When should I choose M35 cobalt over standard HSS drill bits?

Choose M35 cobalt high-speed steel when drilling stainless steel, high-tensile alloy steel, or cast iron. The cobalt content maintains hardness at temperatures where standard HSS softens and dulls. For mild steel and soft non-ferrous metals, standard HSS provides reliable tool life at a lower cost.

Which drill shank style best prevents slipping during heavy metal drilling?

Use 3-flat or triangle shanks to prevent slipping in standard three-jaw drill chucks under high torque. Straight and round shanks rely purely on friction and can slip under heavy feeds in thick plate. Quick-change 1/4-inch hex shanks lock directly into compatible chucks for rapid tool swaps.

How do I choose between step drill bits and standard twist bits for metal fabrication?

Step drill bits are best for thin sheet metal, electrical enclosures, and control panels up to the step depth thickness. They drill clean, burr-free holes without grabbing or tearing thin stock. Twist drill bits are the correct choice for solid plate, bar stock, and holes deeper than a single step increment.

What is the advantage of bi-metal construction in metal cutting saw blades?

Bi-metal blades join high-speed steel teeth to an alloy steel backing strip. This allows the teeth to retain high cutting hardness while the flexible body absorbs the vibration and shock of interrupted cuts. The design helps prevent tooth stripping when sectioning structural tubing, angle iron, and pipe.

When are manual sheet metal shears preferred over powered cutting tools?

Manual shears excel at precision trimming, template shaping, and tight radiuses on gauge sheet metal where power tools might remove too much material. They produce cold cuts without heat discoloration, sparks, or grinding dust. For structural stock or thick plate sections, powered cold saws or band saws are required.

Metal Cutting

40 products available

Metal cutting tools cover the consumable tooling and cutting equipment needed to machine, section, and shape metal stock. Compel supplies industrial machine shops, fabrication facilities, and maintenance operations with production-grade metal cutting equipment for structural steel, sheet stock, and tough alloys.

Our inventory spans metal drill bits from 1.0 mm to 32 mm, metal cutting circular and band saw blades, and manual sheet metal shears. Whether you run stationary machine tools or portable power equipment, we stock tooling graded for high thermal loads and demanding duty cycles. Order direct to keep your production runs and maintenance schedules moving without delay.

40 products in Metal Cutting

Premium M35 Cobalt HSS drill bit set for stainless steel, sizes 1mm to 13mm, for metalworking with electric or manual drills.

Metal Drill Bits

M35 Cobalt Drill Bits | 1-13mm Set | For Stainless Steel & Hardened Metal

TBS-02689ACCS-00218

£4.99

HSS 4241 Cobalt Step Drill Bit Set with 50 sizes in a durable aluminum case, for precise cone drilling in metal.

Metal Drill Bits

50-Piece Step Drill Bit Set | HSS 4241 Cobalt Steel | Multi-Hole Metal Cutting Kit

TBS-02694ACCS-00222

£8.99

99-piece titanium drill bit set with 135-degree split point tips for reduced walking, includes sizes from 1/16 inch in a durable metal index case.

Metal Drill Bits

Titanium Drill Bit Set | 135° Split Point | 99-Piece High-Speed Steel Kit

TBS-02695ACCS-00223

£20.99

White steel twist drill bit set with 1/4 inch hex handle for quick changes, includes 4mm to 10mm sizes for drilling stainless steel and hard metals.

Metal Drill Bits

High-Speed Steel Drill Bit Set | 1/4 Hex Shank | 4mm-10mm for Hardened Metal

TBS-02696DRIL-00003

£30.99

6-piece titanium step drill bit set with hexagonal shanks and straight groove design for precise metal drilling and milling.

Metal Drill Bits

Step Drill Bit Set | 6-Piece Titanium Plated | Hex Shank for Precise Drilling

TBS-02716ACCS-00240

£11.99

M35 Cobalt Pagoda Step Drill Bit for stainless steel, featuring a hexagonal spiral flute and 3mm to 13mm hole opening range.

Metal Drill Bits

Cobalt Step Drill Bit Set | 3-13mm Hex Shank | For Stainless Steel & Hard Metals

TBS-02725DRIL-00007

£9.99

6-piece high-speed steel mini circular saw blade set for metal cutting, featuring durable HSS blades for electric grinders and rotary tools.

Metal Cutting Saw Blades

6-Piece High-Speed Steel Circular Saw Blade Set | For Metal Cutting & Grinder Slicing

TBS-00466ACCS-00127

£4.99

FIndustrial pneumatic punch gun for creating round holes in metal, iron plate, and stainless steel, available in 3.2mm, 4.2mm, and 6mm sizes.

Sheet Metal Cutters & Punches

Pneumatic Hole Punch | 3.2mm, 4.2mm, 6mm Dies | Heavy-Duty Metal & Stainless Steel Fabrication Tool

TBS-00010TOOL-00009

£244.99

Cobalt M35 high-speed steel drill bit set for metal and stainless steel, featuring a durable twist design in a protective case.

Metal Drill Bits

Cobalt Drill Bit Set | M35 High-Speed Steel | For Stainless Steel & Hard Metal Drilling

TBS-00165ACCS-00038

£6.99

SLUGB M35 Cobalt High Speed Steel twist drill bit set for metal and stainless steel, presented in a durable plastic case.

Metal Drill Bits

M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set | High-Speed Steel for Metal & Stainless Steel

TBS-00166ACCS-00039

£40.99

TOOLEYE premium carbide drill bit set for metalworking, featuring tungsten steel twist drills from 1.0mm to 20.0mm for CNC and lathe use.

Metal Drill Bits

Tungsten Carbide Drill Bit Set | High-Speed Steel Drilling | 1.0-20.0mm for CNC & Metalworking

TBS-00173ACCS-00046

£11.99

TASP 730mm M42 Bimetal Band Saw Blade, 18/24 TPI for portable bandsaws like Makita and Panasonic, 2-pack on a dark background.

Metal Cutting Saw Blades

Professional Bimetal Band Saw Blades | 730mm x 13mm | 18/24 TPI for Makita & Panasonic Saws | 2-Pack

TBS-00431ACCS-00104

£35.99

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Selecting Substrates for Steel Cutting Tools and Drilling

Matching tool material to workpiece hardness determines tool life and cutting speed. Standard high-speed steel (HSS) handles general mild steel, iron, and aluminum. For hard alloys and stainless steel, upgrade to M35 cobalt high-speed steel (HSS-Co) or carbide.

M35 cobalt contains 5 percent cobalt, which preserves cutting edge hardness under high friction temperatures. Surface treatments further enhance performance across repetitive production cycles.

Standard HSS: Economical option for aluminum, iron, and general mild steel cutting.
M35 Cobalt HSS: Resists heat buildup when drilling stainless steel and work-hardening metals.
Surface treatments: Titanium and nitrogen coatings reduce friction and prolong cutting life during dry or high-speed operations.

Shank Types and Sizing for Metal Drilling

Selecting the right shank geometry prevents tool slippage under high torque loads. Twist drill bits with round or straight shanks suit standard drill chucks, while 3-flat and triangle shanks seat firmly against chuck jaws during heavy drilling operations.

For sheet metal, step drill bits eliminate the need for pilot holes by cutting progressively larger diameters up to 32 mm in a single pass.

1/4-inch hex shanks: Enable rapid tool changes in impact drivers and quick-change chucks for bits from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm.
Straight and round shanks: Universal fit for keyed and keyless chucks across 1.0 mm to 16 mm size ranges.
Machine shanks: C20, C25, and C32 straight shanks match industrial tool holders on milling and drilling machinery.

Choosing Saw Blades and Metal Fabrication Tools

Cutting structural shapes, tube, and plate requires saw blades matched to machine feed and workpiece cross-section. Metal cutting circular saw blades and chop saw blades deliver clean, low-burr cuts through bar stock and conduit. For production cutoff machines, band saw blades handle wide cross-sections with minimal kerf waste.

For thin sheet fabrication, manual sheet metal shears allow controlled profile cuts without heat distortion or burrs.

M42 bi-metal blades: Withstand tooth shock when cutting structural channel, pipe, and mixed alloy profiles.
Bandsaw blades: Maintain accurate tracking and straight cuts across heavy solid billets and thick-walled tubing.
Sheet metal shears: Feature crane blades and bi-material handles for straight and multi-directional cuts in gauge steel.

Buying guide

Choosing Metal Cutting

When should I choose M35 cobalt over standard HSS drill bits?: Choose M35 cobalt high-speed steel when drilling stainless steel, high-tensile alloy steel, or cast iron. The cobalt content maintains hardness at temperatures where standard HSS softens and dulls. For mild steel and soft non-ferrous metals, standard HSS provides reliable tool life at a lower cost.
Which drill shank style best prevents slipping during heavy metal drilling?: Use 3-flat or triangle shanks to prevent slipping in standard three-jaw drill chucks under high torque. Straight and round shanks rely purely on friction and can slip under heavy feeds in thick plate. Quick-change 1/4-inch hex shanks lock directly into compatible chucks for rapid tool swaps.
How do I choose between step drill bits and standard twist bits for metal fabrication?: Step drill bits are best for thin sheet metal, electrical enclosures, and control panels up to the step depth thickness. They drill clean, burr-free holes without grabbing or tearing thin stock. Twist drill bits are the correct choice for solid plate, bar stock, and holes deeper than a single step increment.
What is the advantage of bi-metal construction in metal cutting saw blades?: Bi-metal blades join high-speed steel teeth to an alloy steel backing strip. This allows the teeth to retain high cutting hardness while the flexible body absorbs the vibration and shock of interrupted cuts. The design helps prevent tooth stripping when sectioning structural tubing, angle iron, and pipe.
When are manual sheet metal shears preferred over powered cutting tools?: Manual shears excel at precision trimming, template shaping, and tight radiuses on gauge sheet metal where power tools might remove too much material. They produce cold cuts without heat discoloration, sparks, or grinding dust. For structural stock or thick plate sections, powered cold saws or band saws are required.