What is a Jobber Drill Bit and are they good?

by Joost Nusselder | Updated on:  March 18, 2022
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In the home improvement industry, jobber drill bits are a must. There are things like these that you can use for your entire life without ever knowing what they’re called. And if you don’t know, that could be tough on you. So, what exactly is this bit? What does it do?

What-is-a-Jobber-Drill-Bit

In this article, we will go over what jobber drill bits are and when to use them. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will know a bit more about these bit types and know whether they’re necessary for your next home project.

What is a Jobber Drill Bit?

A jobber drill bit is a type of drill bit with the same size shank as a standard twist drill bit with an extended length. They’re mainly for drilling large holes in wood and metal. So, you don’t have to buy wood and metal drill bits separately if you have jobber drill bits in your arsenal. The extra length allows higher torque power drills to produce faster drilling speeds than using shorter bits.

It helps you drill faster and remove shavings. Jobber drill bits usually have spiral flutes and are made of HSS steel. This type of drill bit is excellent for general drilling. Jobber drill bits are inexpensive, making them a perfect choice for DIY enthusiasts and amateurs who don’t want to spend a lot on tools they won’t use much.

A jobber drill bit is longer than it is wide, which allows the tool to have a more extended flute. The length of this flute can be 8-12 or 9-14 times longer than its width, depending on what’s needed for the specific drill type and size.

For example, if you use 3/8″ diameter bits, they will be able to cut through about 2 feet into the concrete before breaking because these drills are 12 inches in length but only 1 inch in width. Whereas with ½” diameter ones, they would only go 6½ inches deep before breakage occurs due to their much narrower shape. If you want a great and compact set, this Norseman Jobber Drill Bit pack is one to get: Jobber drill bit set

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Why is it Called Jobber Drill Bit?

If you talk about jobber drill bits, what do you mean by “jobber”? The drill bit length is what it’s referring to.

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In the old days, drill bits didn’t come in so many sizes and styles as they do today. Drill bits were more generic and meant to be used for multiple things. “Jobber-length bits” are what we called them. Jobber-length became an all-purpose term soon after.

Jobber Drill Bit Measurement

Jobbers are available in a variety of materials, manufacturers, and sizes. We can measure them using four terms. As there is more than one way to describe the widths or “inches” of Jobber bits, you might be wondering what each abbreviation means.

Fractional Sizes: fractional refers to inches as measured by millimeters.

Letter Sizes: letter measures size with fractions such as 1/16ths of an inch.

Wire Gauge Sizes: these start at 1 and increase in whole numbers.

Metric Sizes: metric units measure size uses centimeters.

They are not interchangeable because their measurements differ depending on which country’s standard they were made to.

What Makes Jobber Drill Bit Different from Mechanics Drill Bits

Drill bits come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own benefits.

Jobber drill bits have longer shafts compared to their diameter. That’s why they’re perfect for wood and metal composite drilling. The only problem is that they can’t be used on harder metals, since the lack of volume inside this type of drill bit would cause it to crack.

Since they’re longer, they bend easier in tight spaces like holes and don’t get obstructed by material build-up on the side.

Mechanics’ drill bits are better if you need more control over where you drill. A mechanics drill bit has a shorter overall length, plus a shorter flute (shaft) designed for tight places where a larger one wouldn’t fit well because it’s too long-reaching.

Shorter bits are less likely to break when used on hard items like hard metals, thanks to their ability to resist tension.

When to Use a Jobber Drill Bit

The jobber drill bits are only for people who don’t want to buy a lot of different types of drill bits. You can make holes in many materials, whether you’re drilling wood or metal with the right bit.

Knowing what these drills do and why they exist, should we use them? Using these jobs will make your everyday projects more interesting than if you were using straight-cut hole saws.

Since this design has multiple cutting edges, it can bore several diameters at once, so there’s less work on the back end too. These tools wouldn’t be a good buy unless you’re just getting into DIY or just want something easy like generic drill bits.

Jobber bits are designed for drilling deep holes, so choose them if you do it a lot. But you should know that jobber bits are more likely to bend or break than mechanic’s drill bits. If this is something you worry about, it might be best to go with the shorter option.

Final Words

Who knew something as simple as a drill bit could have so many different uses? They are the perfect multi-use bit. Jobber bits are ideal for drilling even deeper holes than other bits. You can also use them for other tasks like cutting. If drilling deep is a part of your everyday routine, then these are a smart choice.

These durable drills can also be used to make pilot holes and drive screws too. You might not like it if you are a DIYer who doesn’t want their bits to snap or bend on their next project. Still, give it a try; you’ll be amazed at how much it can do.

I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.