Drill Bit Sets: Which Set for Wood, Metal and Masonry

A good first drill bit set is 1/16 to 1/2 in high-speed steel (HSS) or titanium-coated twist bits: they drill wood, plastic and mild steel. Then add sets by material as you need them: cobalt for stainless and hard steel, carbide-tipped masonry for brick and concrete, and brad point for clean holes in wood.

No single set drills everything well. A “do-everything” set either compromises on every material or is mostly screwdriver bits.

Types of drill bit sets compared

Set	Material of the bits	Drills	Not for
Black oxide HSS	High-speed steel with a black oxide finish	Wood, plastic, aluminum, mild steel	Stainless, hardened steel, masonry
Titanium-coated (TiN)	HSS with a gold titanium nitride coating	Same as HSS, stays sharp longer	Resharpening (the coating is ground off)
Cobalt (M35 / M42)	Steel alloy with 5 to 8% cobalt	Stainless, cast iron, hard steel	Masonry; brittle if bent
Brad point	HSS or carbon steel with a center spur	Wood: clean, exact holes	Metal
Masonry	Steel body with a carbide tip	Brick, block, concrete, stone	Metal and wood (cuts poorly)
Multi-material	Ground carbide tip	Tile, brick, wood, plasterboard	Fast work in any one material

Cobalt sets cost more, but they last far longer in metal; cobalt drill bits for hardened steel explains when they’re worth it. For a full comparison of bits for metal, see best drill bits for metal.

Which sizes should a set include?

Sets are described two ways:

• Fractional sets by 1/64 in: 1/16 to 1/2 in in 1/64 in steps is 29 bits. This is the most complete and the most useful for tapping and exact fits.
• Common-size sets: 13 bits (1/16 to 1/4 in by 1/64, roughly) or 21 bits (1/16 to 3/8 in). Fine for general home use.
• Metric sets: usually 1 to 10 mm in 0.5 mm steps (19 bits) or 1 to 13 mm.

The bits you use most at home are 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 1/4 and 5/16 in (about 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 mm). Buy a set where these come in a sturdy index case, so you can see at once which size is missing. When you need a size between the fractions, number and letter drills fill the gaps: see the drill bit size chart.

What to look for in a drill bit set

1. 135° split point. It starts without a center punch and doesn’t walk on metal. 118° points are fine for wood and soft metal.
2. Shank type for your drill. Round shanks for 3-jaw chucks; 1/4 in hex shanks for impact drivers and quick-change chucks. Check do all drill bits fit all drills before buying a hex set.
3. Labelled sizes on each bit. Etched or stamped sizes survive; printed ones rub off.
4. A real index case. Each bit in its own marked slot. Bags and loose boxes lose bits.
5. Count sizes, not pieces. A “100-piece” set may hold 30 drill bits and 70 screwdriver bits and nut drivers.

Building a set for your work

You mostly drill	Get
Wood and furniture	Brad point set + countersink bit, plus an HSS set
Mixed home repairs	29-piece HSS or titanium set + 5-piece masonry set
Metal and car work	29-piece cobalt set + cutting oil
Concrete and anchors	SDS-plus bits in 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2 in

Wood drilling has its own options: brad point bits for clean holes, and countersink bits so screw heads sit flush; see best countersink drill bit sets.

Making a set last

• Use the right speed: slow for large bits and hard metal, faster for small bits and wood.
• Use cutting oil on steel, and let the bit cool; a blue tip means it overheated and lost its hardness.
• Return each bit to its slot, so you notice when one is dull or missing.
• HSS and cobalt bits can be resharpened; titanium-coated bits lose their coating at the tip when you sharpen them.

Related guides

• Hole Saw Sizes: Chart From 3/4 in to 6 in and Uses