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Drills are handy tools that benefit everyone from a DIYer to professional craftspeople. However, to ensure that you do not destroy the material you are attempting to drill into, it is imperative that you use the correct drill bit.
The following is a comprehensive list of the most common drill bits and their uses.
The following is a comprehensive list of the most common drill bits and their uses.
Material
Drill bits are made from different materials to suit their purpose. Using the right bit material enhances your efficiency. It also prevents you from losing money, purchasing a drill bit that cannot handle your project.
While almost all bits are made from metal due to its toughness, the difference comes in the metal composition. The following are some common materials used in drill bits.
High-Speed Steel
High-speed steel (HSS) is one of the most commonly utilized materials in the manufacture of drill bits. It is suitable for drilling wood, plastic, and soft metals. High-speed steel bits are made from carbon steel with chromium and vanadium additives.
Cobalt
Thanks to cobalt’s immense structural strength, cobalt drill bits are especially adept at drilling through stainless steel and other tough materials. Cobalt alloys have an exceptional ability to withstand heat and resistance. Sometimes, these drill bits consist of an alloy of cobalt and HSS. Such an alloy guarantees you a bit that can go through just about any surface.
While almost all bits are made from metal due to its toughness, the difference comes in the metal composition. The following are some common materials used in drill bits.
High-Speed Steel
High-speed steel (HSS) is one of the most commonly utilized materials in the manufacture of drill bits. It is suitable for drilling wood, plastic, and soft metals. High-speed steel bits are made from carbon steel with chromium and vanadium additives.
Cobalt
Thanks to cobalt’s immense structural strength, cobalt drill bits are especially adept at drilling through stainless steel and other tough materials. Cobalt alloys have an exceptional ability to withstand heat and resistance. Sometimes, these drill bits consist of an alloy of cobalt and HSS. Such an alloy guarantees you a bit that can go through just about any surface.
Carbide-Tipped
Carbides are one of the strongest substances on the planet. In fact, some carbides rival diamonds for the hardest material known to man. They are formed when carbon is combined with metal. Nonetheless, carbide is extremely expensive. As a result, it would not be feasible to make an entire bit out of the substance.
This is why manufacturers prefer making only the tips out of carbide. Carbide-tipped bits are typically used for masonry, tile, and concrete drilling.
Solid Carbide
When handling projects involving extremely tough materials, it would be a good idea to consider solid carbide bits. Unlike carbide-tipped bits, solid carbide bits consist entirely out of carbide.
Carbides are one of the strongest substances on the planet. In fact, some carbides rival diamonds for the hardest material known to man. They are formed when carbon is combined with metal. Nonetheless, carbide is extremely expensive. As a result, it would not be feasible to make an entire bit out of the substance.
This is why manufacturers prefer making only the tips out of carbide. Carbide-tipped bits are typically used for masonry, tile, and concrete drilling.
Solid Carbide
When handling projects involving extremely tough materials, it would be a good idea to consider solid carbide bits. Unlike carbide-tipped bits, solid carbide bits consist entirely out of carbide.
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