710A 5 PC Straight Flute Carbide Drill Set

DRILLCO 710A 5 PC Straight Flute Carbide Drill Set — High-Performance Drilling in Extreme-Hardness Materials

The DRILLCO 710A is a 5-piece solid carbide straight flute drill set engineered for production and reparation drilling in very high tensile strength materials, including cast iron, steel, and bronze up to Rc 60 hardness. Built on a micrograin carbide substrate, these drills deliver reamer-quality hole finish and are capable of drilling up to 2x faster than HSS alternatives. The set is designed for use exclusively with fixed-spindle machines such as CNC mills and drill presses, making it the right choice for machinists, maintenance departments, contractors, mechanics, and installation crews who demand precision and durability. The kit contains the 5 most frequently used sizes — 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8" — stored in a plastic index for organized jobsite use.

Technical Specifications

Unlike HSS or cobalt drills, the solid carbide construction of the 710A provides extreme rigidity and heat resistance that allows it to cut through hardened materials where softer substrates would fail or wear prematurely. The straight flute geometry — rather than spiral — is specifically chosen to increase edge strength and deliver superior size control and hole surface finish in difficult materials. The bright finish adds lubricity without the need for a coating, keeping the tool performing consistently across a wide range of high-strength workpieces.

Key Features & Benefits

Micrograin Carbide Substrate

Solid carbide construction provides extreme rigidity and strength, enabling drilling in materials up to Rc 60 hardness with excellent heat and wear resistance. This substrate allows the 710A to cut up to 2x faster than HSS drills in comparable high-strength materials, reducing cycle times on production runs.

140° Self-Centering Split Point

The 140° split-point geometry is self-centering, which reduces thrust requirements and minimizes walking at the start of a hole — critical when drilling into hard or interrupted surfaces. The split point is also regrindable, extending the usable life of each drill and reducing replacement costs over time.

Straight Flute Construction

Straight flutes increase edge strength compared to spiral flute designs and are engineered for better chip control in difficult materials. This geometry also produces good size control and a high-quality hole surface finish — described as reamer quality — reducing or eliminating the need for secondary finishing operations.

Bright Finish for Added Lubricity

The bright finish provides a smooth, polished surface that promotes chip flow and adds lubricity during cutting. This helps reduce friction and heat buildup at the cutting edge, contributing to longer tool life in demanding applications.

Round Shank for Secure Fixturing

The round shank is compatible with standard drill press and CNC mill toolholding systems, ensuring secure, concentric clamping. This is essential for maintaining hole accuracy and preventing tool slippage during high-force drilling in hard materials.

5-Piece Kit in Plastic Index

The set includes the 5 most frequently used sizes (1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8") organized in a plastic index for quick size identification and secure storage. Having the most common diameters in a single kit reduces downtime spent locating the right tool on the job.

Common Applications

Drilling in Very High Strength Materials

Designed for production drilling in cast iron, hardened steel, and bronze where HSS or cobalt drills lack the hardness and wear resistance required. The micrograin carbide substrate handles materials up to Rc 60 hardness.

Drilling Out Broken Drills, Taps, Bolts, and Screws

The 710A is specifically suited for reparation drilling — removing broken drills, taps, bolts, screws, studs, and weldments from workpieces. The solid carbide construction provides the edge strength needed to cut through hardened fastener remnants.

CNC Mill Operations

The round shank and solid carbide rigidity make these drills well-suited for use in CNC mills where consistent hole geometry and surface finish are required across production runs.

Drill Press Applications

Fixed-spindle drill press setups benefit from the self-centering split point and straight flute design, which together minimize walking and deliver accurate, repeatable holes in hard materials.

High-Performance Production Drilling

For machinists and maintenance departments running high-volume drilling operations in difficult materials, the 710A's speed advantage over HSS and its reamer-quality finish reduce both cycle time and secondary operations.

Compatible Materials

• Cast iron
• Hardened steel (up to Rc 60)
• Bronze
• Very high tensile strength metals
• Broken drills, taps, bolts, screws, studs, and weldments (reparation drilling)

Product Documents

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

Safety Data Summary

Hazard Information

• Primary hazard arises from grinding or machining the carbide, which generates dust containing Cobalt (IARC Group 2B — possibly carcinogenic to humans) and Tungsten Carbide particles
• Inhalation of dust may cause irritation of the nose and throat; prolonged exposure may cause occupational asthma or interstitial fibrosis
• Skin contact with dust or mist may cause irritation or allergic skin rash due to cobalt sensitization
• Eye contact may cause irritation
• NFPA Hazard Ratings: Health 3, Flammability 0, Reactivity 0
• California Proposition 65 Warning: This product can expose you to Cobalt, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. See www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
• Solid form is not combustible, flammable, pyrophoric, or explosive under normal handling conditions
• Incompatible with strong acids and strong oxidizers

Personal Protective Equipment

• Eye protection: Safety glasses or goggles with side shields; do not wear contact lenses when handling
• Gloves: Cloth or leather gloves recommended when contact with dust or mist is likely
• Respiratory protection: NIOSH-approved respirator if airborne dust concentration exceeds applicable PEL or TLV; all requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134 must be met
• 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
• Soiled clothing should be laundered separately

Safe Handling

• Use only with local exhaust ventilation adequate to keep airborne dust below PEL/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 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
• Operations such as welding, dust generation, or fume generation require additional precautions against inhalation and skin/eye contact
• This is a valuable material — send to an appropriate reclamation facility if available; otherwise dispose in compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local regulations
• Emergency phone: CHEM-TEL INC 1-800-255-3924

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the 710A drills be used in a handheld portable drill?
A: No. Carbide drills are more brittle than HSS or cobalt drills and should only be used for production drilling in stationary equipment such as CNC mills and drill presses. Use in handheld drills risks tool breakage.

Q: What is the hardness limit for materials these drills can cut?
A: The 710A is rated for materials up to Rc 60 hardness per the key specs; the product sheet references up to 65 Rc hardness with the micrograin carbide substrate.

Q: Are the individual drill sizes available separately outside the kit?
A: Yes. The 710 Series is also available individually in diameters ranging from #60 (0.040") to 1/2".

Q: Can the split point be resharpened?
A: Yes. The 140° split point is regrindable, which can extend the usable life of each drill.

Q: What sizes are included in the 710A5 kit?
A: The kit contains the 5 most frequently used sizes: 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8", stored in a plastic index.

Q: What are the critical factors for performance with these drills?
A: Speed, feed, and lubrication are all critical to cutting tool performance. Proper selection and control of these parameters is essential to achieving optimal tool life and hole quality.