Are Cobalt Drill Bits Any Good?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Cobalt drill

bits are incredibly strong

. … Cobalt bits are able to cut through the most hardened metals, including bronze, cast iron, stainless steel and titanium. They are also able to cut through weld seams. The cutting edge on a good quality cobalt bit should last for longer than a standard HSS bit.

Which is better cobalt or titanium bits?

Difference Between Cobalt and

Titanium

Drill Bits

Cobalt drill bits are more expensive, but offer longer life, and are more resistant to heat than titanium drill bits. Cobalt drill bits are also tougher and can drill holes in the hardest metals.

Are carbide or cobalt drill bits better?

– Price:

cobalt drill bits are cheaper than carbide bits

. – Properties: carbide bits can resist more temperature than cobalt and HSS. – Application: cobalt bit can drill stainless and hardened steel, carbide bits are widely used for drilling nonferrous heavy metals, cast iron and abrasive materials.

Do cobalt bits break easily?

Another benefit of the cobalt bits is that they are

highly resistant

. Every drilling job requires you have bits capable of enduring the hot temperatures without shattering or breaking. Hot temperatures are a problem that even most lubricants can’t control. On top of that, you won’t have any issues to sharpen them.

Which is better cobalt or carbide?


Cobalt (HSCO)

is considered an upgrade from HSS because it includes 5-8% Cobalt blended into the base material. This is a great option for drilling into harder steel as well as stainless steel grades. Carbide (Carb) is the hardest and most brittle of the drill bit materials.

Which metal is harder titanium or cobalt?

As mentioned in the detailing of cobalt and titanium’s scratch resistance, both metals have a similar hardness. But it was noted that

cobalt was just a bit harder than titanium

. As a result, it is able to have a much higher polish applied. … However, the harder a metal, the less malleability it exhibits.

Can you use cobalt drill bits in wood?

Cobalt drill bits are extremely hard and dissipate heat quickly. They’re mostly used for boring in aluminum and tough metals such as stainless steel. … They work

for drilling wood

, metal, fiberglass and PVC.

Will cobalt drill bits drill hardened steel?

Go to a hardware or home improvement store for a cobalt bit that

is designed specifically for drilling through steel

. … You want a cobalt bit, as it’s a type of high-speed steel (HSS) that has more cobalt in it and is strong enough to cut through hardened steel.

Are cobalt drill bits the hardest?


Cobalt drill bits are incredibly strong

. They can be operated at much higher speeds than a standard HSS drill bit. The ability to withstand heat means that cobalt bits perform for long periods without cooling or the need for cutting fluid.

Which is harder tungsten carbide or cobalt?

tungsten, the two metals are very similar in their hardness. While

cobalt is harder than titanium

, and therefore more scratch resistant, tungsten is still the hardest metal currently on the market.

Can Cobalt drill bits be sharpened?

With a bench grinder,

you can sharpen your drill bits

. … Cobalt drill bits have a high resistance to heat, making them perfect for repeated use. But after a while, the cutting edge becomes dull and needs sharpening. If you have a bench grinder, you can sharpen the bits on your own.

Which is better M35 or M42 Cobalt?

An

M35 (5% cobalt)

drill bit will drill the majority of metals most people will need to drill. … An M42 (8% cobalt) drill bit will drill harder metals however will also be more prone to breakage due to its inceased brittleness.

What drill bits last the longest?

Best

Titanium

Set: Bosch Titanium Metal Drill Bit Set

Bosch’s speed helix design gets the right bit through the correct material faster than other drill bits. The titanium bits last six times longer than high-speed steel and have a balanced double flute that significantly cuts down on vibration.

Can you drill hardened stainless steel?

It’s hard, it requires expensive cobalt or carbide bits and it takes a long time to drill. … What stainless tends to do is “work harden” fairly quickly when heated, and drilling at high speed creates a lot of heat. When stainless steel work hardens,

it becomes very hard and extremely difficult to drill

.

How do you punch a hole in metal without a drill?


Hole punch pliers

are easy to use. They feature a pin at the end of the pliers’ jaws, and when force is applied to them you can punch a clean hole through your sheet metal.

What does M42 cobalt mean?

M42 is

a molybdenum series high-speed steel alloy with an additional 8 or 10 percent cobalt

. It is widely used in metal manufacturing industries because of its superior red hardness as compared to more conventional high-speed steels.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.