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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
A 1 1/8 inch hole is a serious hole, and the bit you pick decides whether the job takes five minutes or fights you all afternoon. The real question is what you are actually boring into: framing lumber full of hidden nails, a flat-bottomed hinge recess, or a concrete foundation wall. Each of those needs a completely different cutting geometry, and picking the wrong one is the fastest way to burn up a bit and your patience.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
From nail-chewing augers to carbide-tipped masonry bits, this breakdown of the 1 1/8 drill bit tells you exactly which tool matches the material you are about to cut.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 1 1/8 Drill Bit
The 1 1/8 inch size splits into a few distinct tool families, and the family you choose must match the material. An auger bit is a wood specialist that powers through lumber and nails, while a Forstner bit cuts a flat-bottomed hole ideal for hinges and precise joinery. For masonry, you need a carbide-tipped SDS bit built to hammer through brick and concrete.
Match the bit geometry to the material
Auger bits use a screw-tip to pull themselves into wood, which makes them fast and aggressive but demanding on your drill’s torque. Forstner bits cut on their rim, so they make clean flat-bottomed holes but need more control and a stable setup. Twist bits with a split point are the workhorses for metal, staying centered without walking across the surface.
Check the shank against your chuck
The shank is the end that your drill grips, and it must fit your chuck. A 1/2 inch reduced shank fits a standard 3/8 inch chuck and gives a secure hold, while a hex shank clicks into quick-change chucks for fast swap-outs. SDS-Plus shanks only fit SDS-Plus rotary hammers, which is the system you need for concrete work.
Think about flute design for chip removal
Flutes are the spiral grooves that pull debris out of the hole. Open-faced auger flutes clear wood chips fast in deep boring, while the multiple flutes on a tri-flute bit push material out quickly. A bit that cannot clear chips slows down, heats up, and dulls faster, so match the flute style to the depth of the hole you are cutting.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Cutting Diameter | Shank Type | Material | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch NKST18★ Best Overall | Nail-riddled lumber | 1.12 in | Spear Point | Alloy Steel | Amazon |
| MOLLOM ForstnerBest Value | Clean flat-bottom holes | 29 mm | Round | YG8 Carbide | Amazon |
| WOBLLMX Tri-FluteDeep Boring | Deep wood boring | 32.43 mm | Hex | Carbon Steel | Amazon |
| Freud PB-008 | Precision joinery | 1.13 in | Round | Blend | Amazon |
| DKIBBITH Hole Saw | Metal sheet cutting | 1-1/8 in | Pilot | Carbide Tipped | Amazon |
| Drill America KFD | Metal drilling | 1.13 in | 3-Flat 1/2 in | M1 HSS | Amazon |
| Greenlee 66PT | Stumps and poles | 28.58 mm | Straight | Alloy Steel | Amazon |
| Bosch NKMT18 | Deep timber boring | 1-1/8 in | Straight | Alloy Steel | Amazon |
| Sabre Tools SDS | Concrete and brick | 1.13 in | SDS-Plus | Carbide | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Bosch NKST18 1-1/8 in. x 7-1/2 in. Daredevil Auger Bits
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 450+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The auger that chews through hidden nails and keeps on cutting.
This Bosch Daredevil is the bit electricians and framers reach for when they have no idea what is hiding behind the drywall. Its dual cutting edges slice through nails while keeping the drilling balanced, and the reinforced tip shrugs off repeated nail hits that would wreck a standard auger. The spear point style starts clean without skating across the wood surface.
Owners are blunt about what wins them over: cutting performance and functionality are the two most-praised traits by a wide margin. The open-faced flute pulls chips out of deep holes efficiently, and the reamer edge leaves a clean entry and exit hole. One owner summed it up plainly: “THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST auger bit I’ve ever owned (in any size, shape, or form).”
The trade-off is power. This bit bites hard and needs torque, so it performs best in a large corded drill on low speed rather than a compact battery drill. Durability reports are strong — it held up well through a lawn project and kept its edge after hitting several nails — but the crowd favorite status comes with a higher price tag than budget augers.
What wins people over
- Dual cutting edges slice through nails with ease
- Open-faced flute pulls chips fast from deep holes
- Reinforced tip survives repeated nail impacts
- Reamer edge gives clean entry and exit holes
Where it asks a lot
- Bites hard and demands real torque to keep chewing
- Not ideal in a battery drill — go corded on low speed
Reach for this if: you are boring through lumber that may hide nails and need a bit that keeps its edge through the abuse.
Look elsewhere if: your only drill is a small cordless model that cannot deliver the low-speed torque this bit wants.
2. MOLLOM 1-1/8″ (29mm) Carbide Forstner Drill Bit
A carbide Forstner that cuts clean flat-bottomed holes without splintering.
This MOLLOM Forstner is the pick for woodworkers who need a perfectly flat-bottomed hole, not just a pass-through. Its 29mm cutting diameter makes a 1-1/8 inch hole, and the 2.0mm thick YG8 carbide blade extends service life — the maker claims ten times the lifespan of a 1.3mm blade. Quality is what owners praise most, with a 91HRA hardness rating on the positioning drills and blades.
Sharpness is the second most-mentioned trait, and the review pages back it up. Used on a lathe to drill out a wood blank for a pill box, it stayed “nice and sharp” with no tear-out, and it cut a perfect hole for 8mm barrel hinges. It handles wood, plywood, solid wood boards, MDF, and plastics, though it cannot drill metal or non-ferrous metal.
The honest caveat is stability. Several owners note the bit can wobble and struggle to stay centered, so the maker recommends keeping the drilling vertical and using a vise to hold the material steady. For large bits the advice is to favor a drill press. This is a tool for careful, controlled work, not fast rough boring.
Precision play: the 29mm carbide blade gives clean flat-bottomed holes in hardwood with minimal splintering, but stable mounting and a steady hand are non-negotiable.
3. 1-1/8″ x 12″ Auger Drill Bit for Wood, Hex Shank Tri Flute
A 12-inch tri-flute auger built for deep boring through stubborn wood.
This long auger answers the question of how to bore a deep hole in one pass. The 3/8 inch quick-change hex shank clicks into a driver chuck without any wrench work.
The tri-flute design is the headline feature: three precision-milled flutes with hollow centers speed up chip clearance, which is exactly what you want when boring through pressure-treated lumber. One owner drilled bolt holes through two layers of 2x lumber “perfectly smooth and fast” while building picnic tables. Functionality is the most-praised aspect, followed closely by quality.
Value for money gets honest mixed feedback here. Some owners say it is the best auger they could find at the price and used it eight times non-stop, while a few report it loses sharpness on the sides, bends easily, or is not perfectly true to size. It is a great budget-minded deep borer, but treat it as a working tool rather than a heirloom.
Grab it for: long reach through thick lumber and stumps where a short bit cannot go, with a hex shank for fast swaps.
Think twice if: you need dead-on size accuracy or plan to hammer it through nails — this is a smooth-wood specialist.
4. Freud PB-008: 1-1/8″ (Dia.) Forstner Bit
A razor-sharp Forstner that cuts wood like a hot knife through butter.
Freud has a reputation among woodworkers for a reason, and this 1-1/8 inch Forstner bit lives up to it. The razor-sharp serrated edge cuts fast and flawlessly, while the ultra-sharp spur ensures an accurate starting hole that does not wander. Quality and accuracy are the two most-praised aspects, and the steep angled cutting edges produce smooth, flat holes with “chisel-like” curls for clean chip removal.
Owners describe going through soft wood with clean edges and minimal tear-out, and one called it “the best Forstner bit I have used.” The forged construction and Freud’s Limited Lifetime Guarantee back it as a long-term buy, and at 3.36 ounces it is light in the hand yet substantial in the cut. It consistently beats cheaper brands in side-by-side comparisons.
The one recurring wish is a longer shank. Several owners note they wish the shanks were longer so they could bore deeper holes, and at 3-1/2 inches total length this is better suited to shallower, precise work than deep boring. It is also pricier than budget Forstners, though the review consensus is that the quality justifies it.
Flat-bottom finesse: the sharpest Forstner here, ideal for precise hinge recesses and clean flat holes, with the honesty that a 3-1/2 inch length limits how deep you can go.
5. TCT Hole Saw Set, 2-Pack of 1-1/8″ Heavy Duty Carbide Tipped Hole Cutters
A carbide hole saw that punches through steel doors in seconds.
This hole saw set is the answer when your 1-1/8 inch hole is in metal, not wood. The tungsten carbide tipped teeth cut clean, burr-free holes through stainless steel, mild steel, copper, iron, brass, and plastic sheet up to 1/8-inch (3mm) thick. The split point pilot drill bit prevents walking, and the ejection spring pops the slug out for easy removal.
Owners have used it to cut a deadbolt hole in a steel door in seconds after a hardware store bit refused to cut at all, and another drilled a 4.5-inch hole through a shipping container’s corrugated steel wall. The two-pack means you get a backup, and the semi-transparent rust-proof case keeps them protected between jobs. Cutting performance is a strong point when matched to the right material.
The honest reality is mixed durability. The maker warns against dropping or sudden impacts because the high-hardness TCT teeth are brittle., and some buyers report bits breaking on first use or a second bit that could not make holes. Lower speed is recommended for harder materials, and oiling after each project extends life. This is a capable metal cutter that rewards careful technique.
Choose it for: clean holes in steel doors, copper pipe, and metal sheet up to 3mm thick, with a spare included.
skip it if: you need a rough-and-tumble bit — the carbide teeth demand gentle handling and low speeds.
6. Drill America 1-1/8″ Reduced Shank High Speed Steel Black & Gold Contractor Drill Bit
A contractor-grade twist bit that stays centered on metal without walking.
When the job is drilling 1-1/8 inch holes into iron, steel, or aluminum, this Drill America bit is built for exactly that. It is machined from M1 High Speed Steel with a 135-degree split point tip that self-centers and reduces thrust, unlike a conventional 118-degree tip that tends to wander. The 3-flat 1/2 inch reduced shank creates an extra secure hold in your chuck.
The geometry matters in real use: a 3 inch flute length clears metal shavings from the hole, and the 6 inch overall length works with standard drill setups. One owner used it to bore holes for a dowel replacement and found it “works perfectly and stays sharp so far.” Functionality is the most-praised aspect, and the bit arrives coated in oil inside a plastic case — a sign the maker stores tools with care.
The honest trade-off is the mixed durability feedback. Some owners call it great value for the price, while others say you get what you pay for, with a few reporting it could not even finish one hole. The sticky oil-based coating also holds debris during the first few holes, which is a minor annoyance until it wears off. This is a solid metal-boring workhorse, not a premium heirloom.
Centered metal boring: the 135-degree split point stops bit-walk on steel and iron, its best feature, with the caveat that longevity is a gamble some owners lose.
7. Greenlee 66PT-1-1/8 AUGER DRILL BIT, Black
A Nail Eater auger that holds up through 50-plus holes and stump duty.
Greenlee is a name professionals trust, and this 1-1/8 inch Nail Eater auger carries that reputation into rough field work. Its 28.58mm cutting diameter with an 18-flute design clears debris aggressively, and the alloy steel construction takes serious abuse. Owners mention it works extremely well for drilling tree stumps and held up strong after more than 50 holes.
Performance is the most-praised aspect, followed by durability and sharpness. It stays sharp even after hitting nails, which is the hallmark of a true nail-eater, and it is versatile enough for daily use drilling holes in poles for 3/4 inch bolts. One owner called it “exactly what you would get from your local hardware stores” — a vote of confidence in its quality.
The catch is that it takes a while to arrive, and the 18-flute design makes it heavier than a standard two-flute auger. At 2 pounds it is a substantial tool, best matched to a powerful drill that can handle its aggressive bite. This is a professional-grade borer for people who want a bit that just keeps working.
Rough-and-tough borer: the 18-flute alloy steel build shrugs off nails and stump work, but it is heavy and demands a drill with real muscle.
8. Bosch NKMT18 1-1/8 in. x 13 in. Daredevil Auger Bits
The 13-inch Daredevil that bores through 6-1/2 inches of pressure-treated lumber.
This longer brother to the NKST18 brings the same nail-tough Daredevil design with nearly double the reach. At 13 inches long, it bores through deep timber in one pass, and customers note drilling through 6-1/2 inches of pressure-treated lumber and thousands of holes through 4-6 inch posts. The dual cutting edges and reinforced tip carry over from the shorter model.
Quality is the most-praised aspect, with effectiveness and sharpness close behind. The self-feeding design pulls the bit into the work with minimal effort, and the tip resists nail strikes that would stop lesser bits. One owner called it “a MUST HAVE for any installer” for TV mounting work, cutting through anything in its path.
The honest demand is the drill behind it. Owners consistently stress it needs a low-speed drill — around 600 RPM maximum. — and the aggressive torque can be a handful. It drains an 18V battery after 3-4 holes, so corded is better, and wet treated lumber can clog the flute after 3 inches. Some also noted slight warping after heavy use. This is a powerful tool that rewards the right technique.
Pick it for: deep timber, deck bolt holes, and timber mortising where the 13-inch reach saves you from flipping the board.
Pass on it if: your drill tops out at high RPM or you are on battery power — this bit wants low speed and corded torque.
9. 1-1/8 Inch x 18 Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Drill Bit, Carbide Tipped
An SDS-Plus carbide bit that slices through concrete like a sharp knife through butter.
Concrete and brick are a completely different world, and this Sabre Tools SDS-Plus bit is built for exactly that. The 2-flute self-centering carbide tip cuts fast through brick, stone, concrete, and block, while the tune design lets material exit quickly so the bit stays cool. It fits all SDS-Plus rotary hammers, including Bosch, DeWalt, Hitachi, Hilti, Makita, and Milwaukee.
Functionality is the most-praised aspect, with quality and drill performance close behind. Owners drilled a 14-inch rock wall, cut through a concrete basement wall for a Starlink cable “like a sharp knife through butter,” and bored 15 inches of concrete in about 10 minutes with a 6Ah battery. The 16 ounce weight and 18-inch length give real reach for thick walls.
The honest caveat is durability and technique. Some report the bit bending on first use, and The maker advises that concrete drilling is labor-intensive. — one owner called it an “upper body workout.” Water cooling is recommended to prevent heat from destroying the bit., and A 6Ah battery is needed for sustained drilling speed.. This is a capable masonry tool for anyone with an SDS hammer drill.
Concrete crusher: the carbide SDS-Plus tip punches through brick and block fast, but it needs an SDS hammer drill, water cooling, and patience with its durability quirks.
Understanding the Specs
Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter is the actual width of the hole the bit produces, and it is measured in inches or millimeters. A 1-1/8 inch hole equals roughly 28.6mm, though some bits label themselves as 29mm or 32.43mm while still marketing as 1-1/8 inch. Check the exact cutting diameter if the hole needs a precise fit, especially for hardware like hinges or bolts where a tight tolerance matters.
Shank Type
The shank is the end of the bit that your drill grips, and it determines compatibility with your tool. A round shank fits a standard three-jaw chuck, while a hex shank clicks into quick-change chucks for fast swaps. A 1/2 inch reduced shank lets a large bit fit a smaller 3/8 inch chuck. SDS-Plus shanks only work in SDS-Plus rotary hammers, which is the system required for concrete and masonry drilling.
FAQ
What is the real difference between an auger bit and a Forstner bit?
Can I use a 1-1/8 inch wood auger bit on concrete or masonry?
Will a 1-1/8 inch bit fit in my standard drill chuck?
Why does my auger bit bind or stall in the wood?
How do I stop a Forstner bit from wobbling off-center?
Can a 1-1/8 inch bit cut through nails in wood?
What speed and drill power does a large auger bit need?
Is a hole saw or a twist bit better for cutting metal?
How long will a carbide Forstner bit stay sharp?
What does SDS-Plus mean on a drill bit?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
If you want one dependable pick, the 1 1/8 drill bit winner is the Bosch NKST18 because it combines nail-tough durability with the dual cutting edges owners praise most. If you need clean flat-bottomed holes for hinges, grab the Freud PB-008 for its razor-sharp precision. And for concrete walls, the Sabre Tools SDS is the one to reach for with your rotary hammer. The crowd across every pick is clear: wood augers dominate for lumber, but matching the bit family to the material is the difference between a five-minute job and an afternoon of frustration.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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