We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products. A HSS drill bit is made from high-speed steel, as described in the materials section above. It’s often used in multi-purpose drill bits as it can be used on wood, plastic and metal. HSS drill bits are also the best drill bits for soft metals. They’re great for moving beyond your standard twist bit sizes and eliminating the need for a punch for holes up to 1-1/4″ or a little more. They also feature a flat flute with a slight taper at each step. This gives you the ability to drill in sheet metal and other thin metals that might deform if you cut through at an angle. In addition to making new holes, they also excel at enlarging existing ones.

Cobalt: an incredibly strong alloy metal used to drill through tough materials. It can withstand heat and resistance and is the best drill bit for stainless steel. White wall plugs can vary in diameter (6-10mm). So, to drill a hole for a white wall plug, you will need a drill bit that’s the same diameter as the plug you choose. A drill bit's suitability for drilling into certain materials usually depends on what the drill bit is made from and coated with. The drill bit guide below describes the main options:

Auger bits have a threaded tip that pulls the bit forward as it rotates in the wood. Its strong, full-fluted design also makes it easier to drill nice and straight. Step Bits

Most red wall plugs are 6mm in diameter, so to drill a hole for a red plug, you will need a 6mm drill bit. Most brown wall plugs are 7mm in diameter, so to drill a hole for a brown plug, you will need a 7mm drill bit. Auger bits closely mirror spade bits but work better for deeper holes that require lots of chip removal at the point of entry. The full-fluted design makes this possible. You typically need a stronger drill when using these bits. This becomes very apparent when drilling deep holes or holes that exceed 3/4-inches in diameter.Carbide-tipped: one of the hardest materials on the planet, this drill bit only uses carbide on the tip. It’s suitable for drilling masonry, tiles and concrete.