Drill Bit Shank - Straight Shank

Straight Shank

The straight shank is the most usual style on modern drill bits, by number manufactured. The whole of the drill bit, shaft and shank, is usually of the same diameter. It is held usually in a 3-jaw drill chuck. Bits of diameter too small to grip firmly can have straight shanks of larger diameter than the drill, which can be held firmly in a standard size collet or chuck. Large drill bits can have straight shanks narrower than the drill diameter so that they can be fitted in chucks not able to chuck the full diameter: a reduced-shank or blacksmith's drill. For example, such a 1/2" bit can be used in a chuck with 3/8" capacity.

  • Easy to turn on a lathe
  • Minimum of turning or grinding needed if the drill bit is made from appropriately sized round bar stock
  • Can be held in a standard drill chuck, which must be tightened—only friction prevents slipping
  • Can also be held in a collet chuck (which must be tightened), particularly for smaller sizes
  • very accurate centering
  • Torque transmission limited by slipping of cylindrical shank

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    Mathematics ... would certainly have not come into existence if one had known from the beginning that there was in nature no exactly straight line, no actual circle, no absolute magnitude.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)