Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
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A snapped 6mm drill bit in a partially-drilled hole is the most expensive thing in a workshop. The £15 bargain-bin sets are made from carbon steel and will dull on mild steel; trade sets use M2 HSS or HSS-Co and survive thousands of holes. When it comes to choosing the right drill bit set, UK engineering trade buyers face a range of options from basic economy packs costing around £20 to high-end professional sets priced at over £150. The key is finding a balance between durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness that suits your specific workshop needs. This article focuses on the practical aspects of selecting drill bits for daily use in UK workshops, covering materials like cobalt steel and titanium coatings, as well as bit types such as twist drills, spade bits, and Forstner bits.
How we picked these
- Material: M2 HSS handles mild steel, brass, aluminium. HSS-Co (5-8% cobalt) for stainless and high-tensile.
- Geometry: 135° split-point self-centres without a punch mark, reducing walking on hard surfaces.
- Coating: TiN (gold) doubles edge life on tough materials. Black-oxide reduces friction on mild steel.
- Size range: a metric set should cover 1.0-13.0mm in 0.5mm increments minimum.
- Case: hinged metal index protects bits. Sliding plastic boxes lose sizes.
Reviewed picks
Sutton D1100 HSS-Co Set (1.0-13.0mm, 25-piece)
Price: £90-£140 | Best for: workshop general-purpose cobalt set
The Sutton D1100 HSS-Co Set offers a robust 25-piece collection for general workshop use with sizes ranging from 1.0 to 13.0mm in 0.5mm increments. At £90-£140, it delivers reliable HSS-Co (5%) construction and a hinged metal case, ideal for durability. However, the bright finish lacks TiN coating, and the set includes only metric sizes without fractional imperial equivalents.
| Range | 1.0-13.0mm in 0.5mm steps |
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| Material | HSS-Co (5%) |
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| Point | 135° split |
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| Coating | Bright finish |
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| Case | Hinged metal |
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Pros
- HSS-Co at sub-£140
- Hinged metal index
- Sutton brand reliability
Cons
- Bright finish (no TiN coating)
- 25 sizes only - no fractional imperial
Check Sutton D1100 HSS-Co Set (1.0-13.0mm, 25-piece) on Amazon UK →
Bosch Professional HSS-Co (1.0-13.0mm, 25-piece)
Price: £110-£160 | Best for: Bosch ecosystem buyer
The Bosch Professional HSS-Co drill bit set in the 1.0-13.0mm range is a solid choice for tradespeople working within the Bosch ecosystem, priced between £110 and £160. Each bit features a TiN gold coating that extends its lifespan when drilling through tough materials. However, the plastic case with metal-lined slots may not be as durable in rugged workshop environments compared to sets with fully metal cases.
| Range | 1.0-13.0mm in 0.5mm |
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| Material | HSS-Co (5%) |
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| Point | 135° split |
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| Coating | TiN gold |
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| Case | Plastic with metal-lined slots |
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Pros
- TiN coating extends life on tough material
- Bosch trade warranty
- Self-centring 135° point
Cons
- Plastic case not as durable as metal
- Premium over Sutton for similar spec
Check Bosch Professional HSS-Co (1.0-13.0mm, 25-piece) on Amazon UK →
Milwaukee Red Helix Cobalt (15-piece, 1.5-10mm)
Price: £80-£130 | Best for: Milwaukee ecosystem + cordless drill work
The Milwaukee Red Helix Cobalt set (15-piece, 1.5-10mm) is a solid choice for UK tradespeople with a Milwaukee ecosystem setup. Featuring an aggressive helix angle that swiftly clears chips and an 8% cobalt content for durability, it's priced between £80 and £130. However, the set lacks larger bits beyond 10mm, limiting its versatility for broader drilling tasks.
| Range | 1.5-10.0mm |
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| Material | HSS-Co (8%) |
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| Point | 135° split |
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| Coating | Black-and-gold |
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| Case | Hinged metal |
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Pros
- 8% cobalt content
- Aggressive helix angle clears chips fast
- Milwaukee warranty
Cons
- No bits above 10mm in standard set
- Premium Milwaukee pricing
Check Milwaukee Red Helix Cobalt (15-piece, 1.5-10mm) on Amazon UK →
Bahco 456-3.0/13.0 HSS Set
Price: £55-£85 | Best for: budget HSS workshop set
The Bahco 456-3.0/13.0 HSS Set offers a range of sizes from 3.0 to 13.0mm in half-millimetre increments, making it a solid choice for under £85. The black oxide coating reduces friction and the plastic stand keeps bits visible at a glance. However, without cobalt, these bits can dull quickly when drilling stainless steel, and the standard 118° point may require a punch mark for precision.
| Range | 3.0-13.0mm in 0.5mm |
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| Material | M2 HSS (no cobalt) |
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| Point | 118° standard |
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| Coating | Black oxide |
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| Case | Plastic stand |
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Pros
- Bahco brand at sub-£85
- Black oxide reduces friction
- Plastic stand keeps bits visible
Cons
- No cobalt - dulls on stainless
- 118° point requires punch mark
Check Bahco 456-3.0/13.0 HSS Set on Amazon UK →
Dewalt Pilot Point Industrial (29-piece)
Price: £60-£90 | Best for: Dewalt ecosystem + mixed metric/imperial
The Dewalt Pilot Point Industrial (29-piece) set ranges from £60 to £90 and covers both metric and fractional imperial sizes in one box, making it a go-to for UK tradespeople. The Pilot Point design cuts faster with less walking, but the plain HSS material isn't as durable as cobalt bits. Plus, the yellow plastic case feels a bit flimsy for the price.
| Range | 1.5-13.0mm + 1/16-1/2 imperial |
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| Material | M2 HSS |
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| Point | Pilot point split |
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| Coating | Black-and-gold |
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| Case | Yellow plastic |
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Pros
- Covers metric + fractional imperial in one box
- Pilot Point reduces walking
- Trade-favourite branding
Cons
- Plain HSS not cobalt
- Plastic case feels cheap for the price
Check Dewalt Pilot Point Industrial (29-piece) on Amazon UK →
Snap-On DB103A Drill Bit Set (1.5-13mm cobalt)
Price: £400-£550 | Best for: professional mobile mechanic / aerospace
The Snap-On DB103A Drill Bit Set (1.5-13mm cobalt) is a robust option for professional mobile mechanics and aerospace engineers, priced between £400 to £550. It boasts an 8% cobalt content for superior durability and comes with the brand's lifetime warranty, though it rarely gets used. The set’s lockable metal case stands out as the heaviest-duty in the market, but its high price point rivals that of Sutton tools despite similar material quality.
| Range | 1.5-13.0mm in 0.5mm |
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| Material | HSS-Co (8%) |
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| Point | 135° split |
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| Coating | Bright finish |
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| Case | Lockable metal index |
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Pros
- Snap-On lifetime warranty
- Heaviest-duty case in the market
- 8% cobalt
Cons
- £400+ for what is materially Sutton-equivalent steel
- Lifetime warranty rarely needed
Check Snap-On DB103A Drill Bit Set (1.5-13mm cobalt) on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (trade) | Sutton D1100 HSS-Co - solid cobalt set at sub-£140 |
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| Best Bosch ecosystem | Bosch Professional HSS-Co - TiN coating extends life |
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| Best Milwaukee ecosystem | Milwaukee Red Helix Cobalt - 8% cobalt for cordless use |
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| Best budget HSS | Bahco 456 - Bahco brand at sub-£85 |
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| Best metric + imperial | Dewalt Pilot Point 29-piece - covers both standards |
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| Best premium lifetime | Snap-On DB103A - professional reference set |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
HSS or cobalt drill bits?
M2 HSS handles mild steel, aluminium, brass and plastics. HSS-Co (5-8% cobalt) is required for stainless, hardened steel, tool steel and high-tensile alloys. Cobalt sets cost 50-80% more but last ~3x longer when cutting tough material.
What does 135° split-point mean?
The angle of the cutting tip. Standard 118° points need a punch mark to start the hole - they'll walk on a smooth surface. 135° split-points are sharper at the centre and self-start without a punch, saving time and improving hole accuracy. Trade pick: 135° split-point throughout.
Is TiN coating worth paying for?
On tough materials (stainless, hardened steel) TiN doubles bit life. On mild steel and aluminium the difference is small. If you cut a lot of stainless, buy TiN. Otherwise plain bright or black-oxide is fine and shows wear better.
How many bits does a workshop set need?
Minimum useful range: 1.0-13.0mm in 0.5mm increments = 25 bits. That covers all metric tapping drill sizes M2-M16 plus general drilling. For larger holes, step drills (4-32mm cone) cover most one-off work without dedicated bits.
Why do my drill bits keep snapping?
Three causes: (1) too high RPM for material - stainless wants 200-400 RPM not 2,000; (2) too much feed pressure forcing the bit instead of letting it cut; (3) no cutting fluid on stainless / hardened steel. Use less RPM, less pressure, and a drop of cutting oil on tough materials.
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