Cobalt drill bits earn their keep in metalwork, garage repairs, and shop projects where ordinary bits quit early. You want the right mix of size range, shank style, split-point geometry, and storage so the set fits your drill and your routine without fuss.
The eight options below cover full sets, tighter size packs, and single-diameter bundles. That spread matters because the best match for a home bench isn’t always the same one that suits a fabricator, a maintenance tech, or someone drilling a few stubborn holes in hard stock.
Quick Shortlist For Busy Projects
IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Alloy Steel 29-Piece
Irwin Tools IRWIN Drill Bit Set, Cobalt Alloy Steel 15-Piece
CaRoller Cobalt Drill Bit Set 29-Piece M35 Cobalt Steel
Drill America 1/8″ Cobalt Drill Bit Pack of 12
13PCS Cobalt Drill Bit Set 1/16″-1/4″ M35 Jobber Length
M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set 20PCS 1/16″-1/2″ Index Case
LU&MN M35 Jobber Drill Bits 1/4″ 10 Pcs
KENDO M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set 13PCS 1/16-1/4 Inch
More Details On Our Top Picks
A 29-piece spread gives you room to handle small pilot holes and more demanding metal jobs without juggling a bunch of separate kits. The 135-degree split point helps the bit start with less wandering, which matters when you’re marking out on steel or working from a hand drill.
Compared with the smaller 15-piece IRWIN set later in this list, this one gives you a much wider spread of sizes from 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch in 1/64-inch steps. That makes it a stronger match for garages and home shops where your next job rarely looks like the last one.
What We Like
- Wide size coverage supports more jobs from one case.
- Fine 1/64-inch steps help you match hole size more closely.
- The split-point tip reduces the need for constant repositioning.
- Jobber length suits common handheld and drill-press work.
- Good fit for shop shelves where variety matters more than compactness.
Room For Improvement
- Larger set means more pieces to keep organized.
- The broader range can be more than you need for simple one-off tasks.
Feature Rundown
Who Should Grab It
You’ll get the most value from this set if you drill into metal often and want one case that covers a broad spread of sizes. It suits home mechanics, maintenance work, and workshop use better than a tiny starter kit.
Look Elsewhere When
Choose the Drill America 1/8″ Cobalt Drill Bit pack when you mostly need one size in quantity for repeat holes. It’s a cleaner fit for production-style jobs than IRWIN’s broader mixed-size layout.
The clear lid is a simple touch, but it makes a real difference in a busy garage where you want to spot the right bit without dumping the case open. Stackable storage also helps keep the set tidy in a toolbox or travel kit, which is handy for service calls and mobile repairs.
Compared with the larger IRWIN 29-piece set, this one feels more compact and easier to keep within reach. The trade-off is obvious, because you get less size coverage, so it suits you best when storage ease matters more than having every diameter on hand.
Highlights
- Clear lid makes contents easy to see at a glance.
- Stackable case helps with travel and shelf organization.
- Smaller footprint works well in tight tool storage.
Small Caveats
- Fewer pieces mean less size variety than a full-size set.
- Compact layout suits simple carry, but not broad job coverage.
Core Details
Made For
This set fits you well if you want a smaller cobalt kit for a truck box, toolbox drawer, or mobile service bag. The honest read is that it feels most useful for neat storage habits and lighter-duty variety.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Alloy Steel 29-Piece makes more sense for you when broader size coverage matters more than a compact case. It’s the better match for fuller workshop coverage.
This set stands out for the included cup-style holder, which gives you a more organized way to keep the bits at hand during work. Round shanks are the practical part here, since that profile fits common drill chucks and keeps setup straightforward for most shop drills.
Compared with the more compact Irwin Tools set, CaRoller leans harder into convenience and layout. You may find that useful on mixed-material jobs in steel, wood, plastic, and sheet metal, especially when your bench tends to collect loose bits fast.
Bright Spots
- 29-piece layout gives you broad everyday coverage.
- Cup-style holder helps keep the set in order.
- Round shank works with common drill chuck setups.
- Useful for mixed-material work across the shop.
Points To Note
- The taller holder may take more space on a crowded bench.
- Storage convenience matters most, so the set feels less stripped-down than a simple bit case.
Technical Sheet
Built With In Mind
This is a sensible match for you if you want a full set with a storage piece that keeps the bits visible and together. It works well for garage projects, light fabrication, and home repairs where organization saves time.
Swap It Out When
The Drill America 1/8″ Cobalt Drill Bit pack is the cleaner choice for repeated holes in one diameter. It suits production-style work better than CaRoller’s broader mixed-kit setup.
A twelve-pack of one size makes sense when your job keeps returning to the same hole diameter. That’s the whole point here, and it’s a good fit for repeat work in thin stock, fixtures, and shop tasks where replacing worn bits is part of the routine.
Compared with the mixed-size IRWIN and CaRoller sets, this one is far more focused. The trade-off is flexibility, because a single 1/8-inch size won’t cover the variety that home improvers often want on the shelf.
Reasons To Buy
- Pack of 12 supports repeated use of one common size.
- Useful for task-specific jobs that call for consistency.
- Simpler inventory helps keep the bench organized.
Areas To Watch
- Only one diameter is included, so flexibility is limited.
- Best suited to focused tasks rather than all-purpose drilling.
Feature Card
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
You’ll appreciate this pack most when you drill 1/8-inch holes often and want extra pieces ready to go. It suits maintenance benches, fabrication tasks, and repeat-install work better than a broad mixed set.
Another Choice May Suit
The KENDO M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set makes more sense for you when you need a wider spread of sizes in one compact kit. It gives more flexibility for general-purpose home use.
The size span here is narrower than the 29-piece sets, but that can be a plus for straightforward home metal tasks. A smaller range from 1/16 inch to 1/4 inch keeps the set manageable, and jobber length gives you the familiar all-purpose shape many drills handle well.
Compared with the Drill America single-size pack, this one gives you more flexibility without becoming bulky. The honest read is that it lands in the middle, which makes it easy to live with for occasional repair work and weekend projects.
Best Bits
- Useful size range for common small-to-mid holes.
- Jobber length keeps the set broadly versatile.
- Small enough to store without crowding the toolbox.
- Good middle ground for casual metal drilling.
Minor Gripes
- Stops at 1/4 inch, so larger hole needs call for another set.
- Best suited to lighter mixed use, not broad workshop coverage.
Details At A Glance
Right Fit For
This set suits you well if you want a modest cobalt kit for routine home use and metalwork that stays within smaller diameters. It’s a calm, practical choice for people who don’t need a huge case.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Alloy Steel 29-Piece is the smarter move for broader size coverage. It gives you more room to work when jobs vary from one project to the next.
The index storage case is the useful part here, because it helps you keep size order straight instead of guessing which bit goes where. A 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch range gives the set serious reach for a workshop, and the jobber length format keeps it familiar for general drilling.
Compared with the BECOLLO 13-piece kit, this one is a more grown-up workshop choice. The case layout and larger size spread make it better for people who reach for cobalt bits often and want less time sorting, more time drilling.
Upsides
- Index case helps keep sizes organized.
- Large range covers both small and larger holes.
- Good fit for workshop benches that see steady use.
- Jobber length keeps compatibility broad for common drills.
Worth Noting
- Larger kit and case take more storage room.
- More pieces can mean a little more upkeep to keep everything in place.
Spec Overview
The Right Fit
This is a strong match for you if your drill bits live in a workbench drawer and you want a set that stays organized under regular use. It also suits more experienced home mechanics who value quick bit selection.
Look Elsewhere When
The KENDO M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set is easier to live with for lighter home kits, especially when you want fewer pieces and a smaller case. It feels less crowded on a compact shelf.
A fixed 1/4-inch size makes this pack very direct, and that simplicity helps when your projects keep calling for the same hole diameter. The 135-degree split point and straight shank are the kind of practical details that matter for steel, aluminum, and other metals in day-to-day shop work.
Compared with Drill America’s 1/8-inch bundle, this set is aimed at a larger, repeat size. That makes it a better fit for installers and metalworkers who use 1/4-inch holes often, while the narrower focus keeps the case simple.
Best Bits
- Repeated 1/4-inch drilling is the main advantage here.
- Split-point tip helps the bit start with less skating.
- Straight shank keeps chuck setup familiar.
- Good match for metal-focused task repetition.
Things To Consider
- Only one size is included, so flexibility stays low.
- Best for a specific job profile rather than mixed use.
Key Specs
Who It Suits Best
This pack suits you best if your work keeps coming back to 1/4-inch holes in metal and you want a dedicated supply on hand. It makes sense for focused shop tasks more than mixed home drilling.
Skip It When
The IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Alloy Steel 29-Piece is the better choice for broader size variety. You’ll appreciate that more if your job list changes from one project to the next.
KENDO keeps the footprint small while still covering the common 1/16-inch to 1/4-inch range many home projects need. The 135-degree tip is useful in the same way it is on the larger IRWIN set, since a cleaner start matters more than flashy packaging when you’re drilling harder stock.
Compared with the BECOLLO 13-piece set, this one lands in a similar size band but feels easier to position as a compact general-use kit. That makes it a neat fit for light workshop shelves, small garages, and tool bags that do not have room for a larger case.
Positives
- Compact size range suits common household metal jobs.
- 13-piece count keeps the set manageable.
- Jobber length works well in general-purpose drills.
- Good storage fit for smaller tool collections.
Honest Caveats
- Range stops at 1/4 inch, so bigger holes need another set.
- The small footprint is handy, but it won’t replace a broader kit.
Feature Snapshot
Perfect Match For
This set fits you well if you want a small cobalt kit for light repairs, hobby work, and occasional drilling in harder materials. It’s the kind of set that stays useful without taking over your storage space.
Where Shoppers Go Wrong
The M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set 20PCS makes more sense when you want a larger size range and better organization in one case. It’s the smarter move for more frequent workshop drilling.
How To Choose The Right Cobalt Drill Bits Uks
Match The Bit To The Material
Cobalt bits are built for harder drilling jobs, but the real difference often comes down to the work surface. Steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, wood, plastic, and sheet metal all ask for different levels of size coverage and tip control, so you want a set that fits the material you reach for most.
Bit geometry matters here too. A 135-degree split point helps the tip start with less wandering, which is useful when you’re marking holes on metal and don’t want the bit skating off line. For routine shop work, that small detail can save time and reduce frustration.
Size Range Matters More Than You Think
A broad set like the IRWIN 29-piece option covers a lot of ground, while a narrower 13-piece kit stays easier to store. The right choice depends on how often your work changes, not just how many pieces are in the case.
Single-size packs make sense for repeated drilling. Mixed sets make more sense for general repairs, hobby work, and garage projects where you rarely know the next hole size in advance. That’s the trade-off worth weighing before you settle on a kit.
Pay Attention To Storage And Shank Style
Shank style is the part that fits into your drill chuck, the clamp that holds the bit in place. Straight and round shanks are common, and they suit most standard drills, while a tidy case or index layout helps keep sizes from vanishing into a drawer.
Storage sounds boring until you’re halfway through a project and need the right diameter fast. A clear lid, stackable case, cup-style holder, or index tray can make the set easier to live with, especially in a crowded garage or mobile tool bag.
Think About How You Work Day To Day
A weekend DIY setup needs different priorities than a service van or fabrication bench. Compact kits suit small spaces and occasional jobs, while bigger sets make sense for anyone who drills metal often and wants fewer compromises.
You also want to think about upkeep. Bits live longer when they’re kept dry, returned to their slots, and used at sensible speeds for the material at hand. That’s not glamorous, but it’s the difference between a tidy tool and one that turns into clutter.
A Quick Reality Check
Common Shopping Slip Ups
A lot of people reach for a cobalt set that looks complete, then realize it doesn’t cover the sizes they actually use. That’s easy to dodge by matching the range to your usual holes instead of shopping by piece count alone.
Another miss is ignoring storage. A loose set can be awkward in a busy garage, and a bulky case can feel annoying in a small toolbox, so the case shape matters almost as much as the bits themselves.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Higher-tier sets tend to cost more because of the steel blend, the size spread, and the storage design that keeps the kit orderly. You’re also paying for little conveniences like split points, indexed trays, or tighter size steps.
That upgrade makes sense when your drill bits see regular use. A more complete set is easier to justify for workshop work than for a single repair in a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cobalt drill bits good for hard metals?
Yes, they’re a strong match for harder metal drilling jobs because the material is built with tougher wear resistance in mind. That makes them a practical choice for steel, stainless steel, and cast iron work.
What does M35 mean in a drill bit set?
M35 refers to a cobalt-hardened steel blend used in many drill bits. It’s a common marker for harder-use drilling sets.
Why do some sets use a split point tip?
A split point helps the bit start with less wandering on the surface. That matters most on metal, where a bit that skates can throw off your layout.
Do I need a huge set for home projects?
Not always, because many home tasks only call for a narrow size range. A smaller set can be easier to store and still cover the holes you use most.
Is a single-size pack useful?
Yes, it works well when your work keeps coming back to one diameter. That kind of pack is handy for repeat jobs and replacement spares.
Final Thoughts
The right cobalt set depends on your space, your material, and how often you drill metal. A broad kit like the IRWIN 29-piece set suits mixed workshop work, while the 1/4-inch packs make more sense for repeated jobs. Smaller sets are easier to store, and larger sets give you more breathing room on the bench. Choose the one that matches the kind of work you actually do, and the set will feel useful instead of crowded.
