I bought the hsawbit 40x155mm auger bit for a very specific job: drilling joists so I could run waste pipework. I had already tried using a spade bit, and honestly, it was nowhere near as good for this kind of work. Switching to this auger bit made a huge difference straight away.
The best way to describe it is that it just felt like the right tool for the job. Instead of fighting the timber and putting up with slower, rougher progress, this bit pulled through much more cleanly and efficiently. If you are trying to drill larger holes in timber, especially in joists, this is one of those purchases that can save you both time and frustration.
Compared with a spade bit, the performance was night and day for me. The auger design helps it bite properly, and once it gets going, it does a lot of the hard work for you. That makes the whole process feel more controlled and less like a battle. For anyone doing plumbing, renovation work, or even just awkward DIY jobs where a clean, solid bore through timber matters, I think this type of bit is well worth having.
I also liked that it came in a decent plastic case. That might sound like a small thing, but tool storage matters more than people think, especially with bits like this. A simple case keeps it protected, stops it knocking around with everything else, and makes it easier to find when you need it again. It is a nice touch and better than just getting a loose bit chucked in basic packaging.
There is one limitation worth mentioning, and it is not exactly the bit’s fault. The effective reach depends quite a lot on the drill you are using. The bit itself is 155mm long, which is useful, but depending on the bulk of your drill and the angle you are working at, that extra length may or may not give you as much real-world clearance as you hope for. So I would still think about your drill setup before assuming it solves every access problem.
Even with that caveat, I was genuinely impressed with how well it worked. This is one of those tools that immediately makes you think, I should have bought this first. If I had started with the auger bit instead of trying to make a spade bit do the job, I would have saved myself a bit of hassle.
So if you are drilling joists for waste piping or any similar job, my honest advice is simple: use an auger bit like this rather than struggling with the wrong tool. For me, it worked brilliantly, it felt effective from the first use, and the included case was a welcome bonus.
I’d rate it 4.5 out of 5. It solved the problem very well, and aside from the practical limitations of drill length and access, I have very little to complain about.