Choosing the Right High-Speed Drill Bits for Your Material

How to Select the Best High-Speed Drill Bit for Your Material

If you're ever in the middle of a project, ask yourself, Is my drill bit dull? Is it smoking, or is it just not cutting it? There's a good chance you've chosen the wrong drill bit. Not all drill bits are created equal, especially for drilling into different materials. If you want to maximize your productivity, the longevity of your tools, and overall success of your project, you need to choose the right High-Speed Drill Bits.

This guide will cover how to select the appropriate high-speed drill bits for your material, and will also cover some other special drill bits like custom drill bits, twist drill bits, & carbide drill bits.

What Are High-Speed Drill Bits?

High Speed Steel Bits (often referred to as HSS, for High Speed Steel) are the workhorses of drilling. They are designed to withstand higher temperatures (they do not lose temper) and can operate at high speeds through various material types such as metal, plastic, and wood.

HSS bits offer:

• Good heat resistance

• Cost effective

• Durable and suitable for general-purpose drilling

However, before you grab just any HSS bit from the shelf, you need to consider the material type and the geometry of the bit.

 

Know Your Material First

Different materials demand different cutting speeds, angles, and coatings. Here's how you can match your material to the right high-speed drill bit:

1. Wood

Twist drill bits made from HSS work well for hardwoods and softwoods. Look for brad-point or split-point tips to minimize wandering while also making clean and precise holes. Black oxide coatings will help minimize friction and prolong tool life.

Best choice: HSS Twist Drill Bits with a sharp tip
Avoid: Bits without proper point angles; they may splinter or burn the wood.

2. Metal

When it comes to drilling metal, it's a different experience altogether.  I usually utilize a bit that keeps its hardness when heated.

Carbide Drill Bits or HSS bits with cobalt (M35 or M42 grade) are ideal for stainless steel and harder alloys.  HSS bits with titanium coating or black oxide coating can be used on aluminum and mild steel.

Best choice: Cobalt-infused or Carbide Drill Bits
Pro Tip: Use cutting fluid to keep temperatures low and prevent wear

3. Plastic

Drilling plastic might seem easy, but it’s easy to crack or melt it without the right bit.

Use HSS bits at slower speeds. Twist Drill Bits with a slower helix angle (or bits specifically designed for plastics) work best.

Best choice: HSS Twist Drill Bits with a modified point
Avoid: High drilling speeds or using too much pressure

4. Masonry or Concrete

Spoiler alert: standard high-speed drill bits won’t cut it here.

While not typically considered a job for HSS bits, Custom Drill Bits designed for masonry often include tungsten carbide tips and are used with hammer drills.

Best choice: Custom masonry bits with carbide tips
Important: Don’t force HSS bits on masonry; use the right tool for the job

What Are Twist Drill Bits?

You’ve likely seen or used Twist Drill Bits; they're the most common drill bit style. These bits have a helical groove (flute) that helps remove material (chips) as you drill.

Best applications:

• Wood
  

• Metal
  

• Plastic
  

 

Why Consider Custom Drill Bits?

Sometimes off-the-shelf won’t cut it, literally. That’s when custom drill bits come into play.

These bits are manufactured based on your specific application, material, or geometry needs. They're perfect for:

• Unique hole shapes or depths
  

• Production line consistency
  

• Unusual material combinations
  

While they can be more expensive, the long-term savings in precision, speed, and quality are often worth it.

When to Use Carbide Drill Bits

When it comes to abrasive or super-hard materials, ceramics, hardened steel, or glass, Carbide Drill Bits are the way to go!

Carbide Drill Bits are composites of carbide and cobalt, so they're going to hold their edge longer (and resist heat and wear better) than HSS. They are, however, much more brittle than HSS, so you should avoid side pressure and only use them in a fixed and rigid setup.

Best applications:

• Hardened steel
  

• Ceramic
  

• Composite materials
  

Cost: Higher than HSS, but worth it for tough jobs