Performance similar to solid carbide but at a lower price point. Like carbide bits, these are stronger than cobalt and high-speed steel and maintain their sharp edges when drilling abrasive material. However, when drilling tough metals like iron and hardened steel, upgrade to carbide for longer life.

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.

Wear and heat resistant, these stay sharp longer than precise-cut bits made of plain steel. The sharp center point keeps the bit from wandering during drilling to cut accurate straight and overlapping holes, even across the grain. Also known as brad-point bits.

Excellent for challenging metals such as stainless steel and nickel alloys, these bits cut aggressively and evacuate chips quickly. The grooved flutes prevent clogs and improve coolant flow to dissipate heat that can damage the bit or your material. Bits are made of tough and wear-resistant cobalt steel.

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.

Avoid clogs and dissipate heat with cobalt bits that last at least twice as long as high-speed steel. The flutes clear chips to improve coolant flow and prevent damage to the bit and the hole. They also speed up drilling since you don't have to stop to clear the bit manually.

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.