Drill Bit Types Explained: HSS vs Masonry vs SDS

HSS: The Everyday Workhorse

High speed steel, or HSS, is the default material for twist drill bits. It holds an edge at the temperatures drilling creates, it costs little, and it drills wood, plastic and soft metals without complaint. The name does not mean the bit is fast; it means the steel is alloyed so it keeps its hardness when the spinning tip gets hot.

For timber, plasterboard and most metals up to mild steel, a standard HSS twist bit is all you need. The Bosch 25 piece HSS-R metal drill bit set covers 1.5mm to 10mm and is the set we keep recommending for UK homes that drill into metal or steel shelving. One honest warning: HSS bits can grab and splinter the exit hole on soft timber, so a dedicated wood bit or a slower speed does better for clean holes.

Titanium Coated: The Sensible Upgrade

Titanium nitride, usually shortened to TiN, is a hard golden coating applied to HSS bits. It reduces friction, keeps the cutting edge cooler, and makes the bit survive more holes before it needs sharpening. It does not make the bit sharper; it makes it last longer.

For a mixed-use set that lives in a toolbox and sees wood, plastic and occasional metal, a titanium set is the best value per hole you can buy. The 99 piece titanium coated twist drill set uses 4241 HSS with a 135 degree split point, which self-centres instead of walking across the surface. If you prefer plain steel and a lower price, the US PRO 99 piece HSS metric set is built to the DIN 338 standard. Both sit in the same £12-15 bracket, so the coating is a genuine upgrade rather than a luxury.

Cobalt: When the Metal Fights Back

Stainless steel, hardened steel and other tough alloys blunt ordinary HSS quickly. Cobalt bits, usually M35 grade, add 5-8% cobalt to the steel, which keeps the cutting edge hard at higher temperatures. They cost noticeably more, they drill the metals that eat plain HSS, and they are worth it if you regularly work on stainless fittings or hardened tool steel.

For most home jobs, skip the cobalt and stick with titanium or plain HSS. The extra spend only pays off when the metal you are drilling is genuinely hard.

Masonry: Brick, Block and Concrete

Here is the question people keep asking, and it deserves a direct answer: an HSS drill bit is not suitable for drilling into masonry. HSS twist bits are for wood and metal. Masonry bits are a different animal, with a carbide tip brazed onto a steel shank. The carbide does the cutting, the hammer action of the drill does the pounding, and the wider flutes clear the brick dust out of the hole.

Put an HSS bit against brick and the edge blunts within seconds, leaving you pushing harder while the hole barely deepens. Use a carbide-tipped masonry bit instead. The 10 piece YG8 tungsten masonry bit set covers 5mm to 10mm, which is exactly the range wall plugs use, and it costs less than a single replacement bit at a hardware shop.

For the full technique, including how much pressure to apply and why you should tap a starter mark first, read our how to drill into brick guide. Pair the bits with Fischer DuoPower wall plugs, which we see recommended most consistently for matching those holes to screws across brick, block and plasterboard.

Own a rotary hammer? Then you need SDS Plus bits, the shank system those machines use. The bit slots into a keyless chuck that lets it slide slightly on each blow, which protects your wrists and transfers more hammer energy to the cutting edge. The Bosch 6 piece SDS Plus set covers the 5mm to 10mm plug sizes you will reach for most, and our best SDS rotary hammer drills guide covers the machines if you are weighing up the upgrade.

Spade, Auger and Countersink: The Wood Specialists

Spade bits, also called paddle bits, are flat steel paddles that bore large holes in wood fast. They are cheap, they make a mess at the exit, and they are perfect for running cables and pipes through studwork. Auger bits cut cleaner and pull themselves into the wood, which makes them better for deep holes in framing timber. Countersinks create a tapered recess so screw heads sit flush, and combined drill-and-countersink bits do both jobs in one pass.

None of these are exotic. If you assemble flat-pack furniture, fit shelving or do any decking work, a small countersink set earns its place quickly, and a couple of spade bits cover the big-hole jobs.

Markings and Sizes: What the Numbers Mean

The number on the side is the diameter in millimetres, and it is the one marking you will actually use. Match the bit to the wall plug, not the screw: a brown 7mm plug takes a 7mm masonry bit, a red 5.5mm plug takes a 5.5mm bit. Getting that match right is the difference between a fixing that holds and one that spins loose in the wall.

The Sets Worth Buying

You do not need a separate set for every material, and the combined sets on the market now are genuinely good. The Bosch MS4041 41 piece drilling and driving set is the all-rounder we keep coming back to: titanium bits for wood and metal, plus screwdriver bits and sockets in a proper case. It is the set we would buy for someone starting their first toolbox.

The VonHaus 246 piece combination set is the budget option that covers almost everything, including HSS, titanium and masonry bits in one box. The Stanley 100 piece hex set makes more sense if you mostly drive screws and want driver bits that do not round off, plus a compact case that fits in a kitchen drawer.

For a quick reference: HSS twist for wood and metal, titanium for the same jobs with longer life, cobalt for hard steels, masonry for brick and block, SDS Plus for rotary hammers, and spade or auger for large holes in wood. That list covers 95% of the drilling a UK home ever needs, and our drill bit set roundup goes into each option in more depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

Two sets cover the vast majority of UK home jobs: a titanium-coated HSS set for wood and metal, and a carbide masonry set for brick and block. Add an automatic centre punch to stop bits walking, a JSP FFP3 dust mask for the brick dust, and a box of Fischer DuoPower plugs, and you have a complete drilling kit for under £60.

The mistake most people make is buying one cheap mystery set and using it for everything. Match the bit to the material, replace bits when the edge dulls instead of forcing them, and the drill you already own will feel like a much better tool. Start with the Bosch 41 piece set and a masonry set, and add specialists only when a job actually demands them.

Products mentioned in this guide

• Bosch 25 Piece HSS-R Metal Drill Bit Set - the everyday metal workhorse
• 99 Piece Titanium Coated Twist Drill Set - best-value all-rounder
• 10 Piece YG8 Tungsten Masonry Bit Set - for brick, block and concrete
• Bosch 6 Piece SDS Plus Drill Bit Set - for rotary hammer drills
• Bosch MS4041 41 Piece Drilling and Driving Set - the set to start with
• Fischer DuoPower Wall Plugs - match the bit to the plug
• Eclipse Automatic Centre Punch - stops bits walking on hard surfaces
• JSP FFP3 Valved Dust Mask - for brick and concrete dust

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