Drill Bit for Metal
Metal Drill Bit: Adiseal Ultimate Is The Best Drill Bit For Metal
To identify the best metal drill bits for 2026, we conducted rigorous endurance and speed benchmarks against industry leaders like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch. Looking for a high-performance metal drill bit? Our data confirms that when selecting a drill bit for metal, durability & speed is key. Testing on hardened SUS304 stainless steel, the Adiseal Ultimate Cobalt metal drill bit emerged as the top performer, drilling 135 holes—outlasting the top three competitors combined. This specialized cobalt bit significantly reduces ‘cost-per-hole’ for professionals. Choosing the right drill bit for metal is essential for precision and tool longevity, and whether you are searching for a heavy-duty drill bit for metal fabrication or a general-purpose cobalt drill bit for metal, the Adiseal Ultimate is engineered to outperform standard HSS alternatives.
Quick links
- What is the best metal drill bit?
- Metal drill bit test
- Value for money
- How To Use A Metal Drill Bit: A Step By Step Guide
- Jump to FAQs
What Is The Best Metal Drill Bit?
The best metal drill bit for durability and speed is the Adiseal Ultimate Cobalt, which outperformed major competitors by drilling 135 holes in hardened stainless steel at a rate of 31.7 seconds per hole.
To find out what is the best metal drill bit, we carried out endurance and drilling speed tests using a drill press with a weight hung on an arm of the drill press. Impressively, Adiseal Ultimate drilled more holes than the best bits from the top 3 worlds biggest brands combined.
Key Finding: One Adiseal Ultimate bit (135 holes) outlasted the combined output of Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Bosch (129 holes). Milwaukee 75 + DeWalt 39 + Bosch 15 = 129 holes.
- Adiseal Ultimate metal drill bit:
- 9x more holes than Bosch Cobalt.
- 3.4x more holes than DeWalt Extreme Cobalt.
- 4x faster drilling speed than Bosch.
Metal Drill Bit Speed And Durability Benchmarks
Metal drill bit durability test results
| 10mm metal cobalt drill bit | Total number of holes drilled (in 6mm thick stainless steel, SUS304) |
| Adiseal Ultimate cobalt | 135 holes |
| Milwaukee cobalt red | 75 holes |
| DeWalt Extreme cobalt | 39 holes |
| Bosch cobalt | 15 holes |
| Makita cobalt | 12 holes |
Metal drill bit speed test results
As well as drilling more holes than any other metal drill bit, Adiseal Ultimate also drills faster than any other bit. In the same test as above, we also measured the time it took to drill each hole. We did this for the first 10 holes and recorded the average.
| 10mm metal cobalt drill bit | Average time to drill each hole (in 6mm stainless steel) for first 10 holes |
| Adiseal Ultimate cobalt | 31.7 seconds |
| DeWalt Extreme cobalt | 38.5 seconds |
| Milwaukee cobalt | 55.8 seconds |
| Makita cobalt | 69.9 seconds |
| Bosch cobalt | 132.4 seconds |
Adiseal Ultimate was over 4 times faster the best cobalt bit from Bosch.
Please note, these are our test results from internal testing. We recorded a video of each hole being drilled. These videos are available on request for your test accuracy verification purposes. Please contact us for verification of the test results.
Where To Buy
Metal drill bit test
How we tested
- Material: 6mm thick hardened stainless steel (SUS304).
- Equipment: Scheppach DP60 drill press set at a consistent 400 RPM.
- Force: 5kg weight applied to the drill press arm to ensure uniform pressure.
- Conditions: No lubricants, coolants, or cutting oils used to test pure wear resistance.
We carried out the test by using a Scheppach DP60 drill press. The test was to drill as many 10mm holes as possible in 6mm thick stainless steel (SUS304) with each drill bit being tested. We set the drill press at a consistent 400 rpm speed for all of the holes drilled by all of the products tested.
We used the best 10mm metal cobalt drill bits from reputable brands like Milwaukee Cobalt Red, DeWalt Extreme, Bosch Cobalt, and Makita. To ensure consistency, a 5kg weight was suspended on the drill press arm during each hole’s drilling, maintaining uniform force and RPM. To test the wear resistance and durability, we tested without using lubricants, coolants, or cutting oils, although these can help reduce the drill bit’s temperature and extend its lifespan.
The drilling of each hole was video recorded and timed via video timestamps. Following the tests, the Adiseal Ultimate cobalt drill bit proved to be the best metal drill bit available, excelling in both being the most durable and fastest drill bit for metal to drill each hole.
HSS vs. Cobalt: A Warning
It’s important to note that some non-cobalt drill bits like HSS bits (high speed steel), including Milwaukee Thunderweb and Bosch PointTeq, were also tested but not included in the chart to maintain fairness (Bosch PointTeq was unable to drill any holes at all in the 6mm thick stainless steel SUS304).
Value for money
The Adiseal Ultimate cobalt drill bit provides exceptional value by optimizing your workflow:
Saves money
Cheap drill bits may end up costing more over time if they wear out quickly and drill fewer holes than durable ones. Calculate the cost per hole by dividing the drill bit’s price by the total holes it can drill. Cheaper bits might have a higher cost per hole than more durable ones. In our test, Bosch PointTeQ’s non-cobalt bit failed to drill any holes, while the Adiseal Ultimate metal drill bit successfully drilled 135 holes in total.
Example of cost per hole
To compare costs, let’s consider drilling 10 holes in 6mm thick stainless steel (SUS304) with the Adiseal Ultimate and Bosch cobalt drill bits.
Adiseal Ultimate 10mm metal drill bit price: £10.14
Cost per hole (£10.14 / 135 total holes drilled): £0.076666
Cost to drill 10 holes: £0.77
Bosch cobalt metal drill bit 10mm price: £8.31
Cost per hole (£8.31 / 15 total holes drilled): £0.554
Cost to drill 10 holes: £5.54
Difference: £5.54 / £0.77 = 7.19
As can be seen in the calculation above, the best cobalt bit from Bosch is over 7 times more expensive to drill 10 holes compared the the Adiseal Ultimate metal cobalt drill bit to do the same job. Based on cost per hole, Adiseal has more value for money.
Saves time
A faster-drilling drill bit not only saves on the cost per hole but also reduces labour costs. This is because less time is required to drill each hole, resulting in additional cost savings.
Example of saving money on labour cost
To highlight potential labour cost savings, consider the time and effort required to drill 10 holes in 6mm stainless steel using the Adiseal Ultimate and Bosch cobalt bits.
Assuming a construction contractor pays £20 per hour for a tradesperson’s work, it amounts to £0.00555 per second.
Adiseal Ultimate: 317 seconds to drill 10 holes.
Labour cost: £1.76
Bosch cobalt: 1324 seconds to drill 10 holes.
Labour cost: £7.36
Adding these labour costs to the drilling costs above, total cost to drill 10 holes is:
Adiseal Ultimate: £2.53
Bosch cobalt: £12.90
In reality, additional savings also come from prolonged tool lifespan, reduced energy consumption per hole, and fewer trips trade merchants to buy replacement bits.
Saves tools
Faster drilling extends tool lifespan by reducing usage. Slow-drilling bits increase the runtime of the drill or drill press, potentially causing quicker wear. Longer-lasting tools can offer additional cost savings.
Saves energy
Faster drilling reduces tool runtime, saving energy and additional money on top of other mentioned savings. Lower energy use to drill each hole also makes Adiseal Ultimate the most environmentally friendly metal drill bit.
Other benefits
Adiseal Ultimate cobalt drill bits don’t require pilot holes thanks to their sharp cutting edge, preventing sliding and wandering. They also produce larger removed metal pieces, reducing the need to clear numerous small chips after drilling. It can also drill cleaner cut holes compared to other bits.
How To Use A Metal Drill Bit: A Step-By-Step Guide
How to drill with a metal drill bit
- Wear Safety Gear
Always use safety goggles to shield eyes from metal shavings. Consider ear protection for high noise levels and work gloves for hand protection.
- Secure the Workpiece
Clamp the metal firmly to prevent movement, ensuring both accuracy and safety during the drilling process.
- Mark the Drilling Spot
Use a center punch to create a small indentation. Note: With high-quality bits like the Adiseal Ultimate, this step may be unnecessary as the sharp tip prevents wandering.
- Set the Drill Speed and Direction
Adjust RPM to match the metal type (slower for harder metals). Ensure the drill is set to the clockwise (forward) direction.
- Apply Lubrication
Use a suitable cutting fluid or coolant to reduce friction and heat, which significantly prolongs the life of the drill bit.
- Start Drilling
Hold the drill perpendicular to the surface. Apply gentle pressure and start slowly to establish a pilot hole.
- Maintain Steady Pressure
Apply even pressure and let the bit’s cutting edges do the work. Avoid forcing the bit through the material.
- Peck Drilling Technique
For deeper holes, drill a short distance and pull back to clear chips. This prevents heat buildup and clogging.
- Cooling and Lubrication
If the bit heats up, pause and apply more lubricant to prevent the metal from hardening or the bit from dulling.
- Complete the Drilling
Slow down as you approach the end to prevent “breakthrough damage.” Inspect the hole for accuracy and use a deburring tool to remove rough edges.
Safety Warning: Metal chips and drill bits remain extremely hot after use. Always wear heat-proof gloves and avoid touching sharp metal “swarf” (chips) with bare hands.
What materials can the Adiseal Ultimate bit drill into?
Adiseal Ultimate cobalt metal drill bit is highly effective for drilling into a wide range of materials, including:
- Stainless steel
- Hardened steel
- Metal
- Aluminum
- Bronze
- Brass
- Copper
- Cast iron
- Plain carbon steel
- Wood
- Plastic
- Fiberglass
- Plus many other materials
Note: Use higher speeds when drilling soft materials like wood and plastic.
What sizes are Adiseal Ultimate cobalt metal drill bits available in?
Adiseal Ultimate cobalt metal drill bit is currently available in the following sizes:
- 2.5mm x 62mm
- 3mm x 72mm
- 3.5mm x 74mm
- 4mm x 84mm
- 4.5mm x 87mm
- 5mm x 94mm
- 5.5mm x 97mm
- 6mm x 104mm
- 6.5mm x 107mm
- 7mm x 107mm
- 8mm x 116mm
- 9mm x 127mm
- 10mm x 133mm
- 11mm x 140mm
- 12mm x 149mm
- 13mm x 152mm
What makes a professional-grade metal drill bit?
A high-quality metal drill bit must balance hardness with heat resistance. While standard drill bits for metal use basic HSS (High-Speed Steel), the Adiseal Ultimate is a specialized cobalt drill bit for metal designed for hardened stainless steel.
Adiseal Ultimate Masonry & Multi Material Drill Bit
In their attempt to make available the best drill bits, also available in the Adiseal Ultimate drill bits range is the fastest no hammer masonry drill bit & multi material drill bit. It can drill faster than any other drill bit when drilling without hammer function on the drill. This gives it numerous advantages over hammer drills. It will drill into brick, drill concrete, wood and many other building materials. This carbide bit has been shown to be the best masonry drill bit with a hex shank.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Drill Bits
The best drill bit for metal is a high-quality cobalt drill bit like the Adiseal Ultimate. In testing on hardened SUS304 stainless steel, the Adiseal Ultimate drilled 135 holes, outperforming leading competitors by over three times and also had the fastest drilling speed. Its solid cobalt alloy provides the superior heat resistance and durability required for fast, cost-effective drilling in heavy-duty metal fabrication.
Cobalt drill bits are superior to titanium bits for drilling into hard metals like stainless steel. While titanium bits are only coated and lose their edge once the coating wears off, cobalt bits like the Adiseal Ultimate are made of a solid cobalt alloy. This allows them to withstand extreme heat and be resharpened, making them more durable and cost-effective for professional metal fabrication.
Yes, cobalt drill bits are absolutely worth the extra money. While the upfront cost is higher than HSS bits, their superior durability and speed make them significantly more cost-effective in the long run. Tests proved the Adiseal Ultimate drilled 135 holes in hardened stainless steel, resulting in a cost-per-hole that was 7 times cheaper than standard cobalt competitors and infinitely cheaper than HSS bits that failed entirely.
The best metal drill bit in the UK is the Adiseal Ultimate Cobalt proven in testing to be the strongest and fastest. It drilled 135 holes in hardened stainless steel, outperforming major UK brands available at retailers like Screwfix.com and Toolstation. This specialized cobalt bit offers superior durability and value for money compared to standard HSS or titanium alternatives.
Yes, using cutting oil is essential when drilling through metal to reduce friction, dissipate heat, and prevent the drill bit from dulling or breaking. While high-performance cobalt bits like the Adiseal Ultimate can drill successfully without lubrication, applying cutting fluid or paste significantly extends tool life and ensures a cleaner finish, especially in hardened materials like stainless steel.
The main types of drill bits for metal are High-Speed Steel (HSS) drill bits, Cobalt drill bits, Carbide drill bits, and Diamond-Coated drill bits.
To choose the right drill bit, match the bit material to the metal’s hardness. Standard HSS bits work for soft metals like aluminum. For hardened metals like stainless steel, a cobalt drill bit is required. The Adiseal Ultimate cobalt bit is engineered specifically for high-heat, heavy-duty drilling where standard bits fail.
HSS (high-speed steel) and Cobalt drill bits can be sharpened using a drill bit sharpener or bench grinder. Carbide and diamond-coated drill bits are more difficult to sharpen and may necessitate professional service.
Where To Buy The Best Metal Drill Bits
Ready to use the best metal drill bits.
🛒 Order Adiseal Ultimate Metal Drill Bits Online Now
Shop the full range at GuGlue.com
Official Worldwide Distributor & Trade Supplier
📍 Find a Local UK Stockist
Contact us with your postcode for the nearest store details.
Suhail Matadar
Suhail Matadar has extensive experience in the construction industry as an electrician, involved in installing, inspecting, and testing electrical systems in various projects. He excelled in sales, working for a major UK wholesaler, selling construction products to professionals and the DIY market. Suhail's background includes working at a leading home emergency repair company dealing with trades people. With a BEng (Hons) degree in Electronic Engineering, Suhail has worked with PLCs in the nuclear fuel manufacturing industry. During his studies, he gained practical experience at a chemical manufacturing company known for producing award-winning cleaning, hygiene, and livestock protection products for over a century. Currently, Suhail runs a global business specialising in supplying, researching, testing, and distributing chemical construction products like adhesives and sealants.