If you have a combi drill, or any type of drill for that matter, you will know the amount of jobs that they are able to complete. You can pretty much rely on them for any job around your home, in your garden, or for professional jobs too! However, the same cannot be said for drill bits! The types of drill bits that you are going to need will change for a variety of different reasons including the type of material that you are working with, the thickness of that material and the overall job that you are trying to complete!
The same drill bit that you need to drill into concrete or stone is never going to be the same one that you need for cutting into wood, or even glass or metal. You can always try “getting away” with using the same drill bit but you risk damaging the material, the drill and a really low quality finish on the job that you are completing! The best way to avoid this is to purchase a drill bit set! The best drill bit sets will include a wide variety of drill bits that are suited to a range of different jobs so that you are never left trying to make do!
There are lots of different drill bit sets out there, ones that are designed for general use, use on wood, building works and more. You also need to consider the extras that come with your drill bits, such as a case to keep them all safe and organised! We have compiled all the information that you are going to need and found some of the best drill bit sets, so that you don’t have to!
Only got 5 minutes
You own a drill. Chances are you’re going to need more than one drill bit. Agreed? The easiest, most cost-effective way of making sure you’ve got a drill bit suited to the task in hand is to invest in a decent drill bit set. For small sets with around 4-5 pieces, up to sets which contain 100+ drill bits, you can be sure you’ll find a set that gives you enough variety, without wasting your money on drill bits you’re never going to use.
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Choosing the best drill bit set
The world of drill bits is rather complex and can be a little overwhelming for us DIY novices, but leave the more technical jargon to the professionals. If you’re clear on the basics and take the time to shop around and compare a few different drill bit sets to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your money, then you’ve done what you need to do.
The three main points you need to be clear on before starting to shop are:
- The material(s) you’ll be drilling
- The type of hole(s) you’ll be drilling
- The size of the hole(s) you’ll be drilling
Once you’re clear on the above, you can make a decision on what material you want your drill bits to be made of. Many different materials are used for drill bits with the most common choice being HSS (High-Speed Steel), which can drill holes in a variety of materials and, depending on the material being drilled, can be combined with other materials if needed, such as carbide, titanium or cobalt, to strengthen the drill bit for drilling holes in really dense masonry and hard metals.
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The most common drill bit materials:
| Material | Use |
| Soft low-carbon steel | Inexpensive, used for drilling wood, not particularly hard-wearing |
| High-carbon steel bits | More durable than low-carbon steel, can be used on wood or metal |
| High-speed steel (HSS) | Most-common material of drill bit, durable, more resistant to heat than high-carbon steel, can be used to drill the majority of materials including metal and wood, impressive cutting speed, easy to sharpen |
| Cobalt steel alloys | A variation on HSS that contains more cobalt used to drill stainless steel, aluminium and other hard materials, durable, pricey but widely regarded as being the best drill bit |
| Chrome vanadium steel | Resists corrosion the chrome/vanadium combination creates a harder metal than HSS. Stays sharper for longer than HSS |
| Tungsten carbide and other carbides | Exceptionally hard (tough ceramic) Can drill virtually all materials, expensive – normally found on top-quality masonry, tile, and glass drill bits, more brittle than steel drill bits and so is mainly used for drill-bit tips |
Once you’ve figured out which material of drill bit is best suited to you and your DIY plans, choosing the best drill bit set becomes much easier as you’ll be able to narrow down your search considerably. In terms of the size of your drill bit set (how many pieces), generally, the more ambitious your DIY projects are, the bigger the set you’ll need to purchase as you’re likely to need a variety of drill bits to hand, in a variety of sizes, capable of drilling into a variety of materials. Of course, there’s always the option to add to your drill bit set further down the line – adding more specialist drill bits – but a decent-sized combination drill bit set should be sufficient for the majority of DIY household tasks.
Desirable features
The higher your budget, the more swanky your drill bit set and case is likely to be. If you’re looking at around the £30+ mark, you’re likely to get a good number of drill bit pieces, made from good quality HSS, with a range of accessories and features, all designed and included with the aim of making your drill bit set easier to use:
- Magnetic bit holder
- Durable, waterproof, lightweight storage case
- Transparent case cover
- Roll mat keeps drill bits and accessories safely stored and easily accessible
- Screwdriver bits to fit most common screw types
- Ratchet and sockets
- Hex key set for loosening and tightening of nuts, bolts and screws
- Duplicates of the most commonly used drill bits
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An overview of drill bits
Drill bits are to drills what hammers are to nails: you can’t achieve much without them! Depending on the material you want to drill, there’ll be a drill bit specifically designed for that purpose. Metal, stone and even glass can all be drilled with the use of specially designed drill bits. There’s a big difference between the drill bill that results in a perfectly round and smooth hole drilled in ceramic for holding a soap tray, compared to a rough-and-ready hole drilled in the wooden frame of a garden shed. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a set that has a variety of drill bits, which are suitable for a range of different scenarios. Having the best drill bit is crucial to the successful outcome of any DIY project.
Choosing a set
When it comes to choosing a drill bit set you’re faced with two options – buying a drill bit set that contains the same type of drill bit in various sizes or choosing a combination drill bit set which is often the preferred option for DIY enthusiasts as they contain wood, steel, and masonry drill bits, all in the same case.
The different types of drill bits
There are so many drill bits out there to choose from but there’s no need to overcomplicate your search if all you’re looking for is a general-purpose drill bit set. Most sets, which class themselves as combination sets, will include the most common types:
- Step bit: ideal for drilling thin metals and wood; the stepped design allows holes of different diameters to be drilled using just the one drill bit.
- Wood drill bit with a ‘brad-point’ – the fine point enables you to drill more precisely; also commonly used for drilling plasterboard.
- Flat/spade drill bit: used for drilling large holes in wood.
- Tile & glass drill bit: used to drill bathroom and kitchen tiling with minimal risk of cracking due to the carbide tip.
- Masonry drill bit for drilling into brick, cement, concrete or plasterboard; you’d need to use this kind of drill bit with a wall plug.
Some types of drill bit will be more relevant to you than others, so decide which ones you’re most likely to use and these will be the priority when it comes to choosing your set.
Drill bit coatings
The important thing with any coated drill bit is the thickness of the coating. Buying from a reputable brand will normally ensure you get a drill bit set with a decent thickness, however, the downside of buying a cheap drill bit set is that often the coatings are thin, and so aren’t particularly hard-wearing, meaning the coating will soon wear away, exposing the core metal.
Three main types of drill bit coating:
| Black-oxide | Titanium-coated | Diamond-coated |
| Resists corrosion DurablePopular choice for both domestic and professional use | Resists corrosion DurablePopular choice for both domestic and professional use, gold in colour | Used for drilling glass and making large holes in masonry |
Drill bit sizes
The best drill bit sets will offer drill bits with a range of diameters:
| Drill bit type | Commonly used for | Common size range |
| Standard twist drill bit | Small holes in wood, plastic, some metals | 0.8 – 12mm |
| Masonry drill bit | Brick, stone, concrete, masonry | 4-16mm |
| Bullet pilot point drill bit | Drilling clean holes with minimal breakthrough damage | 1.5 – 13mm |
| Spade drill bit | Large holes in wood | ¼’’ to 1½’’ |
| Hole saw drill bit | Large holes in wood and light metal | ½‘’ to 6’’ |
| Adjustable wood drill bit | Drilling multi-diameter holes | ¾‘’ to 3’’ |
Compatibility
When choosing your drill bit set it’s important to check whether the set you’re going for is compatible with your type/brand of drill. Some drill bit sets will be universal fitment, meaning they’re compatible with the majority of drill chucks (the part of the drill that the drill bit fits into), whereas more specialist drill bits may only work with particular brands or types of drill, so it’s important to check this before clicking the all-important ‘Buy Now’ button.
Cost
With so many options of drill bit sets out there on the market, it can make the process of finding the ideal set a little overwhelming but, as drill bits as used for such demanding work, it’s worth bearing in mind that buying cheap may well result in you buying twice, particularly if you plan on drilling steel and masonry – cheap, poor-quality drill bits just simply won’t be up to the job. Stick with a reputable brand that you trust; check the reviews and buy the drill bit set that is best suited to you and your drilling needs. You can pick up a basic drill bit set for around £10 which can contain anything from around 5-40 drill bits. At the top-end, you can expect to pay anything up to around £100 for a larger, branded, good quality drill bit set, which is likely to come with some extra accessories.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best drill bit set for drilling metal?
Cobalt drill bits are the best choice for drilling holes in stainless steel and harder metals because they are stronger than HSS bits; this is usually reflected in the price. Copper in colour, cobalt drill bits also stay cooler than HSS bits, which makes them a better option for drilling hard metal.
What is the best type of case for my drill bit set?
The best drill bit sets are normally contained in a durable plastic case, which is both hardwearing and water-resistant. Inside, a magnetic bit holder is great for keeping drill bits organised and secure. A transparent front/lid means you have a clear view of your drill bits and a lightweight case means your drill bit set is easily portable.
What accessories will I get with a drill bit set?
The best drill bit sets will come with at least a few accessories to help you get going with your drill bit set. Obviously, the higher your budget, the more accessories you’re likely to get. The most common accessories included with a decent drill bit set are an arbor adaptor; bit driver; centre punch; and a countersink.
Can you use any brand of drill bit set with any brand of drill?
Yes! All good quality drills (and drill bits) will be compatible with all different models. The only thing that you need to check is whether they are actually the correct size and design to work together, but this comes down more to the jobs that they are designed for rather than the actual make and model! For example, some drill bits come in at 3/8″ whereas others are 1/2″ inch, and different drills are designed to work with different sizes.
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