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Best Drill Bits For Hardened Steel

If you want to drill on a metal surface, I hope you know that it can’t be done with a regular drill bit. In fact, drilling into hardened steel is one of the most complex jobs because using a standard drill bit might cause the drilling machine to wobble and miss the center alignment.  

Or worse, the drill bits might break and damage the tool. 

Merely searching for the best drill bits for hardened steel can fetch numerous results, so choosing the right one is challenging. To make things easier, I’ve curated this guide with the top 5 drill bits for hardened steel and other metals. 

Read these reviews, and make an informed buying decision.

5 Best Drill Bits for Applications on Hardened Steel 

Here are the top picks of hardened steel drill bits that are best suitable for all-around applications. Make sure you choose the one that goes well with your specific requirements:

DEWALT Titanium Nitride Drill Bit Set: Best Of All 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GIO0F8?th=1 

DEWALT has a reputation in the drilling industry. They are one of the best manufacturers of hardened steel drill bits. This set comes with 21 bits made out of titanium metal. These bits have unique pilot points, which means you can make neat drills with accuracy and minimal pressure. 

Apart from drilling through the hardened steel, you can also use these bits for penetrating softer materials such as wood. These bits have a clip latch for securely attaching to the drill. Moreover, the tapered web on these bits ensures more durability. The size of bits in this set ranges from 1/16 to ½ inch. 

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BOSCH CO14B Drill Bit Set: Best Durable Drill Bits 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q9HNTBH?th=1 

Bosch is a popular name in the technology & services sector. And the CO14B drill set is a renowned product in the drilling industry. As the name suggests, these drill bits by Bosch are made of M42 alloy and 8% cobalt. Hence, this allows the drill bits to resist high operational heat and give durability to these bits. 

It is a pack of 14 bits and works fine on hardened steel, cast iron, aluminum, and titanium. These bits have a web-helix design that allows stability and grip over the job piece. 

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JEFE HEX 115 PCS HSS Cobalt Drill Bit Set: Best for Commercial Use 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5T6GM7G?th=1 

JEFE brings you a set of 115 cobalt drill bits that you can use for professional projects. With this set, you get fractional sizes of drill bits ranging from 1/16 to ½ inch. From thin to thick, you can make drills of all diameters on your hardened steel. These bits are made up of cobalt, which proves its durability and strength. 

You get an iron case for carrying these drill bits easily to your work site. There is an index holder within this case for organizing the bits easily and storing them in an accessible manner. The pricing is worth the value offered. 

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Irwin Tools 3018002 Cobalt M-35 Metal Index Drill Bit Set 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BO9JMK 

Irrespective of whether you are a professional or just an enthusiast of this profession, Irwin brings to you the best drill bits for hardened steel, suitable for works of all intensities. It is a 29-piece M35 cobalt drill bit set, and the size variations range from 1/16 inch to ½ inch. 

These bits are made up of 5% cobalt alloy steel that helps you attain heat resistance while working on a job piece for a prolonged period. Moreover, it also has a durable web construction for added strength. 

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Metric M42 8% Cobalt Twist Drill Bits

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZQMPMC

The use of 8% cobalt in the manufacturing blend makes this product a worthy pick. The strength, durability, and heat resistance quotient are higher due to the manufacturing blend. The product also claims to have a cutting efficiency five times faster than the other bits. 

It boasts a three-step design that helps it cut down the metal into long strips rather than grinding it. You get 19 pieces of drill bits with this kit to take on varying applications. 

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Why Consider Specific Drill Bits for Hardened Steel?

Carbide drill bits are considered perfect for cutting through hardened steel easily. But as they are expensive and rare, you can go for cobalt and titanium drill bits as well. 

You must go for such specific drill bits, especially while working on hardened steel, because of the strength and sharpness needed for penetrating the job piece. The wood, concrete, or aluminum drill bits will either go blunt or will break when used to attempt drilling on hardened steel. 

The drill bits need to be heavy-duty, with proper ergonomics to prevent wobbling during operations. All of the options stated above are either 5 or 8% cobalt alloy steel, which makes them ideal for professional or household drilling applications. 

Conclusion

Next time you come across a metal drilling project, you should not hesitate to take it. Keep yourself equipped with the best drill bits for hardened steel, which will help you. You can drill hard steel with it as well as softer materials such as wood or aluminum. 

Consider the budget, brand value, composition, specifications, and drill bits offered in a set to ensure that the product meets your requirements.