The downside to cobalt bits is that they tend to cost a bit more than their steel counterparts. They are best for professionals, though DIYers, with lots of projects, will appreciate them as well. I can drill maybe 3 holes and the bit is still comfortable enough to hold, couldn't do that with the titanium bit and it cuts cleaner and quicker. ; Aluminum, brass or copper: Choose an all-purpose bit … Both of these bits are designed to drill through metal, making them durable and tougher than most drill bits. This is a great option for drilling into harder steel as well as stainless steel grades. They are very situational, and your choice will largely depend on what projects you’re doing. Compared to cobalt drill bits, titanium bits have a much shorter lifespan for this very reason. Titanium aluminum nitride – greater resistance and durability. Cobalt drill bits are designed for cutting through all sorts of metal, including stainless steel and cast iron. Cobalt bits are quite a bit more expensive than titanium ones. Once again, neither of these drill bits is better than the other. The downside of this type of drill bit is that the cobalt and steel alloy coating makes it a bit brittle. While titanium drill bits wear more slowly, you can sharpen cobalt drill bits again and again. Cobalt Drill Bits Just like titanium drill bits, cobalt drill bits are not made entirely of cobalt. Knowing these will definitely save you some time in choosing the right drill bits for your next project. Hi there! But here, the component mixtures are a bit different. While titanium is a pretty hard material, titanium drill bits are only coated with a thin layer of titanium nitride, which erodes quickly. Hopefully by the end you’ll know exactly when to use each to get the most out of your next DIY project. With harder materials, they will need more frequent sharpening, which can wear their coating down quickly. When it comes to cobalt vs. titanium drill bits, the main advantage is that the cobalt is alloyed into the bit rather than applied as a coating. The result is a drill bit capable of withstanding extremely high drilling temperatures. As you might imagine, this can cost you more money in the long run. Sheet metal happens, and you don’t want to be stuck with gutters, flashing, or ducts that need cutting and the wrong tool to do it. But this coating will still wear off over time even without sharpening. If you have the funds and the patience to sharpen drill bits by yourself, we recommend going with cobalt drill bits. Manufacturers usually add between 5 and 7% cobalt, but this varies by brand. Titanium drill bits can drill through har… Cobalt drill bits are made of steel and cobalt while titanium drill bits are made of high-speed steel and titanium nitride. Basically, there are three types of drill bits in the market-Black Oxide Drill Bits. Cobalt and titanium drill bits have a few things in common and in most cases, are used for similar applications. Drill bits can also be made of carbide. Although I’d always advise using coolant when drilling metal, it’ll always make them last longer. So which is better, cobalt or titanium? Adding cobalt to the base alloy makes them incredibly hard and durable. The material with which the drill bit is made is an essential point of difference. Cobalt vs Titanium Drill Bits. Best Cobalt Drill Bit Set – Drill Hog. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That said, they’re still more versatile than a standard HSS drill bit. For Working with Wood and Soft Metal, Choose Titanium, 20 Different Types of Drill Bits & Their Uses, The Best Way to Cut Metal Roofing – Reviews & Top Picks 2020, The Best Way to Cut Sheet Metal – Reviews & Top Picks 2020, 8 Best Camping Saws – Top Picks, Reviews & Buyer’s Guide 2021, 17 Essential Tools for Knife-Making (with Pictures). However, cobalt blades are made to dissipate heat. Once it gets thin enough, it won’t do its job correctly. As we said, neither of these drill bits is necessarily always going to be the best choice. They’re arguably a bit more versatile than cobalt drill bits because you can use them on soft and hard materials. Light metals, including sheet metal: Choose a 135-degree flute bit made from any material but cobalt.A 118-degree bit works in a pinch. All metal-on-metal bits are going to heat up. AN ELITE CAFEMEDIA LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER. Can’t be sharpened, meaning you’ll have to replace them once coating wears off. The titanium alloy coating protects the steel core and keeps the bit sharper for longer. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Also, cobalt has a higher melting point than steel. This is the hardest and most fragile material used in bit production, and bits made from it should not be used in hand drills. Cobalt bits. Basic Woodworking Tools – Essential Tools for the Budding Woodworker, Your email address will not be published. Drill bits come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, ... Cobalt (HSCO) is considered an upgrade from HSS because it includes 5-8% Cobalt blended into the base material. However, they don’t last as long because the coating comes off over time. CO-Z HSS Cobalt Drill Bits Set, Multiple Holes Step. Cobalt bits are also quite versatile; you can use them in hand drills, drill presses, lathes, and so on. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cobalt is the pricier of the two. If you need to drill a few holes, a titanium drill bit is likely sufficient. Cobalt bits are not designed for general purpose use. I consider one of the main disadvantages of titanium bits to be the fact that you can’t sharpen them. Titanium drill bits are typically made from HHS steel with a titanium coating. Black Oxide Vs Titanium Vs Cobalt: Differences 1. You can sharpen cobalt bits many times before they become unusable. This allows you to work on harder materials, like stainless steel and cast iron, without damaging your equipment. When it comes to cobalt vs. titanium drill bits, the main advantage is that the cobalt is alloyed into the bit rather than applied as a coating. However, these bits do not contain any cobalt. Conclusions – Cobalt vs carbide drill bits: Cobalt drill bits are cheaper, and also can be used to drill stainless and hardened steel. Titanium drill bits are usually cheaper than cobalt bits. You'll also often find me in my workshop working on some new project! The Milwaukee Cobalt Red Helix Drill Bits performed flawlessly. They are better suited for drilling metal due to high resistance to the massive heat generated when drilling through highly abrasive and/or hard materials such as treated stainless steel, titanium, and cast iron. Out of the three, cobalt drill bits are the hardest. Can I use cobalt drill bits with wood? You don’t have to worry about one of these blades getting very hot. For titanium drill bits, it’s the titanium coating. Cobalt drill bits are a combination of a base alloy (usually steel) and a small amount of cobalt. Cobalt bits have no coating at all, which differs from titanium drill bits. Cobalt drill bits are made with a mixture of cobalt and steel alloy. Update Privacy Preferences All rights reserved. In this article I’ll look at the differences of cobalt and titanium drill bits, including their most suitable uses. Range of coatings means you can use titanium drill bits for both hard and soft materials. Unlike titanium drill bits, cobalt drill bits are not intended for … They are just going to last longer and can be used with even the toughest materials. Cobalt and titanium don’t act quite the same, so cobalt and titanium coatings can make your drill bits behave differently from one another. A: Cobalt steel drill bits are ideal for use with hard metals, like cast iron or stainless steel, because they can be sharpened and have high heat resistance. Two of the best materials you can turn to are cobalt and titanium. Because of this, they can often save you money in the long run. There are also cobalt bits and high-speed bits. What are cobalt drill bits used for? Cobalt Drill Bits. Under $50: Budget this much for an affordable but sturdy cobalt drill bit that can drill through almost all metal surfaces. While they’re very hard they’re also very brittle and can shatter easily. Cobalt and titanium drill bits are both expensive. It contains all the information you might need for a range of types. They have a short lifespan. Addition of cobalt makes them brittle – be sure to care for them properly. By doing simple and easy tasks around your home, you can not only become proficient in skills that will come in handy in life, but you can also save money by avoiding paying someone to perform these tasks for you. © Copyright 2021 HealthyHandyman. This doesn’t really have anything to do with performance, but with price. Although 8% cobalt drill bits will drill harder metals than 5% cobalt drill bits it is important to note that the additional cobalt … Using drill press will save you a lot of time, efforts and help you to avoid bit … Various titanium alloys allow for different uses. Cobalt vs. Titanium Drill Bits – Which to get? But if you’re working with softer materials more often, titanium drill bits will be the better option. This means, the bits work with high-speed drills and pin at top speeds while powering through hard materials like metals without losing their … You’ll see a wide range of different drill bits out there. Titanium drill bits are similar to cobalt drill bits. Drill bits can be classified in two viewpoints- the size and the materials. Which option you choose is going to depend on how much money you have to spend upfront, how often you plan on using the bit, and what material you need to drill. Remember they belong to the HSS drill bit class. Cobalt vs Titanium Drill Bits – 2020 Review Learning proper use of tools is a handy investment. Titanium … Only using them every now and then for at-home jobs it’ll take quite a while to wear down the coating. You need to care for and store them properly, and be sure not to drop them. ; Cast iron: Choose a cobalt bit with a 135-degree flute. They cost you less up front and won’t wear down super quickly when put up against these softer materials. Hardness. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth over time. This makes them extremely tough and able to go through the most rigid materials out there, like cast iron. twist bits: a $2.75 high-speed steel bit, a $6 “black oxide” bit, a $7 cobalt bit and a $9.50 titanium bit. Cobalt bits was doped with 5 or 8 percent cobalt. Titanium drill bits are capable of coping with heat since their titanium coatings enhance the dissipation of heat buildup more effectively compared to most drill bits, but they are quite expensive and don’t have the durability of cobalt bits. The Cobalt bits come in 15-, 19-, 25-, and 29-piece kits while the Titanium set is offered in 10-, 15-, 23-, and 29-piece kits. They can dissipate heat very quickly, even at top speeds. This can get quite expensive if you’re not careful. However, the melting point isn’t as high as cobalt, so they’re often not as durable. This gives them a longer lifespan, which saves you money over the long-term. Instead, they are made of an alloy of high-speed steel and cobalt. The 3 types are: Using a titanium coating increases surface hardness of the cutting edge as well as reducing friction and adding corrosion protection. If you’ve got any other advice to help readers make the right selection, leave a comment below so everyone can benefit from your knowledge. Also, you can drill for longer periods without using cooling fluid. However, this coating does wear down over time. Cobalt drill bits can be sharpened many times over and far outlast a titanium coated drill. They are also made to drill through tougher materials, like metal. The greater heat resistance means the drill bits will remain sharper for longer. Instead, cobalt drill bits are generally made from high-speed steel which contains a certain percentage, usually 5% to 8% of cobalt. If you’re just an everyday DIYer who needs a set of fairly resistant and versatile drill bits, titanium will be a good choice. This drill bit is made out of an alloy of titanium nitride and high-speed steel. That is just the nature of rubbing two pieces of metal together very quickly. Cobalt bits tend to be quite expensive. They’re most commonly used to cut through hardened materials that steel alone would struggle with. Choosing the right one is essential for doing any project correctly and efficiently. Cobalt bits have a wide range of practical uses compared to standard HSS drill bits. Titanium drill bits are not entirely made with titanium. Titanium Drill Bit is a composition of high-speed steel along with Titanium. Importantly, a higher melting point means the cutting edge is more resistant to the heat generated by cutting. When choosing the right titanium drill bit, consider the material you’re drilling. While you can cobalt bits in softer materials, I wouldn’t recommend using on things such as wood or plastic. Cobalt drill bits are a mix of metals plus either 5% cobalt (M35 drill bits) or 8% cobalt (M42 drill bits). However, those who drill into metal often will need to replace their titanium bits, which can add up. © 2020 ToolToAction, All rights reserved. There’s little point using an expensive drill bit for soft materials when a cheaper alternative would do the job as well. I think this is a massive bonus considering the price you might pay for a quality set. This makes them a better choice for softer materials because you’ll get much more use from them. If you work with a wide variety of materials, you probably want a set of cobalt bits. But titanium is a more cost effective choice for softer materials such as wood and soft metal. Popular for their tough design, cobalt drill bits are formed by alloying 5-8% cobalt with high-speed steel. With that said, titanium bits are best for wood and softer metals. My name is Adam and I write for HealthyHandyman. Your email address will not be published. Ability to sharpen them extends drill bit’s life. Of course, this is assuming that you have a bit of money to spend upfront. The Main Differences Titanium Drill Bits vs Cobalt Drill Bits The Main Differences Titanium Drill Bits vs Cobalt Drill Bits are: Titanium Drill Bits are made of steel and coated with either titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride, whereas the Cobalt Drill Bits are made from a mixture of cobalt and steel alloy. Titanium carbonitride – the toughest alloy suitable for high mechanical stress. I’ve covered all the important information about titanium drill bits, but here’s a summary of the pros and cons for convenience. This coating protects the metal core from the heat and dissipates it along the surface. They are not made of pure cobalt, which we will discuss in-depth shortly. Cobalt Drill Bits. Titanium Drill Bits. However, there are a few slight differences that set them apart from their Cobalt cousins – though both do look very similar at first. Less expensive than cobalt drill bits – good for home DIYers. Yes, you can, but it will be an overkill. Titanium drill bits are also good in metal cutting machines because they can be used to drill very precise holes. Because of this, you really can’t sharpen the titanium drill bits very much before they become unusable. Here's a review and comparison of the Harbor Freight warrior machinist 115 piece drill index sets jobber lengths. Of course, some people don’t need a durable bit that is going to last a long time. If you’ll use them regularly for hard materials, then I’d recommend a good set of cobalt drill bits. Despite their primary use for metal, they can also be used for softer materials. The cobalt in cobalt drill bits makes up 5-8 percent, while titanium in titanium drill bits makes up the coating only. They do not have a coating, so there is no surface stripping when sharpening them. After reading through this guide, you should be equipped with enough knowledge to decide whether your next project will benefit from cobalt or titanium drill bits. When I was using the titanium coated bits, I would get little bits of metal flying around but with the cobalt bit, I get nice long spirals if I get the feed rate just right - I don't … Hopefully this article has helped you narrow down your choice of the best drill bits for your job. In general, despite their higher price, cobalt bits tend to provide pretty good value for the cost – mostly because you can use them for so long. In contrast, the cobalt bits are made of cobalt and steel alloy. It depends on what material you’re working with and what you’re trying to accomplish. This is because, unlike cobalt drill bits, titanium bits are only coated. Overall, cobalt bits offer greater versatility for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. This titanium is essential for preventing overheating, as we discuss below. High-alloy steel: Choose a titanium nitride-coated or cobalt bit with a 135-degree flute. The main advantage of titanium bits over high speed steel is their improved heat resistance and durability. Cobalt is another type of coating for the drill, cobalt drill bit is … Cobalt bits are pretty easy to sharpen. Sliding vs Non-Sliding Miter Saw – Which Is Best for Me? Both kits are jobber length, include a 1/2-inch twist drill, and come in a sturdy case. The differences start from the production of the bits. A good set of bits can be quite expensive. Titanium nitride – high temperature resistance. Cobalt has many advantages that will be useful in the work. Don’t last as long as cobalt if used regularly. In a typical HSS composition, you’ll find: 18% tungsten, 1% Vanadium, 4% Chromium, 0.7% carbon and 76.3 % iron. The differences stem from the way these drill bits are made. It depends on whether you want to spend more money now or later. To begin with, cobalt has a high resistance to massive heat. However there are plenty of pros and cons of cobalt vs. titanium drill bits. ... (titanium nitride, gold color) Can be run faster than uncoated drills and … Their better quality materials and ability to be sharpened means they’ll last you a lot longer than a standard HSS drill bit. Cobalt Drill Bit. Can be used in both hand and drill presses. When you’re drilling metal with a metal bit, things are going to get hot. That’s pretty much all you need to know about cobalt drill bits, but here’s a summary of the pros and cons just to clarify things. In my spare time, I'm either fishing, playing the guitar, or spending quality time with my beloved wife. They’re usually around 5% to 8% cobalt, with the rest being steel. Most drill bits out there designed for tougher materials have some design feature that is made to dissipate heat. Titanium drill bits are usually coated with titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride, which are gold and bluish-gray in color, … Over the life of the bit, however, the extra initial cost of the cobalt drill bit evens out. Steel melts at around 2500 degrees F (1370 C), while cobalt melts around 2723 degrees F (1495 C). I headed into my highly sophisticated drill analysis laboratory (my garage) and scientifically tested four types of 3/8-in. While they’re initially cheaper, you’ll find you have to replace them more regularly than cobalt drill bits. This is a problem when you’re drilling metal since metal-on-metal can get very hot, very fast. Titanium Drill Bits Titanium drill bits are similar to cobalt drill bits. I have a great passion for writing about everything related to tools, home improvement, and DIY. As well as be suitable to take on harder materials without burning out. Check Cobalt bits Price and Availability Cobalt vs HSS drill bits – application HSS drill bits are good for drilling in materials such as plastic, wood, and mild steel. Over time, this coating will wear off. Healthyhandyman is reader-supported. In this article, we will be talking about two of the most poplar drill bit types, which vary from each other in terms of material. When it comes to drilling holes, the choice of high quality bits is almost endless. Basically, it’s just another type of steel. The Pros and Cons of Cobalt Bits When you sharpen titanium drill bits, this coating comes off as well. However, they do contain a bit of cobalt, which is where they get their name from. How to Use a Miter Saw – Everything You Need to Know to Get Started. One of the main advantages of cobalt bits is that you can sharpen them, allowing you to get more value for your money. Just like the cobalt drill bit, this drill bit isn’t made out of titanium only. High-speed steel is alloyed with 5-8% cobalt to create cobalt drill bits. While their performance is fairly similar, there are applications where one is better than the other. Because the cobalt is alloyed with the steel rather than just a coating, you don’t risk losing any of the enhanced material properties by sharpening the drill bit. However, there are a few slight differences that set them apart from their Cobalt cousins – though both do look very similar at first. They are less brittle then carbide tools but more brittle then HSS and you may break them if you’re not careful enough. There isn’t really a single answer because it depends what you need from your drill bits. However, there are subtle differences between them. Similar functionality to cobalt drill bits. High Speed Steel & Cobalt Drills Speed and Feed Recommendations ... FEED PER REVOLUTION BY DRILL DIAMETER 1/8" 1/4" 1/2" 3/4" 1" Low Carbon Steel 1018, 12L12, 1108, 1213 ... Titanium Alloys Commercially Pure 99.0 110 - 170 90 0.0030 0.0040 0.0080 0.0100 0.0110 Titanium Alloys Cobalt vs titanium drill bits possess the resilience needed and won’t break or warp when making holes and drilling screws through the material. While titanium drill bits wear more slowly, you can sharpen cobalt drill bits again and again. Cobalt is particularly good at dissipating heat over the contact surface. Yes, drill bits do not end with titanium and black oxide bits. They’re very tough bits, making them suitable when others just won’t do. The cobalt also prevents the bit from getting too hot as it spins against other metals. You can easily sharpen dull drill bits on a bench grinder, but I’d recommend practicing on some old drill bits first so you know what you’re doing. They are also made to drill through tougher materials, like metal. Hard wood, particularly if it’s full of knots. Cobalt Drill Bits Pricing. You should save your cobalt drill bits for jobs where they out-perform less expensive alternatives. Granted, in the long term you might spend more replacing titanium bits, but it’ll take a while to reach this point. Titanium blades have a coating. You can use titanium bits on harder materials like cast iron, but over time you’ll notice the advantage of cobalt drill bits. However, they are more durable and long-lasting than other options, including titanium. One is not necessarily better than all the others, but they each have their pros and cons. Better heat resistance and durability than high speed steel bits. For most more challenging projects, you’re going to be choosing between cobalt and titanium drill bits. There are only a few situations where the material sets the bits apart. All in all, both of these bits dissipate heat well and can handle tougher materials. Drilling with dull bits slows the process and causes overheating. For example, you’ll want to use a titanium carbonitride bit for harder materials, but you’ll be fine using titanium nitride for wood or plastic. However, their small differences is what makes each of them a significant impact of different projects. The cobalt generally makes up anywhere between 5% and 8% of the material used to produce the drill bit. One thing to consider is that cobalt bits are quite brittle. And the advantage of titanium over cobalt is the initial price. Instead, they have a metal core and a titanium coating. Also, I recommend taking a look at my guide for how to sharpen drill bits. Required fields are marked *. While the differences in material are a significant difference between cobalt and titanium drill bits, in practice, you probably aren’t going to notice a huge difference. These Drill Bits is unlike any cobalt drill bit and it composes of completely steel alloy with just a coating of Titanium. The titanium drill bit is made of steel with a coating of titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride. Sharpening them would therefore expose the steel core, rendering them nearly useless. So, what is high-speed steel? You can read more about the topic in my article comparing black oxide, cobalt, and titanium drill bits. Harder materials wear the bit down faster by removing the coating faster. This will happen much faster if you’re only using the bits on hard materials. Titanium drill bits have a wide range of uses over standard HSS bits. The addition of the cobalt allows for the drilling of hardened metals and also stainless steel. Step drill bits are designed … As mentioned, the main advantage of cobalt bits over something like HSS (high speed steel) is the improved heat resistance. When the coating is completely gone, the bit would have lost much of its heat resistance. But they last longer, so you’ll save more in the long run. Learn more. Cobalt bits are specifically designed for drilling very hard, abrasive materials such as treated stainless steel, titanium and cast iron.