Best Metalworking Drill Bit Sets

Updated November 2020

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more

Bottom Line

Pros

Cons

Best of the Best

Irwin

Industrial Tools Metal Index Drill Bit Set

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Bottom Line

A set made from cobalt-steel alloy that includes a variety of sizes.

Pros

Effective at taking out bolts. Nice well designed holder. A good set for standard projects. Bits do not tend to get as hot as others while drilling. Makes holes fast and easily. With lubricant they work well on hard metals.

Cons

Some customers feel like these bits dull too quickly.

Best Bang for the Buck

Norseman

Split Point Magnum Sup Premium Mechanical Drill Bit Set

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Bottom Line

This set made from stainless steel can do a good job without getting dull for most metalworking applications.

Pros

Cuts through stainless steel and other metals. Sharp cutting edge. Seem to stay sharp through many uses. Made with good materials. Comes at a good price. Metal case with metal holders inside the case.

Cons

This is only a 15-piece drill bit set and does not include all the sizes of other sets.

Strong bits that come in 29 sizes and seem to stay sharp longer than others.

Pros

Cobalt alloy can handle high heat. Works well on metal or wood. Price is good for the quality of the drill bits. Strong bits you can depend on. Cut fast. Comes with a lifetime warranty.

Cons

These bits do still dull after a certain amount of use.

A good value on a durable set of metalworking drill bits made from the strong cobalt-alloy.

Pros

Made from 5% cobalt. Bits are well made and may exceed your expectations for the price. Can cut through steel. Comes with a steel case for the drill bits. Fast cutting tools.

Cons

While the case these bits come in is metal, the interior holder is plastic.

DeWalt

Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set

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Bottom Line

An inexpensive set that performs well and can drill through basic metals.

Pros

Made from steel. Has a tip made from very strong titanium. Good bits for the money. Decent durability on the bits. Can handle heavy use. Strongly built and well engineered. Can also work on wood or other materials.

Cons

While these metalworking bits will work well on wood, they are not rated for masonry use.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

35 Models Considered

8 Hours Researched

2 Experts Interviewed

110 Consumers Consulted

Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Metalworking drill bits require something different than typical multi-purpose or wood bit sets. Due to the harder materials, drill bits made for metalworking come in titanium nitride, tungsten carbide, or cobalt high speed steel. These denser metals can resist the toughness of regular steel, stainless steel, and aluminum as well as the greater temperatures and abrasion. Cobalt HSS is common for heavy metalworking using cast iron, bronze, and cast steel as well. As a result, drill bit sets that come in cobalt HSS will be more expensive than other options but will be the best for a high-quality, lasting set.

Other Products We Considered

The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.

IRWIN

Countersink Drill Bit Set for Metal

MUXSAM

1/4 inch Hex Shank Countersink Drill Bit Set

DEWALT

Titanium Drill Bit Set, 21-Piece

Neiko

Stubby Drill Bit Set for Metal, 5-Piece

BLACK+DECKER

Drill Bit Set, 109-Piece

Drill America

15 Piece Heavy Duty High Speed Steel Drill Bit