Black Oxide Drill Bits Vs Titanium Drill Bits: Which One To Buy?

In the modern-day world, a drill machine is now found in almost every house. It has many uses right from the screws in our houses to the largest mines in the world. A good drill bit is as important as the drill machine. It plays a significant role in getting the perfect holes irrespective of the material. Many of us find difficulties in choosing between the black oxide and titanium drill bits. These are the most available ones in the market. So after many tests, here we are with the comparison between Black Oxide Drill Bits Vs Titanium Drill Bits.

Our Verdict

There are many types of drill bits available in the market. Drill bits vary right from their size to the materials out of which they’re made of. Titanium and black oxide drill bits are the most available in the market. If budget is the worrying factor, black oxide drill bits are a better choice. They are even perfect for all household needs. They are easier to maintain.

Titanium drill bits are a better choice for more challenging materials. They last for a longer time and have a higher resistance to heat. Let’s compare the drill bits in detail for better understanding.

Black Oxide Drill Bits Vs Titanium Drill Bits: Comparison Chart

Black Oxide Drill Bits Vs Titanium Drill Bits: Differences 

1. Price

The black oxide drill bits are the winners as they are relatively cheaper than the titanium drill bits. Both of them comprise of the same high-speed steel. The only difference is they get heated at different temperatures.

Bottom Line: So if it’s the price which concerns, then black oxide drill bits could have the upper hand.

2. Hardness

The black oxide is hard enough to beat any other regular drill bits. They are hard, too, due to the tempered black oxide finish.

But as we all know, titanium is one of the world’s most robust non-alloy metal. The coating of titanium nitrate finishes the titanium drill bit. They tend to be one of the most challenging drill bits ever too.

Bottom Line: Thus, the titanium drill bits are relatively more challenging than the black oxide drill bits.

3. Maintenance

The drill bits, when used often, may sometimes start to lose its edges. This is when the proper maintenance of the user comes into place. For the titanium drill bit, when you start to lose the edges getting it back is tough. Titanium is a strong metal, so it can never gain back the edge through sharpening. A new coating with titanium nitrate will do but is a relatively expensive and long process. Simultaneously, the black oxide drill bits can get its edges restored in a short time by sharpening it again. This is relatively cheap and time-saving too.

Bottom Line: So maintaining the black oxide drill bits would be an easier task.

4. Heat Resistance

The titanium drill bits are more resistant to the heat when compared to the black oxide drill bits. The high tensile strength of titanium allows it to resist higher temperatures. The black oxide drill bits can resist heat due to its black oxide finish. 

Bottom Line: The black oxide drill bits can resist heat, but the titanium drill bits are relatively better in this.

5. Endurance

Buying a product again and again in a short period is never preferred by anyone. Endurance also means how productive it is and how much time it lasts. Titanium drill bits have the edge over the black oxide drill bits in this case. On regular use, the black oxide drill bits may get used up and may need regular work. But titanium drill bits on use remain stronger, and the edges won’t see much change for an extended period. Both the bits are designed to last for a long time. They are far better than regular drill bits. 

Bottom Line: The titanium drill bits have a slight edge over the black oxide drill bits. The biggest enemy for any drill bit is rust and corrosion. Even the smallest of humidity or water could cause significant problems to any drill bits. Even though the saws are very corrosion-resistant, the users must be safe in handling the drill bits.

6. The Need

There are different needs for each person to buy a drill bit. Some people may buy it for their hobby or rare household uses. Some people may buy it as their profession entirely relies on it.

If you use it rarely for some household works, then the black oxide drill bits are quite the better choice. This is because they are cheaper and also available everywhere. They will also be apt to all the wood and other normal materials in a household or materials used for practices.

Bottom Line: The titanium drill bits are the best if you are in a profession that requires good drill bits. These are for people like site workers or even mechanics. They are faster compared to the black oxide ones, which would be useful for these people.

7. Material

The material which is getting drilled is the big reason we have these many drill bits. Comparing these two, both are high-speed steel and excellent drill bits. But if you have to work with the softer materials, the black oxide drill bits are the best choice

Bottom Line: Titanium drill bits are much the better choice for the harder ones. This never means that the black oxide drill bits can’t work with the harder ones. They can but often working may cause the edge to get dull.

Black Oxide Drill Bits Vs Titanium Drill Bits: Similarities

1. HSS

The HSS stands for high-speed steel. It is a form of tool steel. The HSS bits are harder than the usual high carbon steel. They even offer more resistance to heat. They are becoming popular in the market and replacing the carbon steels too. They are capable of drilling at a higher speed too. Both titanium and black oxide drill bits are HSS bits. This gives these drill bits a longer lifetime and a better speed too.

2. Coatings

The coating of the bit increases the performance of the drill bit. They even help them last longer and protect them too. The Black oxide finish reduces friction and gives more hardness to the drill bit. The coating is also a reason for its dark color. The titanium drill bits have a titanium nitride finish. This gives them more durability and reduces friction too. The coating of these drill bits gives them a better performance than standard steel bits.

How Important Is The Drill Bit?

The drill bits are as long as 45 inches to even as small as millimeters. 

Drilling may look easy from far away but there more than a lot of factors to look through. When the machine is in our hands, the process is not as simple as it sounds. One significant factor which helps you finish a hole in perfection is the drill bits.

The accuracy of your holes is very much dependent on your drill bit. When you need to drill through the material, not every drill bit may find it easy. A wrong drill bit is harmful to the machine and the surface, which is getting drilled too. So before buying your drill bit, make sure you keep these facts in mind.

• The material: The drill bit may vary according to the material you drill through.
• What type of cut you need: There are a lot of different cuts given by various drill bits. Some types of drill bits are twist, auger, spade, step, etc.
• Depth: The depth of the drill may vary based on the need. The drill bit may also vary for different depths.
• Maintenance of the drill bit: The maintenance of the drill bit is essential as regular use could affect the ends. Some activities like sharpening increase their lifetime. This is because when we use them very often, they may become dull.
• Proper maintenance of them at regular intervals will show a significant change. This makes sure your drills are not having any problems, and the holes would be much perfect.

Black Oxide Drill Bits Vs Titanium Drill Bits: Features

Black Oxide Drill Bits

Black oxide drill bits are one of the best “HSS” drill bits. HSS bits are high-speed steel bits, and like their name, they’re used at very high drilling speeds. They are very versatile and can drill iron, metals, steel, plastics, etc.

These black oxide drill bits go through extreme heat to get the black oxide finish. The finish gives an added advantage through which they are corrosion-resistant. They can also some extra speed due to the finish.

Titanium Drill Bits

The titanium drill bits are also HSS, which is high-speed steel bits. Many of them get confused from the name that these bits are only made of titanium. But the truth is they are high-speed steel bits with a titanium nitride (TiN) coating finish.

This coating proves to give this drill bit a lot of advantages. Even though it’s a coating, it contains some titanium to it, which gives it some extra strength. It also helps the drill bit to be free from corrosion. These bits can drill through steel and too many other hard surfaces.

Black Oxide Drill Bits Vs Titanium Drill Bits: Features

Black Oxide Drill Bits

1. Dewalt DW1177

They are a 20 piece black oxide drill bit set. They have a parabolic flute design for greater strength. They are straightforward to use. The bits range from 1/16 to 1/2 inch. They have a 135-degree split point design. This gives the drill bit a no-slip starting. These bits are suitable for metals, wood, and plastic. They are worth the price for the quality they have.

2. Chicago Latrobe 57716 

This set contains 60 high-speed black oxide drill bits. They have a 118-degree conventional point for more comfortable use. They also come with a metal index case. The helical twist in the flutes makes cutting edges easier. The drill bits are with wire sizes #1 to #60. This helps them reach different lengths. They are one of the best black oxide drill bits in the market.

Titanium Drill Bits

1. Dewalt DW1361

They are a 21 piece titanium drill bit set. They have a size range of 1/16 to 1/2 inch. The tapered web gives more excellent durability to the drill bits. This makes the drill bits tough to break. They have a patented pilot point. This helps in clean and accurate holes. They are perfect for commercial and residential applications. The titanium finish gives them a longer life.

2. Bosch 2607019436 

They are a 13 piece titanium drill bit set. They come with a size range of 1.5 to 6.5 mm. They are of excellent quality and are worth the price. The quality of the product is very high. The titanium nitride finish gives it more strength and helps it last for a longer time. Coating the drill bit with titanium nitride again can restore the edges if it gets dull. 

FAQs

Conclusion

The titanium drill bits and the iron oxide drill bits are the most available ones in any market. Both are better than your normal drill bits in almost every aspect. The difference between these two is significantly less.

If the user needs a cheaper bit, the black oxide drill bits are the best. They are very apt for occasional household needs. They could even help with hard materials too. If the user needs a drill bit which withstands more heat and pressure, the titanium drill bits are better. They can help with hard materials too. They are very good and are perfect for going through any material.

Irrespective of the drill bit bought, the maintenance of it is what matters the most. Proper maintenance is very keen to make sure your drill bits are very well. I hope these bits help you find your ideal drill bit.