400N 29 PC Drill Pal Set

DRILLCO 400N 29-Piece NITRO® HSS Drill Pal Set — Heavy-Duty Performance from 1/16" to 1/2"

The DRILLCO 400N 29-Piece NITRO® Drill Pal Set is a comprehensive jobber-length drill bit set engineered for heavy-duty drilling in medium and high strength materials. Built from premium grade M2 High Speed Steel and finished with a black and gold surface treatment, these NAS Type B drills deliver superior performance over standard HSS drills in both handheld and CNC applications. The set covers 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths, providing contractors and trades professionals with a complete fractional size range in a single kit. The 135° split point geometry reduces thrust requirements and eliminates walking at the point, making these drills equally effective on curved surfaces and in production environments.

Technical Specifications

Available Sizes — 400N Fractional Jobber Length

The NITRO® 400N series distinguishes itself from standard HSS drills through its combination of M2 premium steel, black and gold surface treatment for maximum lubricity, and a 135° split point — features that together extend tool life and reduce the thrust required to start and maintain a cut. Unlike bright-finish or black oxide drills suited only for softer materials, the black and gold treatment provides better corrosion resistance and reduces chipping and flaking, making the 400N appropriate for a wider range of material groups including stainless steel. The jobber length format offers the reach needed for most trade applications while maintaining the rigidity required for accurate, repeatable holes.

Key Features & Benefits

Premium M2 High Speed Steel Construction

Every drill in this set is manufactured from premium quality M2 High Speed Steel, the material specified for heavy-duty drilling across a wide range of material groups including stainless steel. M2 HSS provides the hardness and wear resistance needed to maintain cutting edge integrity through demanding production cycles, directly extending tool life compared to general-purpose HSS grades.

135° Split Point Geometry

The self-centering 135° split point reduces thrust requirements and minimizes walking when starting a hole, eliminating the need for a center punch on most surfaces. This geometry is particularly valuable for handheld drilling on curved or angled surfaces where bit walk would otherwise compromise hole placement accuracy.

Black and Gold Surface Treatment for Maximum Lubricity

The body and flute of each drill receive a black and gold surface treatment that increases lubricity, reduces friction during cutting, and provides better resistance to corrosion and breakage while reducing chipping and flaking. This treatment allows the drills to perform across most material groups, not just soft metals, giving contractors a single set capable of handling varied jobsite materials.

Jobber Length for Versatile Reach

Jobber length is the most common drill length because it provides extra reach suitable for the majority of trade applications. This set's jobber length format makes it compatible with both portable handheld drills and fixed spindle equipment such as CNC machines and drill presses, reducing the need for multiple specialized sets on a jobsite.

Complete 29-Piece Fractional Range

The set covers every fractional size from 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths in a single kit, ensuring the right drill is always at hand without the downtime of sourcing individual sizes. Having a complete range on hand is especially important for contractors working across multiple hole sizes in a single project or material type.

Dual-Use Design: Handheld and CNC Compatible

The 400N drills are designed for use in both portable hand drills and fixed spindle applications including CNC machines and drill presses. This dual compatibility means the same set can serve field crews and shop operations alike, reducing inventory requirements across a contractor's operation.

Common Applications

Heavy-Duty Drilling in Medium and High Strength Steels

The M2 HSS construction and black and gold surface treatment make these drills recommended for heavy-duty drilling in medium and high strength steel, where standard HSS drills would wear prematurely or require excessive thrust.

Stainless Steel Drilling

The NITRO® 400N series is specifically recommended for drilling stainless steel, a material group that demands higher tool hardness and lubricity than standard HSS drills can reliably provide.

CNC Machine Operations

The NAS Type B specification and 135° split point make these drills suitable for fixed spindle CNC applications where consistent geometry and repeatable hole quality are required across production runs.

Handheld Portable Drilling

The self-centering split point reduces walking on contact, making these drills well-suited for handheld drilling where a drill press or fixture cannot be used to control bit placement.

General Fabrication and Metalworking

With a full fractional range from 1/16" to 1/2", this set supports general fabrication tasks requiring varied hole sizes across a single project or workpiece.

Compatible Materials

• Medium strength steels
• High strength steels
• Stainless steel
• Most general metalworking materials (per black and gold surface treatment specification)

Product Documents

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Product Sheet
• Linecard

Safety Data Summary

Hazard Information

• During normal operation, high speed steel products do not present inhalation, ingestion, or other chemical hazards.
• Grinding, cutting, machining, burning, or welding may release dusts, fumes, or vapors that present health hazards if exposure limits are exceeded.
• Excessive inhalation of metallic fumes and dusts may cause irritation of eyes, nose, and throat; symptoms may include metallic taste, dryness and irritation of the throat, chills, and fever persisting 12–48 hours.
• Chromium is listed as a carcinogen by NTP and OSHA; various forms of dermatitis, inflammation and/or ulceration of the upper respiratory tract, and possibly cancer of nasal passages and lungs are associated with chromium exposure.
• Tungsten: some evidence of pulmonary involvement such as cough.
• Vanadium: eye and respiratory tract irritant.
• Cobalt dust inhalation may cause productive cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, weight loss, and interstitial fibrosis.
• Skin contact with dust may cause irritation or allergic skin rash due to cobalt sensitization.
• NFPA Hazard Rating: Health 1; Flammability 0; Reactivity 0.
• Fine metal particles produced when ground or sawed can burn; high concentrations in air may present an explosion hazard.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Gloves: Cloth or leather gloves recommended when contact with dust or mist is likely.
• Eye protection: Safety glasses or goggles with side shields; contact lenses should not be worn. Employer should provide an eye wash station in the immediate work area.
• Hearing protection may be required.
• Always use machine guards and wear safety glasses and protective clothing to prevent injury in the event of tool breakage.
• Respiratory protection: Use an appropriate NIOSH-approved respirator if airborne dust concentration exceeds the applicable PEL or TLV, per 29 CFR 1910.134.

Safe Handling

• Use local exhaust ventilation adequate to limit personal exposure to airborne dust below PEL or TLV levels.
• All operations such as grinding, welding, or fume generation should be performed in well-ventilated areas.
• Clean up using methods that avoid dust generation: vacuum with appropriate filters, wet dust mop, or wet clean-up.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling and before eating or smoking; wash exposed skin at end of work shift.
• Do not shake clothing, rags, or other items to remove dust; remove dust by washing or vacuuming with appropriate filters.
• Soiled clothing should be laundered separately.
• Store in a dry place in a manner that prevents accidental environmental contamination from traces of industrial lubricants or wetting oils.
• Incompatible materials: strong acids, strong oxidizers.
• Emergency contact: CHEM-TEL INC 1-800-255-3924.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What material are the NITRO® 400N drills made from?
A: All NITRO® 400N drills are made from premium quality M2 High Speed Steel, recommended for heavy-duty drilling across a wide range of material groups including stainless steel.

Q: What does the black and gold surface treatment do?
A: The black and gold surface treatment is applied to the body and flute of each drill to maximize lubricity, provide better resistance to corrosion and breakage, and reduce chipping and flaking during cutting. It allows the drills to be used on most materials.

Q: Why is a 135° split point preferred over a 118° conventional point for this application?
A: The 135° split point is self-centering, which reduces walking when starting a hole and lowers the thrust required to penetrate the material. This makes it especially effective for handheld drilling on curved surfaces and for harder materials where a conventional point would tend to skate.

Q: Can these drills be used in CNC machines as well as handheld drills?
A: Yes. The 400N series is designed for use in both portable hand drills and fixed spindle applications including CNC machines and drill presses.

Q: What sizes are included in the 29-piece set?
A: The set contains 29 drills covering every fractional size from 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths.

Q: Are speed, feed, and lubrication important when using these drills?
A: Yes. Speed, feed, and lube are all critical to cutting tool performance. Using appropriate cutting lubricants can help deflect heat during the machining operation and extend drill life.