5 Best Drill Bits for Stainless Steel Reviews and Buyers Guide
Working with stainless steel can be challenging, especially if you are trying to drill holes into it. Since it’s such a tough material, it can be hard to punch through, particularly if you don’t have the right drill bit. Fortunately, there are plenty of bits out there that are strong enough to work through stainless steel, which is what we’re going to focus on today.
Not only are we going to look at some incredible bits, but we’re also going to go over the most important aspects of drill bits so that you can be sure that you’re getting the best option for your needs. Whether you are doing mostly stainless steel or other hardened metals, it’s important that you know what to look for when making a decision.
5 Best Drill Bits for Stainless Steel
Picture | Name | Editor Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | DEWALT DWA1240 Pilot Point Industrial Cobalt Drill Bit Set | ||
 | Irwin Industrial Tools 316015 Cobalt Drill Bit Set | ||
 | FeelGlad (TM) 5pcs Titanium Step Drill Bits Set with Aluminum Case | ||
 | Drill Hog 21 Pc Drill Bit Set Index Hi-Molybdenum M7 MOLY | ||
 | Champion Cutting Tool BlackGold XG12-3/4 Silver & Deming 1/2" Shank Drill |
Recommended Best Drill Bits for Stainless Steel Reviews
DEWALT DWA1240 Pilot Point Industrial Cobalt Drill Bit Set
Editor Rating:
When looking at high-quality companies that produce consumer power tools, DeWalt is one that is at the top of most people’s lists because they create such durable and reliable machinery. So, with that in mind, you also want to get heavy duty bits to go with such tools, which is where this set comes in.
What we like most about these bits is the tip. It’s a proprietary design by DeWalt that results in maximum penetration without increasing the likelihood of walking. While most bits have decent tips to punch through stainless, these take it one step further to deliver higher quality results more often.
The other features that we love about these bits are the gold oxide finish (to extend shelf life), the wide range of sizes (1/16 to ⅜ inch), and the fact that they come in a durable plastic carrying case. This way you can take these bits with you to any job site, and you won’t risk losing them or getting them disorganized.
PROS
- Industrial-strength cobalt bits
- Proprietary pilot point tips
- Split point to reduce walking
- Fourteen size options available
- Size range from 1/16 to ⅜ inches
- Gold oxide finish to extend bit life
- Sturdy plastic carrying case included
- Case is clearly marked for each size
- Designed for harder metals
CONS
- Bits may get hot quickly; be sure to use lubricant while working
- Smaller bits may fracture under pressure
Irwin Industrial Tools 316015 Cobalt Drill Bit Set
Editor Rating:
As we mentioned above, cobalt is the best material to get if you want to drill through stainless steel. As such, these bits from Irwin Industrial Tools are designed to punch holes through hardened metals such as stainless, which is why they can deliver higher quality results.
What we like about these bits is that they come with a gold oxide finish to reduce wear and tear, and they have a 135-degree split point tip to ensure that you’re getting a clean, crisp hole every time. Also, they come in a durable and convenient carrying case that will keep each bit within reach.
PROS
- Industrial-strength cobalt bits
- Fifteen size options available
- Size range of 1/16 to ⅜ inches
- Gold oxide finish for longer shelf life
- 135-degree split point tips to reduce walking
- Round shank fits in most drill chucks
- Durable rubber grip case included
- Case is clearly marked for each size
CONS
- Bits will get hot, even with lubricant
- Smaller bits may fracture on harder metals
- Only 5% cobalt, not 8% as it may say on advertising
FeelGlad (TM) 5pcs Titanium Step Drill Bits Set with Aluminum Case
Editor Rating:
If you’re punching holes into sheet metal or other thin materials, then you might prefer to get step bits instead of standard ones. These models are unique in that they offer a variety of sizes for one individual bit, rather than forcing you to switch out each time you want to increase the diameter of your hole. As such, these five bits offer fifty different size options.
In addition to the unique design, these bits have a few extra features that make them a quality purchase. First of all, they have different tips so that you can work with a variety of materials, including stainless steel. Secondly, they have a titanium coating to reduce friction and wear and tear. Finally, they come in a durable aluminum case with a soft interior that keeps them organized and protected when not in use. Overall, if you’re going to use step bits, these are the ones to get.
PROS
- Durable high-speed steel bits
- Step design provides extra sizes
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- Different bit shapes to fit various materials
- 135-degree split point tips to reduce walking
- Designed to punch holes in metal
- Durable carrying case with soft interior
- Bits are clearly marked for sizes
- Titanium coated to last longer
- Triple sided shanks for better grip
CONS
- Limited punching ability
- Edges aren’t as sharp as the tip, so they may have a hard time with certain sizes
Drill Hog 21 Pc Drill Bit Set Index Hi-Molybdenum M7 MOLY
Editor Rating:
Above, we mentioned that cobalt bits are the best to work with stainless steel and other hardened metals. However, if you want to take it a step up without going all the way to carbide, then we highly recommend these bits from Drill Hog. They are made of specialty hi-molybdenum M7 steel, which is designed specifically to work with high-density metals, including stainless steel. This means that they will last longer than most other bits and they will drill much more efficiently overall.
The other thing that we love about these bits is that they also come with a black oxide finish to reduce wear and tear. In all, these are probably the strongest and most reliable bits you can find.
To drill that fact even further (sorry), they even come with a limited lifetime warranty, so you know that they are built to last.
PROS
- Durable hi-molybdenum M7 steel bits
- Bits are blended for better strength and heat resistance
- Ideal for all kinds of machining operations
- 21 different size options available
- Size range from 1/16 to ½ inches
- Durable aluminum carrying case with cartridges
- Cartridges are clearly marked and removable for convenience1
- 35 degree split points to reduce walking
- Black oxide finish to increase bit life
- Made in the USA
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Bullet Point 2
CONS
- In rare cases, the smaller bits may break on harder metals
- May require a drill press to get accurate results and reduce stress on these bits
Champion Cutting Tool BlackGold XG12-3/4 Silver & Deming 1/2" Shank Drill
Editor Rating:
Our last drill bit is a single model from Champion Cutting Tool. So far, we’ve seen sets of multiple sizes, but in this case, you can buy the sizes that you need without getting a bunch of filler. Also, it’s much easier to replace broken or damaged bits as you don’t need to buy a whole new set.
What we like about this unit is that it comes with a black and gold oxide finish to reduce wear and tear and it has a thinner shank to fit into most handheld drills. Also, it has a sharper point, meaning that you can work on a wider variety of materials. It will get dull faster than a 135-degree tip, but it can deliver faster results when drilling through sheet metal.
PROS
- Durable high-speed steel bit
- Black and gold oxide coating to extend shelf life
- Comes individually, but many size options available
- Thinner shank to fit into handheld drills better
- 118-degree split point gets sharper, deeper holes
- Built to handle tough metals
- Triple-sided shank for better traction
CONS
- Sharper tip will dull faster
- May fracture under high pressures
- Only sold individually
When comparing these different bits to each other, it’s clear that the best option is the Drill Hog 21-Piece Set. Considering that they are made of high-quality metal that is specifically designed to punch through stainless steel, along with the fact that they come with a limited lifetime warranty means that you will get much better results overall with these than you would with anything else.
How to Choose a Drill Bit for Steel
Material
First off, you have to make sure that the bit is tough enough to handle stainless steel. If it isn’t, then you will either get a lot of cracked and broken bits, or you won’t be able to punch through at all. There are three primary metals used in bits that can work with stainless, although as we’re about to see, there is one that stands above the rest.
HSS
These letters stand for high-speed steel, and this is the most cost-effective material you can find for drill bits. That being said, most HSS bits can work with many thin metals, including stainless. We don’t recommend them for heavy duty work, though, as they can wear down and either break or get dull when punching through thick pieces. However, if you have thin sheets of stainless steel, then this material should work perfectly.
Cobalt
Overall, if you’re going to drill into hardened metals, then cobalt is the way to go. The reason for this is that it’s much tougher and stronger than HSS, meaning that it not only works better but lasts longer. Typically, bits will be a mixture of steel and cobalt, so pay attention to the percentages so that you can be sure that you’re getting bits built for the job.
Carbide
If you’re working with super tough metals, then you will need carbide bits. However, to use them properly you need a specialized kind of drill bit, so don’t bother trying to get these if you don’t have the tools with which to use them. Also, they are only designed for super dense metals, so it’s not worth the extra cost for stainless and other similar materials.
Tip
Since this is the part of the drill that will be doing most of the work, you want a tip that can handle punching through stainless steel. That being said, you need to look for split point tips with an angle of 135 degrees. This is wider and flatter than most bits designed for wood and plastic, and it will ensure that you get a clean hole every time. Also, the angle of the tip will help reduce walking when trying to get through the metal.
One thing to keep in mind is that you can still use 118-degree tips, but they will wear down and get dull much faster, so we only recommend them for thin sheet metal rather than anything else. Overall, if you’re working with a variety of materials and want to save some money by having all-purpose bits, this can be a good way to go. That being said, though, we do recommend that you get bits designed for metal work if you want better results.
About the Author Darrell Webster
I believe there is a handyman in all of us as long as you have the right tools. I started this blog to help anyone who is interested in fixing things to learn their way around the different tools and to know how to perform different DIY tasks. I have been doing this for years and believe I am a master of this art.