For any drilling application, choosing the right bit can make all the difference between a clean, precise cut and a low-quality finish that leads to many challenges. Drill bits come in many different forms and include various coatings, which all affect their performance for certain applications and materials. Now, it may be easy to think that the thin outer layer of the drill bit, known as its coating, doesn’t change much when using them, but it does. The reason why coatings are put onto drill bits is to improve their performance, and each coating is designed to face different challenges, materials and applications. This means that using the wrong drill bit coating can lead to a lower quality finish, difficulties during drilling, and even wearing of the bit, as the coating helps to make it last longer. Coatings basically improve durability, reduce heat, provide longevity and tailor performance to the materials you need to work with.
At Rennie Tool Company, we understand how important it is to choose the right coated drill bits for the job, since they make such a huge difference, and each offers something unique to your project. This is why we’ve created this guide to show you the importance of the coatings, the types you can get and how to choose the best option for your project.
The Importance of Coated Drill Bits
Coated drill bits are extremely important because the coatings serve a purpose for every application. They’re not just a cosmetic feature of a bit, but they’re also engineered layers that help to improve the performance of the bit. This gives you better hardness to offer you a sharper edge for longer, which means that the bit lasts a lot longer than uncoated ones and can be used repeatedly for all types of applications. Due to this, you can rely on coated drill bits to offer you unmatched durability and a long-life span, so you don’t have to constantly replace your bits after use. You can use them over and over for tough materials and heavy applications, without affecting the performance of the bit and the quality of the results – all while preventing breakages.
Another reason why these types of drill bits are important is that the coating significantly reduces the friction when drilling. This means that every cut and hole you make is done much more easily and smoothly to provide you with high-quality finishes. With less friction, it also means that the drill bits help to reduce heat buildup when in use. Heat can easily build up during drilling, which can cause warping and premature wear. So, coated drill bits stop this from happening to ensure that every application in any material is done to a high standard, breakages and faults are prevented, and the bit itself lasts a whole lot longer.
The Main Types of Coatings to Choose From
There are many different types of coatings for drill bits to choose from, which can make it difficult to know which coating you need for the job. Each coating offers something unique and can handle a variety of materials, allowing you to carry out specific tasks for your project. They can aid you in any project and industry, making them reliable for all tradespeople to do flawless work to the highest possible standards. To help you understand which coating is best for the job, we’ve outlined the main types you can choose from.
Diamond Coated Drill Bit
A diamond coated drill bit is a tool that’s perfect for tough materials. The coating is made from bonding together tiny industrial diamonds to the surface of the bit. This provides an exceptionally tough tool that offers flawless performance for many different materials. You can gain unparalleled versatility with this drill bit, from making holes in a circular cross-section to removing materials. Each drill bit is extremely difficult to break, so it lasts for years to come, giving you a tool you can rely on time and time again. Diamond coated drill bits can make smooth and tidy holes in all sorts of surfaces and can be used to fix heating and plumbing pipes, floor-mounted fixtures, electrical outlets, and even drill holes in porcelain tiles or glass. This bit is ideal for more precise and heavy-duty work.
Titanium Coated Drill Bits
Titanium coated drill bits are a very popular option for many tradespeople due to their ability to cover a wide range of applications. These can work with various materials and offer a stronger performance. It’s made with titanium nitride (TiN) that strengthens the quality of the bit and helps it make clean cuts with less resistance. TiN-coated drill bits provide you with premium quality that’s perfect for drilling alloyed and non-alloyed steel and non-ferrous aluminium, plastic/hard plastic, wood and cast iron. So, if you’re working with softer materials, this is the coating you need.
Solid Carbide Drill Bit
Solid carbide bits are harder, stronger and than HSS drill bits, while still retaining a sharp and hard edge, even at high temperatures! These are perfect to use on abrasive materials for heavy-duty projects as they deliver unmatched toughness. They are some of the longest-lasting options available for you to rely on application after application.
As well as solid carbide, you can also get tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) drill bits. These offer unparalleled strength and are designed specifically for heavy-duty use, such as working with masonry, brick and stone. They provide a precise and clean finish for your projects and can easily drill through tough surfaces without breaking.
Advantages of Each Type of Coated Drill Bits
Each type of coated drill bit offers its own unique advantages for a wide range of applications. This means that each type of coating can be used for different applications and materials, which is why knowing the benefits of each can help you decide the best coating for your project.
Diamond Coated Drill Bits
- Unparalleled durability and wear resistance.
- Great to use for materials like glass, ceramic, very hard composites, tile and stone.
- Providing clean and accurate holes even in tough materials.
TiN Coated Drill Bits
- Exceptional hardness and reduced wear.
- Long life span that allows you to use them frequently without losing their sharpness.
- Improved heat-resistance over standard steel bits to withstand high temperatures and heavy-duty use.
Solid Carbide Drill Bits
- Can handle high-speed drilling with ease and without becoming dull.
- Excellent performance for abrasive and dense materials.
- Unmatched edge retention and wear resistance.
The Best Coating for Popular Materials
A huge part of finding the right drill bit coating for your project is knowing which one’s best to use for the materials you’re working with. Each type works well with different materials, so it’s key to use the right one for the material you’re working with. Otherwise, you will get a lower quality result, difficulties when drilling and even wear or breakages.
Best Drill Bits for Metal
The best drill bits for metal are typically HSS Cobalt, titanium coated bits or solid carbide drill bits. This is because both coatings offer strong heat resistance and edge retention to easily cut through all types of metal.
Best Drill Bits for Stainless Steel
When looking for the best drill bits for stainless steel, you need a bit that can work at high speeds with ease and that gives you maximum bit strength for quality finishes. Due to this, both carbide and high-quality HSS cobalt drill bits are the best choice when working with this material.
Best Drill Bits for Steel
As both cobalt and solid carbide drill bits are great for stainless steel and metal, they’re also the best drill bits for steel. Which one you use depends on the thickness of the steel and the type of application you need to do. Cobalt bits are best for everyday steel drilling, while carbide options are best for heavy-duty and high-wear applications.
Best Drill Bits for Concrete
The best drill bits for concrete are either TCT tipped or diamond tipped drill bits. Concrete is an extremely tough and abrasive material that provides many challenges when working with it. These drill bits are designed for heavy-duty applications and constant use on tough surfaces. Both TCT tipped and diamond tipped are made especially for concrete, diamond is made to give unmatched hardness and cutting capabilities.
Find the Perfect Coated Drill Bits for Your Next Project
Choosing the right drill bits is the key to creating exceptional quality results and flawless finishes. If you use the wrong drill bit, you can struggle to carry out your application, face frequent breakages of the bit and produce lower quality holes. Whether you’re drilling metal, wood, concrete or stainless steel, using the right drill bit can significantly improve efficiency and provide you with a longer tool life.
Take a look at Rennie Tool Company’s collections of carbide coated, TiN coated and diamond coated drill bits for high-quality tools that are tailored to your application. We stock the best drill bits to give you unbeatable durability and expert engineering. Contact us on 0161 4779577 to discuss your needs and place your order.