What Is an HSS Drill Bit and When Would You Use It? - what is an hss drill bit
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
For more great drilling tools, check out our top picks for the best masonry drill bits, cordless drills, and impact drivers.
See Rae’s Creek winding gently in front of the green. See the beds of flowers behind. See the trees, the knolls, the tranquility. Then take the picture.
Here you can see players approaching the famous par 5 and putting out, then crane your neck to the left to watch them tee off on the par-3 16th and skip balls across the pond in a practice-round tradition. And through the trees ahead, you’ll also see tee shots on 17. Just a fantastic spot to take in a lot of golf.
The gallery is funneled to the right side of this par 5, and it’s a nice perch above the green, where you also get a sweeping view of the seventh green, and third and eighth tees.
These carbide Bosch bits and their self-centering tips are the perfect choice for those looking for an effective bit set that's relatively inexpensive. Their tips reduce the chance of any frustrating “walking” on your project, which is especially useful when working with decorative or stained glass.
The spear-shaped tip of this Kobalt bit allows it to power through glass safely and effectively, and the 1/4-inch size is a good all-around for a variety of household projects. The hex shank is convenient for most drills and quick-change adapters, too.
If you attend on Wednesday, stroll over to watch some of the Par 3 Contest on the charming nine-hole course. There many fun little corners, but I’ve always been partial to the view near the 9th tee, shooting across Ike’s Pond, with the green and cabins beyond.
You should also think about what type of glass drill bit is best for you and your project. There are standard tungsten carbide glass drill bits with spear-shaped tips and diamond-coated glass drill bits are more durable, but typically more expensive. If you plan on doing a lot of glass drilling and don’t want to worry about wearing out your bit, go with a diamond option.
You probably won’t be able to dine under an umbrella, as the patio is roped off, but its placement near the first and 10th tees, and the entrance to the par 3 contest, makes it a good meet-up spot. The quaint green-and-white umbrellas photograph nicely. And while you’re there, you might watch one of your favorite golfers eat a sandwich.
Cruise along the ropes on 13, and you’ll find yourself near the pines that Mickelson split like a pair of uprights in 2010 with one of the most famous shots in modern Masters history. Unlike Bubba’s shot on 10, Phil was inside the ropes, so you can’t actually stand on the exact spot. But as with Bubba, when you see the angle from Mickelson’s vantage point, the shot becomes all the more incredible.
A few years ago, Augusta opened Founders Circle to patrons during practice rounds, and the fan experience is even better for it. Stand in a short(ish) line, and you and your group will be brought over for a few minutes to snap a pic and gawk at the view down Magnolia Lane.
We’ve used several types of glass drill bits for stained glass projects and to create outlet holes in glass work desks, and have come to understand what makes them so valuable. Our experience and comprehensive knowledge of drill bits in general informed our selection. We did our best to choose brands that we have come to know and trust over the years, like Milwaukee and Bosch, and exclude any that we have had quality control issues with in the past. We also made sure to include a good variety of types, sizes, and prices, so hopefully you’ll be able to find the one that best suits your needs.
There are no plaques embedded in Augusta’s turf to commemorate great shots, and you may have to wander a bit through the trees about 350 yards off the 10th tee before you spot the clearing. But more often than not, once you get close, you’ll find a small group of knowing fans who have already pinpointed the spot and are snapping their own pictures. It’s remarkable to stand there and ponder how Watson was able to reach the green just moments before slipping into his first green jacket.
Heading to Augusta National this year? Congrats! Maybe you’re attending the final of the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, or the Drive, Chip and Putt contest. Maybe you won single-day tickets through Augusta’s annual lottery, or maybe you’re tagging along with a friend. Whatever the case, you’re there, and you’re going to love it. Be sure to bring a camera – a real camera, not an iPhone – and be ready to snap. It’s almost impossible to take a bad photo at Augusta (as long as you remove the lens cap) but you’ll also need to maximize your time. Follow this guide to see all the best spots for your memories — and your Instagram account.
A convenient zippered storage case keeps all your bits organized and easy to find when you need them. The only caveat is that they aren’t designed for small holes.
This 3/8-inch bit is a great all-around choice for glasswork — and bonus, it's also designed for use with tile and natural stone. Unlike more delicate options, this bit can be used in hammer mode when working with stone, making it even more functional (just don’t use hammer mode with glass).
Creating a hole in a piece of glass might seem difficult, but with a power drill and glass drill bit, it’s actually pretty easy to accomplish. Unlike typical drill bits that can easily crack or shatter your workpiece, glass drill bits are designed with extremely hard tips. They're made with either tungsten carbide or a diamond coating to create uniform holes in glass, as well as in other brittle materials like ceramic, stone, or tile. Glass drill bits require a little more finesse to use than wood or masonry drill bits (having a good cordless drill helps) but with a little practice you’ll be prepared to tackle a wide variety of craft and home DIY projects.
This six-piece bit set is designed for tackling a wide range of small drilling tasks — and costs less than $10. The spear-pointed design allows for use on range of materials in addition to glass, and reduces the chance of breakout on the rear of the workpiece. The bits are available in five- and eight-piece versions, as well.
We’re also big fans of the large, clear size markings on the sides of the bits that make it easy to find the one you want.
This 10-piece hole saw set offers an impressive range of bit sizes for a lower price than similar diamond sets. They’re easy to use as well, thanks to the included foam guide. It helps to keep your saw from moving around while you work and contains water being used as lubricant.
Augusta’s old-fashioned leaderboards are iconic, and none is more prominent than the jumbo board on the opening hole. If you enter through the main spectator gate, this will probably be the first thing you see upon hitting the course. Everyone takes a photo here, but there’s no shame in following the crowd.
This is a pretty famous spot in golf, you know? Frame your pic with the iconic leaderboard in the background and you’ve got the photo for your family holiday card covered early this year.
The first thing to consider when choosing a glass drill bit is the size of the hole you’re making. Pro tip: In addition to the correct size bit, buy one that's slightly smaller to drill a pilot hole. As a rule of thumb, 1/8-inch is a good pilot hole size for smaller tasks. If you’re planning on drilling especially large holes, you might need to use a hole saw. These are tube-shaped saws that actually remove a circular section of glass, instead of drilling it away.
Kobalt's 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects is a definite plus. Be sure to lubricate with water to extend the bit's lifespan — and ensure the best results.
For those who use a Dremel to work on glass crafting projects—like sea glass or beads—these extra-small drill bits and included collet will have you covered. With 20 identical 2mm bits, this set is perfect for busy craft or jewelry makers who don’t want to worry about replacing worn-down bits. Keep in mind that these bits must be used with water as a lubricant and are not for dry drilling.
Although not technically “bits,” these Milwaukee hole saws are still great for drilling or working with glass. Thanks to large slug ejection slots it’s easy to clear them out after each hole, and the 1/4-inch quick-change hex shank is super convenient. They’re also heat-resistant so they’re designed to last, even when cutting extra-hard materials.