I also liked that the hex shanks made the bits compatible with all kinds of drills as well as impact drivers. The heavy-duty plastic carry case proved easy to open and close, even with gloved hands, and the bits were a breeze to find thanks to clearly legible size indexing. While the Milwaukee Red Helix drill bits were priced higher than other titanium-coated bits I tested, they performed extremely well. These bits feature hex shanks for fast, easy chucking in cordless drill/drivers or impact drivers. To improve drilling speed, the variable width helix starts out at an aggressive 35-degree angle near the tip and ends at 15 degrees nearest the chuck. A four-way cutting edge on the pilot-point tip delivers precise starts and smaller chips for faster, easier material removal and less heat buildup. The 29 bits are made of rugged, cost-effective, high-speed steel with a titanium oxide coating for improved wear resistance. The Milwaukee Shockwave Red Helix drill bits were designed with drilling toughness in mind. The best drill bits penetrated surfaces quickly, drilled aggressively, and stayed sharp throughout the testing process.įor everyday drilling, whether on the job or for DIY projects, a set of dependable all-purpose bits comes in handy. I noted accuracy of hole placement and any movement of the bit prior to surface penetration, drilling speed, chip or “drill dust” consistency, and cleanliness of the holes at the entry and exit points. Following best practices for each bit type, drill type, and material type, I drilled three holes with each bit in every selected test material. Test materials included wood, PVC, and aluminum for titanium-coated high-speed steel bits cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum for cobalt alloy bits brick, cinder block, and poured concrete for masonry bits and ceramic, travertine, and glass tiles for carbide-tipped tile bits.Īfter noting the physical characteristics of each bit set, I selected four different drill bits from each set. I tested the picks in a workshop using a benchtop drill press with a keyed chuck and a cordless drill driver with a keyless chuck. After reviewing more than 50 drill bit sets, I selected our top picks based on functionality, size combinations, cost, and availability. Then I began searching the most reputable tool brands to find the best drill bit designs and materials available. To kick off this project, I spent 20 hours researching drills and drill bits for common household repairs, maintenance, and DIY projects and learning about best drilling practices. Photo: Mark Wolfe How We Tested the Best Drill Bits ALSO CONSIDER: DeWalt 21-Pc Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set.BEST FOR TILE: Diablo 4-Pc Tile & Stone Carbide Tipped Drill Bit Set.BEST FOR MASONRY: Bosch 7-Pc Blue Granite Carbide Hammer Drill Bit Set.BEST FOR ALUMINUM: Irwin 29-Pc Cobalt Alloy Steel M35 Drill Bit Set.BEST FOR STEEL: Bosch CO14B 14-Pc Cobalt M42 Drill Bit Set.UPGRADE PICK: Norseman 69280 M42 Cobalt Heavy-Duty 115-Pc Drill Set.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ryobi Multi-Material Drill and Drive Kit.BEST OVERALL: Milwaukee 29-Pc Shockwave Red Helix Titanium Bit Set.Ahead, learn about the details on the various drill bits chosen and how they performed in testing. Read on to find out more about the materials and design features used to construct high-quality drill bits, the different kinds of bits available, and how to find the type you need. I worked with bits designed for metal, wood, aluminum, concrete, tile, and more, so if you’re planning to upgrade your tool kit, perhaps my findings can help. I recently tested eight offerings from leading tool manufacturers in a quest for the best drill bits available. There’s a nearly endless supply of drill bits on the shelves of home improvement stores in different types, sizes, and material options-each suited to specific tasks-and a DIYer must know the appropriate one to use. These attachable cutting implements bore into surfaces, drilling a wide range of hole types and sizes. When one is assembling a tool kit for home improvement, maintenance, and construction projects, one of the first items purchased is often a power drill, followed by an assortment of drill bits.
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