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In order to properly work on a home DIY job, or any other building-related job with precision, you will need the right kind of drilling tool. A range of drilling requirements entails various types of drill bits.
As a handy person, aiming to get the exact hole size required in a specific location (could be at places that are difficult to access) on any material isn’t enough. However, you are required to think of the different issues you will face throughout the drilling process as well. This is where a drill bit comes into play.
This article mainly focuses on highlighting the key differences between black oxide vs titanium drill bits.
Main Differences Between Black Oxide vs Titanium Drill Bits
The main differences between Black Oxide vs Titanium Drill bits are:
- Black oxide drill bits are ideal for hard and soft metals, whereas Titanium Drill Bits are excellent for drilling wood, metal, fiberglass, and PVC.
- Black oxide drills have a decent heat resistance, whereas Titanium Drill Bits are longer lasting and are better rated.
- Black oxide drills are made when HSS is heated to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas Titanium drills are HSS that is coated with titanium nitride.
My Top Picks:
- My Preferred Black Oxide Drill Bits: Get this 21-piece Bosch black oxide set here.
- My Preferred Tiatnium Drill Bits: Get this DEWALT DW1361 21-piece drill bit set here.
But first, what is a drill bit?
A drill bit is essentially a cutting tool or device which can be connected to a power drill. These bits are used to cut round holes in different materials. As it is offered in different sizes, it can cut holes of various formats too. These products are basically utilized in machining and building industries.
Before picking any drill, it is best if you already have some knowledge on the material you are about to drill. Soft materials (like wood) can be drilled easily by using virtually any type of drill bits (depending on the precision required), but more robust materials (like steel) require some specific types of drill bits to be able to penetrate and get the needed result.
Having said that, it is vital to know that some bits are bought simply because they are affordable, while others are purchased because a great deal of precision is required.
Every bit is created using a particular material or has a specific kind of cover that will make the drilling of specific types of holes possible. Apart from these, bit size and the angle of the tip are likewise crucial in helping people to discover the best kind of cutting tool for their requirements.
As a matter of fact, there is a drill bit developed explicitly for almost every hole-type and every working material under the sun – this implies that for each task you want to venture into, you might possibly need a different drill bit. From metal and ceramics to glass, plastic, marble, wood, and numerous others, there’s a drill bit for that.
How To Choose A Drill Bit
There’s an old sales expression, “when individuals purchase a drill bit, what they’re truly purchasing is a hole.”
So, when picking the ideal drill bit for the task, it is vital to think about the hole you wish to create. What surface do you need to permeate? How deep do you require to drill? What is the number of holes you need to create? Utilizing the right drill bit will provide you the result you need to accomplish.
Nevertheless, utilizing the wrong drill bit can result in harm to your electric drill and potential damage to the drilled surface area itself. There are many types of drill bits that can be used for different materials. For example, when drilling concrete, a masonry drill bit is needed, which has to be tougher than it needs to be sharp.
When you drill softwood, toughness is less critical than sharpness. In fact, if you drill wood with a masonry drill, the duller cutting edge which breaks up stone and concrete surfaces so well, will create a lot of friction on the wood which can smolder and combust.
Drill bits designed to penetrate metal are a different kind of a bit, again. Like a wood drill bit, the requirement for cutting sharpness for metal is as essential, but the drill bit itself needs to be made of an even harder material than a wood bit. Both of them are precision items having different characteristics.
Wood and metal bits can look very similar in design and shape. So, the easiest way to tell the difference is most wood bits are golden in color. Metal bits tend to be HSS and a dark bluish, gun-metal grey and can contain cobalt or titanium. Masonry bits are often a bright silver finish. But not in every case, so it is essential to refer to the manufacturer’s or the supplier’s specification.
Also, unlike masonry and metal bits, wood bits can also be flat in design with a chisel-like head, which comes to a beautiful, sharp point. This enables you to make bigger holes than can be achieved using a round or tubular style of bit. So, take care to look at the alternatives available to you. This way, you will always have the right bit for the right surface and create a hole that is right for you. Do not, under any circumstance, use the wrong bit for the job.
For example, if you used a wood bit on concrete or metal, it will damage the bit; chipping lumps off the sharp cutting edge. It can even snap the bit. You can use metal bits on some softwoods, but generally, it is best to keep a supply of each type of bit, so you always have the appropriate tool.
If you are looking to drill holes in plastic, it is usually best to use a metal surface bit. This is the most precise of drill bits. If you are using a multi-purpose electric drill, be mindful to check and set the drill setting according to the surface. For example, generally speaking, you would not use the ‘hammer-drill’ setting for wood, plastic, or metals. However, the ‘hammer-drill’ setting can make life a lot easier when drilling holes into concrete and stone.
As you can see, using the right drill bit for the job is quite essential to get the hole drilled adequately and maintaining the stability of the material you need holes in. Do not be lured into taking faster ways; you will end up having to replace your bits and typically the surface area as well if you do so.
Black Oxide Drill Bits
Black oxide drill bits use superior resilience and speed for many general-purpose drilling applications in wood, metal, and plastic. The triple tempered black oxide finish coating offers really high lubricity to minimize heat accumulation and extend the life of the bit.
- Usually comes with a 135-degree split point so as to have fast starts as well as minimal skating or to walk
- Bit sizes are smaller than 1/8″ have 118-degree standard point
These are high-speed steel (HSS bits) drill bits that come with an added finish to minimize friction between the workpiece and the bits. HSS Drill bits can handle twice a longer lifespan than the regular high-speed steel bits and drills 3X quicker with speed helix.
Materials that can be drilled with Black Oxide Drill Bits
- Alloy steels
- Carbon steel
- Composition board
- Drywall
- Plastic
- PVC (polymerizing vinyl chloride) materials
- Wood
Black oxide finish for greater wear protection. Parabolic flute design for greater bit strength, includes tough case container to keep bits organized. Sliding soft-grip lock keeps case closed securely.
Titanium Drill Bits
Titanium drill bits provide the best toughness and speed for repeated drilling applications in steel, alloy steel, wood, and plastic. The titanium covering lasts six times longer than standard high-speed steel drill bits.
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Each titanium drill bit comes with a 135-degree split point to enable quick starts and minimal skating or walking.
Titanium covered drill bits are high speed steel bits that have titanium nitride coating. This unique finish offers the bits an extremely high surface area firmness to assist in permeating hard materials, makes the bits highly corrosion resistant and substantially lowers friction in-between bit and workpiece. Titanium coating bits last as much as 6X longer than necessary high-speed steel bits and drills 3X much faster with speed helix.
Materials that can be drilled with Titanium Drill Bits
- Wooden materials
- Steels
- PVC
- Plastic
- Drywall
- Composition board
- Carbon steel
- Alloy
Red Helix design for fast material removal. Shockwave Impact Duty is engineered for drills and impacts. 135-degree split point for precision start with no walking. Titanium coating for 3X the lifespan versus black oxide.
Taking Care of your Drill Bits
The drill machine is most likely among the most essential pieces of devices a person can have in their own family emergency construction kit. However, even if this device is essential, and it yields the finest results that you ever anticipated, if you do not take care of it, then it will merely not offer the exact same results ever once again and you will find yourself looking for an expert to fix it or start looking for a new device that will bring you the results the old one did.
The response to this little problem is merely maintenance. By taking care of your drills, you can ensure the survival of your drilling device for an extremely long time to come … that is of course if you do not have an electrical issue that will fry your device anyhow.
You can maintain a great condition for your drills if you hone them regularly. You can take your drills to be honed at any hardware shop or if you own a drill sharpener or mill currently, then you understand precisely what the full residential or commercial properties of this useful machine is. If you keep your drill bits sharp, then you will have the capability to drill with the greatest effect and with maximum performance.
Obviously, even while you are honing your drill bits, you need to make sure that you do not affect the total structure of the drill bits by pushing too hard and honing them in a really bad way where you eliminate most of the material available and actually reduce the size of the drill bits, and at the same time, you need to take excellent care when dealing with angle sharpening.
You have to be sure that the angles will stay the very same and just get sharper without modifying their pitch. If the angles are not right any longer, then the drill bits will simply not have the very same efficiency that they had before.
Another very important aspect you need to consider when speaking of drill bit upkeep is corrosion. If you want to have the ability to utilize your drill bits for a very long time, then you better make certain that they are kept out of humidity or out of the reach of any water source.
The main enemy or metal is rust, and there is no drill today that does not consist of metal, so be sure to keep them covered at all times or enclosed or locked away where water will not reach, in which case, they are safe.
With these main tips in mind, you will have no problems being able to maintain your drill bits effectively.
Sharpening Your Drill Bits
I understand from experience that just a couple of things are as aggravating as working without the appropriate tools. Perhaps, you are attempting to conclude the job to move onto the next one, or possibly, you are putting the finishing touches on a remodeling project.
However, the time will come when you are stuck dealing with dull drill bits, and you do not desire to spend the time or the cash to purchase a brand-new one. That is where the knowledge of sharpening drill bits can save you time, money, and aggravation.
Using a regular bench mill that can be found in numerous house workshops, you can rapidly sharpen bits freehand. They won’t be quiet as a brand-new bit; however, they will do the job perfectly and get you back in action quickly.
Six Steps To Hone Your Drill Bits On Your Grinding Wheel
- Hold the drill bit so that the cutting face is parallel to the grinding wheel surface area. The idea here is to get rid of just as much metal as required to clean up the cutting edge.
- Slowly bring the bit into contact with the wheel. Keep the bit as straight as possible, without rotating it. The aim isn’t to duplicate the original curvature of the factory grind. Instead, we’re making a new, flatter cutting face.
- The heel part of the cutting face should be ground somewhat more than the edge. This will cause the cutting edge to come in contact with the drilled surface area initially, when in use.
- When you hone drill bits, metal is gotten rid of, and the steel will start to warm up. Dip the bit into the water several times to keep it cool. If it becomes extremely hot to hold with your bare hands, then it means you’re either grinding too fast or not dipping and cooling frequently enough.
- Immediately the cutting edge becomes sharp, spin the bit half a turn, then commence with the sharpening of the other cutting face. The more evenly you can grind the two edges, the better the bit will perform.
- When you’ve got both edges sharp, inspect to see if they are the exact same width. Look at the drill end-on. The two cutting edges must nearly meet to form a point in the center of the bit size. There will be a brief line focused in between the two. If not, no issue; simply grind a little bit more on the wider side up until the two even up.
Our Summarized Thoughts on Black Oxide vs. Titanium Drill Bits
Black Oxide Drill Bits
Bits covered with black oxide ought to be more affordable than titanium coating bits. They have decent heat resistance. Many sites that speak about the breakdown between these two types of drill bits, usually rate the black oxide drill bits for much better water, rust and deterioration resistance.
Titanium Drill Bits
Titanium is a bit undefined because there are numerous coverings that utilize titanium. They are better rated for heat resistance and most of the time, and they last longer than the black oxide bits. So, you should have the ability to run them faster for longer periods of time when compared to black oxide drill bits.
FAQ’s About Black Oxide vs Titanium Drills
Because they are coated, titanium drills cannot be sharpened, unlike it’s the case with cobalt drill bits who can be sharpened because they are made of cobalt steel.
Maintaining your tools is a must if you want to prolong their life and to prevent any injuries, so the best way to protect your black oxide drill is to wipe it after every use with a clean cloth, and toothbrush which will catch any debris left. The final step is to add machine oil to the beats and store them until future use.
Yes. Since regular drills cannot cut hard metals, you will have to get a stronger drill. Best drill bits for that job would possibly be made of titanium or black oxide. Titanium are the drill bits for metal because they are hard, and they can cut any metal including metal sheeting.
Conclusion: Titanium or Black Oxide Drill Bits?
Drill bits are one of those products that are mainly taken for granted by a lot of DIY enthusiasts and handymen, yet they are in reality an essential part of the building, manufacturing, upkeep along with the DIY itself.
Oddly enough, even though bits are part and parcel of an everyday commonplace tool, there is still a reasonable amount of confusion surrounding the different types of bits that are readily available on the market as well as their sometimes, rather unique intended function and application purposes.
Both the black oxide and the titanium drill bits are ranked for basically the same materials. It is true that drills coated in titanium nitrate should outlive a black oxide layered drill bit.
However, for a wood employee, the two can be used interchangeably, and they will still provide the same results (this mainly depends upon each bit’s size and pitch as well as some other factors).
Red Helix design for fast material removal. Shockwave Impact Duty is engineered for drills and impacts. 135-degree split point for precision start with no walking. Titanium coating for 3X the lifespan versus black oxide.
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