 6mm to 40mm across 20 individual sizes for light to large diameter wood boring
- Total length: 152mm per bit
- Working length: 50mm
- Material compatibility: softwood, hardwood, chipboard, MDF, plasterboard, and composites
- Shank: quick-change 1/4" hex for fast bit swaps on site
MAXTEC flat wood drill bit - hex shank
Flat wood drill bits are the standard choice for boring larger diameter holes quickly through timber, board materials, and plasterboard. The MAXTEC hex shank range covers 6mm through to 40mm, giving first fix electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and site operatives a single range that handles everything from small cable holes through to large pipe and conduit penetrations. The 1/4" hex shank fits directly into any cordless drill, combi drill, or impact driver without adapters, making bit changes fast and secure on site.
Why choose the MAXTEC flat wood drill bit
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1/4" hex shank: Fits every cordless drill, combi drill, and impact driver with a quick-change chuck. No adapter required and no risk of the bit slipping in the chuck under load, which is the primary failure mode of round shank flat bits in high-torque tools.
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6mm to 40mm diameter range: Twenty sizes covering the full spread of wood boring diameters used in first fix trades. From 6mm cable holes through to 40mm for large conduit or pipe penetrations, this range removes the need to source large diameter bits from a separate supplier.
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Centre point tip: The sharp centre point locates the bit precisely before the flat blade engages, preventing the bit from walking across the surface on entry. Accurate positioning on the first contact reduces mark-out errors and waste.
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152mm overall length: Long enough to pass through standard studwork and joist depths in a single pass without extension bars on most first fix applications.
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50mm working length: Sufficient for drilling through single timber members, board materials, and plasterboard in standard construction.
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Compatible with softwood, hardwood, chipboard, MDF, and plasterboard: Covers all the materials a first fix or joinery operative encounters on a UK construction or refurbishment site.
What's included
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1 x MAXTEC flat wood drill bit with 1/4" hex shank in your selected diameter
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Available in 20 sizes from 6mm to 40mm
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | MAXTEC Flat Wood Drill Bit - Hex Shank - 6mm to 40mm Range |
| Product Code | DBFT |
| Brand | MAXTEC |
| Bit Type | Flat Wood Drill Bit (Spade Bit) |
| Shank Type | 1/4" Hex |
| Total Length | 152mm |
| Working Length | 50mm |
| Diameter Range | 6mm to 40mm |
| Material Compatibility | Softwood, Hardwood, Chipboard, MDF, Plasterboard, Composites |
| For Use With | Cordless Drills, Combi Drills, Impact Drivers (1/4" Hex Chuck) |
Compatibility
| Compatible with | Status |
|---|---|
| Cordless drills with 1/4" hex chuck | ✓ Compatible |
| Combi drills with 1/4" hex chuck | ✓ Compatible |
| Impact drivers with 1/4" hex chuck | ✓ Compatible |
| Quick-release bit holders (1/4" hex) | ✓ Compatible |
| Softwood, hardwood, chipboard, MDF, plasterboard | ✓ Compatible |
| Masonry, concrete, or tile | ✗ Not recommended |
| Metal or steel | ✗ Not recommended |
| SDS Plus or SDS Max machines (direct fit) | ✗ Not recommended |
Each diameter in the range serves a specific purpose:
- 6mm to 10mm: small cable holes, pilot holes, light wiring work
- 12mm to 16mm: standard cable routing, twin and earth, conduit clips
- 18mm to 25mm: larger conduit, copper pipe, door lock barrels, back boxes
- 28mm to 32mm: waste pipe, larger conduit, significant service penetrations
- 36mm to 40mm: large waste pipe runs, significant structural penetrations
Available sizes
| Product Code | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|
| DBFT6 | 6 |
| DBFT8 | 8 |
| DBFT10 | 10 |
| DBFT12 | 12 |
| DBFT13 | 13 |
| DBFT14 | 14 |
| DBFT16 | 16 |
| DBFT18 | 18 |
| DBFT19 | 19 |
| DBFT20 | 20 |
| DBFT22 | 22 |
| DBFT24 | 24 |
| DBFT25 | 25 |
| DBFT28 | 28 |
| DBFT30 | 30 |
| DBFT32 | 32 |
| DBFT36 | 36 |
| DBFT38 | 38 |
| DBFT40 | 40 |
Who is this for?
First fix electricians, plumbers, and carpenters who need to drill larger diameter holes through timber, board materials, and plasterboard quickly. Suited to any trade operative using a cordless drill or impact driver on site.
Typical applications
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Cable routing through timber joists and studwork using 16mm to 25mm sizes
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Pipe penetrations through stud walls and floor joists using 22mm to 40mm sizes
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Lock and latch installations requiring 25mm and above in door stiles
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Conduit holes through softwood frames and timber partitions
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General joinery and carpentry where larger diameter holes are needed in wood
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Plasterboard penetrations for back boxes, grommets, and service entries
How to use
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Select the correct diameter for your cable, pipe, or fitting.
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Insert the 1/4" hex shank into your drill or impact driver chuck until it locks.
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Mark the drilling position and place the centre point tip on the mark before applying power.
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Start at low speed to let the centre point locate, then increase to full speed.
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Apply steady forward pressure. Let the bit do the work: excessive force causes the bit to wander and produces rough holes.
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Reduce pressure as the tip breaks through the back face to prevent tear-out.
Safety
Wear safety glasses throughout. Secure the workpiece before drilling: flat bits generate significant torque at larger diameters and unsecured timber can spin suddenly. Do not use in masonry, concrete, metal, or tile. Check for concealed cables and pipes before drilling into any wall or floor structure.
Maintenance
Inspect the cutting edges and centre point after heavy use. A blunt flat bit tears rather than cuts, leaving rough, splintered holes. Flat bits can be sharpened with a flat file on the cutting edges. Replace any bit with a bent shank or damaged centre point immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a flat wood drill bit and when should I use one?
A: A flat wood drill bit, also called a spade bit or paddle bit, has a flat blade with a sharp centre point. It drills larger diameter holes in wood faster and more cheaply than auger or Forstner bits. Use flat bits for rough work where speed matters more than finish quality, such as first fix cable and pipe routing through joists and studwork.
Q: What is the difference between a flat bit and an auger bit?
A: Flat bits cut faster and are better suited to rough work. Auger bits drill more slowly but produce a cleaner hole with less tear-out, making them the better choice where hole quality matters, such as visible joinery work. For cable and pipe routing through hidden timber, a flat bit is the correct and more cost-effective choice.
Q: Can I use these bits in an impact driver?
A: Yes. The 1/4" hex shank fits directly into any impact driver with a standard hex chuck. Impact drivers are commonly used with flat bits for first fix work as the high torque output drives larger diameter bits through timber efficiently.
Q: Which size flat bit do I need for cable routing?
A: For standard 2.5mm twin and earth cable, 16mm is the common choice. For larger cables and conduit, 20mm to 25mm covers most applications. For larger plastic conduit or waste pipe runs, 32mm to 40mm is typical. Always check the cable or conduit diameter and select a bit slightly larger to allow easy passage.
Q: Why does the range include 13mm, 19mm, and 25mm alongside the standard sizes?
A: These are imperial-derived sizes that correspond to commonly used fitting and connector diameters. 13mm suits 1/2" fittings, 19mm suits 3/4" fittings, and 25mm suits 1" fittings. Having these sizes available alongside the metric range means the MAXTEC flat bit covers both metric and imperial fitting requirements without the need for a separate set.
Q: Can flat bits be used in plasterboard?
A: Yes. Flat bits cut cleanly through plasterboard at all sizes in this range. For back box cutouts in plasterboard, a 25mm flat bit is the standard choice for most back boxes, though always check the manufacturer's cutting dimension before drilling.
Q: How do I prevent tear-out on the back face of the timber?
A: Reduce forward pressure as the centre point breaks through the back face. Alternatively, clamp a scrap piece of timber behind the workpiece before drilling: the scrap supports the wood fibres on exit and eliminates tear-out entirely.
Q: Where can I order MAXTEC flat bits and what are the delivery options?
A: The full MAXTEC flat wood drill bit range is available at cmt.co.uk across all 20 sizes from 6mm to 40mm. CMT Group operates a fleet of over 100 vehicles covering 90% of the UK mainland with next working day delivery on orders placed by 7pm online. Trade accounts and EDGE portal ordering are available for procurement teams.
