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What Is An Auger? What Is An Auger Used For?

what is an auger?
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Auger Bits and Augers are a type of drill bit usually with a single spiral or double spiral shaft used for drilling / boring into wood. This type of drill bit is sometimes referred to as a spiral auger drill bit.

A single spiral auger drill bit is sometimes referred to as a 'Single Helix Auger' or 'Single Twist Auger' and a double spiral auger drill bit is sometimes referred to as a 'Double Helix Auger' or 'Double Twist Auger'.

The spiral design allows the auger bit to drill quickly and smoothly with the excess waste material given escape space via the spiral(s). This simple but clever design mechanism helps to remove risk of jamming / binding.

If this spiral design wasn't present it would result in the excess wood chippings having little way of getting out of the drill hole resulting in the drill bit jamming, it would then require the drill bit to repeatedly be removed from the drill hole and the excess chippings removed, this would be very time consuming.

Auger bits usually have a screw thread tip which helps the drill bit to make the initial bind by the screw thread drawing the drill bit into the wood. the screw thread further helps by regulating the drilling speed.

You will find spiral auger bits with different screw threads. The coarser the screw thread the quicker it drill but the more effort it takes, the finer the screw thread the slower it drills but the less effort it takes.

Auger bits generally are / have been made in sizes 1/4" - 2".

Auger bits have been made and used for a long time since the early 1800's as such these quite often pop-up secondhand.

Traditionally auger bits were originally used with a hand drill called a 'Brace'. Together these were called 'Brace and Bits'. With the invention of the hand drill they were then able to be used in hand drills also.




What Are Auger Bits / Augers Used For?

Auger bits / augers are used for drilling / boring holes into wood.

This can also include boring a series of holes to help clear a mortice.





Are There Different Types Of Augers / Auger Bits?


Different types of auger bits include:

  • Jennings
  • Gedge's
  • Scotch Pattern
  • Solid Nose
  • Solid Wing

Different types of augers include:

  • Gedge's
  • Scotch Pattern
  • Single Twist Ship
  • Solid Nose
  • Unbreakable



What Is The Difference Between An Auger Bit and A Screw Bit?

These are both names for a long running type of spiral drill bit. A screw bit is just another name for an auger bit.




What Is The Difference Between An Auger Bit and An Auger?

An 'Auger' is a longer, sturdier drill bit usually with a helix / double helix design. An auger may be designed for use in a breast drill or it may be designed with a horizontal eye ending to allow the user to slot a piece of wood through it and then turn the handle to use.

An 'Auger Bit' or 'Screw Bit' is a drill bit shorter than an auger usually with a helix / double helix design. An auger bit or screw bit is designed for use in a brace or hand drill for common woodwork drilling / boring tasks.

For instance on the same page of a manufacturers catalogue labelled 'Auger Bits and Augers' there is a 'Gedge's Pattern Screw Bit' and there is a 'Gedge's Pattern Screw Auger'. The helix spiral and drill end look the same on both drill bits with the auger version being longer and sturdier.



New Auger Bit Manufacturers

  • Fisch

Old Auger Bit Manufacturers

  • Clico
  • Edward Preston
  • Footprint
  • Russell Jennings
  • Ridgway
  • Thomson
  • Whitehouse
  • Willey












Disclaimer

(i) This review/article may give warning(s) / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines given in good faith, any such information should not be solely relied upon and seen as the exhaustive list of warnings / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines. Refer to good safety practices for the safety of you and others. Refer to good practices for the good health of your tool and property.
(ii) The details here are given in good faith, the details are constantly growing and evolving, there is scope for error and shouldn't be fully relied upon, please confirm any details for yourself by performing additional research from reliable sources.




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