9 Best Drill Bits for Hardened Steel of 2020
Having the right drill bit for the job is crucial. Different bits are meant for different jobs, so it’s a good idea to take this into consideration before starting to work. After all, if you don’t have the right drill bit, then the actual drill itself is irrelevant.
And without the right tool, you will need to go back to the drawing board and restart the whole project. Today we’ll be focusing on the best drill bits for hardened steel available in 2020.
We will be ranking the best ones by considering underlying material, price and consumer experience. We will take all these factor into consideration to ensure that you can finish projects involving hardened steel efficiently.
Note: You might also want to wear a proper protection mask when working with hardened steel.
Contents
- 9. HYCLAT 5pcs Titanium Step Drill Bit Set
- 8. Hymnorq Metric M35 Cobalt Steel Drill Bit Set
- 7. Hazlo Masonry Drill Bit Set
- 6. DEWALT DW5204 Premium Percussion Masonry Drill Bit
- 5. Tooluxe 10171L Titanium Drill Bit
- 4. CO-Z Cobalt Drill Bit
- 3. Neiko 10193A Titanium Step Drill Bit
- 2. TEMO M35 Cobalt Spiral Flute Step Drill bit
- 1. IRWIN Industrial Tools 316015 Cobalt Drill Bit
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
9. HYCLAT 5pcs Titanium Step Drill Bit Set
The five bits found in this package enable you to drill 50 different sizes. Each step drill bit can drill several bore diameters. They are made with classic and sturdy high-speed steel with titanium coating for proven capability and durability when drilling through hardened steel and several other materials.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The set is surprisingly good for its price. You’ll receive high value and efficiency with this package. To top it all off, they come with a two-year warranty, so in case your bits get broken, you can contact customer support to have them replaced or exchanged for something similar.
8. Hymnorq Metric M35 Cobalt Steel Drill Bit Set
These bits are heat resistant, made with M35 cobalt steel, and they come in a package of 50 pieces. The 135° Quick-Cut points are self-centering and penetrate quickly with less pressure. As such, they will fit any standard-sized drill chuck and you’ll have no problem accurately drilling with them.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The price to value ratio is decent when looking at the overall quality. These bits are good for hardened steel as well as other metals that you might need to work with.
The bits on our list go well with the best power drills.
7. Hazlo Masonry Drill Bit Set
The Hazlo masonry drill bit set isn’t specifically designed for hardened steel. But the carbide coating ensures that it’s up to the task. The steep flutes allow it to remove material as you are drilling it. It comes at a fairly low cost. And it has an additional chrome plating to further extend overall usage time.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Coming in a hard casing that keeps everything tidy, this drill bit set features a carbide steel build that’s fairly resistant even during prolonged use. The anti-rust chrome plating further extends the bits’ lifespan, while also reducing friction.
6. DEWALT DW5204 Premium Percussion Masonry Drill Bit
This is another drill set intended for more versatile use. It’s primarily marketed for people interested in masonry projects. But it’s still among the best drill bits for hardened steel in case you need an extra level of versatility. The carbide construction offers an acceptable level of strength for most projects.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Dewalt is one of the top drilling brands, and this set doesn’t disappoint. While the bits may not be specifically targeted at hardened steel, they manage to do a phenomenal job.
5. Tooluxe 10171L Titanium Drill Bit
The Tooluxe drill bit comes with a titanium construction. This instantly pushes it higher for those looking to find the best drill bits for hardened steel. The set comes at a decent price and the hex shank provides extra stability when you insert it in the drill’s chuck.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
While this might not be the most sought after set for hardened steel specifically, the low price and its versatility place easily earn it a place on our list.
If you’re a professional, you might also be interested in the best drill bits for porcelain tile.
4. CO-Z Cobalt Drill Bit
The CO-Z cobalt drill bit is a big jump up in quality. It uses cobalt construction to push up the overall build quality. It’s compatible with ¼” to ½” chunk sizes. On top of that it features several usability improvements over lower priced options. And the drill tips completely eliminate walking on hardened steel surfaces.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
This set is one of the more premium options on our list, and for good reason. Although it includes only five bits, they are all projected in such a way that you can drill different sized holes without much hassle. It’s an excellent choice if you prefer quality builds.
3. Neiko 10193A Titanium Step Drill Bit
The Neiko 1093A titanium step features some impressive construction standards. As the name suggests, it uses titanium to deliver an extra amount of durability. It has a 3/16th increment for depth. And the two flute design ensures less particulate contamination.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
At first, you might be turned off by the fact that there are only three bits in this set. However, once you use them, you will quickly realize that their quality is worth the price. The bits have 6, 13, and 9 steps respectively, that cover a great number of sizes so you can drill numerous types of holes with relative ease.
2. TEMO M35 Cobalt Spiral Flute Step Drill bit
The TEMO M35 uses a special heat resistant design to achieve superior performance. Better performance with heat means that it can run faster and longer on even very hard surfaces such as hardened steel. It has a 4 mm step range and about a 32 mm cutting edge. M35 is also less prone to chipping when used for interrupted cuts.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The price might be high for a single bit, but it makes up for this with top-notch overall quality. The fact that it’s less prone to clipping and that it’s highly heat-resistance will please anyone who’s looking to work on heavy-duty projects.
You can achieve a lot with a good drill bit as long as you’ve got one of the best cordless drills on the market today!
1. IRWIN Industrial Tools 316015 Cobalt Drill Bit
The IRWIN cobalt drill bit is specially made for long term use. You can even reshape them after they’ve been dulled by long, hard work. IRWIN assumes you should be able to use the bit for an extended period of time. The 135 degree split point needs less force to achieve high quality results. And the reduced shank size provides greater versatility.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Apart from the price, there nothing we can complain about this drill bit set. And even so, the price is still decent compared to our previous item which only featured a single bit. You won’t be disappointed by these drill bits for hardened steel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take good care of my bits?
Make sure you wipe and clean the bit as you work. Wipe it with a clean cloth every 5-10 minutes to ensure an increased lifespan. Make sure to also clean it after use and apply oil. It is also recommended to use a sharpener from time to time.
The drill bit makes an awkward squeaking noise. How do I fix it?
This usually happens because you’re running it too fast or for too long. Try slowing down the drill’s RPMs or letting it rest for a while. Allow a short recess period between each session.
The drill bit gets too hot when I’m working. How can I avoid that.
Follow the steps in our previous answer. If that doesn’t help, try lubricating the bit. Some surfaces might be too thick for it to penetrate seamlessly, which makes the bit prone to heat. Use lubricant oil or water during operation to cool down the bit. Just be careful not to spill water on the drill’s electric components.
How do I sharpen drill bits?
You can sharpen drill bits by using a metal grinder. Hold the sharp edge of the bit at 60 degree angle and let the metal grinder do the sharpening.
Conclusion
The best drill bits for hardened steel require some consideration about your overall needs. When thinking about overall quality and specifically about the right bits for hardened steel, the IRWIN cobalt drill bit earned top ranking.
It also ranked high because of its long-term resistance. Of course, each user might have their own personal preferences. We encourage you to leave us a comment with your opinion regarding the subject at hand.
By sharing your opinion, people can more easily judge how the drill bits fit when it comes down to their own unique style. So go ahead and share your ideas with us and the rest of the drilling community.
Note: While you’re here, you may also find our article on the best benchtop drill presses useful.