5 Best Cobalt Drill Bits (Buying Guide And Reviews In 2023)

If you are looking for the best cobalt drill bits, you have made the right decision for your workshop, whether it is professional or DIY.

If your current drill bits, be they titanium or others, have been breaking down and proving ineffective on different types of metals, change to cobalt.

You see, cobalt drill bits are very durable. They can be used on different types of metals. Once they lose their edge, you just sharpen them and the job continues.

Even their closest competitor – titanium drill bit, does not come anywhere close to cobalt when it comes to durability. If you are working on stainless steel, ferrous or non-ferrous metals, you need a capable drill bit, a cobalt one.

Once you have decided it is cobalt, you have another uphill task of choosing the best bits. With so many from different manufacturers, it can be hard to pick the best one for the money.

Not to worry though because here, we bring a review of the drill bits made of cobalt. That way, you need not do the hard groundwork.

 

5 Best Cobalt Drill Bits

Finding a drill bit set that matches your work needs is not easy. You have to shift through different products, but no one has the time for that.

Read these reviews to help you make up your mind:

 

1. DEWALT Cobalt DWA1240 Drill Bit Set of 14 with Pilot Point

When it comes to small power tools and their accessories, we know that DEWALT is synonymous with quality. And sure enough, even with the DWA1240 cobalt drill bit set of 14, they do not disappoint. Besides, this set is quite affordable, costing less than $30 in many online marketplaces.

Whether you are going to use these drill bits for automotive work, or for drilling different types of sheet metals or any other drilling work, these will serve you amply.

Where many other bits go bust, these ones excel. Just make sure you are drilling in a straight line and that you are using oil as coolant when drilling.

With 14 pieces designed with split point tips, there is a bit for any kind of light-duty drilling that you need to do.

Their sizes start at 1/16 inches to 3/8 inches, with some coming in twos and others in ones.

What we like

• Bits work very well on hard metals

• The bits do not walk so the user is in full control

• These bits are quite sharp and retain their edge for a long time

• The price is good

What we don’t like

• The set lacks ½ inch bit

 

2. Irwin-Tools-3016032-High-Speed Cobalt Drill Bits

This cobalt drill bit is ½ inch by 6 inches and as we saw in the DEWALT Cobalt DWA1240 review, that set did not have the ½ inch bit.

This bit is strong enough to drill in hard alloy metals. You can also use the bit on hardened steel and it will do just fine because it is heat-resistant. When you put it on the metal and switch on the drill, you just need to apply a little force and the bit starts drilling immediately.

This is something that split point tip bits are known for. It does not stray on the surface and so you feel more in control of your drilling job.

In case you would like to try the 12-piece set of Irwin cobalt drill bits or the 6-piece set, both are available.

It might also be more economical to buy a bigger set, but make sure it contains all the sizes that you need.

What we like

• Good for drilling heat-treated steel

• Start drilling immediately with minimal effort on your part

• Made with non-abrasive material, it will stay intact for a long time

What we don’t like

• A little pricey if you buy only 1-bit

 

3. Drill America DWD29J-CO-PC Cobalt Steel Bit Set

Some times, you just have to get a faster drill bit and the Drill America DWD29J has 30% more speed than regular bits.

This kind of speed combined with the power of cobalt gives a faster drilling action on hard alloy metals such as titanium and stainless steel.

Another thing that makes these drill bits special is that when drilling, you get small chippings that do not clog the hole. With the 135-degree split point on the tip of the bit, it starts drilling immediately you switch it on and apply gentle force, without the bit walking on the work surface.

You will get a good variety since these bits sizes start at ½ inch and 3/8 inch in size. There are 29 bits overall, so practically this package gives you everything you need if you use a drill regularly.

To make it easier to drill thick metals, the bits have a gold oxide coating that sort of helps lubricate the bit as it drills through metal.

What we like

• The bits are shipped in a nice plastic container with lid for storage

• Bit size is easy to identify even for beginners since it is indicated

• Gold oxide finish helps lubricate the bit when drilling

• You don’t need to make a pilot hole since the split point starts drilling immediately

What we don’t like

• Plastic making the storage case is too thin

 

4. Craftsman 9-64085 Bit 21-Piece Set Professional Cobalt Drill

The Craftsman 9-64085 21-piece drill bit set is designed for heavy-duty work. Therefore, if you are going to drill hard metals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, get this drill bit set.

With 21 pieces of bits in the package ranging from sizes 1/16 to 3/8, you will have every bit that you need to make your work easy. These bits can do the work and serve the time, lasting years in good condition.

Start drilling as soon as the bit comes into contact with the material that you are drilling, thanks to the split point bits.

Since the bits do not stray on the surface, you do not need a pilot hole even for the jobs that require precision-drilling.

Every craftsman needs to stay organized while they are on the job so that they can reach the tool they want even when they cannot see it.

With these bits, you get a high quality plastic case with the size numbers indicated for each bit. It keeps things super simple and you can reach any bit you want fast.

What we like

• Built to last – Each bit here is of high quality

• Can handle tough drilling jobs without showing wear and tear

• They retain their cutting edge longer as compared to regular bits

• You get 21 pieces of bits for the job

What we don’t like

• The smaller bits are a bit brittle and they can snap off at the blade area

 

5. Bosch CO14B Cobalt M42 Drill Bits – 14 Pieces

Bosch makes great tools for workshops, automobiles and so on. Therefore, if you have their drill, you can match it with Bosch bits like these ones.

These bits are designed to resist heat. Therefore, even in prolonged drilling jobs, they do not get as hot as regular bits do. You can always cool them with oil for durability.

Because of the inclusion of M42 cobalt alloy, these drill bits have 10 times longer life as compared to the regular ones. In addition, the tip is carefully crafted such that the bit does not skate.

When you place it on the material you are working on, it starts drilling as soon as you apply gentle force. You do not even need to make a pilot hole. Just get to drilling straight away.

When drilling, the size of the chips matter a lot. Thankfully, with these bits, the chips are small. They will not clog the hole that you are drilling.

In this set, you will get 14 bits covering different sizes that include ½ inch, 3/8, 1/16 and others.

What we like

• Superior drilling power on tough metals

• No slide-tip ensures you get to work straight away

• These bits resist heat even in prolonged drilling

• Nice, branded storage kit

What we don’t like

• The price is too high

 

Buying guide for the best cobalt drill bits

Can you just pick any drill bit set that you come across? No. If you want to get value for money, consider the following.

Number of bits per set

You can buy one buy one bit piece or in sets of 9, 12, 14, 18, 21 and so on. Most people prefer bits in sets so that they can get different sizes.

Consider the size too. Cobalt drill bit sets have bits of 1/16, 3/8, 5/8 and many other pieces.

Finishing

Some drill bits come finished with gold oxide, which acts as a lubricant as the bit gets hot especially in prolonged drilling.

This does not mean that the others without this finish are bad, but an extra feature is always welcome.

The price and warranty

Some drill bit sets can be sold at outrageous prices. Others can be quite cheap. The good thing is that the market has something for everyone, so any budget can buy you drill bits. Check out for the warranty too. Some bits come with lifetime warranty.

Carry case

Because of their small size, you need a good case for storage and organization. To some people, a good storage and carry case is a big deal.

 

Conclusion

The search for the top cobalt drill bits end here with the five brands that we have reviewed here for you.

 

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