The Milwaukee Hole Dozer with Carbide Teeth really wins for metal drilling. It can tackle stainless steel and certainly anything softer or milder than that. These are the best hole saws for metal drilling that electricians, HVAC, and/or MRO Pros can use.

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Stainlesssteel

For tapping Hardened Steel we would always recommend our high-resistance range of machine taps. These Italian made ultra-high quality powder metal machine taps from UFS also contain high cobalt and vanadium content for the ultimate wear resistance. The short flute design and 15° helix angle provide exceptional strength when tapping hard steels.

We have several Hardened Steel carbide drills from YG-1, Karnasch and Kennametal that are dedicated for high-performance drilling of 50-70HRC. They all have a lower helix angle than standard carbide drills which maximise rigidity.

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. It also lets you drill at higher speeds than the M35. Irwin sells an M35 cobalt set as well if you don’t plan to drill hardened steel.

Hardened Steel is a more wear-resistant and durable carbon steel that has been specially treated to offer improved hardness and strength over softer steels.

Similar to Stainless Steel, Exotics (or Heat Resistant Super Alloys) are preferred where corrosion resistance is required. Not only that but Exotics also have a higher temperature resistance than Hardened Steel.

Stainless steels are steel alloys consisting of at least 10.5% chromium and there are different grades. As a low-carbon steel, stainless steel has a natural hardness that comes without traditional hardening. Because of rust and stain resistance, good luster, and low maintenance, it has many commercial uses including cookware, cutlery, home appliances, construction fasteners, and surgical instruments.

You can find many types of drill bits made with an equally diverse amount of coatings and compositions. When it comes to the best drill bits for metal, however, only a few materials hold up well over time.

With titanium nitride, you have to remember it only coats the bit. As the coating wears off the cutting edges, you pretty much have to replace them. Don’t use these bits for drilling hardened steel or stainless—not if you want them to last.

A more cost effective option, but at the sacrifice of tool life, would be to go down the route of ceramic turning inserts. As a last resort, PCD Turning Inserts can also be used because the base of the material is made from Diamond which is the hardest in the world.

Toolsteel

Should you need to ream a Hardened Steel drilled hole, we also have a range of Carbide reamers for Hardened Steel up to 67HRC from Karnasch.

Irwin gives these bits a Speedpoint tip. It helps get the hole started quickly and reduces wandering. We also have to admit these became our best step bits for metal in part because Irwin laser-etched the measurements right on the inside of the flute. They don’t wear off quickly like other bits we’ve used.

Machinesteel

Spyder uses a proprietary Mach-Blue plating on its drill bits. Likely a form of Titanium Nitride and Aluminum (TiAlN) coating, it helps retain sharp cutting edges and reduce heat build-up. This should deliver faster cuts and help extend the life of the bit.

In Mold and Die, Hardened Steel is commonly used to construct the molds themselves. Despite its higher cost, it is chosen over other materials (such as Aluminium) due to the longer life span which outweighs the initial investment over a larger number of parts.

Use these bits when drilling tough, high-tensile strength materials like stainless steel—or even titanium. We opted for the D/A29J-CO-PC kit. It includes 29 bits in a shatterproof case. The round case makes it simple to remove the exact bit you need.

If you want to drill steel reliably, avoid anything made with low-carbon steel. Even generic high-carbon steel tends to work well for a little while—but quickly dulls and requires sharpening.

Machining steelgrades

The bits feature the expected 135° split point, which gives you a nice, steady, and productive drilling speed. The jobber length bits work perfectly in cordless drills for onsite drilling. They come manufactured to the National Aerospace Standard 907. Because of how hard they are, you can drill up to 30% faster than you can with conventional M2 high-speed steel bits. Drill America also doesn’t grind down the shafts on its larger bits—so you get more rigidity, but you also need a 1/2-inch chuck to drive them.

Managing tool life is always important and when machining Hardened Steel you may experience high cutting temperatures which can reduce how long a tool will optimally perform. We recommend using small cut depths when machining Hardened Steel because of the increased time the tool is exited from the cutting process. It results in the cutting edge being cooled, thus increasing its tool life.

CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) is the 2nd hardest material, only surpassed by diamond, therefore CBN tooling is also commonly used in Hardened Steel applications due to its superior wear resistance and toughness.

Because they work effectively in both metal and wood, any Pro looking for a general-purpose set of hole saws should quickly fall in love with their productivity. It vastly outperforms bi-metal blades and tackles those materials carbide wood hole saws can’t (or shouldn’t) touch. You can buy kits from $105-$190

When drilling a hole with a cobalt bit, add a drop of oil on the metal to keep the cutting 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.

However, whatever differences there are between the outer look or chemical composition, both hardened steel and stainless steel are quite difficult to drill into. Using a drill press is often the best way to get quality results.

Which brings us to the case. If you do a lot of drilling—the case your bits come in matters. Accessing bits can be frustrating (we’re talking to you Milwaukee!) or hugely successful—like with this Irwin three-tier swing case. We love the easy-access bits, and you can easily tell the sizes from the front of each bit. Overall, this $179 kit gives you the best drill bits for metal applications of all kinds.

X- Power Pro milling cutters from YG-1 are exceptional for dry high-speed cutting of Hardened Steel. Made from an ultrafine micrograin carbide, X-Power Pro is ideal for many Hardened Steel applications such as mold & die, tool making or high-precision machining. The range includes micro diameters from just 0.4mm and has a range of geometries including standard, corner radius, long neck, ball nose and 6-8 flute finishing tools.

Mildsteel

This all depends on what tool you are using, but in most cases, tool life will be higher and more consistent when cutting dry. Flood coolant should certainly be avoided on Hardened Steel, it can reduce tool life considerably.

Bosch CO21B 21pc Cobalt M42 Metal Drill BitFor Pros looking for a reliable kit that should last a long time while providing plenty of options, this 21-piece kit delivers.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

When we talk about drilling in hardened steel, we mean medium or high carbon steels typically made using a heat-treatment and tempering process. Hardened steels are durable and can be wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and abrasion-resistant. Much of the steel materials that we see used in mechanical engineering, energy generation, and transportation are basically hardened steel. The best drill bits for metal could be designed for these hardened steel applications or they might be optimized for speed in softer carbon steels.

If the correct high-performance tool is selected, then the geometry of the flutes can be relied upon to control the heat, form the chips correctly and evacuate the swarf. This negates the requirement for coolant.

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These bits drill quickly through concrete then continue right through rebar. You really can’t find much else on the market that competes at this point, so it’s an easy recommendation for productivity. We believe in charging your accessories to the job—so if a simple bit can save you time and money, it’s a huge win in our book. Pricing goes anywhere from $6–$206.

When using coolant on Hardened Steel applications thermal shocking can occur due to the major temperature differences involved, which can cause breakages. If you need an alternative method for swarf evacuation, we would advise air or mist coolant instead.

When he's not playing with the latest power tool, Clint DeBoer enjoys life as a husband, father, and is an avid reader—especially the Bible. He loves Jesus, has a degree in recording engineering, and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another since 1992.

Hardened Steel is extremely resistant to wear and abrasion. This is one of the main benefits when producing components that need to withstand regular abuse or heavy loads without failure or damage. It is also able to combat rust and corrosion better than standard steel.

4G Mills from YG-1 are ideal for Hardened Steels up 55HRC. This range boasts a huge selection of sizes including micro tools from just 0.03mm diameter and a huge range of geometries including standard, ball nose, 6 flute finishers and reduced neck options. Despite the majority of 4G mills being made from a premium micrograin carbide, the unique tool geometry and coating allow them to machine up to 1200°C with outstanding wear resistance making them suitable for Hardened Steel up to 55HRC. There are also a select few series made from a nanograin carbide substrate for higher-performance machining.

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Drill bits made with a Titanium nitride coating resist corrosion and friction. It beats black oxide because it increases surface hardness and does a better job reducing heat while drilling through metal. For metal drilling, we recommend these as the bare minimum.

That’s okay! We know personal preferences take a front seat in determining the best drill bit, and every Pro is different. Do Pro Tool Nation a favor and tell us what your top pick is and why you love it. Feel free to put it in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

In the modern day, high-speed Hardened Steel tooling technologies now allow small cutting depths with large feed rates. These are increasingly becoming more prominent and replacing the older, more time-consuming methods.

In this section, I will advise in general what to consider when choosing the correct tools for Hardened Steel machining. However, if you require specific tooling recommendations for dedicated Hardened Steel machining then please see here.

Thanks to the cobalt steel blend, plan on sharpening these when the tips grow dull from use. The value of this kit makes these the best drill bits for steel.

Machiningmaterial

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

High-Speed Steel (HSS) Drill Bits present an upgrade over older carbon steel bits. Able to hold up better to excessive heat and wear, they make up a majority of drill bits sold on the mass market. You can use these bits for just about anything—so they serve as a jack-of-all-trades for both wood and metal applications. HSS dulls very quickly when used on more abrasive material.

For the ultimate performance on Hardened Steel, look no further than YG-1’s flagship X5070 Blue milling cutters. Dedicated for ultra-high performance machining of Hardened Steel up to 70HRC, these cutters can cope with extreme heat up to 1,400°C. The nanograin carbide substrate combined with YG-1’s unique silicon-based coating means nothing cuts Hardened Steel faster or for longer than X5070 Blue. The range includes a wide range of sizes from just 0.1mm diameter and a host of geometries including long neck, corner radius, ball nose and 6-8 flute finishing tools.

The main advantage of Stainless Steel over Hardened Steel is its corrosion resistance. Particularly because Hardened Steel is prone to cracking.

Despite Hardened Steel potentially being brittle or prone to cracking, Cast Iron is particularly more so (except for malleable cast iron).

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Despite some of the pros of using Hardened Steel, it should be taken into consideration that despite its hardness it is unable to cope with sharp impacts. Also, you should be careful when subjecting the material to high temperatures due to the quenching and tempering processes which can lead to a reduced melting point.

Listed in our best drill bits article, Milwaukee Red Helix cobalt bits use a variable flute design that clears away debris quickly. How quickly? About 30% faster than most other 135° split-tip bits we tested against. Their unique design not only helps them drill efficiently, but it also aids in cooling. The trade-off is that these bits thin out more towards the tip. Milwaukee countered this by making them a bit shorter than some others we’ve seen. However, they also extended the flutes lower towards the shaft. The result is a more compact bit with a similar drilling depth.

Ryobi 22pc Titanium Twist Drill Bit KitHomeowners should get a lot of use from this set—and the hex shanks work well with impact drivers.

One major thing to look out for, which is key to maintaining tool life and machining quality, is maintaining a constant chip load on the tool’s cutting edge. In milling, for instance, the chip load equals feed rate divided by spindle speed, multiplied by the number of cutting flutes.

Once you have selected the right type of tool you then need to consider what cutting data (speeds and/or feeds) you should use. Where possible, always follow the supplier or manufacturer’s recommended cutting data. If you are unsure of what speeds or feeds to use when machining Hardened Steel please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the Cutwel technical team for more advice.

When it comes to the best value pick, we wanted a set of bits for basic metal drilling. The DeWalt DWA1240 14-pc Cobalt Drill Bit Set employs a nice cobalt blend that gives these bits more capability over titanium-coated bits. You get a nice set of 14 bits ranging from 1/16-inch to the commonly-used 3/8-inch.

Tool run-out is quite important when machining Hardened Steel because if the runout is greater than 0.01mm, the tool life can be greatly reduced. This is particularly relevant on some small-diameter tools where the chip load can also be doubled if the runout is too big. This makes choosing the right toolholder for your application an absolute priority. High-precision chucks negate the impact of tool runout. Please contact me or the Cutwel Technical Team for advice on choosing the right toolholder for machining Hardened Steel.

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It is made by heating carbon steel to a higher temperature and then rapidly cooled. This process is called quenching. Because of quenching, the steel becomes extremely hard but also brittle. A solution to reducing brittleness without affecting the hardness, the material is reheated again and then left to naturally cool. This is called tempering. A combination of quenching and tempering results in Hardened Steel that can still be machined but without the risk of cracking.

First off, it is not possible to use HSS or standard Carbide tooling when milling Hardened Steel, especially above 50HRC. We would always recommend a superior grade of carbide such as Ultrafine or Nanograin. These substrates are much denser which results in a harder-wearing tool with extremely high heat resistance.

Due to the heat produced when machining Hardened Steel, you will require tools with a thermal barrier coating. In addition to this, cobalt content can also improve heat resistance and strength. Negative rake angle tools should also be adopted to protect the cutting edge against the hardness of the material.

Also on harder materials, thermal shock can occur, therefore air jet cooling, oil mist or air mist can be used. Jet cooling is the best option however as it eliminates any requirements for the tool to withstand rapid and severe temperature changes.

On the lower end of the budget, general-purpose coated carbide cutters such as K2 Carbide, NC Mills or Mammut Carbide can machine Hardened Steel up to 45HRC, but depending on your setup and machining capabilities, we would advise you to progress to a higher performing range such as 4G Mills or X-Power Pro to get the best results.

stainless can actually harden up as it heats—so drilling slowly often helps you get through the material more efficiently. Use cutting oil or similar lubricant when drilling into stainless and apply enough pressure to see a steady removal of material. Even the best drill bits for stainless steel heat up over time, so be prepared to monitor heat buildup.

Our team grabs Irwin Unibit Cobalt Step Bits for any quick thin metal drilling applications. The cobalt blend gives these bits a much longer life. Since step bits are both expensive and extremely difficult to sharpen, we like them to last as long as possible.

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.

The chip load varies widely, if the load is too low or too high it will cause them to wear out too fast, chip or break. Lots of high speed and feed cuts with small depths is the best method for ensuring a quality product.

Beststeelformachiningand welding

At Cutwel, we speak to many people about the difficulties of machining Hardened Steel and how we would advise best to machine this particular material. In this article I have summarised all the common questions I get asked and also provided a bit of background information to help you on your way.

You can also sharpen these bits—another huge advantage. That matters once you realize cobalt drill bits cost significantly more than other types of twist drill bits. Unlike black oxide or titanium bits, you want to reserve these bits for when you need them.

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.

Typically Hardened Steels rank on the Rockwell scale between 40HRC and 70HRC. Materials between 55-70HRC would generally be classed as high Hardened Steels. To compare all the different types of Steel and where Hardened Steels rank on the Rockwell scale, please see a summary below:

Should you need advice on machining Hardened Steel then please look no further than our expert technical team who boast a wealth of experience across a range of industries. We will be able to advise on tool selection, set up and machining methods to help you get the best from your Hardened Steel applications.

Looking at the best-selling metal drill bits on various trusted retailers helps when shopping. You often run into the best value, and we find the less expensive kits often find themselves at the top of these lists. We dropped links to what was at the front at the time we were writing, but they change often, so be sure to click the buttons to see what’s hot right now.

If you plan on drilling hardened metal or steels, we love the Irwin 29-piece M-42 Cobalt bit kit as our best metal drill bit set. Honestly, it’s not the fastest drilling bit that gets it our nod. It has to do with the use of M42 high-speed steel and its excellent case.

When turning Hardened Steel, one option to opt for are CBN turning inserts. These ground inserts offer vastly improved cutting speeds, tool life and surface finish compared to standard carbide inserts. They are specifically designed for turning Hardened Steel between 50-70HRC. We offer a range of grades for various applications including continuous or intermittent Hardened Steel turning.

Traditionally, machining Hardened Steel has always been a slow and time-consuming process. This was down to low cutting speeds and feeds being used, plus there was always a risk of deep stepped tool marks being formed on the workpiece due to the large cutting depths used, particularly when roughing. EDM (Electric discharge machining) can also be used on Hardened Steel which could end up being a very time-consuming and costly process.

For instance, in the automotive industry (as well as mechanical and plant engineering), Hardened Steel is often used to create parts such as gears, bolts, cardan shafts and coupling parts. The hardness and strength make the material have a high strength-to-weight ratio, which supports any applications that are subjected to shock loads or wear and tear.

To make it even better, you get a nice kit with clearly labeled bit sizes. The largest bits also feature the DeWalt Pilot Point which presents walking at the start of drilling.

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Black oxide drill bits also tend to dull quickly. We also recommend avoiding inexpensive steel drill bits that lack any sort of coating. While those bits may do well in softer steel, they can quickly dull and require frequent sharpening to continue to perform. In most cases, you get what you pay for.

Most commonmachining steel

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 with something like the Drill Doctor 750X drill bit sharpener before having to replace them. This helps save money when you buy these more expensive bit sets. Cobalt bits are our go-to for drilling through metal—particularly hardened steel and stainless steel.

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.

Sometimes you need to drill through steel…but that steel is buried in concrete. For those applications, you need something like the Diablo Rebar Demon SDS-Max and SDS-Plus bits. We like the design better than Bosch Rebar Cutters because you use the same bit to drill the hole and penetrate the rebar. With Bosch, you drill using rotary hammer mode, switch to the Rebar Cutter in rotary-only mode, and then return to your original bit to finish the hole.

We already wrote our opinions on the best drill bits overall—covering wood, metal, concrete, and more. In this go-around, we wanted to identify the best drill bits for metal applications. That includes hardened steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and more. We even wanted to see which drill bits worked well for drilling out hardened bolts as you might find in an engine block. People also ask us about bits that handle drilling through rebar. These are the bits we turn to and should steer you in the right direction.