G'day! You're in the middle of a reno, or maybe running some new cables in the shed. You need to get a 25mm hole through a timber stud, and you need to do it fast. Your standard twist drill bit set is knackered for this job, and a hole saw feels like overkill for just one hole.

This is where the tradie's old favourite, the spade drill bit, comes in. It's not subtle, it's not pretty, but it's the fair dinkum fastest way to rip a decent-sized hole through timber.

What is a Spade Drill Bit, Exactly?

A spade drill bit, or as it's often called, a 'paddle bit', is a simple, effective tool. You'll know it by its distinctive flat, paddle-shaped head. It has a few key parts:

• The Brad Point Tip: A sharp, pointed tip in the centre. This is crucial as it bites into the timber first, stopping the bit from "wandering" all over the place and helping you get a clean, accurate start.
• The Flat 'Paddle': These are the two sharp cutting edges on either side. These are what do the hard yakka, aggressively shaving and ripping out the timber as the bit spins.
• The Shank: The standard hexagonal (hex) or round shank that locks into your drill's chuck.

Why is it a Tradie's Go-To? (Speed, Not Finesse)

A spade drill bit is a one-trick pony, but it's a bloody good trick. It's designed for speed and aggression, not a schmick finish.

• It's Fast: It chews through softwoods like pine studs and joists at a massive rate of knots.
• It's for Rough Work: This is the bit you use for "roughing-in". Tradies love it because it's perfect for drilling holes in wall frames before the plasterboard goes on.
• Perfect for Cables and Pipes: It's the go-to for plumbers and electricians who need to quickly run new pipes or electrical conduits through timber framing.

The CRITICAL Safety Warning: This Tool Will Bite You

Righto, listen up, because this is the most important part, mate. A spade drill bit is not a toy. It's an aggressive tool, and you have to treat it with respect.

Because of its flat, wide design, it can grab or jam in the timber with absolutely zero warning, especially if it hits a knot or a tough bit of grain. If it jams, the bit stops, but your high-torque drill doesn't. This can send the drill spinning out of your grasp with enough force to just about break your wrist.

• Rule 1: You must use a powerful, high-torque drill. A little cordless screwdriver won't cut it.
• Rule 2: If your drill has a side handle, use it. This is non-negotiable for giving you the leverage to control the tool.
• Rule 3: Hold on tight, mate, with both hands. Be prepared for it to bite.
• Rule 4: Don't go at it like a bull at a gate. Use a steady, medium-to-high speed and let the bit do the work.

A Hole is Just a Hole... Until You Put a Cable In It

A spade drill bit is the perfect tool for a licensed electrician to quickly drill the holes they need to run new circuits. But for a DIYer, this is where your job MUST STOP.

While a very confident and careful DIYer might use a spade bit to drill a hole through a stud in their own shed, the second you need to run a 240V cable through that hole, you're in pro territory.

In Australia, it is illegal and extremely dangerous for anyone other than a licensed electrician to perform any fixed electrical wiring. A qualified professional knows the rules for drilling holes (e.g., how far from the edge of a stud), how to protect the cable as it passes through, and how to connect it all safely.

A pro also knows that a quality job demands quality, compliant components, which they get from a trusted electrical wholesaler. As one of Australia's most comprehensive electrical wholesaler and supplier networks, Schnap Electric Products stocks the lot for the professional installer. From the specialist tools of the trade like high-quality drill bits, to the durable, compliant electrical cables, conduits, and switchgear that get installed in those holes. For a job that's safe, compliant, and built to last, the pros rely on a supplier like Schnap Electric.