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. 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. All metal-on-metal bits are going to heat up. Titanium blades have a coating. AN ELITE CAFEMEDIA LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER. There’s little point using an expensive drill bit for soft materials when a cheaper alternative would do the job as well. While their performance is fairly similar, there are applications where one is better than the other. 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. With that said, titanium bits are best for wood and softer metals. For most more challenging projects, you’re going to be choosing between cobalt and titanium drill bits. When it comes to drilling holes, the choice of high quality bits is almost endless. All in all, both of these bits dissipate heat well and can handle tougher materials. Cobalt drill bits are made of steel and cobalt while titanium drill bits are made of high-speed steel and titanium nitride. Cobalt Drill Bits. All rights reserved. To begin with, cobalt has a high resistance to massive heat. Cobalt bits are also quite versatile; you can use them in hand drills, drill presses, lathes, and so on. This is a problem when you’re drilling metal since metal-on-metal can get very hot, very fast. 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. Under $50: Budget this much for an affordable but sturdy cobalt drill bit that can drill through almost all metal surfaces. Because of this, they can often save you money in the long run. What are cobalt drill bits used for? Cobalt vs titanium drill bits possess the resilience needed and won’t break or warp when making holes and drilling screws through the material. Ability to sharpen them extends drill bit’s life. But titanium is a more cost effective choice for softer materials such as wood and soft metal. Compared to cobalt drill bits, titanium bits have a much shorter lifespan for this very reason. Adding cobalt to the base alloy makes them incredibly hard and durable. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Over the life of the bit, however, the extra initial cost of the cobalt drill bit evens out. While they’re very hard they’re also very brittle and can shatter easily. You can read more about the topic in my article comparing black oxide, cobalt, and titanium drill bits. Cobalt bits are pretty easy to sharpen. You need to care for and store them properly, and be sure not to drop them. 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. The titanium drill bit is made of steel with a coating of titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride. Titanium drill bits are also good in metal cutting machines because they can be used to drill very precise holes. Of course, some people don’t need a durable bit that is going to last a long time. Cobalt drill bits are a combination of a base alloy (usually steel) and a small amount of cobalt. 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. If you’ll use them regularly for hard materials, then I’d recommend a good set of cobalt drill bits. Granted, in the long term you might spend more replacing titanium bits, but it’ll take a while to reach this point. They can dissipate heat very quickly, even at top speeds. Range of coatings means you can use titanium drill bits for both hard and soft materials. As we said, neither of these drill bits is necessarily always going to be the best choice. Titanium … Also, cobalt has a higher melting point than steel. Instead, they have a metal core and a titanium coating. There isn’t really a single answer because it depends what you need from your drill bits. How to Use a Miter Saw – Everything You Need to Know to Get Started. Your email address will not be published. Although 8% cobalt drill bits will drill harder metals than 5% cobalt drill bits it is important to note that the additional cobalt … Of course, this is assuming that you have a bit of money to spend upfront. However, those who drill into metal often will need to replace their titanium bits, which can add up. Better heat resistance and durability than high speed steel bits. Cobalt bits have no coating at all, which differs from titanium drill bits. They do not have a coating, so there is no surface stripping when sharpening them. Once it gets thin enough, it won’t do its job correctly. If you work with a wide variety of materials, you probably want a set of cobalt bits. Titanium aluminum nitride – greater resistance and durability. However, there are subtle differences between them. This makes them extremely tough and able to go through the most rigid materials out there, like cast iron. 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). If you have the funds and the patience to sharpen drill bits by yourself, we recommend going with cobalt 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 … When you’re drilling metal with a metal bit, things are going to get hot. Remember they belong to the HSS drill bit class. But this coating will still wear off over time even without sharpening. Also, I recommend taking a look at my guide for how to sharpen drill bits. They are not made of pure cobalt, which we will discuss in-depth shortly. I’ve covered all the important information about titanium drill bits, but here’s a summary of the pros and cons for convenience. The material with which the drill bit is made is an essential point of difference. Both of these bits are designed to drill through metal, making them durable and tougher than most drill bits. One of the main advantages of cobalt bits is that you can sharpen them, allowing you to get more value for your money. However, this coating does wear down over time. Despite their primary use for metal, they can also be used for softer materials. They are very situational, and your choice will largely depend on what projects you’re doing. Cobalt bits are quite a bit more expensive than titanium ones. As you might imagine, this can cost you more money in the long run. Cobalt bits tend to be quite expensive. Titanium drill bits can drill through har… Cobalt bits was doped with 5 or 8 percent cobalt. Titanium nitride – high temperature resistance. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth over time. Yes, drill bits do not end with titanium and black oxide bits. This titanium is essential for preventing overheating, as we discuss below. You can use titanium bits on harder materials like cast iron, but over time you’ll notice the advantage of cobalt drill bits. So, what is high-speed steel? Because of this, you really can’t sharpen the titanium drill bits very much before they become unusable. Cobalt has many advantages that will be useful in the work. 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. One is not necessarily better than all the others, but they each have their pros and cons. They are best for professionals, though DIYers, with lots of projects, will appreciate them as well. 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. In this article I’ll look at the differences of cobalt and titanium drill bits, including their most suitable uses. Basically, it’s just another type of steel. Cobalt Drill Bit. These Drill Bits is unlike any cobalt drill bit and it composes of completely steel alloy with just a coating of Titanium. They cost you less up front and won’t wear down super quickly when put up against these softer materials. However, the melting point isn’t as high as cobalt, so they’re often not as durable. 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. Cobalt is the pricier of the two. Cobalt vs Titanium Drill Bits. Cobalt Drill Bits Just like titanium drill bits, cobalt drill bits are not made entirely of cobalt. Can’t be sharpened, meaning you’ll have to replace them once coating wears off. Instead, cobalt drill bits are generally made from high-speed steel which contains a certain percentage, usually 5% to 8% of cobalt. However, they are more durable and long-lasting than other options, including titanium. The differences start from the production of the bits. Cobalt vs Titanium Drill Bits – 2020 Review Learning proper use of tools is a handy investment. 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. The titanium alloy coating protects the steel core and keeps the bit sharper for longer. Here's a review and comparison of the Harbor Freight warrior machinist 115 piece drill index sets jobber lengths. Can I use cobalt drill bits with wood? That is just the nature of rubbing two pieces of metal together very quickly. While they’re initially cheaper, you’ll find you have to replace them more regularly than cobalt drill bits. Best Cobalt Drill Bit Set – Drill Hog. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While you can cobalt bits in softer materials, I wouldn’t recommend using on things such as wood or plastic. The cobalt generally makes up anywhere between 5% and 8% of the material used to produce the drill bit. 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. Titanium Drill Bits. Titanium Drill Bits Titanium drill bits are similar to cobalt drill bits. Titanium Drill Bit is a composition of high-speed steel along with Titanium. 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. Just like the cobalt drill bit, this drill bit isn’t made out of titanium only. In contrast, the cobalt bits are made of cobalt and steel alloy. The main advantage of titanium bits over high speed steel is their improved heat resistance and durability. There are also cobalt bits and high-speed bits. Sharpening them would therefore expose the steel core, rendering them nearly useless. 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. With harder materials, they will need more frequent sharpening, which can wear their coating down quickly. This can get quite expensive if you’re not careful. ; Cast iron: Choose a cobalt bit with a 135-degree flute. 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. This makes them a better choice for softer materials because you’ll get much more use from them. Most drill bits out there designed for tougher materials have some design feature that is made to dissipate heat. One thing to consider is that cobalt bits are quite brittle. Cobalt is particularly good at dissipating heat over the contact surface. 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. In my spare time, I'm either fishing, playing the guitar, or spending quality time with my beloved wife. However, these bits do not contain any cobalt. Harder materials wear the bit down faster by removing the coating faster. Less expensive than cobalt drill bits – good for home DIYers. Titanium drill bits are usually cheaper than cobalt bits. But if you’re working with softer materials more often, titanium drill bits will be the better option. But here, the component mixtures are a bit different. Cobalt and titanium drill bits are both expensive. However, they don’t last as long because the coating comes off over time. Drill bits can be classified in two viewpoints- the size and the materials. Cobalt vs. Titanium Drill Bits – Which to get? Basic Woodworking Tools – Essential Tools for the Budding Woodworker, Your email address will not be published. Cobalt Drill Bits Pricing. You can sharpen cobalt bits many times before they become unusable. twist bits: a $2.75 high-speed steel bit, a $6 “black oxide” bit, a $7 cobalt bit and a $9.50 titanium bit. You'll also often find me in my workshop working on some new project! Can be used in both hand and drill presses. Drill bits can also be made of carbide. The downside of this type of drill bit is that the cobalt and steel alloy coating makes it a bit brittle. Hardness. When the coating is completely gone, the bit would have lost much of its heat resistance. Only using them every now and then for at-home jobs it’ll take quite a while to wear down the coating. Healthyhandyman is reader-supported. Out of the three, cobalt drill bits are the hardest. Their better quality materials and ability to be sharpened means they’ll last you a lot longer than a standard HSS drill bit. Using drill press will save you a lot of time, efforts and help you to avoid bit … That said, they’re still more versatile than a standard HSS drill bit. This doesn’t really have anything to do with performance, but with price. It contains all the information you might need for a range of types. Titanium drill bits have a wide range of uses over standard HSS bits. While titanium is a pretty hard material, titanium drill bits are only coated with a thin layer of titanium nitride, which erodes quickly. Cobalt drill bits are designed for cutting through all sorts of metal, including stainless steel and cast iron. Titanium drill bits are similar to cobalt drill bits. You should save your cobalt drill bits for jobs where they out-perform less expensive alternatives. The downside to cobalt bits is that they tend to cost a bit more than their steel counterparts. © 2020 ToolToAction, All rights reserved. Although I’d always advise using coolant when drilling metal, it’ll always make them last longer. Titanium drill bits are usually coated with titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride, which are gold and bluish-gray in color, … They are less brittle then carbide tools but more brittle then HSS and you may break them if you’re not careful enough. Cobalt drill bits are a mix of metals plus either 5% cobalt (M35 drill bits) or 8% cobalt (M42 drill bits). While titanium drill bits wear more slowly, you can sharpen cobalt drill bits again and again. Importantly, a higher melting point means the cutting edge is more resistant to the heat generated by cutting. Unlike titanium drill bits, cobalt drill bits are not intended for … This coating protects the metal core from the heat and dissipates it along the surface. Both kits are jobber length, include a 1/2-inch twist drill, and come in a sturdy case. However, there are a few slight differences that set them apart from their Cobalt cousins – though both do look very similar at first. ... (titanium nitride, gold color) Can be run faster than uncoated drills and … So which is better, cobalt or titanium? Overall, cobalt bits offer greater versatility for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Hopefully this article has helped you narrow down your choice of the best drill bits for your job. If you need to drill a few holes, a titanium drill bit is likely sufficient. Cobalt bits. The 3 types are: Using a titanium coating increases surface hardness of the cutting edge as well as reducing friction and adding corrosion protection. And the advantage of titanium over cobalt is the initial price. This means, the bits work with high-speed drills and pin at top speeds while powering through hard materials like metals without losing their … I have a great passion for writing about everything related to tools, home improvement, and DIY. Various titanium alloys allow for different uses. If you’re just an everyday DIYer who needs a set of fairly resistant and versatile drill bits, titanium will be a good choice. Titanium drill bits are typically made from HHS steel with a titanium coating. Similar functionality to cobalt drill bits. This will happen much faster if you’re only using the bits on hard materials. This is the hardest and most fragile material used in bit production, and bits made from it should not be used in hand drills. The addition of the cobalt allows for the drilling of hardened metals and also stainless steel. Yes, you can, but it will be an overkill. Cobalt bits have a wide range of practical uses compared to standard HSS drill bits. They are just going to last longer and can be used with even the toughest materials. They have a short lifespan. Hi there! I consider one of the main disadvantages of titanium bits to be the fact that you can’t sharpen them. 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