

Due to the heat generated, it is typical to spray water onto the cutting point, in order to prevent damage to it.įor your reference, some of the other types of drill bits available are: These bits are used for cutting tile, stone, and other very hard materials. Diamond powder – This is the hardest bit coating, creating an abrasive bit rather than a cutting bit.Titanium carbon nitride (TiCN) – Like TiAIN, can extend the drill bit’s life up to five times.Titanium aluminum nitride (TiAIN) – Is considered superior to TiN, with the ability to extend a drill bit’s life up to five times.When used to coat a high-speed steel bit, it prolongs the life by two or three times. Titanium nitride (TiN) – A hard ceramic material.This provides for heat resistance, lubricity, and corrosion resistance. Black oxide – The least expensive of coatings.These drill bits cannot be sharpened as the process of sharpening will remove the coating on the sharpened cutting edge: In addition to the materials that the drill bit is made of, many manufacturers coat their drill bits with various materials, providing reduced friction or wear. These are the hardest bits, able to cut anything but they are very expensive, generally used only in industry, where taking the time to replace a drill bit might delay a production line. Polycrystalline diamond – This is a man-made diamond, sintered to carbide support.Since it is expensive and very brittle, it is normally just welded to the tip of the drill bit, creating the cutting edge. Tungsten carbide (typically called just carbide) is an extremely hard material that can cut in just about anything.This allows them to withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees. Cobalt steel alloys – These are variations on high-speed steel that contain more cobalt.It’s much more resistant to heat than high carbon steel. High-speed steel – This is a special steel alloy, formulated for drill bits and other cutting tools.If overheated, they will lose their temper immediately and become dull.

High carbon steel – These can be honed sharper and hold an edge much longer than low carbon.Low carbon steel – Although fine for working in wood and plastic, it won’t hold an edge long for metal.This is specifically dealing with drill bits that are used to cut metals. Manufacturers have experimented with materials, in order to create drill bits that will last longer.

If you don’t have an actual cutting oil, any light mineral oil will work.
