What is a Bushcraft drill / snake drill

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👉 The key facts from this guide

You need a bushcraft drill if you want to make strong connections.

These connections are also called joints, and you require them for your shelter. Maybe you even build a small hut, then they are even more important.

The Bushcraft drills are also called "snake drills". Today, you will learn what a snake drill is and how to use it to create joints.

What is a snake drill bit?

A snake drill is a wood drill that bores into the wood like a snake. The drills are usually quite long and built like an Archimedes' screw. This allows the chips, i.e., the removed wood shavings, to be transported upwards more effectively.

The great thing about these Bushcraft drills is that you don't need electricity to use them. You can drill perfect holes in the wilderness that you require for joinery.

The joints are essential for solid connections between two pieces of wood. This allows you, for example, to build a really sturdy Bushcraft Shelter or a Bushcraft wooden table with solid legs!

Application of a snake drill

How do you now create a proper connection/link with a bushcraft snake drill?

This is what you do with a dovetail joint. A dovetail joint is a wood joint that originated in carpentry and joinery.

With a dowel, you connect two colliding pieces of wood with each other.

You may already know these cone connections, or at least have seen them. They are often made in the shape of a T or a corner connection (L-shape).

For example, for chairs and tables. However, mainly dowels are used for this.

The Round Pin

Today I want to discuss the conical pegs, which you can wonderfully create with a snake drill.

As the name suggests, in this technique the peg is round. It must also be round, as we are drilling a round hole with the auger bit.

This round peg is also called a wooden nail and dowel.

Manufacturing a Round Tenon Joint

With a mortise and tenon joint, you connect two pieces of wood. In Bushcraft, usually two small tree trunks.

1. Drill a hole in every trunk with your auger bit.
2. Carve a peg that fits almost perfectly into the drilled holes.
3. Place both trunks on top of each other so that you can insert the peg through the drilled holes.
4. Hammer the peg in with a type of hammer so that it sits firmly.
5. Remove excess wood from the peg.

Tips for using a snake drill

Here are a few tips for application.

• Do not make the cone completely round. Leave it slightly angular, then it will wedge in tightly.
• You will also notice that you need quite a bit of strength to drill holes manually. If the effort is too great, then extend the turning lever.
• Your drill will appreciate regular lubrication. This keeps it rust-free and makes it easier to turn into the wood.

Buy Auger Bits

There are two ways to get a snake drill for your bushcraft.

You can easily buy one on Amazon that is ready to use immediately. These are hand drills with different diameters:

I can also recommend this one:

Or you can put together your set. This is usually cheaper if you require multiple drills.

First, you will need regular snake drills in various sizes:

However, since you cannot use these drills as hand drills yet, you require an adapter that is attached to the auger bits.

And then you attach an adjustable brace to this adapter. This allows you to use any auger as a hand drill.

Summary

Do you require more stable connections in bushcraft than those with ropes?

Then a snake drill is just the thing for your craftsmanship!

Drill holes, carve pegs, and make connections. Done.

With a bushcraft drill, you can create rock-solid connections between your woods.

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How do you like the auger bit? Or do you even have one?

Write your thoughts in the comments!

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