| Error | Reason | Countermeasure |
| – Bad drill regrinding | – Improve regrinding |
| – Insufficient amount of coolant or coolant method | – Change coolant supply – Increase amount of coolant |
| – Insufficient clamping – Large radial run out of spindle | – Use precision clamping – Calibrate spindle |
| Bad surface quality | – Feed rate too high | – Reduce feed rate |
| – High wear of cutting edge – High welding | – Regrind drill – Use a coated drill |
| – Bad chip removal | – Chose a suitable drill (with an accordingly flute, helical angle etc.) – Adjust cutting speed (reduce feed rate, etc.) |
| Bad cylindricity | – No symmetrical point angle – Large radial run out (drilling) – Centre insert is off centre – Large cutting edge wear – Feed rate too low | – Regrind drill – Check regrind – Increase feed rate |
| Breakage of drill | – Insufficient clamping of tool and/or workpiece | – Improve stability of tool and clamping of workpiece |
| – Clearance angle too small | – Use a drill with bigger clearance angle or regrind |
| – Feed rate too high | – Reduce feed rate |
| – Excessive wear | – Regrind drill |
| – Chip jamming | – Chose a suitable drill (considering flute geometry, helical angle, etc.) – Adjust cutting speed – Reduce feed rate |
| – Drilling in uneven surfaces | – Increase rigidity of drill and clamping of machine and workpiece – Use drill with sharp centre insert – Pre-drill a centre hole – Create a straight surface (e.g. with solid carbide milling cutter) – Use a guide bush or bush plate |
| Chipping on the drill | – Hard surface or blow holes | – Check material and chose suitable grade – Change cutting conditions (cutting speed, feed rate or machining method) |
| – Feed rate too high | – Reduce feed rate |
| – Insufficient coolant | – Improve/increase coolant supply |
| Chipping on the cutting edge | – Poor clamping – Large radial run out | – Use a more precise clamping device – Adjust the spindle |
| – Cutting speed and feed rate too high | – Reduce cutting speed and feed rate |
| – Clearance angle too large | – Use a drill with smaller clearance angle or regrind |