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.

The Speed and Feed calculator allows machinists and programmers to calculate cutting parameters for multiple materials and cutting tool types.

SFM to RPM

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.

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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.

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.

It starts with knowing what workpiece material you have and what tooling and how you will be using to machine it.The combination of these two factors determines your initial Cutting Speed and Chip Load that you can put into the speed and feed formulas to calculate the cutting tool RPM and feed rate.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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When you have manufacturers' data simply find your tool in the catalog and cross-reference the cutting speed and chip load against the tool diameter:

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.

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Tapping Speed

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.

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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.

Since cutting speeds can be in either Imperial (SFM) or Metric (SMM or m/min) units, you have to use two formulas to calculate the RPM.

Choosing the best oscillating multi-tool used to boil down to just a couple of brands. Not anymore. Advancements in battery, […]

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.

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.

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.

Calculate Speeds and Feeds for 1/2" (0.5 in) 2 flute end mill in Mild Steel at cutting speed = 100(ft/min), Chip Load=0.001(inch per tooth)

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.

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.

One of the primary tasks machinists must learn to perform is a calculation of speeds and feeds required for milling, drilling, and turning.

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.

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.

This free speed and feed calculator allows CNC Machinists and Programmers to calculate cutting parameters for a wide variety of materials and tools.FSWizard is the first and only online speed and feed calculator to consider dozens of variables when calculating Milling, Drilling and Turning Speeds and Feeds.

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.

Free CNC Speed and Feed Calculator and Formula The Speed and Feed calculator allows machinists and programmers to calculate cutting parameters for multiple materials and cutting tool types. You can also calculate Speeds and Feeds using Online FSWizard Widget right here: This free speed and feed calculator allows CNC Machinists and Programmers to calculate cutting parameters for a wide variety of materials and tools.FSWizard is the first and only online speed and feed calculator to consider dozens of variables when calculating Milling, Drilling and Turning Speeds and Feeds. Key features of FSWizard CNC Machinist Speed and Feed Calculator Built-in material and tool database (Check here for a list of materials available in the PRO version: Supported Materials) Materials ranging from Mild and tool steels to Stainless, Aluminum, and Plastics Speeds and Feeds all kinds of Machining operations. Supports Milling, Drilling, Tapping, and Turning tools Drilling Speed and Feed Calculator Milling Speed and Feed Calculator Turning and Tapping Speed and Feed Calculator Calculate Cutting Speed (SFM), Chip-Load (ipt), RPM, and Feed-Rate. Calculate required Machining Power Calculate optimal Depth and Width of Cut Calculate Chip Thinning and HSM(High-Speed Machining) Multiple free geometry calculators and reference charts under the MENU button Reference data for FHS, SHCS, Heli-Coil, Pipe Taps, Scientific Calculator, Bolt Hole, etc... Circular and Linear Bolt Hole Pattern Calculator Countersink and Center Drill Calculator ISO Fits and Tolerances Calculator How to calculate speeds and feeds using FSWizard CNC Machinist Speed and Feed Calculator Click on the Material button to select the work material Select the Tool Type drop-down to pick a proper tool for the job.Milling, Drilling, Tapping, and Turning tools are supported Then enter proper tool geometry and cutter engagement. Your results are displayed on the blue toolbar Click on the toolbar to get more insights about your cutting data. MENU button gives access to additional calculators and reference data! Please post your questions and suggestions on our support forums!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d use it ourselves and we don’t care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

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.

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.

The formula is used for milling and drilling applications. Please note that some tool manufacturers provide their recommended feed rate as feed per revolution. In such cases do not multiply by the number of teeth.

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Cutting Speed is the speed at which the tip of the tool travels through the material. It is commonly expressed in Surface Feet per Minute (SFM) or Surface Meters per Minute (SMM).

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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!

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.

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.

For turning applications, we do not need this formula since Spindle Speed is usually given in Constant Surface Speed (CSS), which uses SFM value directly. But if you still want to use the RPM formula, then the diameter value is the actual diameter of the workpiece.