Drilled fourteen (14) 3" deep holes with a 1" diameter drill bit through kiln dried hickory. Speed 350 rpm in a drill. The last hole is drilled in the same way as the first. Good size chips. Pictured is the 1" drill bit after drilling 14 holes. A little wear on one tooth but the edges of the "blade" were as sharp as when they first started. Holes.))) I don't know why it is that way I've also drilled several holes in the same hickory with 7/8", 5/8" and 1/2" drill bits. Same results.