A common challenge for contractors is choosing the right drill bit given different drilling conditions. Whether it’s plastic, wood, metal or concrete, every material that is drilled into offers a unique set of challenges. Regardless of the drill a contractor uses, drilling will only be efficient and accurate if the proper drill bit is selected for the job.

Today, there is an endless selection of drill bits available on the market. While the base of most drill bits is composed of high-speed steel, many specialized bits are combined and coated with a variety of different alloys. Having a better understanding of these performance characteristics will make it easier to select the correct drill bit for each job that comes your way.

Cobalt

Cobalt drill bits are manufactured with high-speed steel and five per cent cobalt in their composition. Due to cobalt’s hardness and high-heat resistance, these bits are particularly useful when drilling into hard materials like stainless steel and cast iron. Cobalt drill bits are the longest lasting and most durable products available on the market.

Titanium

Titanium drill bits are produced by coating high-speed steel with a thin layer of titanium nitride. The titanium coating increases the drill bit’s surface hardness, lowers friction coefficient and offers increased corrosion protection. These bits last longer than standard metal drill bits and are suitable for general applications, such as drilling through wood, plastic or metal. They also perform well on stainless steel.

Black and Gold

Black and gold drill bits are manufactured by coating high-speed steel in a combination of black and gold oxide. The design provides better rust prevention performance and offers a unique appearance that stands out from standard black oxide drill bits. These bits are also cost effective and designed for general applications.

Multi-Material

Multi-material drill bits are similar in construction to masonry bits, with a carbon steel body and brazed carbide tip. The main difference from a regular masonry drill bit is that a multi-material carbide tip receives special sharpening to drill through metal. The main advantage of the multi-material bit is that it can pierce through several materials simultaneously, including brick and concrete. These drilling conditions would ruin the tip sharpness of a regular metal drill bit, making this variety a necessity for heavy-duty applications.

Selection Tips

Choosing the wrong drill bit can result in workplace losses, such as ruining your workpiece or creating inefficiencies with multiple bits. Therefore, before beginning any project, it is crucial to identify the drilling conditions. Once this step has been completed, it will be easier to determine which variety of drill bit you should use.

Additionally, when buying drill bits, do not make assumptions regarding the composition of the bit based on appearance or price alone. Instead, carefully read the packaging and determine what metal the drill bit is made of so you can match it to the correct application.

For more information on different varieties of drill bits and their ideal applications, please visit your local Co-op Home Centre.