
5 Best Cobalt Drill Bits
- 1. DEWALT Cobalt DWA1240 Drill Bit Set of 14 with Pilot Point DEWALT Cobalt Drill Bit Set with Pilot Point, 14-Piece (DWA1240) View on Amazon ...
- 2. Irwin-Tools-3016032-High-Speed Cobalt Drill Bits ...
- 3. Drill America DWD29J-CO-PC Cobalt Steel Bit Set ...
- 4. Craftsman 9-64085 Bit 21-Piece Set Professional Cobalt Drill ...
- 5. Bosch CO14B Cobalt M42 Drill Bits – 14 Pieces ...
- Best Overall. DEWALT Cobalt Drill Bit Set with Pilot Point. ...
- Runner-Up. IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Steel. ...
- Upgrade Pick. Drill America 20 Piece M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set. ...
- Best For Cast Iron. Bosch CO14B Cobalt M42 Drill Bit Set. ...
- Best For Stainless Steel. ...
- Best For Bronze. ...
- Best For Titanium.
Who makes the best drill bits?
Drill America makes M42 cobalt bits that held up really well in drilling through anything we threw at them. After testing with a multitude of materials, we selected their jobber bits as our best drill bits for hardened steel. The bits feature the expected 135° split point, which gives you a nice, steady, and productive drilling speed.
What are the best drill bits?
Best With Speed: BOSCH DSB5013P 13pcs Drill Bit. “Up to ten times faster than conventional spade bits with self-feeding full-cone thread tip.”. Best for Metal: CO-Z SDB-0000 5pcs Drill Bit. “CO-Z step drill bits set replaces 50 individual bits in 5 pieces of step bits, which saves you a lot of space.
How to choose the best drill bits?
The main criteria to consider before choosing your drill are the following:
- Drill bit material: HSS or tungsten carbide
- The fit: will depend on the machine used.
- Diameter
- Drill bit type: twist, step, reamer, center, conical, insert
- Drill bit coating
- Bit angle
- Bit length (short or long)
Which drill bit is stronger carbide or cobalt?
Carbide drill bits are generally more expensive than cobalt but can withstand higher temperatures and have greater wear resistance. This leads to longer tool life, often offsetting the cost difference. Carbide drill bits enable greater cutting speed while maintaining a high-quality finish than cobalt drill bits, enhancing manufacturing throughput.

Which is better M35 or M42 cobalt?
The added advantage of M35 cobalt drill bits is that they can be used in a hand held drill without too much fear of breakage. An M42 (8% cobalt) drill bit will drill harder metals however will also be more prone to breakage due to its inceased brittleness.
Which drill bit is better cobalt or carbide?
DRILL BIT MATERIALS Cobalt (HSCO) is considered an upgrade from HSS because it includes 5-8% Cobalt blended into the base material. This is a great option for drilling into harder steel as well as stainless steel grades. Carbide (Carb) is the hardest and most brittle of the drill bit materials.
What are the different grades of cobalt drill bits?
Normally the cobalt drill bits are made from M42 and M35 grade cobalt steel. If steel alloy has an amount of 5 per cent cobalt then it is called as M35 grade cobalt steel. M42 cobalt steel contains 8 per cent of cobalt.
What drill bits are stronger than cobalt?
Titanium drill bits are harder than cobalt, but because they are coated, they can't be sharpened. Cobalt drill bits are made of cobalt steel, and they can be sharpened. They are also highly resistant to heat and are very hard and abrasive.
What is the toughest drill bit for metal?
Clearly, the best drill bits for hardened metal or steel come with a cobalt blend. These cobalt drill bits use an alloy including 5%–8% cobalt. This cobalt makes up part of the steel blend, so the hardness of the bit doesn't wear off with a coating (like titanium bits). It runs throughout the entire bit.
What is the strongest drill bit?
Diamond Drill Bit Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) is one of the hardest drill bit material, which can be used on the toughest materials, such as glass and ceramic.
Which is better carbide or cobalt?
Carbide Drill Bits vs. As we have seen, both drill bits are made from high-grade materials and perform well. But in terms of strength, solid carbide drill bits are superior, with a hardness of 75 HRC and cobalt's hardness of 65 HRC on a Rockwell scale.
Do cobalt drill bits break easily?
Like other HSS bits, they are corrosion-resistant, which means they should retain their condition in all storage and usage conditions they're likely to experience. However, cobalt can be brittle. If your cobalt drill bits aren't cared for properly or are dropped, they can break – which can prove costly.
Are titanium drill bits better than cobalt?
Titanium drill bits are usually cheaper than cobalt bits. However, they don't last as long because the coating comes off over time. As you might imagine, this can cost you more money in the long run. Of course, some people don't need a durable bit that is going to last a long time.
What drill bits last the longest?
Titanium (Coating) This type of drill bit lasts longer than black oxide. Titanium drill bits tend to drill faster than black oxide and chips move through the flutes better. One of the downsides is that the titanium nitride is just a coating and you lose the benefits as the coating wears off the cutting edges.
What is the best drill bit to drill through steel?
Cobalt drill bitsCobalt drill bits are the best drill bits for hard metals including stainless steel. If you are using a hand drill then a 5% (M35) drill bit will be most suitable and it will be less brittle than other drill bits. TTP HARD drill bits are 5% cobalt and are a high quality drill bit.
Can you sharpen cobalt drill bits?
Cobalt drill bits have a high resistance to heat, making them perfect for repeated use. But after a while, the cutting edge becomes dull and needs sharpening. If you have a bench grinder, you can sharpen the bits on your own.
Which is better tungsten carbide or cobalt?
Tungsten carbide rings, being the harder of the two materials, do have considerably less malleability than cobalt rings. Being a softer metal, cobalt rings can be completed in more intricate styles like tension-set diamond bands and are shatterproof.
What is a carbide drill bit used for?
Carbide drill bits are resistant to abrasion, making them better used for drilling into hard metals. They also stay sharp for longer then steel, HSS, or titanium bits and are effective for drilling tile and masonry. Drill Bits are sometimes confused with End Mills, But they possess key differences.
What drill bits last the longest?
Titanium (Coating) This type of drill bit lasts longer than black oxide. Titanium drill bits tend to drill faster than black oxide and chips move through the flutes better. One of the downsides is that the titanium nitride is just a coating and you lose the benefits as the coating wears off the cutting edges.
What is the best type of drill bit for stainless steel?
Carbide is one such material found in drill bits for stainless steel. Titanium and tungsten carbide are nearly as hard as diamond, making them ideal for penetrating steel. These carbide-infused drill bits are one strong option when drilling straight into stainless steel.
What is the difference between a cobalt drill bit and a cobalt drill bit?
An M35 grade cobalt bit contains 5 percent cobalt, while an M42 grade cobalt bit contains 8 percent. The higher the grade, the more expensive the bit.
How many different types of cobalt drill bits are there?
Cobalt drill bits come in four different types, with each serving a specific purpose. Understanding the right application for each bit type is essential.
What do you need to drill a countersink hole?
If you need to drill countersink holes, then you’ll need twist bits to drill the initial hole and countersink drill bits to create the countersink holes.
What is a countersink drill?
Countersink drill bits create shallow holes that allow the head of a fastener to sit flush with the material and are angled to match the tapered head of the fastener. Cobalt countersink bits will create countersink holes in hard metals. Unlike twist drill bits, which include self-piloting tips, countersink bits require an existing hole ...
What is a twist drill bit?
Twist drill bits are for general-purpose use, meaning they can drill into many different materials. Cobalt twist bits are strong enough to bore into hard metals quickly. They come in a wide variety of sizes, with sets including up to 30 pieces.
What is the best drill bit for hardened steel?
There aren’t many materials strong enough to put holes in hardened steel. When you need that kind of strength, the only answer is cobalt alloy drill bits. Cobalt drill bits are made of a steel alloy of 5 to 8 percent cobalt. These powerful bits will chew through cast iron, aluminum, and even steel.
What to wear when working with cobalt drill bits?
Drilling through steel, cast iron, and other metals produces tiny shards that can end up in your skin or eyes, so make sure to wear protective gloves and glasses when working with cobalt drill bits.
What grade of cobalt is used in a drill bit?
You can use these bits to drill into both hardened steel, metal and wood. They are grade M35 and contain 5% cobalt. Moreover, the tools also feature a split-point tip with a 135-degree angle for enhanced stability when twisting and spinning your drill.
What Are the Different Types of Cobalt Drill Bits?
There are four types of cobalt drill bits that differ mainly in their tip design, shank style, and length. It is crucial to understand your options in detail for you to find a product that is best for your needs.
What are counterbore bits?
These types of bits feature a flat bottom design, with a small hole at the center that cuts through all kinds of surfaces. Counterbores are mainly ideal for drilling through plastics and wood.
Why do you need lubricant for cobalt drill bits?
It is also crucial to use lubricants because this will help reduce the chances of your drill bits breaking when in use . There are also some options (bit size and pcs) for buying it. Moreover, these best cobalt drill bits for metal come at affordable prices.
What is a M35 drill bit?
These drill bits are grade M 35, and this means they contain 5% cobalt. They are ideal for drilling through sturdy materials like cast iron, titanium, and stainless steel. You could also use them to bore holes in woods, plastics, and other softer materials. The performance of the drill bits is also quite reliable.
Why is it important to drill smaller holes?
This dramatically reduces the risk of clogging and increases your ability to create clean holes with unmatched accuracy.
Why do you buy cobalt drill bits?
This enables the tool to withstand extreme temperatures without breaking or shuttering. So, it is stable, durable, and sharp drill bits.
What is a dewalt cobalt drill bit?
DEWALT cobalt drill bit set is another useful product that has been designed to provide maximum speed, performance and life to the users. This is an ideal tool for hardened materials like stainless steel and many more.
Why are cobalt drill bits shorter?
The cobalt drill bits with the shorter length are always recommended because they can easily withstand wear and tear and they can survive twisting and spinning too. Size: Variety of bits matters a lot.
What are the advantage of using diamond drill bits?
Diamond drill bits are commonly used with the portable drill and they are known for their clean holes. They offer some amazing advantages too which are as follow,
What is a M35 drill bit?
This is a high quality drill bit set that has been designed to serve for longer years in comparison to other drill bit sets. This set is made of 5% cobalt and high speed Steel M35 that enhances the life of this tool set.
Why is it important to buy a drill bit set?
In short buying the best drill bit set is necessary as it provides an ultimate solution to all your drilling problems. Although in market plenty of options are available but people who have used cobalt bits they claim that they are the best. Above mentioned drill bits are considered as the best cobalt drill bits so you can select them without any hesitation.
What are drill bits made of?
Manufacturers have introduced different sets of drill bits over the years that are made of different materials like carbon steel, cobalt steel, high speed steel, carbide and titanium coated drills. Bits made of different materials have different specifications but when we talk about cobalt drill bits we come to know that they are best ...
How many types of drill bits are there?
Owing some good drill bits is necessary to perform the drilling tasks accurately. There are 7 types of drill bits that are available in the market so here we will illustrate them one by one.
What is a 29 piece cobalt drill bit?
A 29-piece cobalt drill bit set that’s effective at drilling stainless steel, Inconel, and titanium.
Which is better, carbide or cobalt drill bits?
A: Neither is better since they are used for different applications. Cobalt drill bits are an upgraded form of high-speed steel with five to eight percent of cobalt infused into the material. They are, therefore, a great option for drilling into hard metals and can be used in hand drills and drill presses. On the other hand, carbide drill bits are harder than the cobalt alternatives and are only designed to handle large-scale production drilling. They can bore through the hardest metals.
How many bits are in a drill bit set?
The round container has 29 drill bits arranged in a circular pattern according to size, in 1/16-inch to ½-inch by 1/64-inch increments. The drill bits are engineered from M2 premium high-speed steel that can bore into almost all hard metals, including stainless steel, aluminum, iron, and titanium.
What are drill bits made of?
Most cobalt drill bits are made from a combination of cobalt and steel; cobalt alone is a weak drilling material that may deteriorate. Read our buying guide for some of the best cobalt drill bits on the market today.
What is a countersink drill?
Countersink drill bits are typically used on wooden surfaces. They feature a tapered fastener head for stability when the drill bit is installed on a power tool. They drill without twisting or spinning. However, the drill can’t bore into the surface without a pilot hole and a small middle hole.
What is twist drill bit?
Twist drill bits are a widely-used option due to their versatility. They can drill through all types of materials and come in different sizes for different applications. They are typically coated with a metal oxide to increase their heat resistance capabilities. You won't have to worry about the spinning, twisting, or breaking, and they can be fitted into a wide range of power tools. The shorter the length of the twist drill bit, the more sturdy it is.
Why are drill bits shorter?
Shorter drill bits are more resistant to spinning, twisting, and breaking. This is due to the sturdiness of a shorter structure combined with more twists in the drill bit that make a thicker and firmer structure.
What is a high speed cobalt drill?
High speed cobalt (HSCO) tools are an upgrade from high speed steel (HSS) due to increased heat resistance because of 5-8% Cobalt in an alloy. Cobalt drill bits are better if you need to make a hole in hardened or stainless steel. Cobalt drill bits – check Amazon.
What are cobalt drill bits made of?
You can easily distinguish cobalt bits from others by a dull gold color that occurs when the tool is baked in the manufacturing process, it’s a coating, true cobalt drill bits are made of solid cobalt alloy. For this reason, they don’t lose their durability and strength after proper sharpening, even if the gold color wears off.
What is the hardest bit to drill?
Drill bits made of carbide (Carb) are the hardest and in the same time most brittle bits. Usually, carbide-tipped bits are used in drilling stone and masonry. Full-body carbide bits are capable in drilling the hardest materials but due to brittleness they are used in automated production only.
What is the best drill bit for a deep hole?
Full body cemented carbide drill bits have superior combination of toughness, strength and durability. Solid carbide bits perform very well when drilling deep holes.
What is the glue used to hold tungsten carbide?
Powdered cobalt also acts as the “glue” to hold tungsten carbide, titanium, tantalum and niobium carbides to improve the properties of the cutting tools. Tungsten Carbide. “Carbide” bits and inserts are actually made of tungsten carbide.
What is powdered cobalt used for?
Powdered cobalt also acts as the “glue” to hold tungsten carbide, titanium, tantalum and niobium carbides to improve the properties of the cutting tools.
Which is more expensive, carbide or cobalt?
Cobalt drill bits are more expensive than HSS and carbide bits, but they tend to last longer so they are good investment for workshop or even DIYer, if he drills often.
What are cobalt drill bits?
A) Cobalt drill bits are drill bits comprising of different metals including a percentage of cobalt. The two most common cobalt percentages are. Q) When to use cobalt drill bits? A) Cobalt drill bits should be used for drilling metal. They are particularly well suited to drilling harder metals such as stainless steel.
What is the cobalt content of TTP drill bits?
This means that they contain approximately 5% cobalt. This will allow the drills to drill the majority of hard metals including stainless steel. The remaining 95% is made up of a mixture of other metals including molybdenum which greatly increases the drill bits ability to withstand higher temperatures. Because TTP HARD drills have 5% cobalt ...
What type of drill bit is used to drill through stainless steel?
For the majority of individuals cobalt drill bits will drill through most metals they will need to drill including stainless steel, hardened steel and high tensile bolts. Read testimonials from TTP HARD cobalt drill bit customers to see what they have drilled.
What type of drill bits are used for drilling?
A) There are many types of drill bits available for drilling different metal types. These include HSS, Titanium, Carbide, Cobalt and Tungston.
What is a M42 drill bit?
An M42 (8% cobalt) drill bit will drill harder metals however will also be more prone to breakage due to its inceased brittleness. M42 cobalt drill bits are best suited to use in a pedestal drill where direction of drilling is controlled better than a hand drill. Q) Is it possible to resharpen cobalt drill bits?
What is the advantage of a M35 drill bit?
It enables the drill bit to drill harder metals. It increases the brittleness of the drill bit. An M35 (5% cobalt) drill bit will drill the majority of metals most people will need to drill. The added advantage of M35 cobalt drill bits is that they can be used in a hand held drill without too much fear of breakage.
How long do you have to return drill bits?
If within 3 months of purchase you are not satisfied with the performance of our drill bits you can return them and we will refund your purcahse price in full.
What is the best cobalt drill bit?
Our best Cobalt drill bits for metal drilling are made from an alloy of 8% cobalt (M42). You can also find these bits with a 5% cobalt blend (M35). Since the cobalt is blended into the steel, it doesn’t wear away like a titanium or black oxide coating. That also means you can sharpen them before having to replace them.
What is the best drill bit for hardened metal?
Clearly the best drill bits for hardened metal or steel come with a cobalt blend. These cobalt drill bits use an alloy including 5%–8% cobalt. This cobalt makes up part of the steel blend, so the hardness of the bit doesn’t wear off with a coating (like titanium bits). It runs throughout the entire bit.
What is the Irwin 29 piece drill bit?
The Irwin 29-piece Cobalt M-42 Metal Index Drill Bit Set performs very similarly to the M42 set. With a bit less cobalt in the steel blend, it just heats up a bit more quickly. You get the same great case. The trade-up is cost. You can get this set for just $111.
What kind of steel is used for drill bits?
It has to do with the use of M42 high-speed steel and its excellent case. Many less expensive cobalt drill bits use M35 steel which has a 5% cobalt blend. M42 steel uses an 8% cobalt blend. This gives it a greater hardness.
How to cut a hole with a cobalt bit?
When drilling a hole with a cobalt bit, add a drop of oil on the metal to keep the cu tting edge cooler as it cuts. You also want to consider placing some wood underneath the steel if possible. This lets you cut cleanly through the material and not strike a surface below which might dull the cutting edge.
What is a 135 split point drill?
The 135° split point tip helps when starting your hole and larger sizes feature a Chip Breaker —a groove at the midpoint of the cutting edge that further reduces heat buildup. We love how quickly these bits drill and also how well they remove steel in tight, efficient spirals. The combination of the unique cutting head and the flute design landed these as our best drill bits for steel—particularly carbon steel.
How much are Diablo step bits?
We like the 132° split-point tip that all but eliminates the need for pre-drilling. You can get them in sizes from 1/2 to 1-3/8 inches. Pricing for each bit ranges between $23.99 and $50.99.