Top 6 Best Drill Bits For Stainless Steel In The Market: Reviews

For questions such as “what are the best drill bits for stainless steel in the market?”  Knowing the answer is very important.

When you make use of the right drill bit, it does not only make work easier, but it also makes it faster.

Here are the top 3 picks for the best drill bits for stainless steel.

Our Pick – Top 3 Drill Bits For Stainless Steel

In case you’re in a hurry, here are my top three recommendations for the best drill bits for stainless steel.

#1	#2	#3
NEIKO 10194A Titanium Step Drill Bit, High-Speed Alloy-Steel Bit,...	DEWALT DW1263 14-Piece Cobalt Alloy Pilot Point Drill Bit Set	BOSCH CO21 21-Piece Cobalt Metal Drill Bit Set
$11.99	$40.85	$62.89
Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon

Still confused about which drill bits for stainless steel is best for you?

Let me help by providing detailed reviews on the best drill bits for stainless steel that I found in the market (and the ones you can buy online).

These reviews will definitely help you gain awareness and understanding of the best features, pros, and cons of each drill bits for stainless steel.

Let’s get started!

Best Drill Bits For Stainless Steel Reviewed

Below is the table that shows all the drill bits for stainless steel covered in this review.

NAME	IMAGE	OUR RATING	PRICE
NEIKO 10194A Titanium Step Drill Bit, High-Speed Alloy-Steel Bit,...		9.5 / 10	$11.99	Check Best Price
DEWALT DW1263 14-Piece Cobalt Alloy Pilot Point Drill Bit Set		9.5 / 10	$40.85	Check Best Price
BOSCH CO21 21-Piece Cobalt Metal Drill Bit Set		9.0 / 10	$62.89	Check Best Price
Titanium Drill Bit Set for Metal - 230pc Kit - Coated HSS - From...		9.0 / 10	$54.99	Check Best Price
ZELCAN 1PC M2 Step Drill Bit, Faster Drilling Step Bit 3/16 to...		8.5 / 10	$30.99	Check Best Price
16PCS Twist Drill Bit Set, 1mm-10mm M35 High Speed Steel Metal...		8.5 / 10	Price not available	Check Best Price

Now let’s have a look at the detailed reviews of each of the drill bits for stainless steel covered in this article.

NEIKO 10194A Titanium Step Drill Bit, High-Speed Alloy-Steel Bit,...

The Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit is one drill bit that is suited for the newbie user. It can be used with ease on electrical cabinets that are galvanized as well as stainless steel surfaces. The Neiko Titanium Step Drill does not only drill holes, but it also helps in increasing the diameter of the existing holes on the steel surface.

This drill bit has quite a strong market patronage because it is durable as well as its excellent grip and double flute for swift control.  These features are self-starting and as such do not need some extra punching. If you desire to drill a hole quickly, this is certainly one of the choices you should consider

PROs	CONs
The Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit is designed using traditional HSS technology as well as improved titanium coating to give it improved durability The Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit provides quicker and neater drill operation	The Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit is known to superheat if it is not properly used especially in difficult drilling jobs

DEWALT DW1263 14-Piece Cobalt Alloy Pilot Point Drill Bit Set

The Dewalt 14-Piece Cobalt Pilot Point Drill Bit allows users to experience the top speed as well as shelf life in stainless steel. They offer sturdy features and give you quick cutting. The increased torque gives you top class drilling of holes.

The pilot tip design gives a top performance while allowing users to drill into stainless steel without having to face difficulties. The drill bit lies within a heavy-duty AS material.

The bits are reputed to cut through metals quite quickly when compared with other drill bits using smaller efforts. The sharp bits are known to be quite strong and do not easily get broken.

PROs	CONs
Good price Comes in a hard plastic case Very durable Many positive reviews	Some customers think that the drill bit set is of inferior quality and may break

BOSCH CO21 21-Piece Cobalt Metal Drill Bit Set

This unique plastic case from Bosch comes with a unique twist of 21 bits of different measurements. This Drill product is ideal for electronic project drilling having steel shells without a need to cause a scratch on the paint. With minimal effort, one can create some rather modest holes.

In addition to this is the fact that the drill does not get bonded after entering the metal. The sharp twists are ideal for steel surfaces because they are quite sharper than several others and can penetrate at steeper angles.

Chief among all benefits of this drill bit is the fact that they are favorably priced which means that they are quite affordable in addition to the fact that they are among the best for stainless steel.

PROs	CONs
Great price Titanium coating to give it a long life and strength The bits can be used in both impact drivers and drills Comes with a no-stake tip for accurate and quick starts	Not usable for masonry The highest drill bit size is 1/8 inch

Titanium Drill Bit Set for Metal - 230pc Kit - Coated HSS - From...

The Mastercraft Titanium Drill Bit Set for Metal is a package that contains several bits each measuring the same diameter. What this means is that you do not need to worry about running out of certain types of bits if you lose some. This package is highly recommended for both professionals and DIYs.

One unique feature of this drill bit is that it has bit sizes that range from 1/16″ to ½” bits.  In addition to this is the fact that it can be used for fiberglass, wood, plastics, and metal. It comes with Titanium coated HSS for top durability and can last as much as six times normal bits. Furthermore, the sizes are printed on the tray to keep the tray organized.

PROs	CONs
It has different uses It Comes with titanium coating just like other ones meaning greater durability It Gives smooth cutting when it is used under the right pressure	Requires great care when it is been used on metallic surfaces.

ZELCAN 1PC M2 Step Drill Bit, Faster Drilling Step Bit 3/16 to...

The CO-Z Drilling Bit comes with a rather solid M2 construction which empowers it for better heat resistance as well as durability so that it can bore into holes rather smoothly. It is also able to drill easily into steel sheets, Iron Sheets, aluminum sheets as well as brass Sheets.

Furthermore, the CO-Z drilling bit can drill at twice the speed of conventional drilling bits and it is capable of drilling as much as a hundred holes on top of iron sheets. Also, it drills as much as eighteen holes of different sized holes per time when compared to about five of the regular drilling bits.

PROs	CONs
It is quite sturdy and durable It offers jam-free output as well as universal compatibility	May not be as sharp  as desired sometimes

16PCS Twist Drill Bit Set, 1mm-10mm M35 High Speed Steel Metal...

This is one drill bit that is well suited for cutting into rather hard materials which include cast iron and stainless steel.  They can, however, be used to drill softer material.

However, it should be noted that Cobalt drill bits are not direct products of pure cobalt but instead an alloy of steel in addition to some percent of cobalt.

What the cobalt does is to increase the steel strength while also making it resistant to heat.

Some of the features of the Gazeto Drill bits include High-speed steel; it is suitable for general and home use, HSS Drill Bit Set for steel, stainless steel, plastic, and wood.

It should be noted also that it is suitable for DIY and durable. Also, the steel extends the cutting edge life while maintaining the cutting life just after sharpening again.

PROs	CONs
Comes at good market price It useful for DIY and quite durable The steel can elongate the cutting edge life	Honestly couldn’t find anything bad

What are Stainless Steel Drill Bits?

Stainless steel Drill bits are usually used by professionals for drilling holes in hard metals and steel surfaces.

You will, however, agree that Cutting through steel can indeed pose a rather challenging prospect and as such regular bits may not be the ideal tools to use in such situations.

Furthermore, some of the drill bit types used by professionals for cutting through metals include cobalt, High Speed, and titanium.

Because you may find stainless steel a bit daunting to cut, cobalt and titanium drill bits are often used by professionals because they can cut through hard metals easily without leading to damages.

However, High-speed drills are known to resist heat easily. Also, their sharpness is reputed to be helpful in drilling materials such as fiberglass, wood, PVC, and aluminum.

It is important to note that even though these drill bits come in diverse shapes, sizes, coating, and designs, they usually perform specific and well-defined tasks.

You will, therefore, agree that Selecting the best drill bits for stainless steel for your project will go a long way in determining the success of the same.

What Are The Characteristics Of Drill Bits You Should Consider?

Generally speaking, the Geometry of drill bits has several features

• The rate of twist of the drill bit determines the chip removal rate. What this simply means is that a high twist rate drill bit is used for applications that have a high-feed rate under low spindle speeds, in situations where a large volume of chip removal is needed.

On the other hand, elongate flute drill bits are useful in cuts where the speed of cutting is high. This is in addition to situations where the material has the potential of clogging the hole or galling on the bit.

 

• The lip angle determines the level of support that the cutting edge provides. What this implies is that a higher lip angle will mean that the bit will cut with increased aggression while under the same level of pressure as a bit that has a lower angle.

The point angle helps to determine the right amount of lip clearance. It, therefore, suffices to say that an acute point angle will possess an increased surface area that is presented to the work per time, thus needing a rather intense lip angle.

In such situations, you will observe that a flat bit will be quite sensitive to minute changes in lip angle as an implication of the reduced surface area that supports the cutting edges.

• The point angle is usually determined by the material upon which the bit you are using will be working on. Usually, stronger materials need a higher point angle. The accurate point angle for the strength of material plays a role with the chatter, wandering, wear rate, and shape of the hole.
• The drill length goes a long way in determining the depth in which the hole may be drilled by you as well as the accuracy of same. One thing you may need to note is that even though longer bits tend to boring deeper holes, they usually have increased flexibility which means that the holes they drill may veer off the angle intended. It should be noted that Twist Drill bits can be gotten in short, standard, medium and long lengths.

The majority of the drill bits used by consumers usually possess straight shanks. However, in the case of heavy-duty industries, bits that possess shanks that are tampered with are usually utilized. You should take note of the fact that the length to diameter ratio of the drill bit lies between 1:1 and 10:1.there are however quite higher ratios such as the twist bits, and pressured-oil gun drill bits. The challenge here is that the greater the ratio, the more challenging producing high-quality work becomes.

It, therefore, suffices to say that the ideal geometry you should make use of is largely dependent on the type of material that is being drilled

What Are The Materials Usually Used For Drill Bits?

There are quite a several materials used for drill bits and this depends largely on purpose and intent.

Several hard materials like carbides are known to be less hard than steel and can easily break. This is especially so in a situation where the drill isn’t held at a regular angle with the workpiece.

Steel

1. Low-carbon steel: This material is quite common mainly because they are less expensive. They, however, need regular sharpening and don’t grasp edges well enough. They are majorly used to bore into wood. If you have had experience working with steel bits, you will notice that they usually do not last long if you are working on hardwood more.
2. High-carbon steel: these are known to be of higher durability when compared with lower carbon bits. This is mainly as a result of the properties that arise from the tempering and hardening of the material. In a situation where they are overheated, the temper may be lost which would lead to a soft cutting edge. You can conveniently use this type of bits on metal or wood.
3. Cobalt steel alloys: these are simply variations in the composition of high-speed steel which possess a higher level of cobalt. They are reputed to retain their hardness at increased temperatures and are usually used to drill hard materials such as stainless steel. One major drawback you should know about cobalt steels is that they are quite softer than the standard HSS.

Other Materials

Tungsten Carbide: these are quite hard and are reputed to be able to drill into nearly all materials while withstanding greater force than others. It should, however, be noted that it is more expensive and brittle. They are used for drilling bits which are little pieces of strong materials that are placed on less hard materials. These days, job shops seem to use solid carbon bits

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD): this material holds the reputation of being one of the strongest of tool materials and is quite resistant to wear and tear. It is made up of diamond particle layers which measure about 0.02 inches in thickness. They are usually joined together in the form of a sintered mass in addition to a tungsten carbide support.

Bits made from this material are usually created by sintering PCD inside a vein inside the tungsten-carbide or brazing little segments unto the tip of the tool to create cutting edges. The nib created may at a later time be brazed into a carbide shaft.

PCD bits are more often than not used in the aerospace, automobile and allied industries to drill carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, abrasive aluminum alloys. Also, they are used in situations where the downtime of the machine to sharpen or replace is quite expensive. You should, however, note that PCD isn’t used when dealing with ferrous metals as a result of wear that is caused by the reaction between iron in the metal and carbon in the PCD.

Selecting The Right Drill Bit For Glass, Tiles, Metal, Masonry, And Wood

When it comes to drilling anything, making the right choice of a bit is vital to ensuring speed and ease.

Which Drill Bit for other metals or steel?

• Titanium coated or cobalt steel
• HSS
• Unibit
• Metal Hole saw

Titanium Coated or Cobalt Steel

Titanium compound coated HSS bits are usually harder and more durable than the HSS bits and are best suited for drilling materials that are hard such as stainless steel.  In reality, however, the coating of Titanium will eventually fade off and if need be to get it sharpened by hand or drill bit, you will lose the coating.  Titanium bits have some semblance with HSS bits with orange coloring.

Another choice to explore when drilling for stainless steel or hard metals are cobalt alloy bits. They are made using solid alloy, which is not coated just like the titanium bits and is marked HSS co some of the time.  The inclusion of cobalt ensures that the drills are of higher durability and can survive higher temperatures when drilling without the edge been lost.

One major drawback with this, however, is that they are quite expensive, more brittle and hence may likely get chipped at the tip.

HSS Bits

High-speed steel bits or HSS bits are manufactured using elements such as Vanadium and chrome with carbon steel.  This enables them to be utilized at rather high speeds of drilling. HSS bits can be used for drilling steel, Iron, and other metals like copper, brass, and aluminum alloy. Plastic can also be drilled using HSS. Wood can be drilled using an HSS bit if there is no other alternative, however, in a situation where the hole has a large diameter, the bit will become quite hot thus slowing the process of drilling hence slowing down the drilling process.

Step Bit

Step bits come in a conical shape alongside several cutting edges with different diameters. They are best suited for drilling laminates, thin softwoods as well as plastics, particle boards, drywall, and sheet metal. Step bits are perfect for electrical jobs that have different sizes of holes needing to be cut in panels, junction boxes, etc.

One major benefit of this type of bit is that you will be able to drill quite a several sizes of holes without the need to change bits. In addition to this is that since it comes to a point, you do not need a pilot hole as in the case of drilling large holes.

Which drill bit is ideal for wood?

Spur and Lip Bits

These are simply a different option used in drilling timber and usually come in sizes that range from 3mm to 16mm.  They may also be used to drill brittle plastic and will be less likely to lead to the melting of the edges of the hole as a result of friction which occurs when drilling using an HSS it.

Flatwood or Spade Bit

These are quite useful in rapid drilling via wood. They are mainly found in a size range of 6mm to 36mm. one major drawback of these bits is that they tend to create a splintering effect as the bit comes out from the timber if you put in too much pressure.

Hole Saws

If you intend to drill large holes that measure greater than 1 ½ inches with a standard it, you may be faced with quite a several challenges.  Chief among these challenges is the fact that you will require a drill that has high torque and power to overcome friction when drilling into the timber.

Drilling into large holes is however made quite easy with the help of a Hole Saw. This type of saw comes with little teeth just like the handsaw and the blade is fashioned in the form of a cylinder. Some of the hole saws are designed to drill plastic or wood while some others are created from HSS and are best suited for iron drilling and wood.

Which drill bit is ideal for plastic?

You may use the same drill bit as in the case of wood for plastic. It is however imperative you slowly drill. The reason is that if you drill quickly, the friction may lead the plastic to melt thus leading to the clogging of the flutes and tip of the drill with melted shavings.

When the shavings cool and are stuck inside the flutes, the situation becomes worse and this means that the bit may get stuck. This may not be much of a deal when dealing with thin plastic; however, when dealing with thicker sheets, it can be a bit of a challenge.

Which drill bit is ideal for Block, brick, and solid concrete?

Diamond Hole saw and Tungsten carbide bit

• Diamond Core Bits

These share similarities with Hole Saw; however, they are used for boring huge holes into aerated cement blocks and concrete

• Tungsten carbide Masonry Drill Bits

This drill bit type is used for boring holes into solid concrete, stone, brick, concrete blocks as well as breeze blocks. They can be found in sizes ranging from 5mm to 40mm.

Masonry bits can be gotten with a round section shank that is made use of in a conventional chuck. A better alternative is, however, the SDS variant. The shank that is gotten on this bit type does not slip in a chuck and can be quickly extracted and inserted from the power drill and SDS chuck.  They are usually used in a hammer, impact or percussion drill. The hammering action breaks the masonry as it comes in touch with the bit tip.

Masonry bits are useful in boring rather rough holes into a timer. The progress will be slower and the hole will be rough. This is because the drill simply chips into the hole by using brute force.

FAQs

How do you make sure your Drill bits do not break?

Cobalt, narrow-diameter HSS can easily break. As a result of this, great care must be taken when making use of them.

How do you sharpen drill bits?

You can make use of a bench grinder by learning to sharpen your drill it with some skill. The bit, however, needs to be held at a precise angle relative to the wheel which requires some practice time.

What happens when the drill bit won’t work?

This is a common mistake with newbies as they tend to set the drill on the reverse mode in such a way that the drill turns the wrong angle. A bit ought to turn clockwise when viewing the chuck towards the bit’s tip.

Tips That Should Help You

• Ensure to apply small pressure, just enough for it to start making its way from the workpiece.
• Little bits usually break when they catch in the workpiece. Hence, if you have a cordless drill, make use of it as against a corded drill. In a situation where the drill snags, the chuck is bound to slip thus reducing the risk of snapping for the bit, ensure to set the torque setting at low and up the setting if the chuck slips when drilling.
• Furthermore, when you are drilling metals, make sure you take it easy as you gain access to the other side. The bit may snag as it gets to the other side and makes contact with the material at the base of the hole. It is advisable that you put a block of wood beneath the workpiece to prevent the metal from pushing outwards.
• Finally, ensure that you have a firm and steady grip of the drill. If you make the mistake of moving it to one side as against maintaining a perpendicular posture when you are drilling, this may lead to the bending and overstressing of the bit thus breaking it.

Here’s a video that will give you great ideas on choosing right drills:

Conclusion

The moment you have settled on choosing the best drill bit for stainless steel, the only thing remaining would be to begin drilling on the material. If what you seek is the best in terms of value for money and delivery, it is important that you consider the above-mentioned drill bits. Regardless of your choice, getting the right drill that matches the Hole diameter and depth needed is vital.

Choosing top quality drilling bit for your stainless steel goes a long way in improving the total shelf life of the drill bits. This goes a long way in affecting the total productivity of your venture. What this simply means is that if you make the right choice, you are bound to get more jobs done in quick time without compromising on quality

REFERENCES

• https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/video/diy-how-to-choose-the-right-drill-bits/
• https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/drill-bits-buying-guide
• https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-right-drill-bit/

Here Are Some More Guides You May Read:

• Top 5 Best Earmuffs For Sleeping
• Top 5 Best Fridge Extension Cords
• What are the best fencing pliers to have?
• Best Roll Out Downspout Extension
• Best Microwave Extension Cord
• Best AC Extension Cord Buying Guide
• Best Bed Bug Foggers To Purchase
• Best Long Drill Bit Extension