High-Speed Steel (HSS)
High-speed twist bits are effectively a universal type of drill bit, and most types of HSS twist bits will be suitable for general drilling work.
HSS twist bits are a requirement for drilling through various sorts of metallic work pieces and surfaces, as they are formulated to withstand the higher temperatures generated through the increased friction involved in drilling metal without losing hardness (temper)
Carbon Steel
Conversely, if you are only going to be drilling through wood, you can instead opt for a carbon steel twist drill bit.
Carbon steel twist bits tend to be less flexible and more prone to breaking under higher torque forces and temperatures than HSS versions, but drilling most types of wood and composite lumber materials is unlikely to cause this issue.
Although more brittle and less robust than HSS bits, especially under higher working temperatures, carbon steel twist drill bits can prove a more cost-effective option for exclusively wood-based drilling applications.
Other excellent options for increased hardness and drilling speeds include both carbide-tipped and cobalt steel. However, it's worth noting that very hard cobalt steel bits, in particular, require a degree of skill to use economically as they are relatively brittle and can be prone to breaking with indelicate treatment.
Post time: Apr-11-2023
