Drill America 1-11/16in HSS Reduced Shank Drill Bit - Portable Drill

In this review the Drill America 1-11/16in High Speed Steel Reduced Shank drill bit is evaluated for small shops and DIYers who need a larger hole size from a standard portable drill chuck. The bottom line is that this bit expands the size range of a hand drill without specialty tooling and offers a simple, durable option for drilling in low to medium tensile strength materials. The most compelling reason to buy is the reduced 3/4in shank that lets larger diameter cutting reach into common portable chucks with acceptable concentricity.

Key Features

• High speed steel construction: Provides a useful balance of hardness and toughness for general purpose drilling without brittle failure.
• Reduced 3/4in shank: Lets larger diameter holes be drilled using a standard portable drill chuck for greater flexibility in the shop or on site.
• Black oxide finish: Adds lubricity and helps retain coolant at the cutting edge to reduce heat and improve tool life in many materials.
• 118 degree point grind: Offers a common point angle that centers well and delivers predictable hole starts in wood and low-to-medium tensile metals.
• Spiral flutes (right-hand cut): Evacuate chips up and out of the hole to reduce clogging during through drilling operations.
• Precision ground shank-to-body concentricity: Minimizes runout when used in a portable chuck so holes stay nearer to round and on size.

Who It's For

This bit is well suited to hobbyists, contractors and maintenance technicians who need a 1-11/16in hole but only have a standard portable drill or smaller drill press chuck. It is practical for woodworking and for drilling in low and medium tensile strength steels and nonferrous metals where HSS performance is appropriate.

Those who require prolonged high-volume production drilling in hardened steels or who need guaranteed long-life carbide performance should look elsewhere, as the HSS black oxide finish and general-purpose grind are not a substitute for carbide or specialty coatings in demanding industrial applications.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Works with common chucks because of the reduced 3/4in shank, extending portable drill capability.
• Black oxide finish helps lubricity and chip control, which can improve drilling consistency in many materials.
• Good initial sharpness and concentricity from precision grinding deliver reasonably clean holes when used properly.
• Simple, general-purpose HSS construction provides solid value for occasional use and mixed jobs.

Cons

• Some customers report the edge dulls faster under heavy use; not ideal for high-volume industrial work.
• The tool can bend or fail if used improperly in high-torque situations or on very hard materials.

Specifications

Product	1-11/16in HSS reduced shank drill bit
Shank size	3/4in reduced round shank
Material	High speed steel (HSS)
Point angle	118 degree ground point
Finish	Black oxide
Flute style	Spiral fluted, right-hand cut
Recommended use	Low and medium tensile strength materials

Our Verdict

The Drill America 1-11/16in HSS reduced shank bit is a practical, cost-effective choice for anyone needing a larger diameter hole from a portable drill. It is good value for occasional to moderate use in wood and softer metals, offering useful features like a 118 degree point and black oxide finish. Buyers who need extreme wear resistance or heavy industrial throughput should consider hardened or carbide options instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this in a handheld drill?
Yes, the 3/4in reduced round shank is intended to fit common portable drill chucks and expands the drill's usable diameter range.

What materials is it best suited for?
It is ideal for wood and for low to medium tensile strength metals and nonferrous materials where HSS performance is acceptable.

Does the black oxide finish make a big difference?
The black oxide adds lubricity and helps hold coolant at the cutting edge, which can reduce heat and improve bit life in many jobs, though it does not replace advanced coatings for extreme wear.