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Hitachi 728255 1/4-inch Auger Drill Bit 18-inch — main product image
Hitachi

Hitachi 728255 1/4-inch Auger Drill Bit 18-inch

★★★★★4.8 (4 reviews)

The self-feeding tip and 18-inch reach let this 1/4-inch auger bit bore clean through-holes in standard wall framing without a pilot hole — the right tool for routing wire and conduit through studs.

$9.98*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Hitachi 728255 is an 18-inch, 1/4-inch diameter high-speed steel auger drill bit designed for boring clean through-framing holes in wood and plastic — the fundamental drilling task for electrical rough-in, low-voltage cabling, and plumbing penetrations through wall studs and floor joists. The self-feeding tip eliminates the need for pilot holes and reduces the downward force required from the operator, a meaningful ergonomic advantage when drilling overhead or in confined wall cavities. The wide throat geometry clears debris efficiently as the bit advances, producing cleaner holes with less binding than spade bits at equivalent diameters. The 1/4-inch hex shank interfaces directly with standard hex drill chucks and impact driver bit holders, enabling fast swaps without dedicated tooling.

This bit is purpose-built for electricians, cable installers, and serious DIYers running wire or conduit through residential and light commercial framing. The 18-inch length is the operative specification — standard stud bays are 14.5 inches, and the extra length ensures the bit exits the wood before the drill body contacts the framing, enabling a complete through-hole without repositioning. The HSS construction handles standard softwood and engineered lumber (LVL, LSL) without issue; hardwood frames and reclaimed lumber with embedded hardware will cause accelerated wear. Hitachi Power Tools has since rebranded as Metabo HPT with no change to specifications. The bit carries a 30-day limited warranty.

Key Features

Hitachi Power Tools has renamed to Metabo HPT. Same great tools, with only a new name.

1/4-inch by 18-inch auger drill bit with 1/4-inch shank diameter

Precision design creates less wobble in the drill and bit

Self-feeding tip and wide throat leave cleaner holes

Ideal for wood, plastic and metal

Comes with a 30-day limited warranty

1/4" x18" Auger Bit

1/4" shank

Precision design

High speed steel

Wood or Plastic

Specifications

Diameter
1/4 inch
Length
18 inches
Shank
1/4 inch Hex
Material
High-Speed Steel (HSS)
Tip Type
Self-feeding
Compatible Materials
Wood, Plastic, Metal
Warranty
30-day limited
Brand Note
Hitachi Power Tools rebranded as Metabo HPT

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Self-feeding tip pulls itself into wood framing with minimal downward pressure, enabling one-handed overhead boring through joists without sustained arm fatigue
  • 18-inch overall length reaches through standard stud bay depths with clearance, keeping the drill body outside the cavity during wire routing operations
  • 1/4-inch hex shank fits standard hex chuck adapters on cordless drills and impact drivers, enabling fast bit swaps in tight framing cavities without a drill key
  • Wide throat geometry clears chips and wood debris from the bore as it advances, reducing clogging and producing a cleaner entry hole than spade bits at equivalent diameters
  • HSS construction maintains cutting edge hardness through repeated use in standard softwood framing lumber, engineered wood products, and plastic conduit

👎 Cons

  • At 1/4-inch diameter, the bore is too small for standard 14/2 or 12/2 electrical cable in most applications — a separate larger-diameter pass or different bit is required to complete the wire route
  • HSS construction dulls faster than carbide-tipped alternatives when drilling through hardwood, reclaimed lumber with embedded fasteners, or thin-gauge metal
  • The 30-day limited warranty is short relative to comparable bits from Milwaukee, Bosch, or Irwin, which offer longer coverage on cutting tools for professional use
  • At 18 inches, the bit has limited lateral rigidity — deflection can occur when boring at non-perpendicular angles or when the tip contacts a dense knot in the wood grain
  • Chip ejection performance depends on consistent rotation speed — too slow causes throat clogging; too fast can scorch dry or dense material around the bore entry

Frequently Asked Questions

The bit is rated for wood and plastic as its primary applications. Metal is also noted in the product specifications, though for metal drilling appropriate reduced speeds and lubrication are required to avoid premature wear of the HSS cutting edge.
The 728255 uses a 1/4-inch hex shank, fitting any standard 1/4-inch hex chuck — common on cordless drills and impact drivers with hex adapter chucks. No SDS, Spline, or specialty chuck is required.
The self-feeding tip pulls the bit into the material with each rotation, reducing the downward pressure the operator must apply. This is particularly useful in overhead drilling positions — boring through joists from below — where maintaining downward force on a standard bit is physically tiring.
Standard stud bays are approximately 14.5 inches between studs. The 18-inch length allows the bit to penetrate the full depth while the drill body remains outside the cavity, enabling a complete through-hole for wire routing without repositioning the drill.
Yes — Hitachi Power Tools rebranded to Metabo HPT with no change to product specifications. The bit itself is identical under both brand names.

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