Drilling into metals is a part of many major businesses across the globe. Whether it is home repair or auto parts installation in a garage, a drill machine is a must.
But, drilling into metals is quite hard if you do not have the right drill bits. There are specific drill bits for each metal, designed according to the characteristics that a metal possesses. So, let’s see which drill bit is best for which metal.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Drill Bits For Metal
- OUR TOP PICK: DEWALT Black Oxide DW1177
- CO-Z 5pcs Hss
- DEWALT DW1361
Comparison of the Best Drill Bits For Metal
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Can Any Drill Bit Be Used for Metal?
As much as we would like to use our favorite drill bit for everything, it will not always work for metals too. You need a heavy-duty drill bit for drilling metals as they can withstand all the resistance that metals offer.
They have to be strong enough to resist the wear and tear that they will have to face. And not all drill bits can do that. So, you need specific ones for drilling into metals.
Cobalt and titanium are the most commonly used drill bits for metal. Both of them are super-hard, and they do not corrode easily. This makes them ideal for drilling into hard and heavy metals.
Characteristics of Our Favorite Drill Bits
Drill bits come with different features, and they have a signature design based on their manufacturer. Some of them have distinguished themselves with their characteristics. Here is what makes them our favorite.
Shank Design
The shank design of our favorite drill bits is not the same, always. Rather, it depends on how well the shank design suits the purpose for which a drill bit is used. Some shank designs increase speed; some minimize resistance while some even purposefully slow down the drill. So, the best shank design is the one that meets the requirements of its users the best.
Hardness
We love hard drill bits the most as they can drill into metals perfectly. Metals are naturally hard and heavy, so they need something strong enough to penetrate their layers. This is why we like those drill bits which are hard enough to serve their purpose.
Wear Resistance
Wear resistance is one of the most highly valued characteristics of our favorite drill bits. It makes sure that the drill bits stay fully functional even after constant usage. Products that are corrosion resistant and stay sharp impress us the most.
Warranty
The warranty of drill bits is also very important as it wins over the trust of buyers. When people know that their money is going into something trustworthy, they will be happier to invest in it.
Review of the Best Drill Bits For Metal
In order to make the most out of a drill bit, you have to check its compatibility with your needs. Keeping this in view, we have brought you a complete review of the best ones you can opt for to cut through metals.
Best Overall:
DEWALT Black Oxide DW1177
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The DEWALT black oxide drill bits set has a chain of happy customers. They love it for the size range that its 20 pieces provide. They also find its flute design very appreciable as it increases their strength.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It is the best overall drill bits set on our list because of its practical construction. The 135-degree split point makes these have better positioning and thus allows them to make cleaner holes. We also like it for the parabolic design of the flute, which further improves their functioning.
Who Would Use This Most
This is one of those drill bits sets, which you can use for all purposes in all work settings. So, you can safely go for it if you are a professional or a casual home user. Also, as it has such a variety of drill bits, it caters to the needs of almost all users.
Bottom Line
We find this to be the best drill bits set that you can have if you can afford it. The size, construction, and usage of these drill bits are way better than most others in the market. Moreover, they have a long life, so you will not have to keep investing in new ones frequently.
Runner-up:
CO-Z 5pcs Hss
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The people who bought it recently gave mixed reviews about its usage. They found that it is appropriate for home usage more than any professional setting. They liked how they stay new for a long time due to titanium coating.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like these drill bits for their cobalt high-speed steel construction the most. The shanks have a practical design, which makes drilling more efficient. In addition to this, these bits have differently sized shanks, which helps you use them with different drills.
Who Would Use This Most
After analyzing the reviews by recent users, we can say that it is most useful for home users. No matter if you are renovating your whole house or working on your garage, it is great. It is better suited for lighter use, so it is not for tech experts.
Bottom Line
To sum up, the runner-up drill bits set on our list has amazing usability for light usage. It has different sized bits, making it ideal for multiple holes. Its aluminum case is a big plus as it fights corrosion if the bits themselves do not.
Best for the Money:
DEWALT DW1361
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers found it well worth their money as the drill bits have sharp edges. They found the titanium construction very reliable as it works on even hard metals. The also liked it for its multiple purposes serving capacity.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It makes it to our list because it is a very economical and practical option for drill bits. There is an extensive range of sizes that make the 21-piece set a success. Its 30-day money-back guarantee also distinguishes it as the customers find it very helpful. If you do not like anything in it, you can get your money back within 30 days.
Who Would Use This Most
This is most useful for professionals who deal with different kinds of metals. The size range also favors them as it has a drill bit suitable for every hole that you might need. It is good for home users as well since it has multiple sizes and helps in complete home renovation.
Bottom Line
After comparing it with other drill bits, we have found it the most budget-friendly option. It is sure to meet all the requirements that you want it to without putting any strain on you. It also comes with a case that makes things easier to organize.
Best Extra Long Drill Bits for Metal:
Neiko 10047A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who bought these lately gave good reviews mostly. They liked how these are better than other drill bits due to their length. This made them replace their old drill bits as they would not drill such deep holes. They also approve of its high-speed steel construction, which does not undergo much damage.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of its length and high durability. The 5 drill bits have sizes of 1/8 inch, 3/16 inch, 1/4 inch, 5/16 inch, and 3/8 inch. This size range helps users in multiple tasks where different metals are involved. We find the laser-engraved sizes on the drill bits impressive, too, as they make working with them easier.
Who Would Use This Most
This drill bits set is more suitable for homeowners than professionals. They are not heavy-duty, so they will not be able to deal with excessive usage. As you need them less frequently at home, it is better for home-usage.
Bottom Line
These drill bits are very useful on the whole as they have multiple sizes which fit in all situations. The spiral flutes in them help to avoid walking and slipping, but still, you should be careful. This is a good choice for you, especially if you are on a budget.
Best Drill Bits for Hard Metal:
DEWALT DW1263
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers reported a nice user experience. They liked how every single one of the 14 pieces in the set worked so well. They also liked the size range of drill bits, which makes them much more useful. The only problem that the buyers had was that these need a lot of care.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It makes it to our list because of the cobalt coating on high-speed steel drill bits. It makes them so strong that you can enjoy using them for years if you know the right techniques. We also like its case, which has an interlocking hinge and sliding in it.
Who Would Use This Most
This is more useful for professional workers than users at home. The drill bits are heavy-duty, and they can be tricky to use as their speed is hard to handle. The cobalt coating makes them more prone to heating up as well, so these are for expert use only.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this is that it is a set of monster drill bits for monster usage. These are more suitable for professional settings where the pros are at work. So, go for these if you are an expert and have to deal with hard metals.
Best Drill Bits for Aluminum:
Neiko 10194A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are completely won over by this drill bit. They like it for its 10 size variations, which help them get better holes in aluminum. They also like its titanium coating, which makes them corrosion resistant.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It catches our eye with its amazing size range in just one piece. You can have ¼," 3/8," ½," 5/8," ¾," 7/8," 1," 1-1/8," 1-1/4," and 1-3/8" size variations. This makes up for a whole range of drill bits set, which will equip you for major usage.
Who Would Use This Most
This amazing drill bit is perfect for professional as well as home use of all kinds. It has a simple and practical construction design that works in most situations. Since its shank is tri-flatted, it does not need any tricky handling. Moreover, the universal design makes sure that anyone can use it.
Bottom Line
This is one of the best drill bits by Neiko we've come across, which serves multiple purposes. From fixing into hand drills to creating clean holes, it does everything very well. It is a must for both your shop and the toolbox at home as it has such multi-dimensional uses.
Best Drill Bits for Titanium:
Neiko 10193A
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This Neiko drill bit set comes highly recommended by customers. They reported a greater strength of these than other ones they used previously. Buyers also found its titanium coating to be quite strong as it did not let the drills wear out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us due to the thoughtfulness of its manufacturers, as it has a very impressive design. There are 3 drill bits in this set that have different size ranges. The set includes 6, 13, and 9 step bits, which amount to 28-bit sizes on the whole. They also have engraved sizes on them, which makes working with them easier.
Who Would Use This Most
These heavy-duty drill bits work like magic. They are highly useful for professionals who need to keep drilling through metals. They are also good for people who deal with metals and other materials like wood and PVC. So, pretty much everyone can use these as long as they stay careful with the speed.
Bottom Line
All in all, this drill bits set by Neiko does wonder when you know how to work with them. They are heavy-duty both in construction and workings, so you can rely on them. Moreover, they are not very costly, so they won’t disturb your budget either.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
A drill bit for metals is going to make your work easier and faster. But you have to get the right one to enjoy working with it. So, here are some things that you need to keep in mind before buying these.
Pricing
While getting a drill bit, you have to consider its price before anything else. This is because you have to stay in your budget. There are many products available that do not break your budget and offer many features. So, go through multiple options and compare their pricing before settling for one.
Specifications
You might think that this is a no brainer. But considering the features and specifications of a drill bit are integral. Drill bits that are strong enough for dealing with multiple metals and their widths are the best.
Purpose of Drill Bits
You have to be sure of the purpose for which you want a drill bit to make the right choice. If you are working on the renovation of your home, then you might not need a heavy-duty drill bit. But you need one if you are a mechanic or own a home repair business.
Conclusion
Considering all this, getting a special drill bit for metallic drilling is a must. It makes your work faster while making sure that you do not have to spend a lot of repairing your drill machine. So, keep the characteristics of the metals you work with in mind while buying a drill bit.