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Harvey Tool is committed to designing unique geometries that optimize cutting performance for a variety of materials and applications. We introduce hundreds of new tools to the market every 6 months, offering our customers the solutions they need most.

Cobalt drill bits are best suited for use on hard to machine metals, including hardened or stainless steel. Cobalt is blended in with High Speed Steel to make the drill bits harder and more wear resistant. As each cobalt drill bit consists of High Speed Steel with a small percentage of cobalt, the higher the percentage of cobalt, the more heat-resistant and durable the drill bit is.

Our fully stocked inventory is ready to ship the day of its purchase. We offer second day delivery at ground pricing, and any overnight orders ship until 7 p.m., EST.

New to Harvey Tool, Machining Advisor Pro (MAP) is a cutting edge resource for generating customized running parameters for Harvey Tool end mills.

We offer a comprehensive selection of more than 28,000 miniature and specialty cutting tools that are all fully stocked. The breadth and depth of our products help solve the industry’s toughest machining challenges.

Aluminum is very easy to machine, but it’s abrasive, so cutting tools will tend to wear quickly. The best drill bits for aluminum are solid carbide because solid carbide is very hard and stays sharp much longer than other materials, providing extended tool life. If you’re only poking a few holes, high speed steel (HSS) is fine. Using a cobalt drill bit isn’t worth the extra cost because on aluminum, its performance level is about the same as that of high speed steel. Skip the coatings on these drills —there’s no need to increase the already high cost. Especially avoid any coating with “Al” in the ingredients (AlTiN, TiAlN, etc.). A drill bit with a  bright finish is ideal.

Need additional assistance selecting the right drill bit for your workpiece material or application? Contact our tech team!

Topics: Aluminum, Video, Metalworking and Machining, Holemaking, Drilling, Rushmore USA, TTC, Viking, Precision Twist Drill, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel

Add products to your Harveytool.com shopping cart and then submit the cart to a participating distributor to place your order

Our fully stocked inventory is ready to ship the day of its purchase. We offer second day delivery at ground pricing, and any overnight orders ship until 7 p.m., EST.

We offer a comprehensive selection of more than 28,000 miniature and specialty cutting tools that are all fully stocked. The breadth and depth of our products help solve the industry’s toughest machining challenges.

Check out our latest video, and learn how to select the right drill bit to use for the job. Take the guesswork out of drilling holes in metal, as Kurt Repsher walks you through our recommendations for drilling hardened or stainless steels, mild or carbon steels, and aluminum. Subscribe to our channel to see more exclusive how to videos and tips from the pros.

A good quality High Speed Steel (HSS) drill bit is suitable for use on mild steels, but if you need to get a lot of use from them, go with M35 cobalt drills, or even the aforementioned M42 cobalt drills.

Try to avoid the cheapest drill bits, or you could likely end up spending more in the long run. Always use cutting oil or coolant for any drilling operation.

Stainless steel can actually ‘work harden’ as it heats up—so keep your cool, take your time, and make sure the tool and work area stay well lubricated.

Harvey Tool is committed to designing unique geometries that optimize cutting performance for a variety of materials and applications. We introduce hundreds of new tools to the market every 6 months, offering our customers the solutions they need most.

When drilling hardened or stainless steel, select a drill point of at least 135° or higher. This spreads the workload out over a larger cutting surface. Since hardened steel and stainless steel are both quite difficult to drill into, using a drill press or a milling machine should provide the best results.

Great in Heavy Radial Efficiency Milling (HREM) applications of Titanium 6Al4V and other titanium alloys, these fully stocked, square profile Variable Helix End Mills decrease chatter and harmonics.

We believe the Right Tool Is Everything™, and we strive to share our experience and expertise in an effort to ensure you select the right tool for your application, follow best practices, and can push your productivity further.

Great in Heavy Radial Efficiency Milling (HREM) applications of Titanium 6Al4V and other titanium alloys, these fully stocked, square profile Variable Helix End Mills decrease chatter and harmonics.

New to Harvey Tool, Machining Advisor Pro (MAP) is a cutting edge resource for generating customized running parameters for Harvey Tool end mills.