DeWalt 1/4" Hex Shank Drill Bit

A jobsite-friendly 1/4-inch bit that earns its keep

I reach for a hex‑shank bit whenever I’m swapping between drilling and driving on a job, and this 1/4-inch DeWalt hex bit has been living in my quick‑change holder for weeks now. It’s a straightforward piece of kit: black oxide HSS, 135° split point, and a true one‑piece hex shank. There’s nothing flashy about it—and that’s largely the point. It’s meant to make holes with minimal drama, especially when speed and convenience matter.

Setup and first impressions

The bit drops into a quick‑change chuck without fuss and seats solidly in a standard keyless drill as well. The one-piece construction is the first thing I noticed. Some hex-shank bits are a round bit pressed into a hex sleeve; those occasionally slip or break loose under torque. This one is machined as a single piece, and it feels it. No perceptible play between bit and shank, and no telltale seam.

Overall length is 4-1/2 inches with a working (fluted) length of about 1-3/4 inches. That’s a common jobber-style proportion but worth noting: if you often drill through thicker stock, you’ll run out of flute before you run out of shank. Chip evacuation becomes the limiting factor more than actual depth.

Performance in wood

In pine, plywood, and poplar, the bit tracks well and cuts cleanly. The 135° split point helps start holes without skating, especially on plywood faces and lightly finished surfaces. I didn’t need a pilot hole in wood; a light dimple from an awl was enough to hit my mark. The flatter 135° geometry isn’t the classic wood profile (118° is more common), but the split point compensates by self-centering nicely.

At typical drill/driver speeds, it clears chips efficiently and produces a crisp entry hole with minimal fuzzing. On exit, softwood can still blow out—backing the work helps, as usual. In hardwood (oak and maple), it benefits from a steady feed and a slightly lower speed to keep heat down. The bit stayed straight, and I didn’t encounter chatter or burn marks unless I pushed it at high RPM with a heavy hand.

Performance in metal

For mild steel, the bit does its job without complaint, provided you respect the usual rules: moderate speed, consistent feed, and a dab of cutting fluid. I ran it between 600–900 RPM in 1/8-inch angle iron and 3/16-inch plate on a cordless drill and a drill press. The split point reduced walking, but I still prefer a quick center punch for critical placement on metal—old habits, and it does improve accuracy.

With aluminum, it cuts quickly and tends to produce long curls; pause occasionally to clear chips. In stainless, it will cut, but that’s where black oxide shows its limits. Expect slower progress and more heat; this isn’t a cobalt or TiN-coated bit. For general jobsite sheet metal and mild steel hardware, it holds up fine. If your day is mostly stainless or work-hardened material, step up to a cobalt bit.

The holes are round and dimensional. Measured with calipers, I consistently got a clean 1/4-inch diameter within a few thousandths, assuming the drill itself wasn’t the source of runout.

Hex shank advantage

The 1/4-inch hex shank is the reason to pick this bit over a standard round shank if you’re using quick‑change chucks. It swaps in seconds, and more importantly, it doesn’t spin in a keyless chuck under load. On ladders or in awkward positions, that’s a big quality-of-life improvement. I used it with a right‑angle attachment in a cabinet and appreciated the secure engagement—no slipping, no barked knuckles.

Note: I kept it in drill mode on my impact driver when I needed the compact form factor, but I wouldn’t make an impact driver its permanent home. It’s not billed as an impact‑ready bit, and repeated hammering isn’t kind to HSS.

Heat, wear, and black oxide

Black oxide doesn’t make a bit magic, but it does resist corrosion and helps with lubricity compared to bright HSS. After a few dozen holes across wood and mild steel, the tip still felt sharp and the coating remained intact aside from the expected burnishing on the lips. With proper speed and a drop of oil in metal, I didn’t see blueing or edge chipping. If you routinely drill dry in metal at high speed, any black oxide bit will lose its edge quickly—this one is no exception.

Accuracy and control

The split point reduces walking and the bit grabs less aggressively than a sharper 118° tip, which is good for control. It’s easier to land precisely on layout lines in sheet goods and painted metal. I also found it less prone to “corkscrewing” into the work at the end of a cut, which reduces burr formation on the exit side. Deburring was minimal with aluminum; mild steel still needed a pass with a countersink or file.

Runout was low in a drill press collet and acceptable in a well-tuned cordless drill. Any wobble I saw was attributable to the tool holding the bit rather than the bit itself.

Limits and trade-offs

• Flute length: With only about 1-3/4 inches of flute, deep holes in thick stock pack chips quickly. Peck drilling helps, but this isn’t a deep-hole specialist.
• Material scope: It’s great for wood and mild steel. For stainless or hardened materials, use cobalt or carbide.
• Single piece: You get one bit, not a set. That’s fine if 1/4-inch is a frequent size in your workflow; otherwise, a hex-shank set may make more sense.
• Not a brad‑point: For ultra‑clean blind holes in hardwood or visible joinery, a brad‑point bit will leave a crisper rim. This is a generalist cut profile.

Practical tips for best results

• Wood: High speed, light pressure, and backer boards for clean exits.
• Mild steel: 600–1,000 RPM, steady feed, and a touch of cutting oil. Center punch for accuracy.
• Aluminum: Medium speed with frequent chip clearing to prevent galling.
• Avoid overheating: Let the bit do the work; excess pressure just dulls the edge.
• Keep it clean: Wipe off pitch and oil after use to preserve the black oxide.

Durability and warranty

After weeks of mixed use, the cutting lips remain sharp, and the shank shows no rounding or twisting. The one‑piece design inspires confidence—no creaking seams, no press‑fit drama. DeWalt backs it with a 30‑day money‑back guarantee, which is standard fare but welcome.

Who it’s for

• Carpenters and remodelers who constantly swap between drilling and driving.
• DIYers who want a reliable 1/4-inch bit that won’t slip in a keyless chuck.
• Metal fabricators working primarily in mild steel who value convenience over specialty coatings.

If your work leans heavily into stainless or precision cabinetry, this bit still has a place, but you’ll supplement it with cobalt or brad‑points for those specialized tasks.

The bottom line

This hex‑shank bit is a practical, reliable performer with a few thoughtful details—namely the 135° split point and the one‑piece shank—that add up to better control and fewer annoyances on the job. It won’t replace cobalt for tough alloys or brad‑points for pristine joinery, but for day‑to‑day drilling in wood and mild steel, it’s a trustworthy choice that fits seamlessly into a quick‑change workflow.

Recommendation: I recommend this bit for anyone who values quick swaps, positive engagement in keyless chucks, and solid general‑purpose performance in wood and mild steel. It’s a no‑nonsense, one‑piece hex‑shank design that holds up well, starts accurately, and resists walking—all with the added convenience that makes hex‑shank accessories worth carrying. If your needs skew toward hardened metals or ultra‑clean woodworking holes, pair it with the right specialty bits; otherwise, this one earns a permanent slot in the kit.