Bosch Daredevil Spade Drill Bits - Tool Review
Spade bits have been around for eons. They're the front line in rough construction and carpentry. Their sole job - to bore through wood at the highest, safest speed possible. They've never been considered a finesse tool, by any means - they're rough and ready. However, early spade bits tended to wander a bit, even with the centering point; and if you ever catch a dense area of wood or a hidden nail or other fastener, you'd better have wrists of steel. They can jerk a drill out of your hands faster than you know what hits you.
The spade bit has evolved, though. These Bosch Daredevil bits are the result of many years of research, job site interviews, and trial & error testing. In the end, Bosch has developed a refined - almost "finesse-worthy" accessory. OK, maybe finesse isn't the right word, because in the end, we're still just drilling rough, usually large holes with these implements.
The basic geometry of a traditional spade bit is simple - the cutting head has a spur on each end, designed to tear through the wood fibers. The head may taper a bit to allow it to pass through the hole, but it was nothing more than convenient. In contrast, these "modified" bits have a great deal of geometric wizardry integrated into their form. Design that allows the bit to not only pass more easily through the freshly cut hole, but to leave a smoother surface behind. Plus, if you stare at the picture below long enough, you'll see that the bit almost resembles a wizard. Have another beer, Brad.
Daredevil Form & Function
From the top, the "Full Cone Threaded Tip" as Bosch calls it, is simply a screw head in all honesty. It's a screw head on a mission and it wastes no time in seeking the opposite side of the board. Seriously, if you've never experienced a self-feeding bit, they are a thing of beauty to be respected, because they'll just about pull the drill, your hand and half your arm through the board if you're not paying attention. Because of this design, you need to exert less pressure on the drill itself. Let the bit do the work, and simply hang on - keeping the drill aligned with a firm grip to avoid any trauma a sudden stop could cause. Obviously, the larger the bit size, the more you need to be conscious of this.
Next stop, the cutting wings, "Spur and Reamer" in drill parlance. No longer is their purpose to simply aid in fiber-tearing. No, these scientifically engineered metal fangs are designed to tear the fiber more neatly. Why? Less stress and vibration are sent back through the drill and your hand, arm and body if the tips are cutting like a steak knife through butter. So it's not so much about the cleaner hole (IMHO), as it is about simply making drilling that hole easier and more efficient.
Finally, the long edges of the paddle (as spade bits have also been termed) are contoured for your comfort. Gee, what other product makes that claim? Hmmmm. In this case, though, the contour simply allows for easier wood chip removal out the back end. In turn, this makes it easier for the front-end guys (that threaded tip and "Spur and Reamer" team) to do their job without a bunch of sawdust clogging their efforts.
The only exception to the highly-sophisticated design is the smallest of the Daredevil set - the 1/4". It's geometry seems rather simple, but still effective.
At the other end of the bit, the hex-designed shank locks nicely into your drill's chuck and has much less tendency to slip. The flipside of that, however, is the fact that any sudden obstruction will transfer right back through that shaft as opposed to slipping. This has the potential to result in shock or injury to the drill-holder. Just be aware.
The Daredevil set comes complete with a nice cloth case that's a perfect for keeping the tips from dulling in a toolbox. All you have to do is remember to put them back into their sleeves. That's always been a toughie for me, I'm not sure I've ever had a bit set that stayed together after its first use.
Sized from the aforementioned 1/4" through 1 1/2", the Daredevil set is a worthwhile addition to your toolbox. You'll pay a premium price for the upgrades, but if you use spade bits on a regular basis, I think you'll quickly see the advantages and time-savings. At the very least, you'll be amazed at how they're able to pull a drill through wood.
To check prices or buy the Bosch Daredevil Bit Set on Amazon (at time of posting - $29.99): CLICK HERE
To learn more about these bits and other Bosch accessories: CLICK HERE