Best drill bit sets for woodwork and just making holes in walls

Tuesday, April 28, 2020
If you're anything like me, you'll find you keep breaking your drill bits and need to replace them with a new set.

So what are the best drill bit sets to choose from?


There are all kinds of drill bits and some suit various tasks better than others. For example, you're would never use a bit designed for wood when drilling into masonry, concrete or metal or even glass or porcelain. Well, if you're again like me, you may have tried and learned the hard way...

On that basis, let's consider the best bits for wood and the best bits for metal.

As always, we'd recommend that you don't cheap out with your tool purchases - if the issue is that you keep breaking bits, maybe it's because the parts are too cheap? 

Or maybe you just need to be a bit more gentle when drilling?

Handy drill bit sets for wood

When selecting the right drill bit for using with wood, it's important to understand that while soft low-carbon steel bits are inexpensive to buy, the con is that they do not hold an 'edge' well and require frequent sharpening.

Such bits are only ideal for drilling wood; even working with hardwoods rather than softwoods can noticeably shorten their lifespan.

So with that in mind, we'd recommend that titanium drill bits are the order of the day if you intend to regularly use them, say if you are into joinery or carpentry as a hobby or profession.

So here are two great quality products:

best tool drill bit set replacement

Dewalt

You already know the Dewalt brand stands for quality. Their set's titanium drill bits have a titanium coating that provides longer life when drilling.

These bits are very suitable for drilling in wood and plastic and are ideal for commercial and most home-based applications. 

The set includes sizes from 1/6-inch to 1/2-inch in a plastic tough case.
  • Titanium pilot point for longer bit life
  • Starts on contact for cleaner holes
  • No spin shanks
  • Tapered web provides greater durability to reduce breaking
  • Includes sizes from 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch in a plastic tough case

Fisch FSF-364757 Imperial Brad Point Drill Bit Set

The Fisch chrome vanadium Imperial 29 piece brad point drill bit set is fantastic for normal drilling operations in soft and hardwood using cordless drills or drill press machines.

This 29 piece set is the perfect place to start when you need a quality drill set that will get the job done and give you years of service, which is what you expect when paying for quality.

This handy set includes common Imperial (Inch/fractions) sizes from 1/16” to ½” in 1/64” increments.

The drill bits have full diameter shanks on bits that are 3/8” diameter and smaller. The set sits in a quality plastic stand case that protects your drills and puts them at arm’s reach with a handy 'flip out' when it is time to get drillin'.

Here's a handy list of the specifications:

  • Chrome-vanadium steel lasts longer between sharpening
  • Less tear-out in hardwood, softwood and laminated materials which means less frustration when materials get ripped by bits.
  • Optimized outer spurs insure fast and easy cutting of the wood, scoring the outer rim of the hole before the main part of the drill begins to do its work
  • For use in soft, hard, exotic, veneered and laminated wood, as well as MDF board and even acrylic such as plexiglas!
  • The bevelled cutting edge leads to clean drilling without any deviation while feeding the bit into the material which is handy when it's hard enough to get the bit centered!
  • If you end up make a mess, get your robot vacuum cleaner to tidy up!

Drill bit sets for metal drilling


If you are looking to drill holes in metal or stainless steel, then you need to consider using drills of a different composite from those designed for use with wood.

Drill bits composed of cobalt steel alloys are variations on high-speed steel that contain more cobalt. These kinds of bits hold their hardness at much higher temperatures - which is just what you need when grinding into metal!

Drill bits that are designed to cut through strong metals will also usually have a blunt tip, whereas a drill bit that is made for cutting through wood will have a pointed tip. 

So now you know the difference!

Given such drill bits are able to withstand the heat fairly well, they will endure, giving you a longer life span.

Meet the Drill Hogg for metal drilling


best-metal-drill-set-cobalt
There's a reason Drill Hog steel bits come with a lifetime guarantee for the original owner. It's because these bits are tough cobalt bastards! These bits are made from Cobalt M42 Steel (HSS) which has a melting point of 2,853 degrees Fahrenheit! Wrap your head around that Ray Bradbury!

These bits will drill through the toughest steel like truck frames, stainless steel, farm implements, spring steel, grade 8 bolts, and more! Boss Hog is very proud their product is made State Side in the USA.

  • Premium Solid Cobalt M42 Super High Speed Steel
  • 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/64th Increments (Does not Skip any Sizes)
  • High Heat Treated Hardness 68-70 HRC (Rockwell Hardness Scale)
  • 135 Degree Split Point Prevents "Walking"
  • Tri-Flat Shank Prevents "Spinning" in Chuck

Handy hint for using a drill bit:

If you are able to, place a thick piece of wood under the metal you are drilling so that your bits won’t be dulled or damaged by your work surface when the bit goes through the metal and comes into contact with the surface.

Best drill bit set for concrete drilling


Last winter I was trying to install fireguard at my place and I needed to drill the screws into the brick around the fireplace. Having no idea about such things, I foolishly used my standard drill set and ended up getting nowhere. And that's when I learned about masonry drills bits for cutting into brick and concrete!

Yep, it turns out you do need specialized drill bits to make holes in concrete. These are commonly referred to as masonry bits. They often will often be composed of a steel body and a tungsten carbide tip to ensure they are tough enough the manage the effort required to cut through concrete. It is also best practice to use these bits with a hammer or percussion drill.

So what are the best sets for concrete drilling? As usual, let's avoid cheap 10 dollar kits and focus on branded quality:

Makita!



Designed for the US market, these drills bits are ideal for drilling for medium depths of about 4 inches. Made with carbide tips that maximize carbide surface contact for longer bit life.

The special flute design clearing out debris for fast, efficient drilling. These bits are heat forged for strength and longevity with a sharp maximum impact on masonry/concrete material. 

Makita prides itself that general contractors and many players in the construction industry use these tools. Continued use speaks volume as to their effectiveness and quality. 



Another great option for cutting concrete is yet again Dewalt's 7-Piece Premium Percussion Masonry Drill Bit Set:

drill into brick and concrete drill bit

  • Manufactured in Germany, so you know this is the real deal
  • Rock carbide tip maximizes carbide surface contact in the drill hole which results in longer bit life
  • The 'Four-flute' design assists in cleaning out debris for quick and efficient drilling
  • Three flats on shank eliminate bit slipping in the chuck

What is high speed steel?


Known as HSS, high-speed steel is a material that can withstand incredibly high temperatures before it fails by losing its form or effectiveness. Thus, it's ideal for drilling in hard materials like metal.
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