500A 29 PC Drill Pal Set

DRILLCO 500A 29-Piece Cobalt Drill Bit Set — High-Performance Drilling in Stainless Steel and High-Strength Alloys

The DRILLCO 500A 29-Piece Cobalt Drill Pal Set is a jobber-length drill bit set manufactured in the United States from premium M42 cobalt high-speed steel. Designed for contractors and trades professionals who regularly work with hard, tough materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and high-strength alloys, this set covers sizes from 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths in a single 29-piece kit. Built to NAS Type J aircraft specifications, these drills deliver the rigidity and precision required for heavy-duty drilling applications where standard HSS bits fall short.

Technical Specifications

Available Sizes

Unlike standard HSS drill sets, the M42 cobalt construction of this set allows it to drill approximately 30% faster than HSS drills while maintaining hardness at elevated temperatures — a critical advantage when working through stainless steel, titanium, or other high-strength alloys that generate significant heat. The NAS Type J aircraft specification and bronze surface treatment set this set apart from general-purpose alternatives intended for softer materials.

Key Features & Benefits

M42 Cobalt HSS Construction

Premium-grade M42 cobalt high-speed steel provides increased hardness and wear resistance compared to standard HSS, making it well-suited for drilling harder steels and stainless steel grades. The high red hardness of M42 cobalt permits drilling speeds approximately 30% greater than HSS drills, reducing cycle times on tough materials.

135° Self-Centering Split-Point

The 135° split-point geometry is self-centering, which reduces thrust requirements and minimizes walking on the workpiece surface. This is especially valuable when drilling on curved surfaces or initiating holes without a center punch, improving accuracy and reducing setup time.

Bronze Surface Treatment

The bronze surface treatment increases lubricity and extends bit life while reducing chip build-up during cutting. This treatment is specifically suited for performance on harder metals and stainless steel, where heat and friction management are critical to tool longevity.

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 drilling tasks. This specification provides contractors with confidence in dimensional consistency and material quality across the full set.

Jobber Length for Versatile Reach

Jobber length is the most common drill length because it provides extra reach and can be used in the majority of drilling applications. This makes the 500A set a practical all-around choice for contractors who need one set to handle a wide range of job site conditions.

29-Piece Set — 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths

The set covers a comprehensive size range from 1/16" to 1/2" in 64th-inch increments, giving contractors the specific diameter they need without switching sets. Having the full range in a single kit reduces downtime and keeps the job moving.

Common Applications

Drilling in Stainless Steel

The M42 cobalt composition and bronze surface treatment make this set well-suited for drilling through stainless steel, where heat buildup and work hardening can quickly degrade standard HSS bits.

Drilling in Titanium

Titanium's toughness and tendency to generate heat during cutting demand a drill with high red hardness and good lubricity — both characteristics of this cobalt set with its bronze surface treatment.

High-Strength Alloy Drilling

For high-strength alloys encountered in structural, aerospace, or heavy fabrication work, the NAS Type J specification and M42 cobalt material provide the durability and cutting performance required.

Heavy-Duty Drilling Operations

When standard HSS drills are insufficient for the material hardness or production demands of a job, this cobalt set offers a step up in performance for heavy-duty drilling tasks.

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 and usage, cobalt cutting tools do not present inhalation, ingestion, or other chemical hazards.
• Operations such as grinding, cutting, machining, burning, and welding may release dusts, fumes, or vapors that can 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).
• Chronic exposure to cobalt dusts, fumes, and mists may cause permanent respiratory diseases including occupational asthma, interstitial pneumonitis and fibrosis (hard-metal disease), and emphysema.
• Cobalt is listed as a Group 2B carcinogen by IARC. Chromium and Nickel are listed by NTP and OSHA as carcinogens.
• 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.
• 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.
• All grinding, welding, or fume-generating operations should be performed in well-ventilated areas.
• 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.
• Clean up spills using methods that avoid dust generation such as vacuum (with appropriate filters), wet dust mop, or wet clean up.
• Store in a dry place in a manner that prevents accidental environmental contamination from traces of industrial lubricants or wetting oils.
• Soiled clothing should be laundered separately.
• Incompatible with strong acids and strong oxidizers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What materials is the DRILLCO 500A cobalt set designed to drill?
A: This set is designed for drilling hard, tough materials including stainless steel, titanium, and high-strength alloys. It is built for heavy-duty drilling applications where standard HSS drills are insufficient.

Q: How much faster do these cobalt drills cut compared to standard HSS drills?
A: DRILLCO states that cobalt drills can drill approximately 30% faster than HSS drills, due to the high red hardness of the M42 cobalt material.

Q: What point geometry do these drill bits use, and why does it matter?
A: These bits feature a 135° split-point geometry. The split-point is self-centering, which reduces thrust requirements and minimizes walking — particularly useful when drilling on curved surfaces or without a center punch.

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

Q: What sizes are included in the 29-piece set?
A: The set covers 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths, providing a comprehensive range of diameters in a single kit (Item # 500AW29).

Q: Are there any critical technique considerations when using these cobalt drills?
A: Yes — DRILLCO notes that speed, feed, and lubrication are all critical to cutting tool performance. Proper technique in these three areas will maximize drill life and cutting efficiency, especially in hard materials like stainless steel.