HSS Drill Bits | M2, M35, M42 & Cobalt Twist Drills
Compare HSS drill bits by material grade, drill format, manufacturing route, point geometry and metal application. Slugger Tools supplies M2, M35 and M42 HSS twist drill options, including DIN 338, jobber-length, fully ground, cobalt and split-point ranges for distributors, OEM brands and industrial buyers.
- M2, M35 and M42 drill bit options for different material hardness, heat resistance and price levels.
- Compare DIN 338, jobber-length, fully ground and cobalt drill bit options in the selection guides below.
- Bright, black oxide, TiN and TiAlN finishes for different cutting conditions, wear requirements and price ranges.
- Support for distributor supply, OEM packaging, private label and industrial export projects.
Cost-effective for standard steel, mild steel and general drilling jobs.
Practical option for stainless steel and higher-heat drilling applications.
Common straight-shank HSS twist drill format for industrial distribution.
Packaging support for distributors, importers and tool brands.
Compare HSS Drill Bit Types and Applications
Use the guides below to compare HSS grades, DIN 338 requirements, jobber lengths, fully ground drills, cobalt grades, point geometry and metal applications. For factory sourcing, OEM packaging and manufacturing capability, see Manufacturer & OEM Capabilities.
Cobalt Drill Bits
M35 and M42 HSS-Co twist drills for stainless steel, hard metals and industrial supply.
M35 Cobalt Drill Bits
HSS-Co 5% drill bits for 304/316 stainless steel, split point and OEM sets.
DIN 338 Drill Bits
Jobber-length straight-shank HSS twist drill standard, point options and RFQ guide.
Fully Ground HSS Drill Bits
Sharper geometry and premium drill bit manufacturing route for industrial buyers.
Jobber Drill Bits
Common-length drill bits, HSS/cobalt options, index sets and distributor buying language.
Split Point Drill Bits
135° split point drills for better centering, reduced walking and metal drilling applications.
Drill Bits for Stainless Steel
Application guide for M35 cobalt, work hardening, split point and cutting oil.
Drill Bits for Metal
Compare HSS, cobalt, split point and fully ground drill bits by workpiece and drilling conditions.
M42 Cobalt Drill Bits
HSS-Co 8% drill bits for demanding heat, wear and higher-performance metal drilling requirements.
Drill Bits for Hardened Steel
Hardness-based drill selection covering HSS-Co suitability and the carbide boundary.
Manufacturer & OEM Capabilities
Review factory sourcing, OEM supply options, quality documentation and order requirements in Manufacturer & OEM Capabilities.
Coating Guide
Compare bright, black oxide, TiN and TiAlN coating logic for cutting tools.
Contact / RFQ
Send diameter range, grade, coating, packaging and target material for quotation.
Compare Grade, Format, Geometry and Application Before Quotation
Use this matrix as a product-category starting point. Final selection should confirm diameter range, workpiece, point geometry, production route, finish or coating, packaging and any required dimensional standard.
| Drill Bit Range | Grade / Material Signal | Primary Selection Signal | Typical Buyer Question | Recommended Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General HSS Twist Drills | M2 or confirmed HSS grade | General metal drilling, price level and standard range | Which HSS grade and production route fit the target market? | HSS drill bits |
| Cobalt Drill Bits | M35 / M42 HSS-Co | Higher-heat metal drilling and stainless-steel programs | Is M35 sufficient, or does the application justify M42? | Cobalt drill bits |
| DIN 338 Drill Bits | Confirm M2 / M35 / M42 | Straight-shank dimensional standard and jobber-format sourcing | Which grade, point angle and finish are required with DIN 338? | DIN 338 drill bits |
| Fully Ground HSS Drills | Confirm HSS grade | Ground geometry, consistency and industrial drilling requirements | Does the buyer require fully ground rather than rolled construction? | Fully ground HSS drills |
| Jobber Drill Bits | Confirm HSS / cobalt grade | Common drill-length category for distributor and workshop ranges | Is a jobber-length range required, and under which standard? | Jobber drill bits |
| Split Point Drill Bits | Confirm grade and finish | Point geometry and centering behavior | Is a 135° split point required for the target application? | Split point drill bits |
High Speed Steel Drill Bits, HSS Drill Bits and Cobalt Drill Bits
The terms high speed steel drill bits, HSS drill bits, HSS twist drill bits and cobalt drill bits are related, but they do not always describe the same grade or product level. Compare the differences here, then use the focused guides for cobalt, M35, DIN 338, jobber, split point or stainless-steel drilling requirements.
High speed steel drill bits
Broad product term for HSS twist drills used in metalworking, maintenance, industrial distribution and general workshop drilling.
HSS twist drill bits
Specific product language for spiral-fluted drills. Clarify standard, length, point angle, finish and diameter range before quoting.
Cobalt drill bits
Usually refers to M35 or M42 HSS-Co drills for stainless steel and higher-heat applications. Confirm grade instead of relying on color.
Selection tip: start with the broad HSS drill bit family, then open the cobalt, M35, stainless-steel, DIN 338, jobber or split point guide when the required drill type is already known.
Which HSS Drill Bits Should Distributors Buy?
For general steel and broad distribution
Choose M2 HSS drill bits when price competitiveness and general-purpose industrial supply matter most.
For stainless steel users
Choose M35 cobalt drill bits as the practical starting point for 304/316 stainless steel and higher heat.
For premium geometry
Choose fully ground HSS drill bits when sharper cutting edges and better consistency are required.
For standard distributor ranges
Define whether buyers need DIN 338, jobber length, cobalt grade, split point or OEM sets.
M2 vs M35 vs M42 HSS Drill Bits and Cobalt Drills
Buyers often make the mistake of sourcing all drill bits as if grade makes no difference. In reality, the best choice depends on the workpiece material, drilling speed, coolant condition, machine rigidity and expected tool life.
| Grade | Best For | Strength | Selection Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| M2 | General steel, workshop use | Cost-effective, common stock grade | Good for standard industrial supply where price competitiveness matters. |
| M35 | Stainless steel, alloy steel, tougher metals | Approx. 5% cobalt, better heat resistance | Often the most practical upgrade for stainless steel drilling programs. |
| M42 | Higher heat and more demanding materials | Premium cobalt HSS option | Use when performance requirement justifies the higher material level. |
DIN 338, Jobber Length and Straight-Shank HSS Drill Bits
DIN 338 and jobber drill bits often overlap in export conversations. DIN 338 refers to a standard drill format, while jobber commonly describes a drill-length category.
- DIN 338 drill bits: standard/specification reference for straight-shank HSS twist drills.
- Jobber drill bits: common-length buying language used heavily in distributor and workshop markets.
- 135° split point: useful where buyers need better centering and less walking.
- RFQ rule: clarify length type, standard, grade, point angle and packaging before quote.
Rolled vs Fully Ground HSS Drill Bits for Different Price Levels
Many buyers compare drill bits only by material grade, but the production route is also critical. Rolled drill bits and fully ground drill bits serve different segments and price levels.
- Rolled HSS drill bits are generally more economical and suitable for price-sensitive supply.
- Fully ground HSS drill bits usually offer better dimensional consistency and sharper geometry.
- For stainless steel, fully ground M35 cobalt drills with suitable point geometry may be more appropriate.
- For low-duty general steel, a rolled or standard HSS range may be enough.
Drill Bit Coatings & Finishes: Bright, Black Oxide, TiN & TiAlN
Coating does not rescue bad geometry or wrong material grade, but it can improve wear resistance, reduce friction and support better drilling stability in the right application.
- Bright: versatile and cost-effective for general drilling.
- Black oxide: useful for general metal drilling ranges and surface protection.
- TiN: common industrial upgrade with wear resistance and premium appearance.
- TiAlN: considered for higher heat applications where conditions justify it.
- Buyer warning: gold color alone does not prove M35 cobalt material.
HSS and Cobalt Drill Bits for Stainless Steel & Industrial Metal Drilling
One of the most common complaints in export markets is that a drill bit burns quickly or cannot drill stainless steel. Often the problem is not only the drill bit, but the mismatch between material grade, point geometry, coating, RPM and feed.
- For stainless steel, M35 or M42 cobalt drill bits are usually safer than plain M2 HSS.
- 135° split point can help reduce walking on stainless and harder surfaces.
- Cutting oil, lower RPM and steady feed reduce work hardening and edge burning.
- Very hard materials may require carbide or a different tool solution.
OEM Packaging, Private Label & Distributor Supply
If you are a distributor, importer or industrial brand, packaging is part of the product. Retail-ready packs, tube labels, set boxes and OEM branding all affect how your customers perceive quality and how easily your sales team can position the range.
- Support for standard export packaging and OEM private label packaging.
- Options include bulk packing, single-size tubes, plastic cases and metal index sets.
- Useful for distributor expansion, catalog programs, industrial resale and brand building.
- Better packaging reduces confusion, supports repeat orders and improves shelf presentation.
What to Confirm Before Ordering HSS Drill Bits
| RFQ Detail | Example | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Product family | HSS, cobalt, M35, DIN 338, jobber, fully ground | Prevents quoting the wrong product level. |
| Diameter range | 1–10mm, 1–13mm, 1–20mm, specific sizes | Controls stock, MOQ, packaging and price. |
| Material grade | M2, M35, M42 | Determines heat resistance and target application. |
| Point angle | 118° standard or 135° split point | Important for general use vs stainless steel and hard surfaces. |
| Production route | Rolled or fully ground | Affects dimensional consistency, cutting performance and price. |
| Finish / coating | Bright, black oxide, TiN, TiAlN | Affects wear resistance, appearance and price level. |
| Packaging | Bulk, tube, plastic case, index set, OEM label | Critical for distributors, retail sets and private-label programs. |
Technical Communication, Order Support & Quality Documentation
Alongside drill specifications, industrial buyers need clear technical communication, order-specific documentation and reliable confirmation of grade, geometry, packaging and inspection requirements.
HSS Drill Bits FAQ
What HSS drill bits should I choose for stainless steel?
What is the difference between M2, M35 and M42 drill bits?
Are DIN 338 drill bits the same as jobber drill bits?
Are fully ground drill bits better than rolled drill bits?
Can Slugger Tools supply OEM HSS drill bit sets?
How should I request an HSS drill bits quotation?
Need HSS Drill Bits for Distribution, OEM or Industrial Supply?
Send your diameter range, HSS grade, point angle, finish, production route, target workpiece, packaging requirement and quantity per size. Slugger Tools can help compare practical HSS drill bit options before quotation.
Send Your HSS Drill Bit Requirements
Include product family, diameter or set range, HSS grade, point geometry, production route, finish or coating, target workpiece, quantity, marking and packaging.