What is spot drilling commonly used for?

Spot drilling is commonly utilized to locate a hole accurately for drilling. This process involves using a smaller drill bit to create a shallow indentation or pilot hole at the desired location. This indentation serves multiple purposes: it ensures precise alignment of the subsequent, larger drilling operation, reduces the risk of the drill bit wandering off the intended path, and helps to stabilize the drill bit as it begins to cut into the material.

When spot drilling is performed correctly, it significantly enhances the accuracy of hole placement. This is especially important in applications where positional tolerances are critical, such as in precision machining or assembly processes. By establishing a definite starting point for the larger drill, spot drilling leads to better overall results and optimizes the efficiency of the drilling operation.

The other options presented do not primarily align with the main purpose of spot drilling, which is focused on accurate hole placement rather than creating deep holes, introducing cutting edges, or machining surfaces.