From straight shanks to high-speed steels and carbide tips, there is an endless list of options for choosing a drill bit that is perfect for your steel or metals.
While several varieties of drill bits are suitable for several different tasks, the type of drill bits varies considerably. However, one must be cautious when choosing a particular drill bit for a project. It is because of the suitability of that specific drill bit for other purposes.
Here, we’ll examine the best HSS drill bits and the factors to consider in choosing them.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1 Why high-speed steel (HSS) Drill Bit?
- Chapter 2 What are the Best HSS Drill Bits for Metal/Steel?
- Chapter 3 Best High-speed Drill Bits You Should Know
- Chapter 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Drill Bits
- Chapter 5 Frequently Asked Questions on HSS drill bits for metal/steel
- Chapter 6 Final Thoughts
Figure 1: Close shot of drill bits
Chapter 1 Why high-speed steel (HSS) Drill Bit?
Many types of drill bits are available in the market based on the materials used in manufacturing them. Notable ones include soft low-carbon steel, high-carbon steel, cobalt-steel alloy, and high-speed steel (HSS). Others include tungsten carbide and polycrystalline diamond (PCD).
While each material is suitable for specific purposes, high-speed steel drill bits are in huge demand for many reasons. Unlike regular drill bits that cannot cut through steel materials, HSS drill bits seamlessly handle hard materials such as metals and steel. Thus, high-speed steel drill bits are primarily used as metal cutting materials and made of high alloy tool steels.
Besides, HSS is also a functional tool in the manufacturing industry due to its effectiveness in grinding. High-speed drill bits are also titanium-made drill bits with a titanium oxide coating. These drill bits are sturdy and resistant to corrosion. They can drill through hard metals and steel, as well as wood. Thus, they are more durable and heat-resistant compared to many others.
Chapter 2 What are the Best HSS Drill Bits for Metal/Steel?
There are several factors to consider before choosing drill bits. We have identified those features that will enable you to make a pre-informed decision in the subsequent headings.
However, let’s quickly examine the best drill bits for metal/steel. While most of these HSS drill bits are readily available in the market, as a small or medium-sized saw blade supplier and distributor, it’s better to go for custom-made tools. It allows you to choose the required size, specification, design, and type of materials used based on your customers’ needs.
Diamond tools manufacturing company like NC Cutting Tools gives you many options in making customized tools for cutting and drilling.
Chapter 3 Best High-speed Drill Bits You Should Know
Most of the best HSS drill bits are alloys made from a combination of tungsten, molybdenum, and chromium steel. The hardness of a typical HSS drill bit is usually between 63-65 Rockwell “C” hardness.
Figure 2: Different Types of Masonry for Woodwork and Metalwork
Two categories of HSS drill bits exist. It includes high-speed molybdenum steels and high-speed tungsten steels. Molybdenum HSS drill bits are classified as Group M steels, ranging from M1 to M10. Group M HSS drill bits are cheaper in terms of production cost than the tungsten HSS drill bits. However, their performances are somewhat similar.
Here are some of the characteristics of each molybdenum HSS.:
• M1 HSS
It’s softer compared to the others and more resistant to shock. Also, it flexes more but lacks the red-hardness features of the others. However, hardening and quenching can increase hardness. M1 HSS drill bits are suitable for all cutting tools, including saw blades.
• M2 HSS
Widely regarded as the most popular industry-standard high-speed steel, M2 is suitable for different applications. It includes drill bits, milling cutters, broaches, taps, twists, milling cutters, and knives. Although it has a similar hardness as the T1, it replaced it as the industry standard. It boasts superior bending strength of 4700 MPa. Also, it boasts 50% higher thermo-plasticity and toughness compared to T1. If you need the best HSS drill bits for metals and drilling, don’t hesitate to contact NC Cutting Tools for customized tools fabrication and design.
• M4 HSS
Properties that make M4 HSS unique include high impact toughness, wear resistance, and transverse bend strength. It derives its high-impact toughness and resistance from vanadium carbides. It is used in making quality cutting tools such as twist drills, saw blades, wire saw, bears, etc.
• M7 HSS
For drilling involving heavy construction, M7 HSS is the best drill bits, particularly where the durability and flexibility of the drills are critical.
• M42 HSS
Besides the molybdenum as the primary material, M42 has an added 8% cobalt. That explains why it uses the symbol HSS-Co for its identification. It’s ideal for metalwork owing to its superior red hardness. It’s quite inexpensive and less prone to chipping during interrupted cuts compared to when carbide is the material in use. To customize any tools with M4 HSS as the active material, contact NC Cutting Tools.
• M50 HSS
In an application requiring drill bits where breakage seems to be a big issue, you can trust M50 HSS to handle the task. Although it lacks the red-hardness of other tungsten HSS, its flexing makes it ideal for contractors and hardware stores.
NC Cutting Tools can manufacture any of these HSS drill bits based on market demand. You can choose the specifications, designs, and sizes to get the job done. These include cutting tools such as circular saws, gang saw, chain saw, band saw, and wire saw. Also, grinding tools include abrasive wheels, idler wheels, tumbling barrels, and edge grinding wheels.
Chapter 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Drill Bits
Most people think selecting the perfect drill bits is easy and straightforward. However, that’s not true in its entirety. Indeed, choosing a drill bit that’s just perfect for you might be challenging, time-consuming, and confusing. It is due to the vast array of drill bits available in the market.
Figure 3: Metal Drilling with Drill Bits at Work
In this segment, we’ll take a closer look at the factors to consider when choosing a drill bit that’s perfect for your project. These tips will help you avoid most buyers’ mistakes when choosing drill bits for their projects. Here are the factors and tips to consider when selecting drill bits:
The Type of Project You’re Executing
The choice of drill bits solely depends on the nature of the project. If drilling small holes with light concrete or human-made stones, you can opt for masonry drill bits. However, it would be best if you always moved avoid utilizing bits from substandard materials whenever you’re drilling any project. It will cause them to overheat faster and do a shoddy job.
Compatibility with Your Drill
What type of drill do you use for your project? It is one of the essential questions you should ask yourself. Endeavor to choose a drill bit that perfectly matches your drill type. It will contribute to the smooth and easy execution of your project. Apart from that, it also helps to ensure that the drill won’t get damaged by discordant drill bits.
More so, you need to carefully examine the drill shank and ensure that the chuck of your drill perfectly grasps it. However, when you choose a drill bit compatible with your drill, it doesn’t simply mean you should purchase bits of similar brands. No!
At NCCutting Tools, we have universal drill bits that are perfectly compatible with varying degrees of drills. Endeavor to carry out thorough research and discover which drill bits match your drills.
Drill Bit Material
When choosing a specific drill bit for your project, one of the things you also need to consider is the material. While masonry drill bits are manufactured from low-carbon steel, other drill bits are manufactured from different materials. However, low-carbon drill bits tend to be cheap, less efficient, and don’t last long.
On the other hand, drill bits made of high-speed steel (HSS), manufactured by NCCutting Tools, can be used on hard surfaces. Apart from that, it has excellent resistance and also lasts longer.
Ensure that your high-speed steel drill bits are coated with carbide, diamond powder, or even titanium carbon nitride. It establishes its toughness and quality. Apart from that, these coatings are also functional in reducing the risk of corrosion and wear.
Regardless of the kind of drill bit you choose, ensure that it is made of high-quality and durable materials.
The Size of the Drill Bits
Typically, the sizes of drill bits range from 3mm to 16mm. Regarding the length of drill bits, there are standard lengths and long drill bits ranging between 300mm and 400mm.
The length and size of the drill you choose solely depend on your project’s length and size. However, you should ensure that your selected drill bit has a similar size to the hole you’re making.
How about the length?
There are standard lengths and even longer ones. In most cases, you should opt for drill bits of standard length.
Figure 4: Varieties of Cordless Drill Bits
Construction and Angles
118° and 135° are the most prevalent angles for drill bits. They came into use when drilling was mostly a manual process. Drill bits from these angles have traditional conical shapes before introducing a flat surface. It created a linear chisel that reduced thrust and removed chips while improving the metal-cutting processes. 118° angled drills are suitable for soft metals like aluminum, while the 135° variant is perfect for hardened applications such as stainless steel.
Avoid Cheap Drill Bits
When it comes to selecting the best drill bits, one of the things many people consider is the pricing. Many people will want to opt for drill bits within their budget. However, that doesn’t mean you should choose cheap drill bits.
Cheap drill bits are usually manufactured with substandard material and always have histories of overheating, wear, corrosion, and many more when subjected to pressure. Buying such drill bits would be a colossal waste of money even be, cause it can make or mar your project.
Check the video below to see how typical drill bits work.
Video on how a drill bit works
Go for quality drill bits. Shop with us at NC Cutting Tools. We have several high-quality drill bits available, and our prices are affordable.
Chapter 5 Frequently Asked Questions on HSS drill bits for metal/steel
1. What are HSS drill bits?
High-speed steel drill bits, also known as HSS, are drilling tools that combine carbon steel and other elements, such as vanadium and chrome, to form an alloy. They are heat resistant, hardwearing, and highly durable to withstand heavy usage. If well maintained, HSS drill bits guarantee long-term performances and are safe for use at high speeds.
2. Can you use HSS drill bits for masonry
We purposely design HSS drill bits for metals and hard steel. Since masonry involves solid concrete, brick, stone, and block, using an HSS drill bit is not the best advice. Instead, it would be best if you went for tungsten carbide masonry bits. They provide hammering or percussive action, making them ideal for concrete and blocks. You can always request customized masonry drill bits from NC Cutting Tools.
3. What are the best drill bits for hardened steel?
As stated earlier, HSS drill bits are the best for hardened steel. This is because they have high impact and heat resistance drilling ability. Also, they are durable and perform optimally at high speed, which makes them ideal for hardened steel/metal.
4. What are the different types of drill bits?
Drill bits exist in different types based on the materials we manufacture and their applications. It includes high-speed drill bits, step drill bits, auger drill bits, spate, rivet, brad-point, and masonry drill bits.
5. How do I maintain my HSS drill bits?
Drill bits become blunt due to prolong use. To extend the lifespan of your HSS drill bits, you have to sharpen them. You can use tools to sharpen HSS drill bits, including a drill sharpener, oilstone, or a grinding stone drill.
Figure 5: Drill Bits Bench Grinder at Work
Chapter 6 Final Thoughts
Choosing the best HSS drill bits for your project can be complicated. However, considering factors such as project type, compatibility, drill bit material, size, and angles can help you to make a pre-informed decision. To give you the best experience on your metal/steel, you should consider going for custom HSS drill bits as it allows you to choose the required specification, design, and combination of materials. With over 20 years of manufacturing quality drilling and cutting tools, NC Cutting Tools offers you all these benefits and much more. Do you need specific advice or guidance? Don’t hesitate to contact us now.
