A prick punch is like a center punch except with a sharper point. Use it to locate a more exact point and then follow up with a center punch to make a deeper, wider hole. Note that the prick punch should only be used on mild steel and softer metals like aluminum so you don’t damage the point.

What is best drill bit for stainless steelcabinets

We liked the compact round carry case that these bits come in. The screw-on top held securely and seemed to be watertight after we accidentally dropped it in a puddle. However, the bit-size indexing was all but impossible to read. Although the large quantity of bits makes the set heavy, this would be a good choice for carrying to project sites where precision drilling is required.

Learning how to drill through metal is not that hard. If you are using a sharp bit with the right speed, pressure, and a good cutting fluid, your shaving will come out 6-inches or longer. That is when you know you’re doing everything just right and drilling holes in metal becomes a pleasure…though still a bit messy.

Once I was drilling 3-inch holes in aluminum tubing with a hole saw using a drill press. Unfortunately, I was inside a closed building. Someone from about 300 feet away came and asked me to stop because it was so loud, it made their teeth hurt. Imagine how I felt in the same room positioned just 3 feet away! Using hole saws on metal should only be done on very thin and tightly anchored sheet metal—like electrical panels. Drilling large holes in metal using a hand drill is just asking for an injury to your wrist.

The most dangerous part of drilling a hole in any material, but especially metal, is when you finally break through. Therefore, when you get close to coming out the other side, slow down and ease off the pressure. Hang on very tightly to the workpiece (if it’s not clamped down). There is a good chance the bit is going to grab it and try and yank it out of your hands. That is why it is so important to always clamp down the workpiece. It makes for an “exciting” time when you have a chunk of steel spinning around at 300 RPM trying to break something!

High-speed steel bits or HHS bits cost less than many other metal drilling bits and you get what you pay for. When I was a young starving artist, I bought a set of cheap bits. The first time I used them in metal they literally unwound themselves. Ever since then I have bought Black & Decker Bullets, which are now branded as DeWalt drill bits with a pilot point. They work great in everything but the hardest metals like stainless steel.

It’s important not to use a claw hammer because they are hardened—and so is the center punch. Never strike a hardened tool against another hardened tool or you risk it chipping. Significant eye injuries are caused this way every year. This is why hammers always come with the warning to wear safety glasses.

We’re committed to testing and reviewing products so you can make an informed decision. Advertising does not influence our product reviews and it never will. We always focus our coverage on standout products and never hesitate to mention their flaws and quirks. By using our affiliate links, you’re supporting our work and helping us continue to provide expert analysis. Find out more about our product evaluation process.

Whattype ofdrill bit for stainless steel

One of the best ways to apply it is with a chip brush in a container of cutting fluid you keep around specifically for this task. In machine shops, their equipment has hoses, nozzles, and pumps that constantly spray cutting fluid/coolant onto the bit and workpiece. Drill and cut cast iron with no cutting fluid as it is the exception.

Because of its hardness, stainless steel is an unforgiving construction medium. Usually, there is only one chance to achieve the perfect drill hole. Another crucial consideration when purchasing drill bits for stainless steel is the drill bit number or size.

After locating a starting point for the bit, you want to drill a pilot hole. A pilot hole is a smaller hole for your final drill bit to follow. Pilot holes remove some of the material making it easier for the larger bits to bore straight through. When using my drill press, I skip pilot holes when drilling less than 1/2-inch in diameter. When using a hand drill, I make pilot holes for 3/8-inch and larger holes.

Pro Tool Reviews is a successful online publication that has been providing tool reviews and industry news since 2008. In today’s world of Internet news and online content, we found that more and more professionals researched a large majority of their major power tool purchases online. That piqued our interest.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

Cobaltdrillbitsfor stainless steel

Previously, annular cutters were extremely expensive. Now they are just moderately expensive. In the age of cheap Chinese tools, good quality sets can be found for less than $250 for a set of six that drill up to two inches in diameter. You will need a Morse Taper MT2 adapter for your drill press to be able to use annular cutters since most have 3/4-inch squared-off shanks for use in magnetic drill presses.

A variety of cutting fluids exist on the market today. Years ago folks would even use bacon grease! Not in my shop as I don’t want to attract roaches, rodents, or my dog (Editor’s note: Plus we know oif better uses for bacon grease!). Some people use 3-in-1 oil or even WD-40. I use WD-40 a lot when I am away from my shop and have to drill metal because I always have some in my truck. Now we have modern cutting fluids which are much more effective. My favorite is Tap Magic cutting fluid. If you use a lot of aluminum, Tap Magic makes cutting fluid specifically for aluminum. Beeswax also works great for aluminum but that may be harder to locate.

Not all drill bits achieve results in the same way. To identify the best drill bits for stainless steel, learning about characteristics like material, coating, frequency of use, and drill bit number are critical. Read on to learn the factors to consider as you search for the best drill bits for your projects that involve stainless steel.

We also keyed in on bits with 135-degree points as the recommended angle for efficient drilling into hard metal at the required lower speed and higher pressure. Other variables, such as split or pilot point, flat or 3-flat shank, or various coatings held lower priority. Lastly, we factored in top brand names, which often equate to greater consistency and availability.

Folks who want to be ready for tough steel drilling projects that might come up should consider these cobalt bits from Bosch. The kit includes 14 bits ranging in size from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch. They are made of M42 cobalt alloy steel, which is one of the best bit materials for drilling hard metals like stainless steel, cast iron, or titanium. The bits feature easy-to-sharpen split points and 3-flat shanks for easy, secure chucking into the drill. They also feature thicker threading than other twist bits, which helps them remove material more efficiently in less time.

Following the guidelines on this revolutions per minute chart, we used each bit to drill four holes into 0.125-inch thick stainless steel, observing the ease of penetration, any bit travel across the steel surface, and the formation of metal chips/dust. We also noted how securely the bit was retained by the drill chuck and, when drilling by hand, how smoothly it transitioned from point penetration to the full diameter of the bit. Finally we used a bench grinder to sharpen the bits and drilled another hole with each one. Each of the sets we picked tested successfully, with the primary differences or improvements being edge retention, tip and shank design, and set configuration.

Milwaukee Cobalt Red Helix drill bits make it easy to drill into hard stainless steel. This set includes 15 bits made of M35 cobalt alloy steel. They feature pilot points for fast, precise surface penetration without a center punch or pilot hole and 3-flat shanks to eliminate the hassle of bits spinning in the chuck. Bit sizes range from 0.0625 inch to 0.375 inch.

With the above considerations in mind, we selected the following drill bits as our top picks for drilling stainless steel. Read on to find out the details on each set, how they performed in our drilling tests, and why we included them among the best drill bits for stainless steel.

CobaltDrillbits

Use annular cutters with a drill press. A tabletop drill press probably doesn’t have enough power to cut large holes in metal. This goes for either an annular cutter or a hole saw in metal. Annular cutters have more in common with milling machine mills than hole saws. They practically melt through any type of metal and are a joy to use.

Most HHS twist bits come in several tip designs and usually in either 118-degree or 135-degree angles. While 118-degree bits used to be made for softer steels like mild steel, aluminum, and other alloys, some manufacturers are switching more bits to use 135-degree split tips. When you want to drill into harder metals like stainless steel, move on to cobalt bits.

We appreciated the affordability of this kit’s overall packaging and design, which allowed the tool quality to remain high while minimizing branding and engineering costs. The bits functioned comparably to similarly designed bits from bigger brand names, with good drilling capability and an easy-to-sharpen point. We also liked that the kit includes duplicates of several smaller sizes, as they are the ones that dull easiest and are more susceptible to breaking under excessive pressure. The case does feel a bit flimsy and the size selection is somewhat limited, so this won’t be a great fit for those who require high precision. But for occasional drilling, it’s a really good deal.

Available in several grades, each with at least 10.5 percent chromium, stainless steel is popular because of its low maintenance, high sheen, and resistance to stains and rust. DIYers and trade professionals often need to drill stainless steel to complete a variety of electrical, plumbing, and automotive projects. Whether you’re expanding the size of a junction box punch-out or boring out a broken bolt, having the right drill bit matters. Drill bits built to work on softer material, like wood, won’t do the trick against stainless steel. Luckily, manufacturers design special drill bits capable of puncturing even the hardest grade of stainless steel.

In addition to ultrahard materials and protective coatings, drill bit users who seek longevity should ensure the bit can be sharpened. While drill bits infused with carbide or cobalt keep their edge longer than a standard bit, investing in a set for life often means resharpening the dull drill bits over time.

With loads of available bits for hard metal applications, finding the right drill bits for stainless steel can be challenging. We spent more than 40 hours researching the best materials and designs used to make these bits, selecting our top picks, and then testing our picks in the workshop. Read on to find out what makes a durable and effective drill bit for stainless steel, our selection criteria, and how our selections performed in testing.

Before you can drill a hole in metal, you need to find your center and start the hole. Without this you likely won’t drill the hole exactly where you want it. This is typically done with a center punch or something called a prick punch. You’ve likely already used a center punch. You just place the point on the location you want to start the hole and strike the end with a ball-peen hammer.

If the work is critical, stop at eight or nine steps and double-check the size of the hole. If you drill one step too many, you will ruin your workpiece. Also, make sure you use proper lubricant when drilling with step bits.

In our tests, we appreciated the Milwaukee step bits’ ability to drill precise holes without a center punch using a handheld drill. They tapped into the stainless steel quickly and worked smoothly. We also noted how easily they worked to enlarge existing holes—a task that’s nearly impossible to do well with regular twist drill bits. Sharpening the bits was surprisingly easy but required a completely different technique than twist bits. We used a diamond sharpening stone to flatten the smaller flute edge, and it only took about 5 minutes.

We really liked the effectiveness of the pilot-point design. Instead of using a punch to mark the starting point and reduce bit travel, the pilot point allowed us to start drilling directly into the flat surface. However, due to its multitiered structure, we noted that the pilot point complicates the process of sharpening the bit. We worked through it slowly and with extra caution, we achieved satisfactory results.

I recommend titanium-coated bits for the best value in mild steels. Black oxide works well too and costs even less. The coating helps these bits perform better and last longer. The downside is that you cannot sharpen these bits when they get dull and maintain the coating.

What is best drill bit for stainless steelsink

The speed of your drill bit and how much downward force you apply to the bit is truly where the skill comes into play that will help you be successful in drilling metal.

Once you’ve chosen your drill bit, you need to do one thing to make the bit last as long as possible—keep it cool. Cutting fluid helps remove the heat and flush away chips/shavings. Anytime I drill or cut metal, I add cutting fluid. This can be as easy as dripping some on the metal and bit before and during the drilling or cutting process.

A magnetic drill press features powerful electromagnets on the base that lets it stick to ferrous metals like I-beams. They will even maintain their grip upside down. As you can guess, if the power goes out, or someone kicks the power cord, the tool comes crashing down to the ground. It is therefore critical that they be strapped down or tethered as a backup. Just a word of warning, the second time I used one I erased all my credit cards, so now I keep my wallet well away from these tools!

A rubber-reinforced carrying case protects the drill bits from accidental drops and makes organization and transportation a snap. These drill bits work well on stainless steel and last a long time.

In testing, the Bosch M42 drill bits made drilling a pleasure thanks to their unique combination of design features. The M42 alloy itself allowed the bits to hold their sharp edge longer than others we tested, which meant more holes with less work stoppage to resharpen. The split-point design was easy to sharpen when needed and only required two or three additional passes on the grinder compared to M35 bits from other sets. The 3-flat shank was fast and easy to chuck securely, and we never had to worry about the bit slipping or becoming stuck in the work surface.

This set of M42 cobalt drill bits from Drill America includes 29 pieces from 0.0625 inch to 0.5 inch in 0.015625-inch increments. The bits are finished with gold oxide, which acts as a built-in lubricant to minimize heat, making this one of the best choices for a long working life when drilling tough metals. Each bit is made of high-grade M42 cobalt alloy steel and features a split point and straight shaft.

First, let’s talk about drilling speed. As a rule of thumb, go S-L-O-W. On your hand drill, put it in Low gear (often represented by the number 1). On a drill press, slow it way down. More accurately though, there are numerous drilling speed charts on the Internet that will tell you exactly what speed you need to set your drill at for which material, and which size and type of bit you are using. Most hand drills will not set the speed this accurately, but drill presses will. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong drilling metal at the slowest speed your drill will run. It may not be the most efficient way to drill, but it will work without damaging the bit.

If converting fractions of an inch to the metric system seems like no fun, this 19-piece drill bit set can help. Not only are these Stroton bits metrically sized in increments of 0.5 millimeters, from 1 millimeter to 10 millimeters, they also feature a unique three-stepped pilot-point design that penetrates stainless steel without traveling across the flat surface. The bits are constructed of tough M42 cobalt alloy steel for improved durability.

So you have a piece of metal and it needs a few holes in it. No big deal you think. You grab your drill and a bit. Five minutes later when you have barely made a dent in the metal, you decide it is time to go to the hardware store for a new drill bit. After a few minutes, the tip of the new drill bit turns blue and you still haven’t finished your holes. You take it to a friend’s house. The guy that seems to know how to do everything. He drills all the holes in seconds. If this sounds familiar, read on to find out the techniques and tricks you need to know about how to drill through metal.

About Us Advertising Reprint Rights Tool Buying Guides Pro Tool Innovation Awards Tool Manufacturers and Tool Brands by Logo Pro Tool Reviews Writers and Editors Sign Up for Our Newsletter Contact Us Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information

For the average person, think of three major categories: steel, stainless steel, and aluminum/alloys. If you run into issues from there, Google the specific metal you are using. Metals like titanium or armor plating take special techniques. Again, Google is your friend.

As far as pressure goes, the shavings will tell you whether you are doing it right. If you get dust or tiny flakes of metal, you are not pushing hard enough for the bit to cut properly. You know you are using the correct amount of pressure when you create long continuous shavings—several inches long. I often get shavings a foot long. Since they are so long, they eventually break off and whip around in the air. Safety glasses are a must.

Stainless steel is an extremely hard material. Low-carbon steel bits, like those used to drill into wood, do not perform when applied to stainless steel. Therefore, a drill bit for use with stainless steel must be harder than the steel itself. One way that manufacturers achieve this hardness is by infusing materials that facilitate penetration and protect against overheating.

Titaniumdrillbitsfor stainless steel

Many manufacturers complement construction materials like drill bits with metal coatings. These coatings promote penetration and protection of the drill bit. Black oxide coatings reduce friction and heat—a significant consideration when drilling metals. Black oxide also protects against corrosion and water, keeping the drill bits functional for a longer period.

After finishing your hole, resist the urge to sweep your hand across the workpiece to clear the metal shavings as you might do with wood. If you do, your hand will be itching for a week because of micro-cuts to your skin. Instead, use a chip brush. This is how they got their name! They are not meant to be paintbrushes. Chip brushes are for brushing metal chips away in machine shops.

While the Stroton M42 cobalt bits feature round shanks, which can allow slippage in the chuck, we did not experience any slippage during tests, possibly thanks to the unusual low-profile stepped split-point design. Unlike the more pronounced pilot points on other bits we tested, the low-profile Stroton tips featured a three-step tip that seemed to penetrate faster and smoother than other designs, with or without a center punch starting point.

We spent several days researching drill bits for stainless steel and shopping around for the best options available online. Although solid carbide drill bits may be the professional machinist’s choice for drilling stainless steel, they are incredibly expensive. Other options like titanium-coated HSS are inexpensive but lack durability. We narrowed our search to cobalt drill bits because they can drill hard metals repeatedly without dulling right away, and they can be resharpened many times to extend their working life.

For affordable drilling options, we chose these bits made of a proven material with a simple and functional design. The Comoware cobalt twist bit set includes 15 bits made of M35 cobalt alloy steel that dependably penetrate stainless steel. The bits feature an easy-to-sharpen split point and a straight shaft. They range in size from 0.0625 inch to 0.375 inch, including two each of the popular 0.0625-inch, 0.09375-inch, and 0.125-inch sizes, for a total of 12 different bit sizes. The kit comes in a lightweight plastic carry case with easy-to-read printed bit-size indexing.

There are MANY different types of metal out there. Most of us typically use just a few: carbon steels like mild and stainless steels, aluminum, or alloys like brass or bronze. Machinists approach every metal differently and want to know the EXACT type of steel or alloy they are working with. They may specify 6061T6 aluminum for one part of a project and 3003H14 aluminum for another because of the stresses that particular joint needs to tolerate. They are often trying to achieve tolerances of 0.0001 or greater.

Infusing drill bits with cobalt is another way that manufacturers achieve ultrahard drill bits. High-speed steel, also known as HSS, is the most common drill bit for metal drilling. Cobalt drill bits are an extension of HSS bits. They are made with a special steel alloy that includes 5 percent to 8 percent cobalt.

What is best drill bit for stainless steel304

I don’t use cobalt bits for wood or plastics. With a cutting angle of 135-degrees, they actually don’t cut those materials as well. It has been my experience that the DeWalt Pilot Point Bits will also drill through aluminum more quickly than cobalt bits. Where cobalt bits shine is their longevity in harder metals. They can keep cutting where other bits would have gotten dull and ceased to be productive.

Annular cutters are like hole saws for metal. You can also use bi-metal hole saws for a few holes here and there in metal, especially in softer metals like aluminum. The experience is less than ideal, however. These saws are incredibly loud in metal and the hole saws wear out much more quickly. The task can also be rather dangerous if you don’t have the work clamped down to your drill press.

Titanium carbonitride (TiCN) is likely the most durable metal coating available. TiCN bits are blue-gray. Their coating makes them incredibly resistant to wear and capable of enduring high-speed and high-frequency use.

What is best drill bit for stainless steelcar

Titanium nitride (TiN) protects high-speed drill bits. Distinctive for their golden color, TiN-coated drill bits are ideal for high-speed drills. The coating provides the ancillary benefit of being ultradurable, making them an excellent value for consumers who intend high-frequency use.

The 3-flat shanks of these bits eliminate slippage in the drill chuck. The combination of secure chucking, easy starting, and smooth operation make these bits an excellent choice for use in cordless drills at low speed for hard stainless steel or higher speed for mild steel. The kit includes Milwaukee’s #1, #4, and #9 step bits. The #1 drills from 0.125-inch to 0.5-inch holes in steps of 0.03125 inch. The #4 bit makes holes 0.1875 inch to 0.875 inch in 0.0625-inch steps. The #9 bit drills 0.875-inch to 1.125-inch holes in 0.0625-inch steps.

Drill bit numbers are related to wire gauge size. The larger the bit number, the smaller the diameter of the resulting hole. For example, a number 80 drill bit creates a hole with a diameter of 0.0135 inches. As the diameter grows larger, the bit number grows smaller. A number 1 drill bit, in comparison, has a diameter of 0.2280 inches.

These tips got into the material quickly and smoothly transitioned out to the full diameter of the bit. The edges held up remarkably well compared to M35 bits, but the tip design called for greater care when it finally came time to sharpen. We had to work slowly using extra caution to maintain the multitier tip profile.Though the thin plastic case is nothing to brag about, the size indexing was easy to read.

If you’ve spent much time shopping for leaf blowers, there’s a good chance you’ve seen many battery-powered ones claim “gas-like […]

Until now, we’ve talked about what you need to drill a hole in metal. This next part of how to drill through metal is entirely technique.

If you have never seen a step bit (also known as a unibit), they look like small metal Christmas trees. A single step bit can cut multiple hole sizes in thin metal. To use one, look at the scale on the inside of the cutter and see how many “steps” you need to feed the bit in to make the proper size hole. For instance, if you are using one that has ten steps to reach a 2-inch diameter hole, start your hole and carefully count the steps as you drill.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning to stop using cordless drills sold on Amazon under […]

Though drill bits for stainless steel pull heavier duty, they are also made of more durable materials. Regularly maintained and properly stored, these kinds of drill bits may last a lifetime.

Over the course of 2 days, we spent about 12 hours shop testing the drill bits we selected. After unpacking and noting the physical characteristics of each bit set and the cases they came in, we started drilling. From each set, we tested four different bits, first in a drill press for precision and accuracy, then in a cordless drill to gauge comfort and smooth operation.

Cobalt drill bits are twist bits with five to eight percent cobalt added to help them stay sharper longer and remain more heat tolerant. They look just like HHS bits, though the color may be a little different. It is important you don’t mix them up with your regular twist bits. They cost more than HSS bits as well, but you can sharpen them as the cobalt isn’t a coating but rather part of the metal itself.

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.

Working by day at an art museum as the IT guy, the photographer/videographer, and the head of security, Gregory has also written, produced, filmed, directed, and edited his museum’s TV commercials for PBS and Spectrum. For almost 20 years there he was the exhibits manager and has installed over 40,000 works of art and 300 large-scale outdoor sculptures. Gregory is also a sculptor himself and taught photography for over a decade.

The DeWalt 14-piece Industrial Cobalt Alloy drill bit set is built for working on hard stainless steel, with features to prevent bit breakage, shank slippage, and travel on the work surface. The set includes 14 bits made of durable M35 cobalt alloy steel. It includes the most popular bit sizes from 0.0625 inch to 0.375 inch. Pilot points make it easy to start drilling precisely where the hole needs to be, while the 3-flat shank design prevents slipping in the drill chuck.

The 3-flat shank prevented bit slippage in the chuck and eliminated most snags in the drill work when excessive pressure was applied. The heavy-duty plastic carry case was easy to use and light enough to tote in a tool bag. Overall, it’s a nice all-purpose choice for everyday use with stainless steel and most other metals.

In some project settings, a single step drill bit can replace an entire set of twist bits. Step bits offer the advantage of fast, clean precision drilling into thin stainless steel or sheet metal without the need to change between different bit sizes. Each one of the three cobalt step drill bits in Milwaukee’s set is engineered to drill up to 1,000 holes into 14-gauge steel. They feature a rapid strike tip for fast starts without a center punch, elongated dual flutes to minimize heat, and finer step increments for smoother operation. Hole sizes are laser engraved inside the flutes for easy reference.

There are many types of drill bits out there. We recently wrote an article on the best drill bits for metal. Below are the most important ones to have in your tool kit for metal.

In our stainless steel drilling tests, these Milwaukee bits surprised us with noticeably faster, more precise penetration into the steel. The elevated pilot point, which is visibly shorter and narrower than others tested, seemed to offer the best balance of accurate placement and rapid material removal. We also noted that the center point did not get in the way of sharpening like some of the other pilot-point bits. Plus, Milwaukee’s hard plastic carry case was our favorite of the entire test group. It held the bits more securely, offered easy-to-read size indexing, and was easy to open and close securely. If the bit size assortment were more comprehensive, this set could have been our Best Overall pick.

Those with lingering inquiries about drill bits for stainless steel may find the info they need in the answers to these frequently asked questions. It should help folks use and maintain the best drill bits for particular projects.

After you clean up the drill press, also clean the floor and the bottom of your shoes. You don’t want to track metal chips through adjoining rooms. It is very painful to step on them barefoot and you never get them out of the carpet. You just keep stepping on them. Ask me how I know!

The Drill America bits offered a similar drilling experience as our Best Overall pick because of their similar design features, but this set boasts improved durability thanks to a higher cobalt content. Both sets offered the same drill-bit size assortment, round shank, and 135-degree split-point construction. The Drill America bits remained noticeably sharper after an equal number of test holes, but they required three or four more passes on the grinder to sharpen.

A lot of people know how to drill holes up to 1/2-inch. The question remains, how do you drill through metal in larger diameters? The secret is Silver and Deming bits. They are named for the company that invented them and the name stuck no matter the manufacturer (kind of like Kleenex or Xerox). Most Silver and Deming bit sets can range from 1/2-inch up to 1-inch or even 1.5-inches. To stay safe, you should only use the larger sizes with a drill press and with the workpiece securely clamped down.

Many people swear by the automatic spring-loaded center punches favored by woodworkers. These are great in aluminum and other alloys. They will work in mild steel, but due to the fine point, they wear out faster than prick punches and center punches. To use them, simply line up the point and push down on the handle. An automatic internal mechanism triggers the punch.

The added cobalt content makes these drill bits harder and more resistant to heat buildup than a typical HSS bit, giving them much greater durability. Also, unlike carbide tips or titanium coatings, cobalt drill bits can be resharpened when the tip becomes worn. These bits offer precision to users who drill stainless steel and other hard materials.

High-speed metal drilling creates excessive friction and heat. The extra stress placed on standard drill bits tends to wear them out quickly. Individuals who intend to drill stainless steel frequently should be sure to buy bits designed with longevity in mind.

We found the 135-degree split tip to be very easy to sharpen. Also, the steel carry case proved durable and well organized with easy-to-read size indexing, although it weighed more than the heavy-duty plastic cases used by competitors. It’s probably best to keep this set in the shop and use a smaller set for traveling work.

This 29-piece professional-grade drill bit set from Irwin Tools covers an abundance of applications. The bit circumference spans 0.0625 inches to 0.5 inches by increments of 0.0156 inches. The bits themselves are heat- and abrasion-resistant, thanks to their industrial-grade high-speed steel cobalt-alloy construction. To aid penetration, these bits feature 135-degree split-tip points. Besides making these bits suitable for ultrahard materials like steel, the quality construction materials ensure longevity.

We certainly appreciated that the Irwin cobalt drill bit set had the best selection of bit sizes, in tight increments of 0.015625 inch from one size to the next. It would make a great choice for anyone who requires a high degree of precision in terms of hole sizes. However, in testing we saw that the straight shanks required a little extra care when chucking to ensure a secure fit without slipping. The straight shanks also made the bit a smidge more likely to get stuck if we applied too much pressure.