500A 15 PC Cobalt Drill Bit Set

DRILLCO 500A 15-Piece Cobalt Drill Bit Set — High-Speed M42 Cobalt for Hard Materials

The DRILLCO 500A 15-piece cobalt drill bit set is engineered for heavy-duty drilling in high-strength materials including stainless steel, titanium, and high-strength alloys. Built to NAS Type J aircraft specifications, these jobber-length drills are manufactured from premium grade M42 cobalt high-speed steel, delivering superior hardness and wear resistance compared to standard HSS drills. The set covers a size range of 1/16" to 1/2" by 32nds, making it a comprehensive solution for contractors and trades professionals who regularly work with hard, tough metals. Speed, feed, and lubrication are all critical to cutting tool performance with this set.

Technical Specifications

Available Items

Unlike standard HSS drill bits, the M42 cobalt composition of these drills provides increased hardness and wear resistance specifically suited for hard metals and stainless steel grades. The bronze surface treatment further differentiates this set by increasing lubricity and reducing chip build-up during demanding drilling operations, extending bit life in high-tensile-strength materials where standard drills fail prematurely.

Key Features & Benefits

Premium Grade M42 Cobalt HSS Construction

M42 cobalt high-speed steel increases tool hardness and wear resistance compared to standard HSS, making these drills capable of cutting harder materials including stainless steel and titanium. The high red hardness of the cobalt composition allows the drills to maintain their cutting edge at elevated temperatures generated during heavy-duty drilling.

Up to 30% Faster Drilling Than HSS

The cobalt composition permits speeds approximately 30% greater than standard HSS drills, directly reducing cycle times on hard material drilling operations. For contractors drilling high volumes of holes in tough alloys, this speed advantage translates to measurable productivity gains on the job.

135° Self-Centering Split-Point

The 135° split-point geometry is self-centering, which reduces thrust requirements and minimizes walking on curved or hard surfaces without the need for a center punch. This is especially valuable when hand-drilling on harder materials where bit walking can cause inaccurate hole placement and wasted material.

Bronze Surface Treatment for High Lubricity

The bronze surface treatment increases lubricity and bit life while reducing chip build-up during drilling. This treatment is specifically suited for performance on harder metals and stainless steel, where heat and friction are the primary causes of premature bit failure.

NAS Type J Aircraft Specification

These drills are built to NAS Type J aircraft specifications, reflecting heavy-duty construction standards designed for demanding industrial and aerospace-grade applications. Contractors working with high-strength structural materials can rely on this specification as an indicator of consistent dimensional accuracy and material quality.

Jobber Length for Versatile Reach

Jobber length is the most common drill length because it provides extra reach and can be used in most drilling applications. This makes the 500A set a practical all-around solution for a wide range of job site tasks without requiring specialty length tooling.

Common Applications

Drilling in Stainless Steel

The M42 cobalt composition and bronze surface treatment are specifically suited for drilling stainless steel, where heat buildup and work hardening rapidly degrade standard HSS bits.

Drilling in Titanium

Titanium's high strength and low thermal conductivity make it one of the most demanding materials to drill; the cobalt HSS construction and 135° split-point geometry of these bits are designed to handle such tough materials.

Drilling in High-Strength Alloys

High-strength steel alloys used in structural and industrial fabrication require a drill bit capable of maintaining hardness under heat — the M42 cobalt substrate is engineered for exactly this type of heavy-duty application.

Heavy-Duty Industrial Drilling

Built to NAS Type J aircraft specs and manufactured from premium cobalt HSS, this set is suited for production and heavy-duty drilling environments where tool longevity and consistent performance are critical.

Compatible Materials

• Stainless steel
• Titanium
• High-strength alloys
• Hard, tough metals

Product Documents

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Drillco Product Linecard

Safety Data Summary

Hazard Information

• During normal operation, these tools 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.
• High concentrations of fumes and dusts of iron oxide, manganese, copper, zinc, and lead may result in metal fume fever (metallic taste, throat irritation, chills, fever lasting 12–48 hours).
• Cobalt is listed as a Group 2B carcinogen by IARC (possibly carcinogenic to humans). Chromium and Nickel are listed by NTP and OSHA as carcinogens.
• Chronic cobalt dust/fume exposure may cause permanent respiratory diseases including occupational asthma, interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosis, and emphysema.
• Skin sensitization to cobalt is noted in a small percentage of cases.
• Fine metal particles produced when ground or sawed can burn; high concentrations in air may present an explosion hazard.
• NFPA Hazard Rating: Health 1; Flammability 0; Reactivity 0
• California Proposition 65 Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including Cobalt, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Personal Protective Equipment

• Wear safety glasses or goggles with side shields; do not wear contact lenses when handling these materials.
• Cloth or leather gloves are recommended when contact with dust or mist is likely.
• Use an appropriate NIOSH-approved respirator if airborne dust concentration exceeds the applicable PEL or TLV.
• Hearing protection may be required.
• Always use machine guards and wear protective clothing to prevent injury in the event of tool breakage.
• Employer should provide an eye wash station within the immediate work area for emergency use.

Safe Handling

• Use only with local exhaust ventilation adequate to limit personal exposure to airborne dust below PEL or TLV levels.
• Clean up using methods that avoid dust generation: vacuum with appropriate filters, wet dust mop, or wet clean-up.
• Store in a dry place; store in a manner that prevents accidental environmental contamination from traces of industrial lubricants or wetting oils.
• 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.
• Incompatible with strong acids and strong oxidizers.
• For powder fires: smother with dry sand, dry dolomite, ABC-type fire extinguisher, or flood with water.
• Persons with pre-existing respiratory disease may be at increased risk from exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What materials are these cobalt drill bits designed to drill?
A: The DRILLCO 500A cobalt drill bits are designed for drilling holes in hard, tough materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and high-strength alloys. They are built for heavy-duty drilling applications where standard HSS bits are insufficient.

Q: How much faster are these cobalt drills compared to standard HSS drills?
A: The high red hardness of the M42 cobalt composition permits speeds approximately 30% greater than standard HSS drills.

Q: What size range does this 15-piece set cover?
A: The set covers 1/16" to 1/2" by 32nds, providing a comprehensive range of sizes for most heavy-duty drilling tasks.

Q: What point angle do these drill bits use, and why does it matter?
A: These bits feature a 135° split-point, which is self-centering and reduces thrust requirements while minimizing walking. This is particularly beneficial when drilling on curved surfaces or hard materials, especially in hand-drilling situations.

Q: What specification standard are these drills built to?
A: These drills are built to NAS Type J aircraft specifications, reflecting heavy-duty construction standards for demanding industrial applications.

Q: What is the surface treatment on these bits and what does it do?
A: The bits feature a bronze surface treatment, which increases lubricity and bit life while reducing chip build-up. This treatment is specifically suited for performance on harder metals and stainless steel.