Tough and wear resistant, cobalt steel bits last at least twice as long as high-speed steel. They can also run up to 25% faster at higher temperatures without being damaged on hard materials, such as nickel.

The flutes spiral in the opposite direction of other bits and stay sharp longer than high-speed steel. They’re primarily used to remove stripped screws. Choose a bit that’s slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw’s head. Set your power tool to rotate in reverse. Slowly drill in the center of the screw head, maintaining constant pressure. As the bit penetrates, it will catch onto the screw and reverse it out of the hole. If the screw is badly stripped, you might need to punch a starter hole. Also known as reverse-flute bits.

With flutes that lift chips out of the hole, you don't have to stop drilling to clear these bits manually. They improve coolant flow to dissipate heat and prevent clogs that can damage the bit and ruin the hole. High-speed steel is good for general purpose drilling in most metals.

The rigidity of short-length bits without sacrificing reach. The shallow drilling depth makes these less likely to wobble than other bits of the same length, so they stay centered and drill straighter. High-speed steel is good for general purpose drilling in most metals.

Straight flutes withstand the heavy pressure needed to penetrate hardened steel. These bits cut more aggressively and resist stress better than spiral-flute bits. A lower-priced alternative to solid carbide, they stay sharp when drilling abrasive material but won’t last as long.

The hardest and most wear-resistant bits for sheet metal and thin-wall tubing. They have short flutes that make shallow cuts without snagging and deforming the material. Carbide stays sharp at high temperatures and faster speeds than high-speed steel. It can be brittle, however, so these bits require a rigid machine tool holder to prevent breakage and should not be used in hand drilling applications.

With flutes that spiral in the opposite direction of other bits, these are primarily used to remove stripped screws. Choose a bit that’s slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw’s head. Set your power tool to rotate in reverse. Slowly drill in the center of the screw head, maintaining constant pressure. As the bit penetrates, it will catch onto the screw and reverse it out of the hole. If the screw is badly stripped, you might need to punch a starter hole. Also known as reverse-flute bits. High-speed steel is the versatile choice for drilling most metals.

These bits combine the toughness and wear resistance of cobalt with short flutes for rigidity. The shallow drilling depth makes them less likely to wobble than other bits of the same length, so they stay centered and drill straighter. Cobalt lasts at least twice as long as high-speed steel. It can also run up to 25% faster at higher temperatures without damaging the bit on hard materials such as nickel.

Cut clean holes in abrasive material without fraying or delaminating the surface. Made of carbide, these bits resist wear to retain a sharp edge, even after after hundreds of cuts.

Designed for soft metals that can gum up other drill bits, wide flutes lift chips out of the hole. This prevents clogs that can weaken and damage the bit and ruin the hole. Also known as slow spiral bits, these are made of versatile high-speed steel.