What types of shanks are available for drills? Round shank, 3-flute shank, Morse taper shank, etc. explained simply

The shank is the part of the drill that is clamped into the machine's tool holder. It ensures a secure connection between the drill and the drive. A suitable shank is necessary for the tool to grip properly; otherwise, it could slip or be damaged.

Choosing the right shank is crucial for compatibility, precision, and safety. Shanks are not universally compatible with every drill or chuck. Knowing the different types of shanks and their differences allows you to select the optimal tool for your purpose — thereby improving both the quality of your work and the service life of your tools.

The round shank is the classic among shanks. It is cylindrical in shape and can be used universally.

Advantages

• Versatility: Fits all standard drill chucks (three-jaw chucks)
• Ideal for manual and stationary drilling machines
• Widely used with twist drills (e.g., according to DIN 338)
• Good centering

Disadvantage

• Can slip at higher torques (especially with smooth shanks without clamping surface)

Typical applications
Plastic and metalworking with hand or drill presses

The 3-surface shank is a round shank with three flattened sides. This prevents slippage in the drill chuck and enables better power transmission.

Advantages

• Secure hold in the drill chuck
• Protects against slipping at high torque
• Particularly popular with hand drills

Disadvantage

• Can cause problems when clamping in a collet chuck.

Typical applications
Sheet metal and metalworking, drills, step drills

The morse taper is a conical shank system for self-clamping, traditionally used in lathes and large boring mills.

Advantages

• Very stable and precise
• Self-centering without additional chuck
• Force-fit connection for high torques

Disadvantage

• Changeover requires ejector wedge or extraction device

Typical applications
Industrial metalworking, machine boring, radial drilling machines

The hexagonal shank is a flat shank with six edges that is mainly used in cordless screwdrivers or quick-change systems.

Advantages

• Quick tool change
• Non-slip during torque transmission
• Compatible with bit holders

Disadvantage

• Not suitable for all chuck types (especially not for conventional three-jaw chucks, unless the drill bit is short enough).

Typical applications
Assembly, interior construction, wood construction, light metalworking

The cylindrical shank with two lateral drive surfaces is the standard for core drills.

Advantages

• Secure fixation with side grub screws
• No twisting under high loads
• Compatible with magnetic drilling machines

Disadvantage

• Requires special Weldon holders, not suitable for standard drill chucks.

Typical applications
Steel construction, pipe construction, metal construction (core drilling technology)

The quick-change shank system is a mount developed by FEIN that enables quick and tool-free changing of insert tools.

Advantages

• Lightning-fast tool change without a wrench
• Precise centering
• Particularly popular with cordless machines

Disadvantage

• Not universal, tied to specific manufacturers and their systems..

Typical applications
Assembly, metalworking, service applications

A reduced shank is used when the tool diameter is larger than the chuck. The actual shank is thinner than the cutting part, so that even larger drills can be clamped in standard drill chucks.

Advantages

• Larger tools can be used with machines with a small clamping range
• No expensive special chuck required
• Particularly practical for DIY enthusiasts and smaller drills

Disadvantages

• The shank is less stable due to the reduction
• Risk of breakage or faster wear at the transition point under heavy loads
• Not as durable as a continuous solid shank

Typical applications

• Spiral drills with a large diameter and reduced shank (e.g., 16.0 mm drill with 10.0 mm shank)
• Hole saws and larger attachments for cordless screwdrivers and hand drills
• Applications where large holes with a limited clamping range are required

An overflow shank is useful when the tool diameter is larger than the chuck. The shank is deliberately made thinner so that it can still be clamped in standard drill chucks.

Advantages

• Large drilling diameters possible even with small machines
• No special drill chuck required
• Ideal for DIY enthusiasts with standard machines

Disadvantages

• Lower stability in the shank area
• Increased wear at the transition point under high loads

Typical applications

• Step drills, machine taps
• Twist drills > 13.0 mm with 10.0 mm shank
• Drilling with high chip removal in limited clamping ranges

A reinforced shank (often found on large-diameter drills) has a larger shank diameter than the cutting edge to increase stability and rigidity and is particularly suitable for deep or demanding drilling applications.

Advantages

• Increased bending stiffness
• Less vibration
• Longer service life for deep drilling operations

Disadvantages

• Not always compatible with standard chucks
• Heavier weight, may be unsuitable for hand-held machines

Typische Anwendungen

• Deep drilling with twist drills
• Machining tough materials (e.g., stainless steel, cast iron)
• Machine tools in industrial use

Note: Reinforced shanks are often combined with coated or HSS-Co drills and are ideal for professional series production.

The SDS-Plus is a special shank for drilling and chiseling work with hammer drills and rotary hammers. The system was developed by Bosch.

Advantages

• Tool is locked in place directly without a chuck
• Ideal for hammer drilling
• Quick change without tools

Disadvantage

• Not suitable for conventional drill chucks, only compatible with SDS-Plus holders

Typical applications
Masonry, concrete, stone (light to medium drilling work)

The SDS-Max is the larger counterpart to the SDS-Plus and is used for heavy drilling and chiseling work.

Advantages

• Higher impact force transmission
• Larger diameter (⌀ > 16 mm) possible
• For professional applications

Disadvantage

• Only for SDS-Max-compatible hammer drills, not backward compatible with SDS-Plus.

Typical applications
Demolition work, large dowel holes, deep drilling in concrete

In der folgenden Tabelle betrachten wir die Unterschiede und geben Tipps, welcher In the following table, we look at the differences and give tips on which drill shank is best suited to your machine.

It becomes clear that the optimal shank depends heavily on the machine and material.

For professionals or workshops that use a lot of tools, there are adapters or combination systems that allow different shanks to be used with one machine.

Examples

• SDS-Plus to round shank adapter
• Bit holder with quick-release chuck
• Quick-change systems with Morse taper holder

Tip

Adapters offer flexibility, but can impair concentricity and power transmission. They should therefore only be used in exceptional cases when the drill cannot be clamped securely.

There are mistakes that are often made when selecting the shank, resulting in the following scenarios.

The drill slips: Unsuitable shank type in the chuck (e.g., smooth round shank without clamping surface at high torque).

Your tool is crooked: The shank is not clamped correctly.

The shank is damaged: A bit shank or SDS drill bit was used in an unsuitable chuck.

Incorrect adapter: e.g., SDS adapter in cordless screwdriver (can cause dangerous runout).

In addition to the shape of the shank, the length and diameter are also very important—especially in terms of the chuck's clamping range, penetration depth into the workpiece, and stability during long drilling operations.

Common mistake

The drills fits into the machine in terms of shape, but the shank is too thick or too long for the chuck—or the tool protrudes too far and vibrates during drilling.

Tip

Before purchasing, check the chuck diameter of your drill chuck (e.g., 1–10 mm, 1–13 mm) and compare it with the shank diameter of the tool.

An extended shank is useful for deeper holes, e.g., for installation work or in vehicle construction.

Many problems when drilling arise from incorrect handling or lack of care.

Here are a few practical tips:

Clean drills regularly: Chip residue, resin, or corrosion on the shank can impair concentricity and clamping force.

Plan for torque and load: For high torque (e.g., when drilling in steel), a non-slip shank such as a 3-flank shank or hexagonal shank is recommended.

Do not overheat: This is especially important for SDS and ground shanks. Overheating can damage the clamping surfaces.

Clean the chuck occasionally: The chuck itself can also become contaminated, resulting in a poorer grip.

Keep safety in mind: A suitable shank not only ensures better results, but also greater safety, as the tool sits firmly in the chuck and cannot jump out and injure you.

Never use force: If a drill bit is stuck, use the correct ejector wedge (e.g., for Morse taper), not a hammer and screwdriver.

Many drills have markings or engravings directly on the shank. Here is a brief overview:

For anyone who owns several drills or would like to purchase a new machine, we have created a compact overview:

For guidance on how often the different shank types occur:

The right shank saves time and protects your drill. A suitable shank ensures a secure hold, precise torque transmission, and quick tool changes.

The choice depends on the machine, material, and frequency of use. Choosing a suitable drill shank not only saves time and money, but also contributes to the longevity of the tools.