7 Best Cobalt Drill Bit Sets for Hardened Steel
There are several types of drill bit sets designed for different drilling tasks. The effectiveness of the bits depends on the type of material you’re working on. Cobalt drill bit sets have been proven to be more effective on harder materials like stainless steel and titanium.
These drill bits are often made M35 and M42 grade cobalt steel. The result is increased hear resistance capacity and extreme durability. In this article, we look at the best cobalt drill bit sets and the features that set them apart. Welcome and let’s walk the review together.
You can also read other product reviews such as drill bit, drill bit for wood.
7 Best Cobalt Drill Bit Sets - Reviews
#1. Irwin Tools 3018002 Cobalt M-35 Metal Drill Bit Set
Editor's Rating: 
(4.6 / 5)
Opening our list is this 29-piece drill bit set by Irwin. Each bit is constructed of high speed steel and 5% cobalt. The result is a super abrasive resistance when drilling in tough materials. What’s more, the cobalt-steel construction extends the cutting edge life.
At a glance, you’ll notice the 135 degrees split point at the tips. This means that it cuts using less force. A reduced shank that’s above 3/8-inch makes it possible to use larger drill bits in a 3/8-inch chuck. The set comes with a selection chart that comes in handy to provide convenient reference.
The bits are much easier to identify and access, thanks to the automatic indexing feature. Everything is kept safe and organized in a rubber molded case. The removable cartridges let you carry the bits from the case to worksite.
The bits come in different sizes that range from 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch. The sizes sport 1/64-inch increment. With this drill bit set, you get a lifetime warranty that caters for defects in parts or poor workmanship.
Pros
- Designed for highly rough materials
- Doesn’t produce heat during use
- Can easily be driven into rough surfaces
- 135 degree split point tip provides on-point drilling
- Increased cutting edge efficiency and less maintenance
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Bits needed to be lubricated frequently to avoid breakage
Who Should Buy?
This set comes durable and has a longer cutting edge life. What’s more, the bits don’t produce heat during operation. This makes it a nice purchase for full-time craftsmen who need durable drill bits that can be used on virtually any material.
#2. DeWalt DW1269 Cobalt Pilot-Point Metal Drill Bit Index Set
Editor's Rating: 
(4.5 / 5)
This is a 29-piece drill set designed for use on metals. They’re specially designed for maximum speed and longer life in hard metals, such as stainless steel. A pilot-point design is sported on the tips. This functions to reduce lock-up upon breaking through the material. The result is holes that are clean and accurate.
The optimum life and improved durability of these bits is made possible through the industrial-strength cobalt construction. With it, you get less wear even when drilling through the super abrasive metals. Each bit comes with a size marking that’s located above the shank. This makes them easier to identify.
This set has bits ranging in size from 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch. The sizes increase by 1/64-inch. Transportation and storage has been made much easier and convenient with the included carry case. DeWalt offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for this drill bit set.
Pros
- Nice and durable plastic carry case
- 1/64-inch steps eliminate guesswork
- None spinning hex shank that lets large bits fit 3/8-inch chuck
- Pilot point tips prevent walking
- Wear-free size marking for easy identification
Cons
- More shank and less flute compared to the average drill bit
Who Should Buy?
This drill bit set comprises of numerous bits and comes durable. The carry case is designed to be tough to take some punishment. That said, it makes a nice choice for DIY weekend warriors who need a more portable drill bit set that’s got lots of precision.
#3. Drill America DWD29J-CO-PC Qualtech Cobalt Steel Drill Bit Set
Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)
Here’s a general purpose drill bit set that gives everything you need in one place. It makes easy work of drilling through high-tensile materials ranging from stainless steel, titanium to inconel. Made of cobalt, the bits provide super abrasive resistance and permit drilling speeds that are up to 30% faster.
A heavy-duty 135 degrees split point is sported on each bit. With it, you get easy penetration in hard materials. What’s more, the penetration is achieved without the need for a pilot hole. The chips produced during the drilling process are quite small, a feature that helps reduce clogging.
The bits sport a gold oxide finish. This is a finish that gives the bits that captivating look that adds some style in your work. Apart from appearances, the gold oxide finish functions to lubricate the bits to create more resistance against wear. The sizes range from 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch and come in 1/64-inch increments.
The set is compatible with drilling machines sporting a chuck size of either 1/2-inch or 3/8-inch. A plastic case is included for convenient storage and transportation. This drill bit set comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Cobalt steel construction increases the life and efficiency of the bits during operation
- Gold oxide finish improves the heat resistance capacity of the bits
- 135 degrees split point eliminates the need for a pilot hole
- Includes a size index for easy identification
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Quality of case material isn’t quite satisfying
Who Should Buy?
This drill bit set has excellent heat resistance and provides on-point drilling. The cobalt steel construction makes the bits more efficient with longer life. This makes it a perfect choice for full-time professional drillers.
#4. DeWalt DW1263 14-Piece Cobalt Pilot Point Drill Bit Set
Editor's Rating: 
(4.4 / 5)
DW1263 is a precision set of cobalt drill bits. This set gives the convenience of an industrial-strength construction. This allows it to make quick work of tough materials, such as stainless steel. And it does so without sacrificing the drilling speed. What you get is more efficiency with less effort used in the process.
Each bit sports a pilot-point tip designed for enhanced precision performance. This design helps reduce walking and thus eliminating the need for a pilot hole during startup. These drill bits range in size from 1/16-inch to 3/8-inch. They sport 1/64-inch increment with a total of 14 drill bits in the set.
A heavy-duty case is included to provide easy transportation and organization. The case is made of a durable long-lasting ABS material. This industrial-grade construction helps reduce the risk of damage to the bits during transportation. Everything stays closed and safe, thanks to the sliding rubber lock and interlocking hinge.
There’s a labeled slot for each bit fitted with a bit holder. This helps in easy organization and identification each time you need them. DW1263 comes with a 1-year full warranty.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting case made of tough ABS plastic
- Comes with skidding rubber lock that safely secures the bits
- 135 degrees split point for precision performance
- Cobalt stainless steel alloy provides industrial-strength
- 1-year full warranty
Cons
- The tips cannot be sharpened to enhance efficiency and life of bits
Who Should Buy?
DW1263 drill bit set gives you the convenience of precision starts and has an alloy construction that gives the bits more life. It provides excellent storage letting every bit store away securely. This makes it a great option for professional craftsmen who like to move a lot.
#5. Craftsman 9-64085 Professional Cobalt Drill Bit Set
Editor's Rating: (4.6 / 5)
This is a 21-piece set engineered to handle years of cutting. The cobalt steel construction used on the bits let them take some punishment while sporting less wear in the process. The bits give you the convenience of a high-speed drilling in stainless steel, titanium, and other thick metal workpieces.
Equipped with a split-point at the tip, the bits get on drilling upon contact. With them, you don’t have to worry about walking or the need for a pilot hole. The fact that it doesn’t wander means great drilling accuracy, something that comes in handy especially when doing repetitive drilling of holes.
The set doesn’t disappoint when it comes to storage and easy organization. There’s a plastic case designed exactly for that. Each bit is assigned a specific compartment to make it much easier to identify. The lightweight plastic construction used in making the case add lots of convenience during transportation.
The sizes range from 1/16-inch to 3/8-inch. The small increments ensures you get that precise bit size. What’s more, the sizes are printed on each compartment to eliminate any guesswork. This drill bit set comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Handy for heavy-duty drilling jobs
- Can be used on rough surfaces and all types of materials
- Enhanced split point keeps the bit balanced and eliminate the need for a pilot hole
- Compatible with drill press and hand drill machines
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Lack of side notch at bit end requires constant pressure in order to penetrate through tough and rough materials
Who Should Buy?
The bits included in this set sport extreme durability and can be used on any type of material. That makes it a great option for heavy-duty drilling jobs done with either a drill press machine or hand drills.
#6. Milwaukee 48-89-0026 Cobalt Drill Bit Set
Editor's Rating: 
(4.8 / 5)
Get longer life and extreme durability in specialty works with this 14-piece drill bit set. At a glance, you’ll notice that the drill bits come unique from the standard bits. This is evident from the thicker core that gives them ultimate strength. What’s more, the thicker core gives maximum protection against side-load breakage.
The tips feature a 135-degree split point. That means that you get a precision start that doesn’t sport any walk. Unlike the short standard bits, these set has longer drill bits designed to provide extended reach, especially when accessing hard-to-reach areas. Before going further, these drill bits are specially designed for use on stainless steel and cast iron.
The drill speed is impressive and you use less effort in the process. And you don’t have to worry about curved surfaces since the extended length comes in handy to take care of that. The bits in the set come in a size that range from 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch sporting a small increment for enhanced precision.
A storage case is included to keep everything in one place. Each bit is assigned to a particular slot with the size printed for easy identification.
Pros
- Thunderbolt web provides longer life with faster drilling time
- Parabolic flute clears chips faster
- 3-flat grip shank reduces bit slipping in chuck
- 135 degree split point tip for precision start
Cons
- Doesn’t include a warranty
Who Should Buy
The thunderbolt webbed design sported in this drill bit set makes it handy for fast drilling. It has excellent grip and the chips clears off faster. That said, it makes a nice purchase for those that want a more efficient drill bit set that will save them lots of time.
#7. Neiko 01925A Screw Extractor and Left Hand Drill Bit Set
Editor's Rating: 
(4 / 5)
This drill bits set comes in handy to cater for the needs of left hand users. The set includes 10 pieces that range in size from 5/64-inch to 19/64-inch. There’s a total of five drill bits and five extractors. The bits sport the extreme durability and super abrasive resistance of cobalt. On the other hand, the screw extractors are made of alloy material.
These bits go for longer sporting less wear and give an impressive drilling speed in harder materials. There’s a difference in the design used on the tips of the bits and screw extractors. The thicker screw extractors sport a near flat tip with the thickness providing great protection against side-load breakage.
The drill bits sport a pin-point tip that provides that precision start. So there’s no need for a pilot hole and you’re saved the inconveniences of “walking”. The extractors have multiple spiral flutes designed to dig easily into the screws. With them, you get more grip as torque is applied.
An indexed carry case come in handy for convenient and organized storage. The sizes are clearly labeled on the case to give you an easy time identifying each piece. A carry handle is included at the top for easy transportation. For added stability, the case has a wider base that keeps it from being knocked over.
Pros
- Comes with screw extractors
- Pin-pint tip for precision start
- Multi-spiral flutes for easy digging
- Indexed carry case for easy identification
Cons
- Right hand users might have difficulties using the bits
Who Should Buy?
This is a versatile set that also includes screw extractors. The bits dig in easily and provide the convenience of a precision start. This drill bit set is a nice purchase for left hand users who need a more versatile set.
Conclusion
The above sets provide the best drill bits for metal. With them, you get a perfect combination of pin-point accuracy and extreme durability. This translates to faster drilling time and professional standard results that will definitely impress. We’ve done our part and so it’s time for you make a decision regarding the cobalt drill set that has appealed to you most in our list.
Read More: 7 Best Drill Bit Sharpeners
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by