HSS DRILL BITS. You need to know this!

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Now I know how to easily navigate drill bits and choose the best one. Whenever I walk into a store to buy drill bits, I feel completely lost. There are drill bits everywhere, all marked with mysterious letters and numbers—especially "HSS." What does that even mean? How do I know which drill bits are better? I used to think that the more expensive ones were automatically the best. Well, I was wrong. Let me guide you through the maze of drill bits so you’ll never feel lost again.

First, **HSS stands for High-Speed Steel**. Unlike regular tool steel, which loses its hardness at just 390°F, high-speed steel retains its properties even at temperatures as high as 930°F to 1100°F—sometimes even 1200°F. This makes it perfect for drill bits. HSS isn’t one specific type of steel; it’s a whole class of steels with tungsten, cobalt, or molybdenum added to improve performance.

### Types of HSS Drill Bits You’ll Find in Stores

1. **Plain Gray HSS Drill Bits**: These are the simplest and cheapest. They look like they’re made from ordinary metal nails, but they’re still HSS. You can sharpen them easily, but they dull just as quickly. For small, simple jobs, they’re fine—sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a pack, use them, and throw them away.

2. **Black HSS-R Drill Bits**: These are slightly better and are hard to miss because of their distinct black color. The “R” stands for “roll-formed”—a manufacturing process where blanks are shaped using rollers. These bits undergo steam treatment at 750°F–930°F, which makes them more wear-resistant and less prone to rust. They’re great for drilling mild steel and aluminum.

3. **HSS-G Drill Bits**: These are ground, not rolled, which gives them sharper cutting edges, precise dimensions, and smoother surfaces. They’re a solid step up in quality and can handle harder grades of steel. HSS-G bits are popular because they offer great performance at a reasonable price.

4. **Golden HSS-TiN Drill Bits**: These “titanium” drill bits aren’t actually made of titanium. Instead, they’re coated with **titanium nitride (TiN)**, which gives them their beautiful golden color and improves hardness and heat resistance. These are premium-level bits, perfect for long, intensive use. But there’s a catch: if you sharpen them, the coating comes off, and they turn into regular HSS bits. So when they dull, it’s better to replace them.

5. **Cobalt HSS-Co or HSS-E Drill Bits**: These are the top-tier drill bits you’ll find in hardware stores. They’re made from high-speed steel with 5% (sometimes 8%) cobalt added. This gives them a distinctive brown color and outstanding hardness, heat resistance, and durability. Cobalt bits are perfect for tough materials like stainless steel and heat-resistant alloys. If you want the best, these are it.

### Beyond HSS: Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits
For industrial tasks, there are even better options. Drill bits made from **tungsten carbide** are harder and more wear-resistant than cobalt bits. However, they’re also brittle and can only be used with drill presses or CNC machines. These bits are expensive but ideal for drilling super-hard materials.

### Quick Recap
When you’re in the store, remember these five types of drill bits:
1. **Plain Gray HSS** – cheap and simple.
2. **Black HSS-R** – steam-treated and rolled.
3. **HSS-G** – ground for precision and sharpness.
4. **Golden HSS-TiN** – premium bits with a titanium nitride coating.
5. **Cobalt HSS-Co or HSS-E** – the highest-grade drill bits for tough materials.

If you’ve ever wondered what all those letters and colors mean, now you know! Choosing the right drill bit doesn’t have to be confusing. Whether you’re working with mild steel, hard alloys, or stainless steel, you’ll be able to pick the perfect tool for the job.

Thanks for watching, and good luck drilling! See you next time!