The Side Cutting Drill Bit For Corners
Every electrician and plumber knows the moment. You've got a clean run going, you hit a corner, and suddenly the job stops. A side cutting drill bit is the fix. A bit that drops straight down into the wood and then cuts sideways, so you can turn the corner without pulling out, re-measuring, and drilling a second hole from a second angle.
That's the Rover Bit. If you run Romex or PEX for a living, this is going to be the most-reached-for bit in your box. Here's how it works and how to use it.
Why Drilling Around Corners Is the Worst Part of a Rough-In
A standard bit only knows one direction: down. Auger, spade, self-feed, they all cut with the tip, which means every change in direction costs you a new hole, a new setup, and usually a new position on the ladder.
So you improvise. You drill from one side, drill from the other, and hope the two holes meet in the middle. You drill oversized so you've got room to fish. You end up with a stud that looks chewed up and a run that took three times longer than it should have.
None of that is a skill problem. It's a tool problem.
What a Side Cutting Drill Bit Actually Does Differently
The Rover Bit has patented side cutters. That means it cuts on the tip and on the side of the bit, so once you're in the wood, you can steer.
Drop in vertically. Then push horizontally. The bit keeps cutting and walks right around the corner, carving a continuous channel instead of a straight hole. It doesn't bog down when you change direction, because sideways cutting is what it's built to do!
Practically, that's one entry point, one continuous pass, and a path your wire actually wants to follow.
How to Run Romex Around a Corner in One Pass
- Mark your entry. Pick the spot where you want to drop in, usually right on the corner where the run needs to change direction.
- Drop straight in. Run the bit vertically into the wood, same as any bit. Let it seat.
- Turn and push. Once you're in, drive the bit horizontally in the direction of your run. The side cutters take over and the bit tracks around the corner.
- Come out where you want. Keep going until you break out at your exit point. You choose where that is, not the geometry of a straight bit.
- Pull your wire. The channel is continuous, so the Romex or PEX feeds through the turn instead of catching on a corner.
The 1-inch is the size most guys end up living on. It's big enough for the runs you're actually pulling and still moves through framing without a fight.
Hitting Nails and Screws: Keep Going
Existing framing is full of surprises. Nails, screws, whatever the last crew left behind. The Rover bits cutting edges use the same carbide, titanium, and cobalt blend as our Multi-purpose bits. Hit a nail or a screw with the Rover and you run right through it. No stopping, no backing out, no swapping to a different bit and coming back to it. Keep drilling and finish the run.
Keep using that bit until it genuinely won't drill anymore. When it's done, (It will be a while) send it back to us. We'll sharpen it, repair it, or replace it. That's the lifetime guarantee, and it's been the deal on every bit we've made since 1988. You cover the return shipping and that's it.
Same Move for PEX and Plumbing Runs
Nothing changes on the plumbing side. Drop in, come around the corner, run your PEX. Burying a line and need to turn it? Same three moves.
The reason it works for both trades is that the problem is identical. It was never about the wire or the tubing, it was about the corner.
Drop in vertically → drive horizontally → exit where you want
Quick Reference
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best for | Romex and NM-B runs, PEX and plumbing lines, retrofit and rough-in work |
| Go-to size | 1 inch |
| Nails and screws | Drill straight through and keep going |
| When it's worn out | Send it back — sharpen, repair, or replace, for life |
| Made in | Bristol, Rhode Island, USA |
Stop Drilling Twice.
Get the Rover Bit Set and turn every corner in one pass. Made in the USA by three generations of the same family, backed by a lifetime guarantee — if it ever quits on you, we'll sharpen it, fix it, or replace it.
Questions? Call us at 800-252-1330
LESS BARK, MORE BITE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a side cutting drill bit?
A side cutting drill bit cuts on both the tip and the side of the bit, instead of only on the tip. That lets you drill down into material and then move the bit sideways to cut horizontally. Bad Dog Rover Bits use patented side cutters designed specifically for this.
Can you drill around a corner with a regular drill bit?
Not in one pass. Standard auger, spade, and self-feed bits only cut at the tip, so turning a corner means drilling separate holes from separate angles and hoping they line up. A side cutting bit carves a continuous channel through the turn.
What size Rover Bit should I get for running Romex?
The 1-inch is the most popular size and handles the majority of residential wire and tubing runs. If you're running heavier or bundled lines, size up accordingly.
What happens if I hit a nail or screw while drilling?
Keep going. The Rover Bit drills right through nails and screws without stopping or requiring a bit change. You don't have to abandon the hole and start over.
Is the Rover Bit guaranteed?
Yes, for life. Use it until it won't drill anymore, then send it back and we'll sharpen, repair, or replace it. You only cover return shipping. We've stood behind every bit we've made since 1988. Over six million of them.
Written by Joseph Strong on 12th Aug 2026 I’m JJ Strong, a mechanical engineer and third-generation tool designer at Bad Dog Tools, our American-made, family-run company built on durability and innovation. I grew up hauling booths and talking tools at trade shows before I could even drive. Now I design and build and improve our next generation of lifetime-guaranteed tools - our custom induction brazing system to our precision sharpening technology. On weekends, you’ll find me restoring my ’86 Land Rover Defender or ’54 Jaguar XK120 and seeing just how much I can build (or break) with Bad Dog Tools.