500E 29 PC Cobalt Drill Bit Set

DRILLCO 500E 29-Piece M42 Cobalt Drill Bit Set — High-Speed Drilling in Stainless Steel and Hard Alloys

The DRILLCO 500E is a 29-piece M42 cobalt HSS jobber-length drill bit set engineered for heavy-duty drilling in high-strength materials including stainless steel, titanium, and high-strength alloys. Built to NAS Type J aircraft specifications, this set covers sizes from 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths, providing a comprehensive range for professional metalworking applications. The 135° split-point geometry is self-centering, reducing thrust requirements and minimizing bit walk on curved or hard surfaces. A bronze surface treatment enhances lubricity and extends bit life while reducing chip build-up during demanding cuts.

Technical Specifications

Available Sizes

Unlike standard HSS drill sets, the M42 cobalt composition of the 500E provides increased hardness and wear resistance, enabling drilling speeds approximately 30% greater than conventional HSS drills. The NAS Type J aircraft specification and bronze surface treatment set this set apart from general-purpose alternatives when working with stainless steel, titanium, and other hard, tough materials.

Key Features & Benefits

M42 Cobalt HSS Construction

M42 cobalt high-speed steel offers superior hardness and wear resistance compared to standard HSS, making it well-suited for drilling harder materials. The high red hardness of M42 cobalt allows the bits to maintain cutting performance at elevated temperatures generated during heavy-duty drilling.

Approximately 30% Faster Drilling Than HSS

Cobalt drills can operate at speeds approximately 30% greater than standard HSS drills, translating directly to faster cycle times on the job. This speed advantage reduces labor time when working through stainless steel, titanium, and high-strength alloys.

135° Self-Centering Split-Point

The 135° split-point geometry is self-centering, which reduces thrust requirements and minimizes bit walk when starting a hole. This is especially valuable when drilling on curved surfaces or in hand-drilling situations on harder materials where precise hole placement is critical.

Bronze Surface Treatment for High Lubricity

The bronze surface treatment increases lubricity and bit life while reducing chip build-up during cutting. This treatment is specifically suited for performance on harder metals and stainless steel, helping maintain consistent cutting action throughout the life of the bit.

NAS Type J Aircraft Specification

These bits are manufactured to NAS Type J aircraft specifications, reflecting heavy-duty construction standards. This specification provides contractors and trades professionals with confidence in dimensional consistency and performance under demanding conditions.

Jobber Length for Versatile Reach

Jobber length is the most common drill length because it provides extra reach and can be used in most applications. This makes the 500E set a practical all-around choice for a wide range of drilling tasks on the job site or in the shop.

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 and hardness quickly degrade standard HSS bits.

Drilling in Titanium

Titanium's toughness demands a bit material with high hardness and wear resistance; the cobalt HSS construction of the 500E is designed for exactly these high-strength materials.

Drilling in High-Strength Alloys

For contractors working with high-strength steel alloys and other hard, tough materials, the 500E set provides the cutting performance needed to maintain productivity without excessive bit replacement.

Heavy-Duty Metalworking

Built to NAS Type J aircraft specs and made from M42 cobalt HSS, these bits are designed for heavy-duty drilling applications where general-purpose HSS tooling falls short.

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, the drill bits 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 may 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, and emphysema.
• Chromium and nickel are listed as carcinogens by NTP and OSHA; cobalt is listed as Group 2B by IARC; nickel is listed as Group 2B by IARC.
• Skin contact with dust may cause irritation or allergic skin rash due to cobalt sensitization.
• Eye contact with dust may cause irritation.
• 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 might 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• For powder fires: smother with dry sand, dry dolomite, ABC-type fire extinguisher, or flood with water.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

Q: What point angle do these bits use, and why does it matter?
A: These bits feature a 135° split-point, which is self-centering. This reduces thrust requirements and minimizes walking when starting a hole, making them especially effective on curved surfaces and for hand-drilling on harder materials.

Q: What sizes are included in the 500E29 set?
A: The set includes 29 pieces covering sizes from 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths, providing a comprehensive range for most metalworking drilling tasks.

Q: What specification standard do these bits meet?
A: These bits are manufactured to NAS Type J (Aircraft) specifications, reflecting heavy-duty construction standards.

Q: What is the purpose of the bronze surface treatment on these bits?
A: The bronze surface treatment increases lubricity and bit life while reducing chip build-up. It is specifically suited for performance on harder metals and stainless steel.