Best Extra Long Center Drills (2026): 4 Compared

Specs compared

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 29 October 2026. None of the four states a safety certification or a warranty term, so safety and warranty scores sit at zero across the group.

How to choose the best extra long center drills

Length and reach first

Length is the whole point of this group, and the listings state three distinct reaches. The NEIKO set and the DEWALT bit both state a 12-inch length, the QWORK auger states a 16-inch length, and the HARFINGTON bits state a 120mm total length, given as 4.7 inches in the listing. A longer bit reaches deeper, but it also flexes more, so match the length to the hole rather than buying the longest bit by default. The HARFINGTON listing itself advises starting with a common drill and then passing the extended bit through the hole, and keeping the speed from running too high.

Diameter: a set, a single bit, or one size

Diameter coverage splits this group cleanly. The NEIKO set covers five sizes, 1/8-inch, 3/16-inch, 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch and 3/8-inch, in one package, which suits a maker who drills varied pilot holes. The DEWALT is a single 1/4-inch bit, the QWORK is a single 1/2-inch auger, and the HARFINGTON set holds ten bits at a single 2mm diameter. A set suits varied work, while a single size suits a repeated hole; a center drill countersink set follows the same set logic for starting holes. If every hole you drill is one size, the single-size picks give you spares instead of sizes you never reach for.

Material, shank and stated use

Stated steel differs across the group. The NEIKO set states heat-treated M2 high speed steel, the HARFINGTON bits state high-speed steel, the QWORK auger states carbon steel with a 3/8-inch hex shank, and the DEWALT listing states a black oxide finish without naming the underlying steel. Shank matters at the chuck: the QWORK hex shank grips differently from the straight shanks on the HARFINGTON bits, and the NEIKO and DEWALT listings state no shank type. Stated uses differ too: the NEIKO lists metal, wood, plastic and PVC as drilling materials, the QWORK lists soft and hardwood, railroad ties, landscape timber and floating shelf bracket installation, and the HARFINGTON lists metal, woodwork, plastic and aluminum alloy. A CNC bit set for beginners is the natural next read for makers setting up a first tooling drawer.

Project Match

• Varied pilot holes in metal, wood or plastic: the NEIKO set, with five stated diameters in one package.
• One repeated 1/4-inch hole at depth: the DEWALT bit, a single 12-inch bit in that size.
• Deep boring in timber, ties or shelf brackets: the QWORK auger, with its stated 16-inch length and hex shank.
• Small-diameter work in metal, wood or aluminum alloy: the HARFINGTON set, ten bits at 2mm.
• Materials for the DEWALT bit: Not stated, since the listing names no drilling materials.

How the scores add up

The HQ Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. For drill bits, performance means stated length and diameter coverage, build means stated steel and construction, and value means what the stated specs give for a set or a single bit. No listing here states a safety certification or a warranty term, so those two scores sit at zero for every pick. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

What kind of bits are these, exactly?

The listings describe extra-long twist bits and one auger bit, not dedicated center or spot drills. The NEIKO and HARFINGTON bits are twist bits, the DEWALT is a twist bit, and the QWORK is an auger bit with a screw point for wood.

What lengths do these bits state?

The NEIKO set and the DEWALT bit state a 12-inch length, the QWORK auger states a 16-inch length, and the HARFINGTON bits state a 120mm total length, given as 4.7 inches, with a 75mm flute length, given as 3 inches.

Which pick covers the most diameters?

The NEIKO set, with five stated sizes: 1/8-inch, 3/16-inch, 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch and 3/8-inch. The other three picks each cover a single diameter.

What shank does the auger use?

The QWORK auger states a 3/8-inch hex shank. The HARFINGTON bits state a straight shank, and the NEIKO and DEWALT listings state no shank type.

Can these bits drill metal?

The NEIKO listing names metal among its drilling materials, and the HARFINGTON listing names metal and aluminum alloy. The QWORK listing is wood-focused, and the DEWALT listing names no drilling materials at all.

Related: the CNC tooling hub. Also see our best center drill countersink set. Also see our best center drill for stainless. Also see our best cnc bit set for beginners.