The Best Drill Bits for 2022
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Best Drill Bits
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These versatile tools are a must-have for any building professional or casual DIYer. To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best drill bits currently available.
UPDATED: June 15, 2022.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the DEWALT DW1354 14-Piece set because it features a long-lasting titanium coating, no-spin shanks, and can be used for both wood and metal.
What are drill bits?
Standard drill bits are designed to cut holes in a range of materials such as steel, plastic, and wood. The bits are held in the chuck of a handheld drill or drill press.
The most common type is known as the twist drill bit, which consists of a round helical twisted shaft with two opposing cutting edges at the end. The twisted design helps to remove material away from the hole as the bit rotates.
Twist Drill Bit
Here of some features and components to be aware of when selecting a specific set:
Drill Bit Lengths
Drill bits come in a wide range of lengths, the most common is known as the "Jobber length". The technical definition is that it refers to the ratio of the length of the bit to the width. This ratio tis ypically between 9 and 14 times the diameter of the bit. So a 1/4" bit will be able to drill a hole from 2-1/4" up to 3-1/2" deep.
Pro Tip: Deflection is when a bit bends away from its vertical axis. This can be an issue with longer bits, especially with hard materials such as steel, so it is best to use the shortest bit necessary.
Other versions that are shorter than Jobber's include “maintenance length” (also known as mechanic's length) and “stub length” to reduce the incidence of deflection. Longer options for drilling deeper holes include taper and extension length.
Check out this brief video for some helpful drilling tips:
Shank Options
The shank is the portion of the bit that is held by the drill chuck. There are several different variations including round, hex, and tri-flat.
Round shanks can be quickly and easily be placed into the chuck in any position, however, they can slip under heavy loads. Hex and tri-flat need to be properly positioned in the chuck but offer greater torque and eliminate slippage.
Tri-Flat Shank
Reduced shanks allow you to fit a large diameter bit into a smaller chuck (such as 1/2 inch). This makes it possible to drill much larger holes than the maximum chuck size of the drill.
Drill Bit Materials and Hardness
Many different materials are used for drill bits, depending on the required application. You may see the acronyms “HRC” or “HC” mentioned in the product descriptions. This refers to the Rockwell Hardness Scale which is a test rating to measure the hardness of steel. Simply put, the higher the number the harder the steel. However, depending on the project, a higher hardness rating is not necessarily better.
Hard materials with high HC ratings such as carbides, are versatile and can stay sharper longer but are much more brittle than steel. Therefore they are more subject to breakage. This is particularly true if the drill is not held at a very constant angle to the workpiece. For example, when using a hand-held cordless drill. Using a bench vise, or better yet, a drill press can help to maintain a consistent angle when drilling. Softer metals are better at absorbing non-axial compression, however, they will typically not stay sharp as long.
Here is a summary of the most common bit materials:
Soft low-carbon steel bits are inexpensive, but do not hold an edge well and require frequent sharpening. They are used only for drilling wood; even working with hardwoods rather than softwoods can noticeably shorten their lifespan.
High-carbon steel bits are more durable than low-carbon steel bits due to the properties conferred by hardening and tempering the material. If they are overheated (e.g., by frictional heating while drilling) they lose their temper, resulting in a soft cutting edge. These bits can be used on wood or metal.
High-speed steel (HSS) is a form of tool steel; HSS bits are hard and much more resistant to heat than high-carbon steel. They can be used to drill metal, hardwood, and most other materials at greater cutting speeds than carbon-steel bits, and have largely replaced carbon steel.
Cobalt steel alloys are variations on high-speed steel that contain more cobalt. They hold their hardness at much higher temperatures and are used to drill stainless steel and other hard materials. The main disadvantage of cobalt steels is that they are more brittle than standard HSS.
Tungsten carbide and other carbides are extremely hard and can drill virtually all materials while holding an edge longer than other bits. The material is expensive and much more brittle than steel. Consequently, they are mainly used for drill-bit tips, small pieces of hard material fixed or brazed onto the tip of a bit made of less hard metal.
Drill Bit Coatings
Black oxide is an inexpensive black coating. A black oxide coating provides heat resistance and lubricity, as well as corrosion resistance. This coating increases the life of high-speed steel bits.
Titanium Nitride (TiN) is a very hard ceramic material that can be used to coat a high-speed steel bit (usually a twist bit), extending the cutting life by three or more times. Even after sharpening, the leading edge coating still provides improved cutting.
Now, on to the individual products. I’ve compiled a list of the best drill bits on the market today, from premier manufacturers including DEWALT, Makita, and Irwin Tools.
Each set has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy. Each one has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection.
So here is my list of The Best Drill Bits for 2022.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: DEWALT DW1354 14-Piece Titanium Drill Bits
The DEWALT DW1354 14-Piece Drill Bit Set features titanium-coated commonly used bits for a range of metal and wood projects.
Features no-spin shanks to help prevent slipping.
Equipped with tapered web delivers helps to increase durability to helps to reduce breakage.
Features a titanium pilot point tip for durability and also starts on contact to reduce walking.
Comes with a carrying case for convenient storage and transport.
Runner-up: Irwin Tools 29-Piece Drill Bits
The Irwin Tools 29-Piece Cobalt M-35 Metal Index Drill Bit Set includes drill bit sizes measuring from 1/16 to 1/2 inch in 1/64 inch increments.
Features cobalt steel to extend the life of the cutting edges.
Includes 135-degree split point tips start drilling on contact.
Includes a reduced shank above the 3/8-inch point allowing for a larger drill bit in a 3/8-inch chuck.
Includes a rubber over-molded storage case.
Best Combo Set: BLACK+DECKER BDA91109 Drill Bits
The BLACK & DECKER BDA91109 Combination Accessory Set features a range of common sizes for typical projects around the house or shop.
Offers a range of bits for use on wood, metal, plastic, and masonry bits.
Along with the drill bits, it also contains a variety of 2-Inch and 1-Inch screw bits.
Comes with a hard case for organization and portability.
Best Black Oxide: Makita T-01725 Contractor-Grade Drill Bits
The Makita T-01725 70-Piece Impact Drill-Driver Bit Set features black oxide coated to resist corrosion.
Equipped with “ultra-lok” 1/4-inch hex shanks.
Constructed from heat-treated high-speed steel.
Includes 135-degree split-point tips to reduce the chance of bit walking.
Features a magnetic three-inch bit holder
Comes with a case for storage and transport.
Best Step Bits: CO-Z 5-Piece (50 Sizes) Cobalt Drill Bits
The CO-Z step set features a unique two-fluted design that replaces 50 individual drill bits with just five bits.
Ideal for drilling holes in steel or other metals.
Features a cobalt steel construction with a titanium coating.
Equipped with a two-fluted design for quick and smooth drilling.
Includes a storage case for convenient storage and portability.
Best Case: Drill America 29-Piece Drill Bits
The Drill America DWD29J-CO-PC Qualtech jobber length drill bit set features 29 cobalt steel drill bits with gold oxide finish in inch sizes 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/64" increments.
Features cobalt steel construction for a long bit life.
Equipped with a gold oxide finish to act as a lubricant and to help provide wear resistance.
Includes a self-centering 135-degree split point on the bits to help start without requiring a pilot hole.
Features round shanks.
Includes a case with labeled compartments for simple organization.
Best Budget Option: Bosch 34-Piece Drill Bits
The Bosch 34-Piece set features a range of bits both driver and drill bits.
Includes several screw tips for added convenience.
Features bits that are designed for several materials including wood, metal, and masonry.
Include split points for fast starts and are designed to reduce walking.
Comes with a case for organization and convenient storage.
Best for Drilling Steel: Drill Hog 29-Piece Cobalt Drill Bits
The Drill Hog drill bit set is constructed from premium solid cobalt M42 super high-speed steel.
Equipped with bits from 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/64th increments.
Feature a high heat treated hardness of 68 to 70 HRC.
Features 135-degree split point to reduce the incidence of walking.
Includes tri-flat shanks to help prevent the bits from slipping in the drill chuck.
Best Value: DEWALT DW1177 20-Piece Drill Bits
The DEWALT DW1177 20-piece set features bits sized from 1/16” up to 1/2”.
Features a black oxide finish for long life.
Equipped with a parabolic flute design for increased strength.
Includes a 135-degree split-point to reduce the incidence of walking.
Includes a case for storage and organization.
I hope this list of the best drill bits was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
