Have you ever wondered what it means when you go to the store and look at all the different drill bits? It’s enough to make your head spin. I like to tinker. I like to figure out how things work and how I can fix them. If you own a house, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about – things can go wrong all the time.
I want to shed some light on the issue. I want to help you so that you’re not as confused. I was at my home improvement store the other day and I asked someone who worked there what the most common misconception was that he saw when customers were purchasing drill bits.
Do you know what he said? He said that lots of people are confused as to which drill bits are better and for what purpose.
Well, I’m glad you asked.
I have lots of experience in the area. Drill bits are very simple products. They’re designed with one purpose in mind – to efficiently drill a hole into a specified material. It could be for the purposes of a small weekend project or for building houses and buildings.
I wanted to present to you the best drill bits that you could commonly find at any home improvement store so that when you go there, you’ll be a lot less confused. You’ll know what you’re looking for.
Comparison of Best Metal Drill Bits
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | DEWALT DW1354 14-Piece |
| Check Price |
 | DEWALT DW1177 Black-Oxide Drill Bit Set |
| Check Price |
 | Neiko® 10193A Titanium |
| Check Price |
How To Choose Best Metal Drill Bits
As I said, drill bits are very simple products. However, each of these drill bits have different features that you need to learn about – they’re not always printed on the box.
These are the features that I know of. These are the ones that I look for when I look for drill bits.
The Intended Material and Purpose
Always ask yourself what your intended material and purposes. Do you intend to drill in wood, PVC, or aluminum?
If the answer is yes to any of these materials, then the majority of standard drill bits will work for you. Although not listed here, there are also drill bits designed for tile and glass. These are not covered here.
I kept it simple with the most common drill bits and the purposes that you might find for your weekend projects.
Shank Design
Most of these drill bits are rated for high-speed. However, they are not all made equally. Hexagonal drill bit shanks are designed to reduce slippage.
If you look at the chuck of your drill, you will notice that there are three mechanical arms that grip the drill bit.
A hexagonal design prevents the drill bit from spinning inside the drill at high speeds. Round shank designs will require you to really tighten the chuck to make sure that you don’t experience this slippage.
The Number of Drill Bits
The number of bits matters because this will tell you how many different sizes are in the set that you’re looking at. For the weekend warrior, anywhere between 14 to 21 is perfect.
Professionally speaking I would much rather have more options at my disposal so that I can take care of whatever issues may come up.
The Price
The price matters greatly. You’ll notice that the cobalt drill that sets cost a whole lot more than your standard, titanium-coated drill bits. They also have a different purpose
Other Considerations
Your project matters. What materials are you working with?
Are you a weekend warrior or avid professional?
Best Metal Drill Bits – Review
1. DEWALT DW1354 14-Piece Titanium Drill Bit Set
DeWalt is a trusted name when it comes to tools. These drill bits have a pilot tip to prevent “walking” of the drill bit.
This set comes in the classic, standard DeWalt hard case.
- These drill bits are intended for PVC, wood and soft metal.
- These drill bits have a hexagonal shank designed to reduce slippage.
- This item comes in a 14-piece set.
- 14-piece drill bit set allows you to take care of every need you may have.
- I could drill holes that were clean because these bits start drilling immediately upon contact.
- These are very easy to use and hand; just take one out of the box, connect it with the chuck and go.
- The Hexagonal shape doesn’t let the bits slip off the chuck.
- Great bits to drill into wood, PVC, or even soft material like plastic.
- I didn’t find any fault with the drill bet set till now.
2. DEWALT DW1177 Black-Oxide Metal Drill Bit Set
These drill bits allow for up to a half inch hole using a 3/8 inch drill.
DeWalt included three extra drill bits of the three smallest sizes so you have extra on hand.
- These drill bits are intended for PVC, wood and soft metal.
- These drill bits have a round shank design.
- This item comes in a 20-piece set.
- The Black Oxide coating ensures that your drill bits remain tough over the course of time.
- I liked the entire set of 20 bits; it allows you to do a lot more than the earlier 14-bit set would.
- These are designed just like parabolic flute; this grants these bits some additional strength to take on materials of different kind.
- The 135-degree split point design allows you to drill accurately.
- These thin bits can build up heat quickly if not given proper attention.
3. Neiko® 10193A Titanium Step Drill Bit Set
These titanium coated drill bits are intended to be used in metal shops. They will drill the hole to the correct size and deburr the metal at the same time.
Although designed for sheetmetal, these drill bit will drill through all manner of metal.
- These drill bits are intended for thin sheet metal.
- These drill bits have a hexagonal shank designed to reduce slippage.
- This item comes in a 3-piece set, but will accommodate up to 28 different sizes.
- Neiko 10193A is specially suitable for thin metal sheet drilling.
- Neiko accommodates for 28 sizes of drill bits in total due to the varying diameters on the bits.
- Again, you have the “Hexagonal Shank” to make sure the bits don’t slip at all.
- This set is the best performer despite being cheaply priced.
- My friend had issues with the carrying case Neiko 10193A came with.
4. DEWALT DW1361 Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set
These drill bits are perfect for the weekend warrior and the avid DYI-er. The titanium coating will ensure a longer life.
This set includes many more sizes than the average drill bit set.
- These drill bits are intended for PVC, wood and soft metal.
- These drill bits have a hexagonal shank designed to reduce slippage.
- This item comes in the 21-piece set.
- The “Pilot Point Tip” is a patented design that allows you to drill holes cleanly.
- It doesn’t twist and turn when you are connecting it with a chuck to ensure quality.
- Each drill bit has a tapered design allowing it to be durable and sturdy to last the long haul.
- You won’t find any splinters flying off the holes you make with these metal drilling bits.
- This is a set I’d use for general projects and not for special jobs that require special care.
5. Neiko 10197A Titanium Step Drill Bit Set
These drill bits are made from high-speed steel. These are also designed for all manner of metal.
The handsome carrying case will ensure that you do not lose these luxury drill bits.
- These drill bits are intended for thin sheet metal
- These drill bits have a hexagonal shank designed to reduce slippage.
- This item comes in a 5-piece set, but will captivate up to 50 different sizes.
- This one is a step further from the earlier Neiko model as it comes with 5 drill bits.
- This one takes care of 50 different sizes with just five drill at its disposal.
- Again, you can drill thin metal sheet with these drill bits.
- Price is a huge plus point of Neiko 10197A Drill Bit set.
- You get a set with “Step” design; bits don’t slip out of the chuck.
- Carrying case’s quality remains a huge question mark on my book.
6. IRWIN Drill Bit Set
The high price comes from the fact that they are made out of cobalt steel. Cobalt enables you to drill holes in the hardened steel.
Although hardened steel is their limit, these can also be used around the house for everyday drilling purposes.
- These drill bits are intended for PVC, wood and all matter of metal, including hardened steel.
- These drill bits have a round shank design.
- This item comes in a 29-piece set.
- If you want something to drill into rough materials, IRWIN Tools Cobalt Steel Drill Bit is here.
- You won’t have the problem of the bits heating up during the time you use them.
- The maintenance isn’t that big of a problem plus it increases efficiency while drilling.
- IRWIN Tools Cobalt High-speed drill bit set is a big plus.
- This one also has the 135-degree split to ensure you are drilling accurately.
- You need to lubricate these bits so that they don’t break easily.
7. Black & Decker 15-110 High-Speed Steel Drill Bit
These are perfect for small repairs around the house.
The carrying case design is perfect for the kitchen drawer, the top of your toolbox, or any other place where you need to have a stock of drill bits available.
- These drill bits are intended for PVC, wood and soft metal.
- These drill bits have a round shank design.
- This item comes in a 10-piece set.
- This set comes with 10 drill bits that are perfect for the beginners to start with.
- You can drill wood, thin metal, and PVC plastic with this drill bits’ set.
- I found storing this set in a tool box easy as pie owning to the bit bar that comes with it.
- Works with any type of drill press you pair with these things.
- These are only suitable for DIY projects and hobby-driven drilling and not commercial gigs.
8. IRWIN Tools Spiral Flute Screw Extractors
These are specialized drill list of designed to act as screw extractors.
The cobalt drill bits are sharpened in a backward design. Use these drill bits to drill a small hole in the head of the stripped screw. Use the flute screw extractors in the hole you just created. These are designed to grip the screw and get it to start turning so you can remove it.
These drill bits are intended to be used as screw extractors. The cobalt metal is designed to drill straight through screws while the spiral flute screw extractors are designed to catch the stripped screw in a reverse design in an attempt to remove it.
- These drill bits have a round shank design.
- This item comes in a 10-piece set.
- This drill bits’ set removes screws super-fast besides drilling holes.
- It is a “Left Hand” device with spiral design that delivers power when you need it.
- You can get a good idea about the drill bits’ sizes and screw sizes because they are etched on these extractors.
- The grip of these bits increases as the resistance of the fasteners increases.
- You can expect to drill deep holes into the metal sheets because of the design.
- Drilling into certain metal may cause these drill bits to dull quickly.
9. Mibro 589201 Titanium Coated Countersinks
These are specialized drill bits that are designed to drill a countersink into your materials. A countersink is necessary for flush screws, such as what you might find with ordinary black oxide screws.
Five convenient sizes and ensure that you are left with a professional finish.
These drill bits are intended for PVC, wood, and soft metal, and are designed to create counter sinkholes for flush screws.
- These drill bits have a round shank design.
- This item comes in a 5-piece set.
- These drill bits are coated in titanium and last 6 times longer than the normal bits out there.
- These drill bits are good for soft metal, wood, rubber, and plastic as well.
- Alloy steel construction with “Hard” edges make it more impact resistant than the others.
- These drill bits drill holes and cut metal pretty quickly.
- I could do with sharper drill bits than these at hand.
10. Milescraft 2320 Metal Stubby Drill Bit Set
This drill this set is perfect for shallow holes and right angles.
The quick-release design on the shank enables you to use it in a standard drill as well as a quick-release drill bit collar.
- These drill bits are intended for PVC, wood and soft metal.
- These drill bits have a hexagonal, quick-release shank design.
- This item comes in a five piece set.
- You can drill into tight spaces using these bits thanks to the measurements they offer.
- 135-degree split allows you to drill through metal or plastic effortlessly and accurately.
- Comes with ¼-inch hex shank design that works well with both hex and standard chucks.
- The set covers all standard drill bit sizes you can think of.
- Not suitable for heavyweight drilling gigs.
Final Verdict:
For the occasional repair,the Black & Decker drill bits are perfect. They provide all the power you need for occasional use. For the weekend warrior, I recommend any of the DeWalt drill bit sets. These provide plenty of power and a wide enough selection to make sure that you have what you need on hand.
If you work with metal frequently, get the step drill bits from Neiko. These are perfect for things such as gate installations, locks, and more. For the best metal drill bits, I would recommend countersink drill bits for anybody who works with wood frequently.
The stubby drill bits are always useful to have on hand for making shallow holes and getting into tight spaces.
