If you want to drill hardened steel, it’s important to choose drill bits with a high level of durability, strength, and heat resistance. If not, it can take you more time and effort, even if it doesn’t work effectively.
Here are the best drill bits for hardened steel you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: BOSCH Drill Bit
- Durable: BeHappy Drill Bit
- Best For Quick Drilling: COMOWARE Drill Bit Set
- Best For Hardened Steel Bolts: JIUWU Drill Bits
- Best For Damascus Steel: Mars tool Carbide Drill Bit
- Best For Thin Hardened Steel: IRWIN Drill Bit Set
| 6 Best Drill Bits For Hardened Steel | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | BOSCH Drill Bit | |
Durable | BeHappy Drill Bit | |
Best For Quick Drilling | COMOWARE Drill Bit Set | |
Best For Hardened Steel Bolts | JIUWU Drill Bits | |
Best For Damascus Steel | Mars tool Carbide Drill Bit | |
Best For Thin Hardened Steel | IRWIN Drill Bit Set | |
Best Overall: BOSCH Drill Bit
- Sharp
- Durable
- Solid
- Good price
- Easy to use
- Cheap plastic case
If you want a set of drill bits that can meet all basic drilling requirements, choose the BOSCH Drill Bit.
This set includes 14 pieces in different sizes that allow you to make different hole sizes for many DIY projects. They include 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2".
All of them are made from a cobalt material that features durability and high heat resistance, so this is a great option for hardened surfaces.
| BOSCH Drill Bit Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material type | Stainless steel, cobalt |
Recommended surface | Cast iron, metal, and stainless steel |
Number of pieces | 14 pieces |
Dimensions | 8.86 x 4.49 x 1.65 inches |
Highlight features | High-heat resistance Thick web-helix design Surface-hardened tip |
The BOSCH Drill Bit set with 14 pieces helps you make different hole sizes for different DIY drilling projects.
Durable: BeHappy Drill Bit
- Easy to store the drill bits
- Right price
- Nice look
- Sharp
- Not durable case
Durable drill bits can maintain the sharpness and cutting abilities over a long period. This is smooth and accurate to handle hardened steel since it can result in consistent and efficient performance while drilling. It is what the durable BeHappy Bit Set can do. Customers said that it is good to use them for both casual home cases and commercial work, especially, the drill bits can go through metal in seconds.
| BeHappy Drill Bit Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material type | High speed steel and stainless steel |
Recommended surface | Hardened metal, stainless steel, iron, plastic, and wood |
Number of pieces | 29 pieces |
Dimensions | 1/16"-1/2" |
Highlight features | High speed 135°split point A portable iron case |
The BeHappy Drill Bit is durable enough to smoothly and conveniently go through a very hard piece of metal.
Best For Quick Drilling: COMOWARE Drill Bit Set
- Steady
- Affordable
- Sharp
- Not work well at high speed
- Difficult to open the box
Do you have a lot of hard things to drill in a certain time? If yes, you will want to invest in the quick drilling COMOWARE Drill Bit Set. According to customers, drill bits in this kit help them complete their job with hardened steel quickly, precisely, and smoothly.
| COMOWARE Drill Bit Set Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material type | 5% Cobalt High Speed Steel M35 |
Recommended surface | Hardened metal, stainless steel, cast iron and wood plastic |
Number of pieces | 15 pieces |
Dimensions | 1/16"-3/8" |
Highlight features | Precise 135° split point Gold oxide finish |
The COMOWARE Drill Bit Set can help you complete your drilling projects quickly. This is proven by cusomers.
Best For Hardened Steel Bolts: JIUWU Drill Bits
- Affordable
- Super sharp
- Heats the drill bits at a fast speed
The hardness and toughness of hardened steel bolts are extremely high, but the combination of YG Cemented Carbide & Chrome Vanadium Steel allows the JIUWU Drill Bits to drill in tough metal. Customers said that they can use these drill bits to drill out the heads of hardened steel CV-shaft bolts in their car.
| JIUWU Drill Bits Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material type | YG Cemented Carbide and Chrome Vanadium Steel |
Recommended surface | Heavy-duty abrasive alloy metal |
Number of pieces | 13 pieces |
Dimensions | 3-15 mm |
Highlight features | High speed steel twist drills at high speeds High toughness Abrasion resistance High-speed cutting |
The JIUWU Drill Bits are proven for their performance on drilling hardened steel bolts.
Best For Damascus Steel: Mars tool Carbide Drill Bit
- Hard carbide bits
- Clean cuts
- Expensive
Although all drill bits here are recommended for hardened steel, you want more detailed information, for example, which one works well for Damascus steel, right?
According to a customer, he used these drill bits to make knives made from Damascus steel - very hard steel. Compared to other cobalt bits, this product takes him a shorter time to do. Making holes with these drill bits is easy and quick since it can go through hardened steel smoothly.
| Mars tool Carbide Drill Bit Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material type | Carbide |
Recommended surface | Hardened steel |
Number of pieces | 2 |
Dimensions | 5/32 in |
Highlight features | Multi-purpose Heat resistant High speed |
The Mars tool Carbide Drill Bit can drill many very hard materials including Damascus steel.
Best For Thin Hardened Steel: IRWIN Drill Bit Set
- Solid
- Durable
- Quick to dull
Thin hardened steel has undergone a heat treatment process that can improve the hardness and strength, so it’s harder to drill this type of material than other hardened steels. Luckily, the Mars tool Carbide Drill Bit can handle its high hardness because it is made from 5% Cobalt Alloy Steel that features higher heat and abrasion resistance. Besides, there is a heavy-duty web construction for more strength and durability.
| IRWIN Drill Bit Set Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material type | 5% Cobalt Alloy Steel |
Number of pieces | 29 pieces |
Dimensions | 1/16 inch -1/2 inch in 1/64 inch |
Highlight features | 35 Degree Split Point Heavy Duty Web Construction |
Though the IRWIN Drill Bit Set can handle thin hardened steel, it will become dull when being overused.
How To Choose The Best Drill Bit For Hardened Steel?
What Are The Best Drill Bit Materials For Hardened Steel?
Hardened steel is tough and durable, so the materials of the drill bits should be hard, heat-resistant, and durable enough to drill this type of material effectively. You can refer to some materials below:
Cobalt Drill Bits
Cobalt drill bits are made from high-speed steel (HSS) alloy with a significant level of cobalt. The latter can improve the hardness, heat resistance, and durability of the drill bits, which is extremely ideal for handling hard materials like hardened steel.
Carbide Drill Bits
This type of material that is made from carbide - a composite material of tungsten and carbon, is very hard and durable, so it works well for drilling into hardened steel. Specifically, these drill bits can maintain the sharpness and cutting ability while drilling into hard materials.
High-Speed Steel (HSS) Drill Bits With Coating
This option can drill many materials. If HSS drill bits are coated with titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), or titanium aluminum nitride (TiAIN), they are more effective to drill hardened steel. They can enhance the hardness and heat resistance.
Cobalt-Alloyed High-Speed Steel (HSS-Co) Drill Bits
This type is high-speed steel drill bits alloyed with cobalt, so it can improve the hardness and heat resistance compared to regular HSS drill bits. I strongly recommend this type for hard materials like hardened steel.
Tungsten carbide drill bits
These drill bits are hard, so they are often applied in high-precision drilling tasks including drilling into hardened steel. Even when drilling the toughest materials, they can also maintain sharpness and durability.
M42 High-Speed Steel Drill Bits
M42 high-speed steel drill bits contain a high content of cobalt, so they feature great heat resistance and hardness. This is a great choice for hardened steel and other hard materials.
Which Drill Bit Features Can Provide You With An Effective Performance?
One feature that can provide you with an effective performance is point geometry. For instance, drill bits with a split point or self-centering pointing geometry can exactly position and minimize wandering while drilling.
Drill bits with a parabolic or variable helix flue design are useful in efficient chip evacuation and minimizing the buildup of heat while drilling.
How Hard Should The Bit Be?
The hardness of a drill is measured by Rockwell hardness (HRC) rating. The higher the rating is, the more effective the unit can drill through hardened steel.
High-Speed Steel (HSS) Drill Bits - 60-67 HRC
Regular HSS drill bits are in the low end of this range (60-65 HRC). However, cobalt-alloyed HSS drill bits (HSS-Co) feature a higher HRC rating (65-67 HRC) because of the extra layer of cobalt. The latter works better for tough and hardened materials.
Carbide Drill Bits - 70-85 HRC
This type has a higher HRC rating compared to HSS and cobalt drill bits, so the tungsten carbide is harder, and drills more effective on hard materials like hardened steel.
Should You Buy A Set Of Drill Bits?
If you have many drilling jobs, it’s better to invest in a set that includes several drill bits in different sizes. They help you create different hole sizes and applications.
Which Brands Make The Best Drill Bit For Hardened Steel?
BOSCH
BOSCH, which was founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch, is a famous multinational engineering and technology company headquartered in Gerlingen, Germany. It is a global leader in many fields such as energy and building technology, customer goods, industrial technology, and automotive technology.
FAQs
What drill bit is best for hardened steel?
Carbide drill bits are made from carbide - a composite material of tungsten and carbon, so they are hard and durable enough to drill into the very hard surface of hardened steel. Meanwhile, they can still maintain the sharpness and cutting ability while cutting.
Cobalt drill bits are made from steel alloy, containing a significant amount of cobalt. The latter can improve the strength, heat resistance, and durability of drill bits, so it’s effective to drill into hardened steel.
Is it better to drill hardened steel fast or slow?
It’s better to drill hardened steel at a slow speed that can manage the buildup of the heat, decrease friction, and prolong the drill bits’ life. Everything happens for a reason:
This tough material will generate a significant amount of heat while drilling, so drilling it at a slow speed allows it to dissipate better heat to prevent overheating and becoming dull quickly.
Slow drilling helps not only minimize the friction between the drill bit and the hardened steel but also prevent it from wearing out prematurely.
Because of the hard material, it’s difficult to drill fast causing no problems. This drilling speed allows you to control the drilling process better to keep the drill bits from wandering and provide better accuracy.
This speed level can prolong the life of your drill bits because it minimizes the wear and tear on the cutting edges.
Will titanium drill through steel?
Yes, titanium can even drill through hardened steel since this material is high-speed steel (HSS) that has a titanium nitride coating. The latter can improve the durability and hardness of the drill bit that allows it to cut through tough materials, including steel effectively. Besides, the titanium nitride coating has great heat resistance properties that can minimize the risk of the drill bits overheating when drilling.
How to choose drill bit size?
How big is the hole size? Different drill bit sizes can create different hole sizes, so you need to measure and determine the desired hole diameter by using a ruler, caliper, or measuring tape.
Drill bit sizes are expressed in fractional inches, decimal inches, and millimeters. Common fractional sizes are 1/16 inch, ⅛ inch, ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, ½ inch. The closest size will depend on the specifications and requirements of your projects. In case you need a hole that is slightly larger than a specific size, it’s better to invest in a larger standard size.
You should use drill bit size charts and reference guides to determine drill bit sizes for specific hole diameters in both fractional, decimal inches, and millimeters.
To be sure that your chosen drill bit can create the desired hole size, you can make a test. If the test isn’t desired, adjust the drill bit size and repeat the test until you achieve a desired hole size.
How to use a drill safely?
Reading the manual can familiarize yourself with the drill bits such as their features, safety precautions, and operating instructions.
Always wearing suitable safety gear when using drill bits can protect you from unexpected accidents. These items include safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection, and suitable clothing.
Before using any drill bit, inspect it for any visible damage, loose parts, and defects. Just use items in peak conditions.
Choose the right type and size of the drill bit for the materials that you work with and the desired hole sizes. If not, a wrong decision can cause accidents.
Remember to secure your workpiece in place to avoid causing unexpected movements while drilling.
Depending on specific material and task, you must set the suitable speed and torque settings on the drill bits. For example, lower speeds work better for harder materials.
While using drill bits, stand in a stable position with a good stance to keep a balanced posture. If not, you can’t maintain a firm grip on the drill.
Keep power cords away from the drilling area unless you want a tripping hazard.
To drill safely, apply even and consistent pressure on the drill and keep it straight and aligned with the hole.
If you need to make a deep hole, drill in short bursts with a pecking motion and lift the drill slightly to clear the chips.
If the drill bit binds or gets stuck, stop it immediately.
Keeping your drilling area clean and organized can prevent tripping hazards.
Before changing drill bits, adjusting settings, and leaving the drilling area, you must unplug and turn off the drill for safety.
After using, it’s better to store it in a secure location, out of the reach of children and pets.
Conclusion
Are the best drill bits for hardened steel a worthy and long-term investment? Yes, they help you drill hard materials smoothly and quickly causing no accident. However, not all products in this article work for you, so you must determine your needs. For example, if you need to perform many drilling projects, it’s better to buy a set with several pieces.
