Despite this brittle nature, cobalt has all of the versatility of high speed steel and even more so thanks to being able to drill tougher materials.

With this in mind, we are going to be looking at some common drill bit materials and types and doing some comparisons to help you on your way to identifying which drill bit is the most appropriate for you and your hammer drill, cordless drill, or twist drill.

Robert's extensive expertise in the tubing industry spans over five decades, including 33 years of service at Roll-Kraft.

Due to their ability to hold up when drilling abrasive materials, carbide tipped drill bits are frequently used in drilling processes that involve fiberglass reinforced plastic.

In comparison to cobalt, carbide drill bits can resist heat excellently. On the other hand, cobalt is well suited to difficult metals.

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These bits will feature flat blades- either two or more- that come from the drill’s center and extends outwards to the edge.

Despite the tough nature of these drill bits, they can be problematic as they are susceptible to heat and will be ruined if overheated. They are also a more costly option.

These drill bits are able to retain their hardness at higher temperatures in comparison to run-of-the-mill high speed steel ones. That being said, they also tend to be somewhat more brittle.

Let’s now take a look at some comparisons between the metals of the most common drill bits used for drilling holes into soft materials or even tougher materials like carbon steel.

Different drill bit materials work better with different surfaces, whilst different drill bit types will also work better for certain jobs.

Roll-Kraft’s latest tube and pipe mill training seminar was held on October 24, 2023 at the Waverly, Nebraska Venue location.

This popular style of drill bit has a wide range of applications and a huge amount of versatility, available in all sorts of sizes and made of all kinds of materials, such as cobalt, carbon steel, high speed steel and carbide.

Roll-Kraft’s dedicated Tungsten Carbide Facility ensures the same high quality, precision, and satisfaction that has made Roll-Kraft the leader in the industry. We understand that producing tungsten carbide rolls requires specialized manufacturing techniques. That’s why your tungsten carbide tooling is designed, manufactured, and reground in-house. Benefits of using tungsten carbide rolls:

Carbide is, alternatively, for use with non-ferrous heavy materials and abrasive metals, which sets them apart from cobalt bits, when it comes to working with thin metal, especially when using drill presses.

Certain bits are specially designed for specific purposes, such as masonry drill bits, annular cutter bits, plug cutter bits and tile and glass bits.

Whether you are a professional or simply engaging in some DIY around the house, knowing the material that your drill bits are made of as well as what each specific drill bit type is needed for what job are important factors to consider when you want to drill holes, especially into tough materials like cast iron.

The main issue that can come about with titanium coated drill bits is that they can’t be sharpened effectively, so once they are dulled, they won’t return to the level of sharpness that they once had.

With a good level of resistance to both wear and heat, high speed steel drill bits- otherwise known as HSS drill bits- are the most common to be found on the market due to their versatility and ability to work on a wide range of materials, including metal and wood.

High carbon steel drill bits are an improved version of low carbon steel bits, able to be used with some particularly soft metals as well as hardwood.

This center hole will be small enough to penetrate the material that is being drilled into, which is why these bits have tapered head fasteners that sit on the level of the material surface.

One of the least expensive choices of a drill bit, low carbon bits are best used with certain types of plastic along with soft woods as they need to be sharpened more often than other kinds of drill bits.

Roll-Kraft’s latest tube and pipe mill training seminar was held on October 24, 2023 at the Waverly, Nebraska Venue location.

These kinds of bits are also useful as they allow you to run your drill at a faster level of rotations per minute without the risk of an excessive build up of heat.

Cobalt coated drill bits are often used when it comes to drilling stainless steel as well as other, more difficult metals.

Much like counterbore bits- minus the center drill-, flat bottom bits are a type of drill bit that is able to cut flat bottom blind holes as well as drill wide thru holes, making them great for creating locks, wiring holes, and door knobs.

Titanium drill bits are stronger and tend to last longer than cobalt, making it the more effective bit for those who use a drill frequently, and especially when drilling large holes.

Cobalt is much more difficult to use with hardened steel and can also be brittle, but they are an inexpensive choice for more casual drillers who want accurate drilling that cannot be offered by many other drilling materials such as solid carbine or black oxide, which is used to create carbide tips for power tools.

Any steel and metallic drill bits are able to be coated with zirconium in order to improve their strength and reduce friction, which can improve the precise nature of the drilling.

Mill operators, maintenance supervisors, engineers, tool room personnel and management will all benefit from the program by learning new skills & produce a better quality product in less time.

Robert's extensive expertise in the tubing industry spans over five decades, including 33 years of service at Roll-Kraft.

That being said, it is also particularly brittle in comparison to high speed steel, which works fantastically with a handheld drill or with hammer drills to cut through even mild steel and create a pilot hole.

Use our form below for more information on how our Tungsten Carbide Rolls can save you money on reconditioning costs or call us toll-free at 888-953-9400.

Masons drilling precision holes into materials- such as glass, stone, tile, concrete etc- tend to get the most out of diamond drill bits, particularly those working in industries that involve the drilling of abrasive materials, such as in the aerospace industry or the automotive industry.

Hopefully, you should now have all of the information that you need to decide as to which drill bit will suit your needs in the most appropriate manner!

Mill operators, maintenance supervisors, engineers, tool room personnel and management will all benefit from the program by learning new skills & produce a better quality product in less time.

Designed to create a flat bottom blind hole that will conceal the fastener head and stop it from emerging above the surface material, some counterbore bits have spurs to prevent chipping or splintering.