A short-hole drill bit and short-hole drilling method in which a drill bit has a unitary body with a substantially V-shaped flute and a support pad are provided. The unitary body has a shank portion and a working portion. The flute extends axially along the working portion, and defines a cutting edge and a passive edge at the body periphery. The support pad is located along a portion of the body periphery. The support pad is located with respect to the cutting edge based on a normal cutting force and a tangential cutting force at the cutting edge. The resultant cutting force is directed at the support pad to cause the support pad to center the short-hole drill bit during operation.