Best Drill Bits For Drilling Out Locks? All Answers

We’ve already written our opinion on the best drill bits overall – for wood, metal, concrete and more. In this go-around, we set out to identify the best drill bits for metal applications. These include hardened steel, stainless steel, aluminum and more. We even wanted to see which drill bits are good for drilling out hardened bolts like you might find in an engine block. People also ask us about bits that handle drilling through rebar. These are the bits we are addressing and should point you in the right direction.

Best drill bits for hardened metal or steel

The best drills for hardened metal or steel are clearly equipped with a cobalt mixture. These cobalt drill bits use an alloy with 5-8% cobalt. This cobalt makes up part of the steel mix, so the bit’s hardness doesn’t wear off with a coating (like titanium bits do). It runs throughout the bit.

You can also sharpen these bits – another great benefit. This is important once you realize that cobalt drill bits cost significantly more than other types of twist drill bits. Unlike black oxide or titanium bits, you want to reserve these bits for when you actually need them.

When drilling a hole with a cobalt bit, put a drop of oil on the metal to keep the cutting edge cooler as you cut. You should also consider putting some wood under the steel if possible. This allows you to cut cleanly through the material and avoid hitting an underlying surface that could dull the cutting edge.

What do we mean by hardened steel?

When we talk about drilling in hardened steel, we mean medium or high carbon steels, which are typically produced through a heat treatment and tempering process. Hardened steels are durable and can be wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and abrasion-resistant. Many of the steel materials we use in engineering, power generation and transportation are essentially hardened steel. The best drill bits for metal could be designed for these hardened steel applications or optimized for speed in softer carbon steels.

Stainless steel

Stainless steels are steel alloys that consist of at least 10.5% chromium and come in different grades. Because of its rust and stain resistance, good gloss and low maintenance, it has many commercial uses including cookware, flatware, household appliances, building fixtures and surgical instruments.

But despite all the differences in the external appearance or the chemical composition, both hardened and stainless steel are quite difficult to drill into. Using a drill press is often the best way to get quality results.

Some of our best drill bits for hardened steel include:

Best drills for hardened steel

Drill America D/A29J-CO-PC 29 Piece Cobalt Set

Drill America makes M42 cobalt drill bits that have held up very well while drilling through everything we’ve thrown at them. After testing a variety of materials, we’ve selected their jobber bits as our best drill bits for hardened steel.

The bits feature the expected 135° split point giving you a nice, steady and productive drilling speed. The jobber length drill bits are very suitable for cordless drills for on-site drilling. They are manufactured to National Aerospace Standard 907. Because of their hardness, you can drill up to 30% faster than traditional M2 high-speed steel drill bits. Drill America also doesn’t abrade the shafts on its larger bits – so you get more rigidity, but you also need a 1/2″ chuck to drive them.

Use these bits for drilling tough, high tensile materials such as stainless steel or even titanium. We chose the D/A29J-CO-PC kit. It contains 29 bits in a shatterproof case. The round body makes it easy to pick out the exact bit you need.

Get the Jobber Length Drill America D/A29J-CO-PC Kit for just $106.

Also consider:

Irwin Cobalt M-42 metal drill bit

We have more about these bits below, but we love the solid design and convenient case. They did very well in steel and retained a sharp edge after drilling a large number of holes.

The 29-piece kit costs about $100.

Best Metal Drill Bit Set

Irwin 29 Piece Cobalt M-42 Metal Index Drill Set

If you want to drill hardened metal or steel, we love the Irwin 29 Piece M-42 Cobalt Bit Kit as our best metal drill bit set. In all honesty, it’s not the fastest drill that earns it our nod. This has to do with the use of M42 high speed steel and its superb case.

Many less expensive cobalt drill bits use M35 steel, which contains a 5% cobalt mix. M42 steel uses an 8 percent cobalt mix. This gives it greater hardness. You can also use it to drill at higher speeds than the M35. Irwin actually sells an M35 cobalt set if you don’t plan on drilling hardened steel.

Which brings us to the case. If you drill a lot – the case where your bits come into play. Accessing bits can be frustrating (we’re talking to you, Milwaukee!) or hugely successful — like Irwin’s three-step swing case. We love the easily accessible bits, and you can easily read the size on the face of each bit. Overall, this kit gives you the best drill bits for all types of metal applications.

Some other great options are:

Drill America D/A29J-CO-PC 29 Piece Cobalt Set

The Drill America D/A29J-CO-PC contains 29 bits in a shatterproof round case. They make these bits out of M42 cobalt steel so they drill really well without heating up quickly. They also appear to be sharp and remain sharp after dozens of drill holes. The round body makes it easy to pick out the exact bit you need. Get the set for $106.

Irwin 29 Piece Cobalt M-35 Metal Index Drill Set

The Irwin 29 Piece Cobalt M-42 Metal Index Drill Set performs very similar to the M42 set. With a little less cobalt in the steel mix, it just heats up a little faster. You get the same great case. The trade up costs. You can get this set for only $111.

Best drill bits for stainless steel

We have great news for anyone looking for the best drill bits for stainless steel. The same bits you use on hardened steel will work on stainless steel. Hardened steel is a medium of high carbon steel that is heat treated, quenched and finally tempered. The stainless steel alloy contains chromium (minimum 10%) and nickel to make it corrosion resistant. As a low-carbon steel, stainless steel has a natural hardness that does not require traditional hardening.

Drilling stainless steel requires a strong drill bit – the same cobalt drill bits we recommend above. That said, stainless steel can actually harden when heated – so slow drilling often helps you get through the material more efficiently. When drilling stainless steel, use cutting oil or a similar lubricant and apply enough pressure to see even stock removal. Even the best drill bits for stainless steel will heat up over time, so be prepared to monitor heat build-up.

Best Drills for Steel (Carbon Steels)

Milwaukee Red Helix Cobalt Drill Bit

Milwaukee Red Helix cobalt drill bits, featured in our best drill bit article, use a variable flute design that quickly clears debris. How fast? About 30% faster than most other 135° split tip bits we’ve tested with. Their unique design not only helps them drill efficiently, but also aids in cooling. The downside is that these bits get thinner towards the tip. Milwaukee countered this by making them slightly shorter than some others we’ve seen. However, they also lengthened the flutes lower towards the shaft. The result is a more compact drill with a similar drilling depth.

The 135° split point tip aids in spot drilling and larger sizes feature a chip breaker – a groove in the center of the cutting edge that further reduces heat build-up. We love how fast these bits drill and how well they remove steel in tight, efficient spirals. The combination of the unique cutting head and cutting edge design made these drills our best drills for steel – especially carbon steel.

Since there is no 1/4″ hex, use these in your drill press or drill when you need them for thicker, harder metals.

Thanks to the cobalt steel mixture, you should sharpen these if the tips become blunt through use. The value of this kit makes these the best drill bits for steel.

You can find the 15 piece kit for $35 or the 29 piece kit for $125.

Also consider:

DeWalt Industrial Cobalt Pilot Point Drill Bits

We love the build quality of the DeWalt Cobalt Pilot Point Drill Bit Set. It has a tapered core that gradually adds stiffness to the bit as it nears the base. If you’re planning on cutting stainless steel, give these bits a try – they won’t disappoint – they drill really clean holes in hardened steel.

This 29-piece kit costs about $100.

Best drill for rebar

Diablo Rebar Demon Bits

Sometimes you have to drill through steel…but that steel is buried in concrete. For these uses, you’ll need something like the Diablo Rebar Demon SDS-Max and SDS-Plus bits. We like the design better than Bosch Rebar Cutters because you use the same drill bit to drill the hole and penetrate the rebar. With Bosch, you drill in hammer drill mode, switch to rebar cutter in rotary-only mode, and then return to your original drill bit to finish the hole.

These bits quickly drill through concrete and then drive right through rebar. You really can’t find much else on the market that competes at this point, so it’s an easy recommendation for productivity. We believe in charging your accessories for work – so if one simple bit can save you time and money, that’s a big win in our book.

Also consider:

Bosch rebar cutter SDS-Max bits

As mentioned above, Bosch Rebar Cutter bits are a viable option, but they slow you down when you’re working. These bits should last a good while as they only cut the metal of the rebar, but we prefer a single cutting solution overall. Buy Bosch rebar cutters here.

Best hole saws for drilling metal

Milwaukee Hole Dozer Carbide Hole Saws

The Milwaukee holedozer with carbide teeth excels at metal drilling. It can handle stainless steel and certainly anything softer or milder. These are the best hole saws for metal drilling that electricians, HVAC and/or MRO professionals can use.

Working effectively in both metal and wood, any professional looking for an all-purpose hole saw set should quickly fall in love with their productivity. It far outperforms bi-metal blades and handles the materials that carbide hole saws can’t (or shouldn’t) touch.

Best step bits for metal

Irwin Unibit Cobalt Step Bits

Our team grabs Irwin Unibit Cobalt Step Bits for any fast drilling application in thin metal. The cobalt blend gives these bits a much longer lifespan. Because step drills are both expensive and extremely difficult to sharpen, we want them to last as long as possible.

Irwin gives these bits a speedpoint tip. It helps start the hole quickly and reduce wandering. We also have to admit that these became our best metal step drills in part because Irwin laser etched the dimensions directly onto the inside of the flute. They don’t wear out as quickly as other bits we’ve used.

Get a 3 piece kit for $60

Also consider:

Milwaukee Step Bits

Several step drill bits offer workable solutions for electricians and others looking to drill through sheet metal and thicker materials. While we prefer the Irwin Cobalt models above, the double-edged Milwaukee step drills are available in convenient configurations to meet common jobsite needs. You can purchase these titanium aluminum nitride coated bits in a variety of kits ranging from $90 to $182.

Diablo Step Bits

Diablo step drills promise twice the cutting speed and a service life that is up to 6 times longer. They attribute this in part to a precision CNC grinding process. We like the 132° split point tip, which virtually eliminates the need for pre-drilling. You can get them in sizes from 1/2 to 1-3/8 inch. Prices for each bit range from $23.99 to $50.99.

What are the best drill bits for metal made of?

titanium (coating)

Drills with a titanium nitride coating resist corrosion and friction. It beats black oxide as it increases surface hardness and is better at reducing heat when drilling through metal. For metal drilling, we definitely set this as an absolute minimum.

With titanium nitride you have to keep in mind that it only coats the bit. When the coating on the cutting edges wears off, you’ll need to replace them fairly often. Don’t use these bits for drilling hardened steel or stainless steel – not if you want them to last.

cobalt (steel mixture)

Our best cobalt drill bits for drilling metal are made from an alloy with 8% cobalt (M42). You can also find these bits with a 5% cobalt blend (M35). Because the cobalt is mixed into the steel, it doesn’t wear off like a titanium or black oxide coating. It also means you can sharpen them before you need to replace them. This helps save money when buying those more expensive bit sets.

Cobalt drill bits are our top choice for drilling through metal – especially hardened steels and stainless steel.

The best drill bits for metal, but what about…?

We probably missed something along the way – we get it. At some point we have to draw the line and finish the article. Let us know what you think are the best drill bits for metal. Leave a comment below – especially if you have a “hero story” about how a certain part got you out of a jam.

Do you not agree with our selection?

That’s okay! We know that personal preference is paramount when determining the best drill, and every professional is different. Do Pro Tool Nation a favor and tell us what your best pick is and why you love it. Feel free to post it in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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In business since 2008, we cover tools, write reviews and report on industry news in the construction, automotive and lawn care industries. Working in the trade, our Pro reviewers have the skills and experience to know if tools can perform well in practice.

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One of the most common ways to break into homes is through the front door. Surprisingly, many people forget to lock their door or tend to leave their key under the doormat, making it extremely easy for burglars to break into someone’s home.

Even if you lock your door and don’t leave keys under the doormat, you can still be vulnerable to the lock snapping.

What is lock snapping?

It is one of the most common methods used by intruders and involves breaking the cylinder lock by applying a certain force.

When the cylinder engages, it exposes the locking mechanism, allowing the burglar to manipulate it and unlock the door within seconds.

This technique is commonly used by burglars as it requires no experience or skill, just brute force and a tool like a hammer or screwdriver.

Is there a risk of your lock being picked?

Easy snap-on key locks are those that have a Euro cylinder profile and protrude beyond 3mm of the handle.

If you’re not quite sure what type of locks you have, you can use our guide to identify them.

Euro cylinders are found in most PVC doors and come in different sizes and profiles to suit different door sizes.

Among all the profiles available, the Euro profile is the one that is more prone to the locks snapping.

According to West Yorkshire Police, the technique is on the rise as it has been used by a quarter of burglars in burglaries.

To prevent locks from snapping and protect your home

Lock manufacturers have developed anti-snap cylinders, so today you have many options to choose from to upgrade your door lock.

The anti-snap cylinders can have an integrated “snap-off” section that will disengage when a burglar tries to snap the lock, making the cylinder shorter. This makes it difficult for the intruder to gain entry.

Here are our recommendations when it comes to upgrading your lock:

Choose a cylinder lock that has a 3-star rating below TS007 and/or the Sold Secure Diamond Standard (SS312). These two are nationally recognized standards for cylinders. According to West Yorkshire Police, you can also achieve the 3 star rating by combining a 1 star cylinder with a 2 star grip. Euro cylinders can be rated with one to three stars. This star rating system defines a lock’s level of protection.

The cylinder lock needs to be measured correctly to ensure it is the correct size for your door. It should never be fitted with the lock protruding from the door or handle.

Also, consider upgrading your door handle with one that has a 2-star rating below TS007.

Hire a professional locksmith to install the new door lock. If you do this yourself you risk not installing it correctly, making it easy for burglars to tamper with the lock.

Protect your home from lock snapping

While lock picking is one of the most common methods burglars use to break into homes, it’s now easier than ever to protect your home and family.

Our locksmiths can repair or replace broken, old or broken locks including anti-snap locks, mortise locks, euro cylinders, combination locks and more.

If you don’t already have a snap closure, then feel free to call us on 0800 0612 677 for a free no-obligation quote.

Locking yourself out of the house is never fun. But don’t despair! There are a few techniques you can use to unlock a deadbolt from the outside without a key.

Deadbolts have fewer weak points than traditional doorknob locks, but they’re still pretty easy to defeat with the right approach.

In this guide, we will discuss several common techniques for unlocking pin tumbler deadbolts, including picking locks, poking locks, and drilling the lock.

With a little patience and practice, you can unlock almost any deadbolt without a key. So next time you’re locked out, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be back in in no time.

Let us begin!

1. Pick the lock

Lockpicking is the first and best way to unlock a deadbolt without a key. It’s a popular choice for those who want to avoid damaging their door or lock.

Lock picking is easy to learn – the basics required to pick a standard pin tumbler bolt can be learned in 10 minutes. All you really need to know is the barebones basics behind how locks work and some of the techniques used to pick them.

In addition to this basic knowledge, you will also need lockpicking tools: a pick and a wrench.

If you’re in a pinch and have the materials on hand, you can make makeshift lock picking tools out of bobby pins, paper clips, or other stiff and thin metal.

However, improvised picks are too large to fit in the keyway. In that case, you’ll need a professional or hobbyist lock pick set designed for use in small or parametric keyways.

Check out our selection of lock picking sets to find a good everyday carry set and don’t be afraid to get locked out again! You can even carry around a wallet-sized lock pick set for emergencies!

If you want to try lock picking, I’ve written several very comprehensive guides on how to pick locks using different tools, complete with animations and step-by-step instructions.

Check out the guides below:

This approach has some disadvantages. If you’re using a high-security deadbolt, or if your lock uses anti-pick features like security pins, you probably won’t be able to pick it without considerable practice.

In addition, the internal components of locks can be fragile and if you are unlucky you may damage something – e.g. B. break a spring.

Only open your lock if:

You own the lock (if you rent it, you don’t own it). You understand that there is a small risk that you will ruin the castle.

Picking locks has its downsides, but it’s still a powerful way to unlock a deadbolt without a key.

2. Hit the lock

Another very effective tactic for bypassing deadbolts without the original key is bumping the lock.

Lock bumping is a technique that uses a ground down key called a “bump key” that has been cut to its maximum depth.

You can buy pre-made bump keys online for your particular latch, or you can make your own.

However, to make your own, you’ll need access to another key that you’d like to destroy that also fits in your latch’s keyway, and a tool to grind that key down. Both items are available at almost any local hardware store.

Watch the video below to create a bump key.

Once you have your bump key, it’s time to get to work!

Insert it all the way into the key, then slowly pull it back until you hear the rearmost pin click into the lock. Then exert a slight twisting pressure on the button.

Hit the back of the key with a rubber mallet or the palm of your hand and push it sharply into the lock. The teeth of the key hit the pins and send them up. With the right amount of force and a bit of luck, the pins will disengage completely from the lock pin and the lock will open.

While this method is effective against most pin tumbler latches, it may not always work. Higher quality deadbolts can use anti-bumping features that prevent bumping the lock from being successful.

If you’d like to learn more about lock bumping or how to prevent it from being used on your locks, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide on lock bumping for a deeper dive.

3. Drill the lock

If you don’t mind completely destroying your deadbolt, you can drill the lock.

There are multiple ways to successfully drill a lock, and many different regions to aim your drill at. You can drill the shear line, the bottom pin stack (key pins), the top pin stack (drive pins), the springs, or even the screws that hold the latch to the door.

The best way to know which method to use in which situation is to understand how a lock works and what common anti-drill countermeasures are typically used. Anti-drill components are typically harder steel or ceramic parts that protect vulnerable areas.

For example: if you look into the keyway and see a steel pin instead of a brass pin, your latch probably uses hardened anti-drill pins, which are more difficult to drill.

Inexpensive latches don’t typically use anti-drilling countermeasures, however, so you can probably just aim for the shear line by drilling just above the keyway.

To drill a lock, do the following:

Pick a spot to drill and start with a small drill to drill a short starting hole to guide a larger drill. Start with a 1/8″ drill bit and start drilling until you feel your drill bit go through 5 pins. Upgrade to a 1/4″ drill bit and repeat the process. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the keyway and try to turn the lock.

If it doesn’t open, look in the hole and see if there’s the 6th pin. If there is another pin, drill a little deeper to wipe out that pin as well, then try picking the lock again.

If there isn’t another pin and the lock won’t open, you may need to upgrade to a slightly larger drill to deal a bit more damage!

4. Break the glass

If there is a pane of glass on the door you want to bypass, or if there is a window within range of the deadbolt’s knob, you can break the glass and reach through to dislodge the lock.

Unless it’s an emergency, I really don’t recommend this approach. Reaching through a broken window can leave you in more trouble than you had when you started. Not to mention that replacing glass can be more expensive than simply calling a locksmith.

Speaking of locksmiths!

5. Call a locksmith

If all else fails, you may have to call a locksmith to unlock the door. Most locksmiths have the tools and experience to pick just about any door without damaging the lock.

Also, locksmiths typically charge a lot less than the cost of replacing a broken lock, door, or window. The average lockout cost is around $150, but that depends on your location and the locksmith. Learn more about calling a locksmith and how much it costs here.

If you’re stuck and don’t know what to do or don’t have the tools, your best bet is to contact a locksmith.

Why deadbolts are a little harder to avoid

Most exterior doors use two different types of locks: a deadbolt and a doorknob (also called a “bolt”).

Doorknob locks use a spring that automatically pushes and holds a deadbolt into the door frame when the door is closed.

Because the latch is held in place using a spring, it is vulnerable to any attack that can pull the spring back. A popular attack called loiding involves sliding a thin piece of material (such as a credit card) between the cracks in the door and squeezing the spring latch.

In contrast, latches do not use a spring. Rather, they have to be retracted mechanically using a key or knob. Because of this, they cannot be loosened and it is much more difficult to manipulate the bolt directly.

This will prevent you from locking yourself out again

Getting locked out really sucks, but there are a few ways you can minimize the chances of it ever happening again.

1. Make sure you have hidden a key in a safe place outside of your home

Your best option is to hide a key outside in a safe place. This could be in a flower pot on your porch, under a rock in your yard, or anywhere else that is unobtrusive and secluded.

If you have hidden a key outside, you can simply retrieve it and let yourself back into your home. No need to call a locksmith or fiddle with the lock!

2. Have a copy of your key made and give it to a friend or family member

If you don’t want to hide a key outside, another option is to give a trusted friend or neighbor a spare key. That way, if you’ve ever locked yourself out, you can simply ask to let you into your home.

3. Replace your deadbolt with a keyless lock

A third option is to use a keyless entry system, such as B. a key lock or an intelligent lock. Keyless entry systems do not require a physical key, so you never have to worry about being locked out again.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. Whether you’re locked out of your house or just want to be prepared in case of an emergency, now you know how to unlock a deadbolt from the outside without a key.

We have discussed four methods including picking locks, picking locks, drilling the lock or breaking a nearby window. If all else fails, you can always call a locksmith.

Avoid future lockouts by hiding a key outside, giving a spare key to a friend or neighbor, or upgrading to a keyless entry system.

We hope you never need this information, but it’s always good to be prepared!

Thank you for reading!

The difference between HSS and cobalt drills

Tough, hard-wearing and robust, modern metal drill bits effortlessly cut through the toughest materials. When drilling, choosing the right tool for the job is critical. In this article, we describe the difference between high-speed steel (HSS) and cobalt drill bits, their strengths and weaknesses, and when you should use them.

What are HSS drills?

HSS bits are durable and heat resistant. The high concentrations of chromium and nickel in stainless steel ensure that HSS bits are super strong and durable. HSS drill bits can safely drill through hardwood, some metals and plastics. They are reliable at high speeds (RPM) and offer long-lasting performance – as long as they are serviced.

Over time, HSS drill bits can become dull and need sharpening, which requires specialized tools that aren’t always available. If you use HSS drills for long periods of time or at high speeds, you may need to use cutting fluid to keep the drill cool.

What are cobalt drills?

Cobalt drill bits are a combination of steel (or other alloy) mixed with a small percentage of cobalt, typically between 5-7%. Cobalt has a melting point of 1495°C and a boiling point of 2927°C, making it perfect for use at high temperatures. By combining a small amount of cobalt with another alloy, the results are incredible.

Cobalt Drills are incredibly powerful. They can be run at much higher speeds than a standard HSS drill bit. The ability to withstand heat means cobalt bits will perform for long periods of time without refrigeration or cutting fluid.

They are most commonly used to cut through hardened and abrasive materials. Cobalt bits are capable of cutting through the toughest metals including bronze, cast iron, stainless steel and titanium. They are also capable of cutting through welds.

The cutting edge of a good quality cobalt drill bit should last longer than a standard HSS drill bit. Like other HSS bits, they are corrosion resistant, which means they should maintain their condition under any storage and use conditions they are likely to be subjected to. However, cobalt can be brittle. If your cobalt drill bits are not cared for properly or are dropped, they can break – which can prove costly.

Why choose a cobalt drill?

Using the right bit for the job is critical to the safety of your tools and yourself. Cobalt drill bits can be found alongside other popular options including titanium coated, titanium nitride, and tungsten carbide bits. Each of these has its strengths and weaknesses that you should know before you buy.

Cobalt’s strength means drill bits are better suited to the tough challenge of cutting steel. Cobalt bits are not for general purpose use. For less intensive work, such as drilling through wood, plastic or light metals, an HSS drill bit is perfect.

HSS and cobalt drill bits require care and maintenance to ensure they perform consistently. Even the toughest materials can become dull or dull after a period of hard work. Using proper drilling technique will extend the life of any drill bit.

If you’re not sure what equipment you need, talk to us. At R.D. Barrett we have been supplying the public and trade with quality tools since 1975. We’re happy to answer any of your questions and put our experience at your disposal to make sure you have the right tools to do the best job.

This website contains affiliate links to products and services. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the disclosure page for more details. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc.

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Drill bits come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are available in a variety of materials and coatings. Most tool and machining shops have a drill that is specifically designed for the job. Here is a brief overview of different types of drill bits, materials and types of construction.

DRILL MATERIALS

High-speed steel (HSS) is a popular material for drilling in mild steels, as well as wood and plastic. IT is an economical solution for most maintenance drilling applications.

Cobalt (HSCO) is considered an upgrade of HSS as it contains 5-8% cobalt mixed into the base material. This is a great option for drilling tougher steels as well as stainless steels.

Carbide is the hardest and most brittle of the drill materials. It is mainly used for production drilling where a high quality tool holder and equipment is used. It should not be used in hand drills or even power drills. These drills are designed for the most demanding and toughest materials.

DESIGN FEATURES

DRILL POINT ANGLE

118° Standard — Found on most common drill types.

135° Self Centering – This type starts drilling faster, especially in stainless steel materials.

DRILL TIP LENGTHS

If a shorter drill bit can get the job done, this is a good option. Shorter drills are more accurate and don’t break as often because they are stiffer. This helps keep people’s work and the project on schedule. Shorter drill bits are also better in tighter, tighter areas.

Screw machine length mechanic length

jobber length

cone length

taper shank

FLUTE DESIGN

Standard — This is the most common with 30° angles

Parabolic Design – The open design helps to remove the chips from the hole. These are particularly effective on very soft materials such as plastics and aluminum.

DRILL TIP COATINGS

Black Oxide (Surface Treatment) Helps reduce friction and increase chip flow. Not for non-ferrous materials.

Blank Not true finish but polished for increased chip flow. For use in plastics, wood and aluminium.

TiN (Titanium Nitride, gold colored) Machines faster than uncoated drills and increases tool life.

TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride, blue-grey color) Ideal for stainless steel, cast iron and aluminum. Harder and more wear resistant than other coatings. TiALN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride, violet color) For use in high-alloy carbon steels, nickel-based materials and titanium. Not used for aluminum.

Choosing the right drill bit for the job is an important part of any project or application. Whether it’s matching the appropriate drill bit to the substrate material, finding the right match for the depth and diameter of the hole, or even finding the working volume required, making the right choice can extend the life of your drill bits. This, in turn, helps increase productivity as you get more done with each drill bit.

Information and expertise related to this material is provided with permission from Greenfield, Industries, Inc.

With remarkable advances in tooling technology, it’s easy to feel left behind on the latest improvement. In addition, differentiation within common tool categories leads to confusion. In previous generations, if a handyman needed a hammer, they would go to the local hardware store and buy a hammer. Today, the same craftsman might stand in front of the rows of hammers, deciding between a hickory handle, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Should he get the titanium head or steel and why? The incredible market mechanism that meets our needs also raises questions. What about the many types of drills? We can talk about the best drill bits, but let’s talk about the differences between black oxide, titanium, and cobalt drill bits.

Types of Drills: Titanium (or TiN)

All of the different types of drills in these categories are based on high-speed steel (HSS), a term you’ll come across a lot when reading about drills. But the treatments these HSS bits receive to make them black oxide, titanium, or cobalt make significant changes in performance, purpose, and longevity. Knowing the differences will help you avoid wasting money and using the wrong bits for the wrong materials.

This is what titanium crystal looks like.

Titanium drills are HSS drills that have been coated with titanium nitride (TiN) in a process similar to electroplating. TiN is a ceramic material that increases the surface hardness of the bit and provides a thermal barrier by reducing friction. This results in increased production rates, corrosion resistance and 3 to 6 times longer tool life. Titanium drill bits are suitable for drilling iron, steel, aluminium, magnesium and wood.

Titanium drills are great for general purpose drilling in a production environment because they drill fast. The TiN coating also aids in chip flow through the flutes, which helps because some materials—like aluminum—stick to the bits more than others. However, once the tip has become blunt, it will not regain its cutting edge without being re-coated with titanium nitride. It usually makes more sense to replace them than to recoat them. So although they are harder than cobalt, their edge is only superficial.

Pop Quiz: Titanium, Cobalt or Black Oxide?

Cobalt Drill – No Coating

High speed steel is alloyed with 5-8% cobalt to make cobalt drill bits. These are the best drill bits for metal due to their high resistance to the massive heat generated when drilling through highly abrasive and/or hard materials such as treated stainless steel, titanium and cast iron. Unlike the TiN coating, cobalt is found throughout the material, making it great for highly productive work.

Because of their durability and cost, most professionals do not use general purpose cobalt drill bits. The added hardness allows manufacturers to make the flutes smaller in relation to the overall thickness, increasing the strength of the bits. You can also sharpen them without losing the cutting action. Cobalt bits cost more than TiN or black oxide bits, but many pros value the toughness.

Black oxide drills – easy and cheap

Manufacturers heat HSS bits to 950 degrees Fahrenheit, which creates a black oxide finish that resists rust and corrosion. This reduces the friction between the bit and the workpiece and speeds up the drilling process. Black oxide coated bits are suitable for work on steel, copper, aluminium, brass, oak, maple, MDF, pine, PVC, polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS, nylon and composites.

Black Oxide bits last up to 50% longer than standard HSS bits. They offer superior durability and speed. Many pros find that they get years of use and consider black oxide bits to be the best all-purpose drill bits you can buy.

packaging

We hope we were able to help you understand the differences between black oxide, titanium and cobalt drill bits. Do you have your own pro tips for selecting drill bits? Add them in the comments below or like them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Before attempting to drill a lock, remember that you cannot drill locks that have a steel center pin or a ball bearing in the center pin. To start, hammer a center punch into a spike just above the keyhole and take it out. Then, using a 1/8″ drill bit, slowly drill through the spot you made with the center punch. Next, replace the drill with a 1/4-inch bit and repeat the process. Finally, insert a flathead screwdriver into the lock and turn to unlock the door. To learn what type of lock you’re working with, read on!

As UPVC and composite doors are quickly replacing timber doors as the preferred choice for new home builders and modernizations, I’ll take a look at the most important part of the door – the cylinder.

Most people don’t realize that for those who aren’t technically minded, the most important part of your door is the cylinder, the blade of the key that you put your key in – it’s the part that locks the door mechanism and there are many different ones types of cylinders on the market.

Some bottles are significantly better than others, you can pick up a bottle in Poundland or buy the best on the market – is there a difference? Of course there is a cheap lock cylinder that is made from the cheapest metal and made at the lowest cost, the better cylinder is made to a certain standard and has features to help defeat burglars.

So let’s take a look at a standard Euro profile cylinder, this is the most common type and can be found on most doors in Orpington and Kent.

The picture above is a simple cheap cylinder lock.

This lock is used to lock and unlock the door but not much more – I have been to a number of burglaries in Orpington recently where the lock was simply snapped out of the door allowing the burglars to quickly and quietly break into the property. This is one of the most common ways to open UPVC and composite doors and with the cheaper cylinders it is incredibly easy for a burglar to open your door.

Of course, I can’t show how burglars do it, but it’s easy and can be done with almost any cylinder lock, except for a few that have properties that I’ll detail below.

Since most doors in Orpington come with these locks, I now recommend fitting anti-snap locks as standard.

What is an anti-snap lock cylinder?

Designed to keep burglars out, an anti-snap cylinder has features that prevent the lock from being picked, drilled or picked, keeping your home open to burglars.

I recommend at least the Yale Superior cylinder, it is a quality lock with some interesting features – they are difficult to pick, difficult to drill and very difficult for burglars to pick – combined with quality handles and correct fitting they are a burglar worst Nightmare.

They come in a variety of sizes and all of your locks can be made to work with a key.

With a tungsten rod holding the lock together, they’re undeniably difficult to pick, and even drilling takes time and makes a lot of noise – something burglars don’t want.

The Yale Superior is a mid-range cylinder and others like the Avocet or Ultion cylinder offer even more protection, but for those on a budget I cannot recommend them highly enough.

KLS Locks is Orpington’s top rated locksmith on Checkatrade.com and offers free no obligation advice on all aspects of home security – call us today to see how we can help secure your home.

What are bump keys and how can you protect your home from them?

The practice of lock bumping has become a major concern for homeowners and businesses in recent years, and with good reason: Recent industry studies estimate that more than 95 percent of traditional locks on homes and businesses are vulnerable to being compromised by lock bumping will. For the uninitiated, lock bumping is a type of lock picking technique commonly used on traditional pin tumbler locks. Lock picking is accomplished through the use of a device known as a “bump key”.

What are bump keys?

Bump keys are specially cut keys that can bypass the security mechanisms built into traditional pin and tumbler locks. Bump keys are also known as “999 keys” because all of their burrs are cut to the maximum depth (999) in a key making machine. These keys are relatively easy to make (it usually takes less than five minutes to cut a bump key) and not very difficult to obtain.

How does a bump key work?

Impact keys exploit a weakness in pin and tumbler locks related to the pin stacks, which are spring-loaded pin stacks that prevent the lock’s cylinder from being rotated without the use of a suitable key. In a typical pin and tumbler lock, there are two sets of pins known as driver pins and key pins. Each pin stack within the lock is studded with a driver pin and a key pin, both of which are held firmly against each other by a small spring attached to the driver pin. The point at which each set of pins meet is different for each pin stack, which is why a typical key is cut at different depths to accommodate this intentional misalignment. Once the correct key is inserted, all meeting points of each pin stack are aligned, creating what is known as a “shear line”. Once the shear line has been formed, the lock is free to rotate within the cylinder, allowing the door to be opened.

A bump wrench is cut in such a way that it will not align properly with the pins, but instead will simply destroy the pins if the bump wrench is hit by an object such as a screwdriver or small hammer. Using a physical principle similar to that of “Newton’s Cradle”, the energy generated when the bump key is struck is transferred to the pins inside the lock, causing them to bounce and create a transient shear line, giving the intruder just enough time to break through Turn the lock quickly and open the door. When done correctly, lock bumping is effective in nearly 90 percent of all cylinder locks produced today. Perhaps one of the most disconcerting aspects of lock picking is that it often goes undetected, meaning your home can be broken into with no evidence of forced entry.

How to protect your home from lock bumping

Lock picking has been used by professional locksmiths for legal purposes for several decades, but thanks to the internet, virtually anyone with an internet connection can easily find out how to make or obtain pad keys and how to pick locks. Amazingly, there are entire websites and YouTube channels dedicated to lockpicking and lock bumping tutorials and methods that can send shivers down the spine of anyone worried about this kind of information falling into the wrong hands. This flood of information online about lock bumping has raised public concerns about how to protect against this attack vector.

The best way to prevent lock picking is to replace your traditional lock with an impact resistant keyless lock such as the Lockey 2835 mechanical keyless lock. This robust cylindrical latch bolt lock requires no batteries or cables to operate and is both shock and pick resistant. Backed by more than 30 years of functional testing, the Lockey 2835 is completely immune to lock buffering and lock picking techniques. With traditional locks, the best thing you can do is hope your home isn’t a target for lock picking. The Lockey 2835 features the latest innovative door hardware to ensure your home, family and valuables remain secure.