Swapped my paddle bit for an auger on a 4 inch hole and never going back

Been drilling through rim joists for years with paddle bits, always fighting the tear out and the bit walking all over. Last week on a job in Windermere I had to run a 4 inch duct through a double rim joist, so I grabbed a 4 inch self feed auger bit I had sitting in the truck for ages. Night and day difference. That thing cut through like butter, no chattering, no blowout on the back side. Took me maybe 10 minutes total including setup versus the usual 45 of swearing and patching drywall. Is there any downside to using auger bits for smaller holes, like 1 inch runs? Has anyone else made the switch?

2 comments

2 Comments

kelly_west741mo ago

I used to think auger bits were overkill for anything under 2 inches. I figured paddles were fine for the small stuff and augers were only for the big holes. But after reading about your 4 inch job and how smooth it went, I grabbed a 1 inch auger for some outlet runs last weekend. Honestly, it was way better. No walking, no splintering on the back side, and it pulled itself through the wood without me leaning on the drill like a fool. The only downside I can see is the price and that they clog up faster if you hit wet or green lumber, but for clean dry wood, I'm sold. I think I'm done with paddles for good now.

lane.cameron1mo ago

That's the thing nobody talks about, the pull. Once you get a feel for it, you realize you're not pushing at all, just guiding. I had the same thought about the clogging until I ran one through some deck boards that were still a little damp from rain. It packed up solid, took a minute to clear out with the drill in reverse. Not a dealbreaker, just something to know. I keep a spare 1 inch auger in my box now just for those clean interior runs, and I haven't touched a paddle since either. The price stings once, but you don't replace them near as often.