The Drill Bit

How to Make a Drill Bit from PVC Pipe

The drill bit is a piece of PVC with teeth or serrations cut into the end.  These teeth dig into the dirt (or clay or sand) and grind it up into small cuttings that can be washed to the surface.  The bit can be cut with a hacksaw or a file.  I like to do it with a bench grinder as it is quick and easy.  Below is a picture of one cut from a two inch piece of PVC with a bench grinder.  Click on the video to play it.

PVC DRILL BIT CUT WITH BENCH GRINDER

CUTTING A PVC DRILL BIT WITH A BENCH GRINDER

Here is an example of a bit cut with a hacksaw.  Don't worry about the burrs.  You can clean them up easily or they will come off very quickly as soon as you start drilling.

Several people have written me to say they have utilized a two inch galvanized nipple as a drill bit.  I have done this as well.  It is great for working drilling through hard pack clay.  David Jones of Florence, South Carolina used a two inch metal coupler.  Check out his photographs below.

Raw Materials

PVC DRILL BIT CUT WITH BENCH GRINDER

PVC male adapter screwed into metal coupler

PVC DRILL BIT CUT WITH BENCH GRINDER

Teeth cut into coupler

Note the set screw.

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