DeWalt Heavy Duty Wood Boring Spade Bit Set (6-Piece)

I’ve put more spade bits through studs than I care to admit, and this DeWalt spade bit set quickly worked its way into my everyday kit. Spade bits are hardly glamorous, but when you need fast holes in wood without babying your drill, the right geometry and shank design matter. This set gets the fundamentals right and adds a few thoughtful touches that show up in real work, not just on a spec sheet.

Build and design

Each bit in the DW1587 set is 6 inches long with a 1/4-inch ball-groove hex shank. That matters for two reasons: they work with quick-change chucks, and the shanks are thick enough to resist twisting under load. I’ve rounded off plenty of cheaper spade-bit shanks over the years; these lock in positively and stay that way.

The business end uses dual precision-ground cutting edges and small cutting spurs on the perimeter. Those spurs are there to score the fibers before the cutting edges remove material, which is how you get a cleaner entry hole with less fuzz around the edges. Between the flats are shallow “speed channels” that help move chips up and out. On spade bits, chip evacuation is everything—if chips pack in, heat builds, and the bit burns or stalls. These channels aren’t gimmicky; they reduce the stop-start you often get when boring larger diameters.

DeWalt also gives the corners a slightly relieved profile. The idea is that if you clip a nail, you’re less likely to shatter a corner and turn the bit into scrap. I wouldn’t go looking for nails on purpose, but in framing and retrofit work they’re a reality. That small geometry tweak pays off.

The set covers the sizes I actually use: 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, and 1 inch. Size markings are large and easy to read, and my set arrived in a simple pouch that keeps them from rattling around in a drawer.

Setup and compatibility

The 1/4-inch ball-groove shanks snap into quick-change chucks and hold firmly in standard three-jaw chucks. I ran them in a 20V drill/driver and an impact driver to see how they behaved. While they’ll survive impact duty for rough-in work thanks to the hex shank, I prefer a drill/driver for better speed control and a smoother cut. If you go the impact route, feather the trigger and let the bit cut—don’t hammer it through.

For speed, I stay in a drill’s low range for everything 3/4 inch and above and use moderate RPM. The package lists a max RPM of 3200; that’s fine guidance for smaller sizes in softwood, but real-world control beats a theoretical limit. Let chip size and heat tell you when to back off and clear the flutes.

Performance in the wood

• Softwood studs and pine: The 1-inch bit tore through pine 1x and SPF studs quickly with surprisingly clean entries. Exits on through-holes were acceptable, and with a backer board they were neatly contained. Compared to my no-name spade bits, these cut with less chatter and noticeably less wrist-torque when the bit breaks through.

• Pressure-treated lumber: PT is gummy and sticky. The speed channels helped keep chips moving, and I didn’t have to yo-yo the bit as often to clear the hole. Heat buildup was reasonable; the cutting edges stayed clean and didn’t scorch.

• Plywood: Spade bits and plywood aren’t a perfect match, but the spurs did their job. Entry tear-out was minimal; exits showed some veneer lift at 3/4 inch and up unless I used a backer.

• Hardwood (oak and maple): Expect slower feed and more resistance at 7/8 and 1 inch—normal for any spade bit. The geometry still produced straight, true holes, and the edges didn’t glaze over quickly. For furniture-grade work I’d reach for a Forstner, but for utility holes in hardwood, these were entirely serviceable.

Chip evacuation is the standout here. On deep bores, the bits didn’t bind as long as I pulsed the trigger every inch or so to clear waste. The 5/8-inch bit, in particular, ran sweetly—fast, clean, and easy to control.

Nail strikes and durability

I intentionally clipped a 6d nail hidden in a stud using the 3/4-inch bit. The corner took a nick but didn’t crumble, and the bit kept cutting acceptably afterward. It wasn’t as crisp as new (you’ll see a slight burr at that corner), but it was far from ruined. That’s better than many spade bits I’ve sacrificed to old framing.

Across a small deck repair and a garage electrical rough-in—dozens of holes from 3/8 to 1 inch—the edges stayed sharp. I didn’t notice any shank twisting or chuck slippage. The thicker shank inspires confidence when you lean into a hole at an awkward angle; there’s less visible torsion than with lighter, budget sets.

Accuracy and hole quality

Spade bits aren’t precision boring tools, but these are on the cleaner side of the category. The center point finds the mark easily and resists skating, which helps when you’re drilling one-handed up a ladder. Holes are consistent in diameter with minimal ovaling. The spurs produce a nicer entry than flat-nosed designs, and the dual cutting edges leave a reasonably smooth bore.

Still, expect typical spade-bit behavior:
- If you push too hard at breakthrough, you’ll get exit blowout, especially in brittle stock.
- Grain direction in softwood can catch the spurs and tug the bit slightly; clamp your work or back it up to avoid splintering.

Practical tips

• Start slow to let the spurs score the surface, then increase speed as chips form.
• Back out mid-hole to clear chips on 7/8 and 1 inch, particularly in wet PT.
• Use a sacrificial backer to prevent exit blowout on visible surfaces.
• Keep a file or stone handy to touch up the cutting edges if you do clip a nail.
• For runs longer than 6 inches, use an extension; don’t overreach the bit length.

Where they fit in a kit

This set is the sweet spot for framing, electrical and plumbing rough-in, deck blocking, and general carpentry where speed and convenience matter more than glass-smooth holes. For cabinetry or plug-fitting, I’d still grab Forstners; for repetitive large bores in studs, a self-feed auger is faster. But those tools require more torque and setup. The DW1587 set rides in the pouch, snaps into a quick-change chuck, and gets you clean enough holes quickly.

Value and warranty

You’re paying for better geometry, a stronger shank, and compatibility that plays well with both drills and impact drivers. That’s reflected in how they cut and how long they stay sharp. DeWalt backs the set with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is reasonable for consumables like bits.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Strong 1/4-inch ball-groove shanks resist twisting and work with quick-change chucks
- Cutting spurs and dual edges produce cleaner entries than generic spade bits
- Chip channels reduce clogging and heat, especially on larger diameters
- Corner design survives incidental nail strikes better than sharp-point corners
- Useful, common sizes with clear markings and a compact storage pouch

Cons:
- Still prone to exit tear-out without a backer (the nature of spade bits)
- Larger sizes in hardwood demand patience and a low gear
- Not a substitute for Forstner-level finish when surface quality is critical

Bottom line

The DeWalt spade bit set earns a spot in my bag because it handles the realities of jobsite drilling: fast bores, mixed materials, the occasional hidden nail, and a lot of holes that just need to be clean enough without fuss. The thicker shanks and chip channels make a real difference in control and speed, and the spurs help keep entry holes tidy. If you’re roughing in wiring, building a deck, or knocking out utility holes in the shop, these bits do the work quickly and hold up.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for anyone who needs reliable, fast wood-boring performance in the 3/8- to 1-inch range. It’s not a finish carpenter’s hole-making solution, but for framing, remodeling, and general carpentry, the combination of durability, quick-change convenience, and clean cutting earns its keep.