Steel Drills – Which Tools are Suitable for Tough Jobs?

Steel is synonymous with exceptional hardness and durability. In most situations, these are optimal characteristics for a material that is frequently used in the construction industry. However, an inconvenient truth is that robust and wear-resistant materials are simply not easy to machine. After all, steel doesn't know that you want to drill a hole right now and should therefore be a bit more flexible.

But don't worry, precise drilling is also possible with a metal like steel if you use the right metal drill bit. So take some time before starting a new project to check your tool inventory and supplement it with any missing products if needed. The investment in high-quality twist drill bits that are optimally designed for your application will always pay off in the long run! And to make the selection easier for you, we've compiled all the necessary information in this blog post so you can quickly find your perfect steel drill bit.

What materials require special twist drill bits?

The choice of the right drill bit depends heavily on the material and its hardness. With a wood drill bit – easily recognised by its centre point – you shouldn't even attempt to drill metal. Stone or concrete and stone drill bits are also unsuitable for this.

Steel drills are specialist tools for drilling holes in metals such as steel, iron or stainless steels. However, we need to make a distinction between steel and stainless steels at this point, as not every steel drill is suitable for both. If you want to work with stainless steels, make sure that this material is explicitly listed among the workable materials. You can find more information on drilling in stainless steels in our blog!

HSS-E or HSS-G – The role material plays

To achieve precise drilling and convincing results even in steel, you need drills that are themselves made from a robust and resilient material. HSS is the first choice here. HSS stands for "High-Speed Steel" and is a highly alloyed tool steel that is characterised by great hardness and heat resistance up to approximately 600 °C.

There are several variants among HSS drills. Cobalt-alloyed HSS-Co5 or HSS-E steel drills offer enormous hot hardness resistance and are ideal for difficult-to-machine materials such as V2A/V4A steel and other stainless steels. HSS-G drills are ground, which results in higher precision and faster working progress. The suffix G therefore does not refer to the material, but to the manufacturing process.

Refinement, coating, geometry – How the interplay of factors works

In addition to the base material, the way the manufacturer processes the tool further plays a role in its performance. Various surface treatments and coatings are available, which can be used to precisely adapt the attributes of a twist drill bit to different requirements. Titanium-coated drill bits, for example, reduce friction, increase surface hardness and improve the tool life time.

However, the geometry and mechanical processing of a steel drill bit also influence results and tool life times. Sharp cutting edges facilitate drilling, precise flutes ensure efficient chip evacuation. So don't rely on just one attribute, but make sure to buy from reputable and well-rated manufacturers who keep all aspects in mind.

What you need to pay attention to when using high-quality steel drill bits

Even the best steel drill bit cannot work properly if the execution is lacking. But that is precisely the area where you have the most influence! Work carefully and with patience, and pay attention to a few important fundamentals, then drilling into steel will work perfectly for you.

When drilling into metal, the spot should be marked beforehand with a centre punch to prevent the drill bit from slipping. However, unlike with wood, you should not drill a pilot hole in metal, but only drill into the solid material, otherwise the cutting edges of your tool will wear disproportionately quickly.

The use of cutting oil or cutting fluid additionally increases the tool life time of the drill bit and improves drilling results, so always ensure adequate lubrication. The rotational speed when drilling in metal should also be lower than when drilling in wood, whilst applying greater pressure.

HSS drills to DIN 338 and much more in the BAER online shop in stock for you!

To make the purchase of high-quality equipment simple and affordable, especially for DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists, we have compiled some unbeatable offers for you in the BAER online shop. Our HSSE drill sets "TurboCentrix" and "Power Drills" are suitable for all materials and ideal for anyone looking for a set of quality universal drills for all applications. The tools feature an innovative triangular shank for particularly secure grip in the drill chuck and offer easy handling with optimal results. The sturdy plastic box ensures dust-free storage and safe transport. This way, every piece has its own fixed place, you lose nothing and always keep an overview.

Discover for yourself the steel drill bits from BAER! You will also find numerous twist drill bits in our range for many other applications, as well as threading tools and accessories for every requirement. And if you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us at any time by phone or via contact form.