DRILLING The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Drilling might seem simple, but choosing the right drill for a CNC lathe can make or break your efficiency, tool life, and bottom line. In this episode of The Lathe Lab, Luke from Crusader Machining breaks down the four most commonly used drills in the industry—what works, what doesn’t, and, most importantly, which one he’d choose for a job shop.

What you’ll learn in this video:
✔ The pros and cons of solid carbide, spade, indexable tip, and square insert drills
✔ How different drills impact machining performance and cost
✔ Why my go-to drill saves time, money, and improves workflow
✔ A real-world demo showing my preferred drill in action

As machinists, we know that not all drills are created equal—and picking the wrong one can cost you. So if you’ve ever wondered, “What’s the best drill for my shop?”—this video has your answer.

⚙️ What’s your go-to drill? Drop a comment below!