broken bit

[LCHIEN]

I broke a bit in woodworking for the first time in god knows how long.
1/8" brad point, DP set for 900 RPM.
Treated pine , one inch wide pictured. Had the fence set so it drilled 1/2" from the fence.

Big Red arrow outline is the intended center of the hole. Red line arrow is the path it took.

I think the bit hit the hard dark grain and walked off to the side following that real soft white grain - you can see the entry point is to the left of the dark hard grain and the bit bent and broke before I knew it.

Faster RPM (Wood Speed chart says 1800 RPM for brad point 3000 RPM for regular twist drill?
Less bit extension from the chuck (but I did want to drill a one inch deep pilot hole...)? (so it deflects less)

I think I solved it...
First I increased the bit speed to 3000 RPM
Then I used a regular 118° pointed bit
Finally I used a automatic center punch to put a good deep starting divot where I wanted the bit to enter even if it was on a hard grain edge.

The bit turning fast was able to stay in the divot and eat away at the wood and make good holes. Finished all 8 without further issue. Once it entered in the right place, it keeps going straight.
At too slow a speed the bit deflected faster than it ate away, the divot helped it stay on point as it ate away.

Dang, I had that bit for 20 years... part of a Delta set of 7 brad point bits, my first brad point bits.
Learn something every day.

[Slik Geek]

What was the speed of the descent of the bit onto the wood? (Could that have been a factor?)

[LCHIEN]

normal feed rates, I think. I expected the wood to be kind of soft (treated pine).