There is no doubt that drill bits are the swords which you need as a warrior of drilling.
It does not matter if you are a DIY worker or a professional worker, a good bit is a must.
There are many shapes and sizes of drill bits on the market.
Among so many options, you have to pick the exact ones that are made for metals.
If you don’t know the required facts and consideration to make the right purchase, you might end up buying the wrong bit for your work.
This is why I am going to discuss the things you need to know before choosing the perfect set of drill bits for your job.
Product Name | Features | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
DEWALT DW1354 Titanium 14-Piece Set  TOP PICK | Bit size 1/16” to ½”. | ||
DEWALT Black Oxide 20-Piece Drill Bit Set  Best For Anti-Slip | 135-degree split point tip. | ||
Neiko 10193A Titanium Step Drill Bit Set  Best Step Bit Sets | 28 sizes in 3 bits. Affordable price. | ||
Makita B-65399 Impact Gold 14 Pc Titanium Drill Bit Set  Best for Multi-Purpose | A wide range of bits within a set. | ||
IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Steel  Premium Pick For Heavy-Duty | Split-point tips. |
Which drill bits work best on metal?
If you are thinking of investing in anything, it is really necessary to make the right purchase.
To do so, you have to do a lot of research.
The process of buying a good drill bit is no exception.
We have done the research for you and shortened the outcome here. Among thousands of options who are best for drilling we will discuss the best types for metal here.
The drill bits that are best for drilling metals are built of some particular materials. They are given below.
1. High-speed steel:
High-speed steel is the most basic material by which bits are made.
It is the less expensive one too.
Bits of such type can be used in both drill press or hand drills.
The best part about the bits is that they are easy to sharpen and you can use them again and again.
2. High-speed steel mixed with cobalt:
If you are looking for a better and strong drill bit than the regular ones, then this might be what you would want to buy.
These bits are made of high-speed steel and there is a percentage of cobalt mixed with it.
The mixture of cobalt makes them durable and resistant to heat.
These bits also can be sharpened and used for a long time.
3. Carbide:
Carbide made bits are considered to be the king of all bits. It is resistant to chipping and withstands breaking for a long time.
It can resist heat more than the previously mentioned ones.
Carbide drill bits have coolant holes in them and flash metal chips better.
If you are a professional worker, carpenter, or machinist you need high-quality drill bits.
These bits will last for years.
High-quality carbide bits are expensive and available in the market.
They are capable of drilling more holes than the previous mentioned bit types too.
For a long time investment, these bits can be a great option.
This is it.
The drill bits for digging into metals are built with these metal types. Before making a purchase look up to these bit types.
These are the main metal type bits, if you want to know more about metal bits check the 7 types of metal bits guide.
7 Best Drill Bits For Metal Reviews
1. DEWALT DW1354 Titanium 14-Piece Set - TOP PICK
The DeWALT drill bit set is one of the top-selling products. These titanium made bits are tough enough for all sorts of drilling jobs.
They come in 14 pieces to meet your drilling needs.
The product has made it to the top of our list because of its well manufacturing and all in all features.
You will be happy to find out the cool features of this product.
Attractive Key Features:
Resistant to heat and corrosion:
Being coated by titanium is the manufacturing excellence of these drill bits.
The coating makes them resistant to heat and durable. That means drilling will not make the drill bits hot.
The titanium coating also protects the High-Speed Steel from corrosion. This makes it a long-lasting tool to have.
A perfect kit for DIY and professional workers:
The durability that the titanium coating offers is tough to beat.
It is a great deal to have for all your DIY or professional projects.
This set of tools is a godset when you need multiple bits for a single project.
Must have for impact driver:
The set of short and long bits are very versatile to use.
They are well made and are really compatible with impact drivers. It is a must-have toolset for your impact driver.
Well made:
Undoubtedly the bits are very durable.
The reason behind this is the titanium coating and the High-Speed Steel they are made of.
These facts made this set a great strong and durable tool.
You get what you pay for:
To be honest, you will be satisfied to find out what you are getting.
It is a complete package of drill bits.
The quality of the bits are excellent and you will definitely get what you will pay for.
You might find them cheaper than any other costly bits as well.
No-spin shank:
The shank of the bits are no-spin shanks. Because of this the shanks fit the basic drill bits and do not move.
Pilot point tips:
DEWALT has built a pilot point tip themselves in the bits.
This removes the need of drilling a pilot hole so that the bits do not walk across the metal surface.
Consideration:
If you have even a little bit of experience of dealing with bits you know that no bits are permanent.
They will break today or tomorrow.
The same goes for these sets as well. They are tough bits to break.
Still, the impact of rotation and inexperienced use might lead to the breaking of the bits.
Otherwise, they are perfect.
PROS
CONS
I hope you have understood why this set of bits has made it to the top of our list.
This is a great set to have if you are into drilling.
Your drilling jobs will turn into a piece of cake once you have these in your hands.
2. DEWALT Black Oxide 20-Piece Drill Bit Set - Best For Anti-Slip
This is another product from DEWALT which has a great customer fanbase.
The difference with the previous one is that the bits are Black Oxide coated.
There are so many options in this entire set of bits that there is always a bit that will suit your task.
Attractive Key Features:
Split-point tip:
The bits have 135-degree split-point tips that reduce walking and helps you to cut into the metal neatly.
The parabolic design makes the bits strong enough to dig through hard metallic surfaces.
Sharp and anti-slip:
The bits are razor-sharp and don't slip.
The anti-slip ones have to be installed carefully in the chuck.
Great value:
If you are in a love-hate relationship with drill bits, then these are the ones you must try.
You will be satisfied with them for your daily DIY works.
They are of great value and you can sharpen them as well.
The case:
The set of drill bits come in a container that keeps them organized.
There is a sliding grip lock which keeps them organized. There is a place for every bit and it gets easier to find them.
Salient features:
The black oxide coating is the manufacturing excellence of these bits.
The coating protects them from heat and corrosion.
This coating makes them durable and long-lasting for working on metal.
The bits are really easy to use and you will be satisfied with the finish you will get from them.
Consideration:
Well, the bits are so well manufactured that there are less things to consider about them.
Sometimes you might find them even better than the titanium coated bits.
The bits often lose their sharpness if they are not taken care of properly.
Here is a tip for you...
Dip the bits into the oil before using them.
Keep the process repeating as long as you are working.
This keeps the coating and sharpness of the bits last longer.
Even store after dipping into lubricant oils. If you follow this procedure your bits will last longer.
PROS
CONS
This is all about it.
There are more than this about these bits.
They are worth the price and they get the job well done.
You might break some bits while working, still, you will be satisfied with the product.
3. Neiko 10193A Titanium Step Drill Bit Set - Best Step Bit Sets
Looking for a step drill bit set?
You got it!
This drill bit set brings you 28 options for drilling with just 3 bits.
These bits are well manufactured.
The titanium-coated HSS drill bits are worth the price.
By the dint of these bits, you will get the job done with ease and you are surely to become a fan of them.
Attractive Key Features:
Manufacturing quality:
The bits are made of High-Speed Steel (HSS) which are good for drilling into metals.
On the steel, there is a titanium coating that increases the capability and the durability of them.
You can easily work on plastic, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and many other types of sheet materials.
Split-point tip:
The tip of the drills are 135-degree split-point tips that increase the cutting speed and prevent walking.
Which means there are less chances of the bit wandering on the surface.
Two-flute design:
The two-flute design of the bits clears the chips faster and allows the drilled particles to escape easily.
Tri-flatted shank:
The tri-flatted shank of the bits stops them from moving in the chuck.
This provides a steady hold of the drill bits.
The bits do not slip as the shank fits into the drill securely.
The tri-flatted shank is the universal fit design that fits every chuck.
As a result, you get a perfect hole/drill.
Wide range of diameter:
To be mentioned again that these are step bits.
The step bits provide you with 28 size options with only 3 bits.
Sheet metal:
This is a great set of bits for sheet metals.
They do fabulous on them.
The bits punch into the sheet quickly.
Anyone who works on sheet metals must have these bits.
Considerations:
Being a step by step drill you always have to be aware while working.
You have to be alert and focus so that you do not exceed your desired step.
Otherwise, the size of the hole will turn big.
Another thing is that these bits are not regular looking bits. This is why they are hard to sharpen.
You have to be careful while sharpening them so that they do not get damaged.
Otherwise, while working be mindful of keeping the sharpness stay as long as possible.
PROS
CONS
The part to be considered does not make these bits a bad deal to be made.
They are outstanding with great features.
You will be really satisfied with the service that you will get and drilling becomes fun when you have these bits with you.
4. Makita B-65399 Impact Gold 14 Pc Titanium Drill Bit Set - Best for Multi-Purpose
It is another drill bit set of 14 pieces.
The set comes in a box where you can keep them in place.
They are Gold impact bits which are capable of cutting through metals with ease.
Attractive Key Features:
Titanium coating:
Makita has coated the drill bits with titanium nitride.
This increases the lifetime of the drill bits 2.5 times more than the normal bits without coating.
This coating gives them the durability and the strength of a good drilling bit.
Split-point tip:
Like the DEWALT black-oxide bits these bits also have 135-degree split-point tips.
The slip-point prevents the drills from slipping and provides a smooth cutting through metal.
Impact bit for metal:
It is a hex-shank drill bit which fits tight in an impact driver.
It gets a greater grip in the socket.
As a result, the bits cut through the metal surface easily.
You will be surprised to see how the bits will dig into stainless steel, cast iron, and any other hard surface.
Versatility:
The full set contains a wide range of bits.
The range starts from 0.015 inches to 0.50 inches.
So, you can see the versatility of the whole set and how it can cover the most hole sizes.
Good quality:
The drill bits are really beautiful and well made.
They are of high quality as well.
The features and durability turns your every drilling project easier.
They are not too short or long, they are of the perfect size and shape that you will be needing for your job.
Having a hex shank they fit into both your regular drills and impact driver.
Sharp:
The bits are really sharp that you can drill pilot holes with them.
The best thing is that you can use the same bit to drill a pilot hole for screws and drive them in using the same bit.
You will be amazed to find out how sturdy these bits can be.
Consideration:
The bits fulfill all the requirements necessary for a bit to dig through a metal.
The things to be considered are less in the case of these bits.
The bits are often found to wobble while working, as a result, they might break down.
You have to be careful while using them so that you do not put extra pressure on them.
Another thing that the users complain about is that they find it difficult to remove the bits from the case.
They have complained that if you are wearing a glove, then it becomes impossible.
PROS
CONS
Well, this is a wrap about this set of bits.
At the end, all I want to say is that this set of bits is a godsaver if you are working on plastic, wood, or metal surfaces.
They will do well in your home improvement projects and you will get all of these within your budget.
5. IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Steel - Premium Pick For Heavy Duty
Irwin is the first company to patent the first auger drill bits.
Such experience makes them a great choice in the drill bit market.
They have come up with a set of 29 pieces of drill bits providing you with a wide range of choices.
Attractive Key Features:
Cobalt coated bits:
The bits are built with High-Speed Stainless steel and on top of that, there is a coating of cobalt.
The coating protects the bits from friction, for that the bits do not get hot.
The cobalt makes 8 percent of the alloy and this is a positive side.
You can use lubricating oils on the bits to protect the cobalt coating for a longer period of time.
Multiple options:
As I mentioned in the beginning, this set has 29 pieces of drills in it.
The size range is from 0.016 inches to 0.50 inches.
So, you have options for holes of all sorts and sizes.
135-degree split point tip:
The split point tip works as a great feature in every drill bit.
This feature adds a great value while drilling through metals.
The drills do not walk on the surface rather directly dig a hole in the surface.
Having this feature in the bits this set can be considered as one of the best sets of drill bits.
Durable:
The bits easily can dig through-hardened steel, cast iron, etc. while digging you must be aware of keeping the bits cool.
If you do not mind so, the bits might not last longer.
Considerations:
You might find the products a little bit expensive.
The manufacturing quality, the coating, and the number of bits are the reason behind this.
This doesn’t make the bits bad or not suitable for your works.
You will definitely get your job done if you have this set with you.
PROS
CONS
I have nothing to say about these bits.
I think you have had all the information required to decide and consider if this is the set of bits you need.
I am sure you won't be disappointed if you make this deal.
6. Drill America Heavy Duty High Speed Steel Drill Bit Set
This is another set of drill bits which contains 29 pieces of it.
There is a variety of sizes and shapes.
You will have a lot of options to drill and dig holes in the metal surfaces.
The bits size increases by 1/64 inch increments.
Attractive Key Features:
High-quality steel:
Drill American bits are made of high-speed steel which gives them the strength to ding into metals.
The oxidized finish of the drills makes them resistant to rust and abrasion.
The self-aligning heads of the bits provide you with the opportunity to drill into the surfaces and make precise holes.
Suitable for DIY projects:
This toolset is perfect if you are on your home improvement or DIY projects.
These drills are so well made for such purposes that you won’t be able to find any flaws in them.
About the round case:
The 29 pieces of the kit come in a round-shaped container.
If you want you can clip them with your belt while working if you want them to be close to your hands.
The case is built with durable plastic and keeps your bits organized.
Black and gold coating:
As I have mentioned in the feature of the bits being made of High-Speed Steel.
That's not all...
The bits have a gold and black coating on them.
This coating prevents the bits from getting rusted, hot as well as abrasive damages.
Compatible:
The drill bits are compatible with straight chucked drill guns.
You have to make sure that the drill has straight chucks.
135-degree split point:
There is a 135-degree split point tip on the bits that provides the ability to penetrate through hard materials with ease without the need of walking.
There is no need to dig a pilot hole before screwing. You will get small chips and this reduces clogging.
Consideration:
Straight chuck guns required:
The drill bits are compatible with straight chuck drills. They are often found not to fit in some ½ inch drill chucks.
You have to be aware of that if your drill has the accurate chuck to make the job done.
Becomes dull:
Though they are made of high-speed steel, they become dull after some uses. You might need to sharpen them very often.
PROS
CONS
As the ending remarks of this review, I would suggest you to buy it only if you are doing your DIY projects.
This product is definitely not for the productive purpose.
Having a set of drill bits like this will give you every option of drilling.
If you take care of them well, they will satisfy you with a long service.
7. Vastar Titanium Step Drill Bit Set & Automatic Center Punch - Best Budget
This is a set of step drill bits which contains 3 pieces.
The bits are strong and durable.
They will make your drilling easier and give you a wide range of options to do so.
Attractive Key Feature:
Thick metal drilling bits:
The bits are made of M2 steel and they are titanium coated.
This makes them strong and durable enough to drill through thick metals.
Wide range of options:
Once you get used to the steps of the bits you will be surprised to see how many options you have in your hands.
These 3 bits do the jobs of 28 individual traditional bits.
Amazing! Isn’t it?
Automatic center punch:
The bits come with an automatic center punch that creates the opportunity for the bits to sit by creating a dimple.
This minimizes the walking on the surface and broadens the opportunity of creating consistent holes.
Easy to use:
Once you get hold of the center punch and the steps of the bits it will become easy for you to use them.
Create a dimple by using the center punch, drill into the metal using the bits.
It is that easy.
Versatility:
Using these bits you can create ¾ inches of holes.
You can drill into plastic, wood, and soft metals using these bits.
In this Vastar bit, the two separate flutes remove the wastes which reduces the chance of clogging.
So that you can focus on the workplace more.
Warranty and Guarantee:
Vastar bits come with a 45 days of money-back guarantee and 18 months of warranty.
This is the sign of confidence which makes these bits a reliable choice.
Consideration:
No case include:
Like the other drill sets in this review, the bits do not come with a case. They can fit in any traditional case though.
Center punch damage:
The spring of the center damage punch is likely to get damaged. So, you have to be careful about that.
PROS
CONS
Well, this is it.
This is all about these step bits. They are versatile, well built.
You do not have to carry unnecessary bits with you for hours instead you can have three of these bits.
This is another user-friendly drill bit set I think is worth buying.
What to consider before buying a drill bit for metal?
It would be incomplete if we do not provide you a final guideline for the best drill bits for metal.
This is why we want to share our all research material with you too.
These are the things which we have looked up to for listing the 7 best drill bits for metal.
We have researched as if we are a buyer for the product and this guideline will hopefully become handy for you too.
The first thing before buying a bit you have to consider is the coating and the finishing of it.
Bright finish:
This is the most basic drill finish.
Not only that they are also the cheapest ones.
You can use them to drill on aluminum or low-carbon steel surfaces.
Black oxide coating:
Black oxide coating on drill bits makes the bits resistant to oxidation.
They add extra lubrication to the drill bits too.
They make the bits resistant to heat and as a result, you get better durability.
Titanium nitride coating:
This type of coating makes the drill bits ideal for mild steel.
The bits with titanium nitride coating are called with the bits with a gold finish.
Though they do not do well with hard metals, they are good for many applications.
Titanium carbonitride:
This coating is durable than the titanium nitride coatings.
These bits are good for cast iron or other hard metals.
This coating leaves a bluish or purplish tinge on the bits.
This is all about the coating and finishing part. After that, we have to consider the facts below,
Frequency of use:
Another factor before buying drill bits to be considered is how often you are going to use your drill bits.
If you need to drill a few holes once or twice in a year there is no need of buying a comprehensive set of bits.
For DIY drillers a small kit with high-quality bits can be a better option.
If you are a DIY worker, then a set of step bits can be a good choice for you.
You can sharpen them or replace them if they get dull later.
Shank design:
There are dozens of shanks and chucks on the market.
The vast majority of them can be divided into two categories.
Straight shanks have cylinders that easily fit into Jacob chucks. They are tightened with a key but most require nothing more than your hands.
Impact guns and drill presses have chucks that can be tightened with chuck keys too.
There are hex-shanks which are designed to quick change hex chucks.
Choosing the wrong bit that does not have the right shank to match your drill will damage them and your work too.
This might even lead to injuries.
Price:
It is tempting to purchase cheap drill bits. They are often proven to be of low quality.
As a result, they become dull after a few uses.
If you are not sure how frequently you are going to use your drill bits, then you should invest in a set of general-purpose bits.
This will be a clever investment if you need to drill a hole once or twice a year.
Tip Angle:
Drill bits generally have two types of tip angles.
The aggressiveness of cutting by the bits depends mostly on them.
The difference is found depending on the hardness of the materials.
For softer materials like wood, plastic you should buy a bit with 118-degree points.
On the other hand for metals, it would be good if you choose the ones with a 135-degree angle. It prevents the drill bit from walking and provides a good grip.
This is where we stopped.
There are really more things to consider, but those are not worth it. These are the main facts that you must consider before buying a drill bit for metal.
Drilling through metal: Problem and Solutions
As we are done with the buying I want to point out some things which you might face during the drilling procedure.
They are really basic things.
You can skip them if you are a professional because this is for the beginners.
- The first and foremost thing you need to drill is patience and a steady hand.
- The most crucial thing of drilling and with which people struggle the most is the starting of making a hole. What you should do is that with a center punch you can make a dimple on the surface and start drilling so that the drill does not move around.
- While drilling the bit should be kept at a low speed until it digs into the metal.
- If the bit turns hot and smoke comes out, pause for a few moments and let the bit cool a bit. Then you can start drilling again.
Conclusion:
Well, guys, We are at the end of it.
I have tried to share with you everything about drill bits so that you can choose the best drill bits for metal for you.
The types of drill bits, the materials they are built with, the things to consider the problems and solutions a list of 7 drill bits for metals.
We have discussed everything. I believe this is what you needed to know.
You have gone through the complete package and you are sure to succeed in case of making the best purchase of drill bits for metals.