If you are looking for drill bits that can handle tough materials like stainless steel, cast iron, or titanium, you might be wondering which type of drill bits to choose: M35 cobalt or high speed steel (HSS). In this blog post, I will compare these two types of drill bits and explain their advantages and disadvantages. I will also recommend some drill bit sets that offer high quality and performance.
M35 Cobalt vs HSS
M35 cobalt and HSS drill bits are both made of steel alloy, but they have different compositions and properties. M35 cobalt drill bits contain 5% cobalt, which makes them harder and more resistant to heat than HSS drill bits. HSS drill bits are made of various elements such as chromium and vanadium, which give them high speed and durability.
The main difference between M35 cobalt and HSS drill bits is how they perform in drilling hard metals. M35 cobalt drill bits can withstand higher temperatures and maintain their sharpness longer than HSS drill bits. They can also cut faster and smoother than HSS drill bits. However, M35 cobalt drill bits are also more brittle and expensive than HSS drill bits. They can break or chip easily if not used properly or if the material is too hard.
HSS drill bits are more suitable for drilling softer metals, plastics, woods, or aluminum. They are also more versatile and economical than M35 cobalt drill bits. They can handle a variety of applications and materials with good results. However, HSS drill bits can lose their edge quickly and overheat when drilling hard metals. They can also produce more friction and wear than M35 cobalt drill bits.
135-Degree Split Point vs 118-Degree Standard Points
A 118-degree point is called a standard point angle and is commonly used for general-purpose, high-speed drilling into softer materials such as mild steel and aluminum. A split point drill bit, on the other hand, typically has a flatter point angle of around 135 degrees and is more suited for drilling through harder materials such as stainless steel.
135-degree split points are designed for drilling hard metals. They have a sharper angle that allows them to penetrate the material faster and easier than 118-degree standard points. They also reduce the risk of wandering or slipping off the center of the hole. However, 135-degree split points require more pressure and power to drill than 118-degree ones. They can also dull faster than 118-degree.
118-degree points are designed for drilling softer metals or general-purpose drilling. They have a flatter angle that allows them to create wider holes than 135-degree split points. They also require less pressure and power to drill than 135-degree split points. However, 118-degree ones can have more difficulty in starting drilling into hard metals. They can also wander or slip off the center of the hole more easily than 135-degree.
Reduced-Shank Drill Bits with 3-Equal-Flat Shanks vs Round-Shanks
If you are looking for a drill bit that can handle tough materials and high torque, you might want to consider reduced-shank drill bits. These are drill bits that have a smaller diameter at the shank than at the cutting end, which allows them to fit into standard chucks while offering a larger cutting diameter. However, not all reduced-shank drill bits are the same.
Three-equal flat shanks are reduced-shank drill bits that have three flat sides on the shank, which provide a better grip and prevent slippage in the chuck. They are also known as tri-flute or tri-flat shanks. These drill bits are ideal for drilling hard metals, such as stainless steel, cast iron, or titanium. They can also withstand higher torque and speed than round shanks.
Round shanks are reduced-shank drill bits that have a smooth and cylindrical shank, which makes them easier to insert and remove from the chuck. They are also more common and cheaper than three-equal flat shanks. However, they have some disadvantages as well. They tend to slip and spin in the chuck when subjected to high torque or pressure, which can damage the chuck and reduce the accuracy of the drilling. They are also more prone to breaking or bending when drilling hard materials.
To summarize, three-equal flat shanks are reduced-shank drill bits that offer more stability, durability, and performance than round shanks, especially when drilling hard metals. However, they are also more expensive and less available than round shanks. Round shanks are reduced-shank drill bits that are more convenient and economical than three-equal flat shanks, but they also have more limitations and risks when drilling tough materials. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose the type of reduced-shank drill bit that suits you best.
Recommendations
Based on these comparisons, we recommend the following products from Accusize Industrial Tools for your drilling needs:
- For M35 cobalt reduced-shank drill bits with 135-degree split point and 3-equal-flat shanks, we recommend model #0412- series and model #H516-6507. These drill bits have a gold oxide finish that enhances their corrosion resistance and lubricity. They come in various sizes ranging from 9/16" to 1-1/2" in diameter and have a 1/2" shank that can fit into most drills.
- For HSS reduced-shank drill bit set with round shanks, we recommend model #H516-6506. This set includes 8 pieces of HSS black oxide coated drill bits with 118-degree point angle and round shanks. The sizes range from 33/64" to 1" in diameter and have a 1/2" shank that can fit into most drills.
- For M35 cobalt drill bit sets with 135-degree split point, we recommend model #0422-1003, #0422-0029 and #3110-1119. These sets include various numbers of M35 cobalt drill bits with silver and deming finish and round shanks.
- For HSS drill bit sets with 135-degree split point, we recommend model #0021-0200. These sets include various numbers of HSS drill bits with round shanks.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand the differences between cobalt and HSS drill bits with different point angles and choose the best ones for your project.
