What does HSS mean in drill bits?

DRILL BIT MATERIALS

High-Speed Steel (HSS) is a popular material good for drilling into soft steels as well as wood and plastic.

Can HSS drill bits be used for metal?

HSS bits are made of carbon steel with the addition of additional elements such as chrome and vanadium. As a result, they are incredibly durable and are well suited for drilling into metal surfaces. HSS drill bits are suitable for drilling iron, steel, and other metals such as brass, copper, and aluminum alloy.

Is HSS good in a drill bit?

High-speed steel (HSS) drill bits can drill wood, fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and soft metals such as aluminum. 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.

Is cobalt better than HSS?

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. They are most often used to cut through hardened and abrasive materials.

What is the difference between SDS and HSS drill bits?

HSS drill bits fit into any standard chuck, either with a key or the keyless type. SDS+ fit into a special chuck with a groove on one side for the bit to fit into ( there's no physical tightening of the chuck as it's a positive lock on these) SDS Max is a variation of the last one but it's a lot bigger than SDS+.

Basics of Drill Selection - Haas University

Can you drill concrete with HSS?

Carbide tipped: Carbide is an extremely strong metal that withstands enormous force. Carbide is also expensive, so tool manufacturers often use HSS for the shank, flutes and leads but add a piece of carbide to the point. Carbide tip bits are popular for masonry, concrete and tile drilling.

What drill bits stay sharp 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.

What drill bit is best for metal?

Cobalt drill bits are the best drill bits for hard metals including stainless steel. If you are using a hand drill then a 5% (M35) drill bit will be most suitable and it will be less brittle than other drill bits. TTP HARD drill bits are 5% cobalt and are a high quality drill bit.

Which is better HSS or carbide?

Carbide steel has more high cutting speed and is 4- 7 times higher than high – speed steel. Carbide is much harder, so it has a longer tool life and faster cutting data than conventional high speed steel. HSS tools also cost less than Carbide tools and are often a good solution in high-mix, low-volume applications.

What drill bit is best for hardened steel?

Clearly, the best drill bits for hardened metal or steel come with a cobalt blend. These cobalt drill bits use an alloy including 5%–8% cobalt. This cobalt makes up part of the steel blend, so the hardness of the bit doesn't wear off with a coating (like titanium bits). It runs throughout the entire bit.

Can HSS drill bits be used for wood?

High-Speed Steel (HSS) drill bits are used for drilling wood, light metals, fiberglass and PVC. Black oxide-coated drill bits are more durable than standard HSS bits and the coating helps the drill bit resist rust. These are best for hardwood, softwood, PVC, fiberglass and steel.

Which drill bits are the strongest?

DRILL BIT MATERIALS

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.

What drill bit do I need to drill into concrete?

Drill bits that can drill through concrete are called masonry bits. They are also good for drilling through brick and stone. Drill bits with a tungsten carbide tip are the strongest; when it comes to solid concrete, the sharper the better. Masonry bits cut holes through concrete in two steps.

How do I know which drill bit to use?

The diameter of the hole you drill should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. So, for example, if you're using a 3.5 mm screw, use a drill bit with a diameter of 3 mm. If you're using wall anchors as well as screws, the drill bit and anchors should have the same diameter.

Why can't I drill through metal?

Drilling through metals create a lot of friction. This friction generates heat. The heat generated in the process not only damages your drill bits, but can also damage the metal you are drilling into.

What is the best drill bit for cast iron?

The best drill bit to use for cast iron is a cobalt bit with a 135-degree point angle. The angle is sharper than that on a conventional bit, making drilling faster and more accurate. Cobalt bits are brass-colored. As an alternative, you can also use a gold-colored titanium nitride bit.

Is HSS sharper than carbide?

HSS will sharpen sharper than carbide.

Can HSS cut steel?

It is superior to the older high-carbon steel tools used extensively through the 1940s in that it can withstand higher temperatures without losing its temper (hardness). This property allows HSS to cut faster than high carbon steel, hence the name high-speed steel.

Can HSS cut stainless steel?

High-speed steel tools can be used on stainless steel, but shorter drills are the most effective as they are less susceptible to deflection. The best HSS drills for stainless steel are alloyed with tungsten or molybdenum.

How do I know if a drill bit is for metal?

Usually, drill bits that are for metal can be distinguished by their black color. They are also usually made from tungsten carbide, cobalt or titanium, which should be noted on the packaging if you're buying new.

How do you Recognise a drill for soft metal?

Quick helix drills or large helix angle drills, with a helix angle of 40° and a point angle of 100°, are suitable for drilling the softer materials such as aluminium alloys and copper.

Which is the best cordless drill?

Is carbide better than cobalt?

Difference Between Cobalt and Carbide

Carbide drill bits are generally more expensive than cobalt but can withstand higher temperatures and have greater wear resistance. This leads to longer tool life, often offsetting the cost difference.

Is cobalt or titanium drill bits better?

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. Here is a quick comparison chart that explains the key differences between titanium vs cobalt drill bits.

What drill bit is for brick?

Masonry or mortar drill bits are the only type that can penetrate brick or mortar with ease. These bits are designed to deal with particular materials, so the central part of the bit is made of steel, while the tip has tungsten carbide to help it cut through tough walls.