DeWalt 15/64" Pilot Point drill bit - Bulk

First impressions

A 15/64-inch bit is a humble size that sees more use in my shop than you might expect—snug pass-throughs, jigs, layout references, small hardware installs, and pilot work for step drilling. I’ve been working with DeWalt’s 15/64-inch Pilot Point bit for a few weeks across wood, mild steel, aluminum, and plastics to see how it holds up in real-world tasks. The headline features promise accurate starts, less lock-up on breakthrough, and a shank that won’t slip in the chuck. That’s exactly the mix I want in an everyday general-purpose bit.

Design and build

The standout here is the Pilot Point tip. It’s a small centered nib ahead of the cutting edges that acts like a built-in guide, especially noticeable in wood and thin sheet goods. The web (the core of the bit) is tapered thicker toward the shank, which theoretically boosts toughness and reduces breakage. The shank carries DeWalt’s anti-slip design; in use, it did a good job staying put in both keyed and keyless chucks.

Size markings are placed above the clamping area so they don’t get chewed off by the jaws. After a handful of jobs, they’re still readable. The bit’s overall length is 3-7/8 inches with a working length of 2-5/8 inches, which keeps it compact and less prone to flex without giving up useful reach.

Accuracy and starts

The Pilot Point tip is the reason to choose this bit over a generic twist drill. In wood, it behaves like a brad point’s cleaner cousin: it finds the mark, resists skating, and bites almost immediately. I could place holes on cross-grain pencil dots in pine and oak without a punch. In metal, it’s not as dead-on as a 135-degree split point with a prick punch, but it walked far less than a standard 118-degree bit. On painted sheet steel, I could hit layout marks with light pressure and no surface prep, which sped up small brackets and cabinet installs.

Breakthrough behavior

Lock-up at exit is a common problem with twist drills—when the far edge grabs and the drill snatches. The Pilot Point tip and cutting geometry here noticeably reduce that tendency. Drilling through 1/8-inch and 3/16-inch mild steel flat bar with a cordless drill, I had fewer grabby exits than with a conventional bit. In wood, especially plywood, exit tear-out was moderate to low; backing up the exit face with scrap produced clean holes. In plastic (PVC and acrylic), the bit didn’t wedge or crack the material when I used light feed and modest RPM; a small chamfer after drilling left tidy edges.

Performance across materials

• Wood: Excellent centering, quick chip evacuation, and predictable exit. In pine 2x and hardwoods, the bit cut cleanly without burnishing. I found 1,200–2,000 RPM to be a sweet spot with light, steady feed.
• Metals: In mild steel and aluminum, the bit performed well with cutting fluid and slower speeds (400–800 RPM). Chips broke consistently, and heat stayed manageable with pecking to clear swarf. I wouldn’t reach for this for stainless or hardened steels; a cobalt split-point bit is better suited there.
• Plastics: With lower RPM and minimal pressure, the bit tracked straight and avoided melting. If you’re drilling acrylic, start slower than you think and let the tip do the work.

Durability and wear

The tapered web seems to pay off. I purposely fed too hard into a hardwood knot and later into mild steel to see if I could coax deflection or a snap. The bit stayed true and didn’t exhibit the wobbly chatter you sometimes get as edges wear. After several dozen holes across mixed materials, it still cut without squealing or excessive heat. Like any general-purpose bit, it will eventually dull; the Pilot Point geometry can be trickier to hand-sharpen accurately, so a jig or professional sharpening is helpful if you want to maintain that pilot feature. You can grind it as a standard tip in a pinch, but you’ll lose the precise starting behavior.

Shank security and runout

Slipping shanks in keyless chucks are a pet peeve of mine. This shank design held firmly in a DeWalt 20V keyless and a Milwaukee keyed drill press chuck with standard tightening—no need to crank down unreasonably. Measured at the press, runout at the bit’s tip was in line with other reputable HSS bits in this size and price class; in practice, holes were true and consistent.

Size markings and organization

Putting the size above the clamping area is a small touch that saves time. The 15/64 label stayed intact after multiple chuck cycles. Because this comes in bulk packaging, plan to store it in an index or a labeled tube. Bulk is great for the shop—less plastic, less waste—but there’s no individual protector, so don’t toss it loose in a tool bag.

Dimensions and reach

With a 2-5/8-inch working length, it’s ideal for most cabinetry, sheet stock, and dimensional lumber tasks. It’s not a substitute for a jobber-length bit when you need extra reach or deep hole evacuation, but the shorter length helps rigidity and accuracy for everyday drilling.

Practical tips from use

• Wood: If you want glassy exits in plywood, back the hole with scrap or tape the exit face. The Pilot Point minimizes wandering but won’t completely eliminate tear-out alone.
• Metals: Use cutting oil, slow your speed, and peck to clear chips. Let the bit do the cutting—excessive feed only shortens its life.
• Plastics: Lower RPM, light pressure, and a quick hand deburr with a countersink make for clean edges.
• Press vs. handheld: Works fine in either. On the press, you’ll get the cleanest, roundest holes; handheld is perfectly serviceable for site work and jig building.

Where it shines, where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Accurate starts on many surfaces without a center punch.
- Reduced snatch at breakthrough compared to standard twist bits.
- Durable core that resists flex and breakage for its size.
- Shank that holds in both keyed and keyless chucks.
- Clear size markings that don’t wear off immediately.

Limitations:
- Not the best choice for tough alloys or stainless; a cobalt split-point bit will last longer there.
- Pilot Point geometry is harder to sharpen perfectly by hand.
- Working length limits deep drilling.
- Bulk packaging offers minimal protection—have storage ready.

Value and warranty

As a single, general-purpose bit, it’s easy to justify in the kit—especially if you frequently work just under 1/4 inch. The 30-day money-back guarantee is modest but appreciated. If you’re outfitting a shop, bulk packaging keeps costs lower and cuts down on waste. For occasional users, the lack of a protective sleeve is the only small annoyance.

Who it’s for

• Woodworkers and cabinet installers who want clean, accurate starts without fussing with a center punch.
• Fabricators and maintenance crews who need a reliable, mid-size bit for mild steel and aluminum.
• DIYers who value a single bit that can cross materials without babying it.

If your work is heavy on stainless or deep drilling, you’ll want different geometry or cobalt construction alongside this bit. Otherwise, this is a strong daily driver.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 15/64-inch Pilot Point bit as a dependable, versatile option for wood, mild steel, aluminum, and plastics. It starts accurately, resists lock-up on exit, holds in the chuck, and shrugs off the minor abuse of everyday shop use. The compact length improves rigidity, the size markings stay legible, and the tapered web inspires confidence when you push through knots or thicker stock. It isn’t a specialist for hard alloys, and sharpening the pilot geometry takes some care, but for general-purpose drilling just under quarter-inch, it’s exactly the kind of bit I reach for without thinking—and that’s the highest compliment a “basic” bit can earn.