Working with Inconel 718 can be a real challenge—it’s a nickel-based superalloy that resists heat, pressure, and wear. That’s why choosing the best drill for Inconel 718 is so critical if you want clean cuts and extended tool life. But here’s the thing… not every drill is built to handle materials this tough. You need the right combination of design, coating, and precision engineering to get consistent results.
Now, if you’ve already explored some of the best drills for general use, or even looked into the best drill for jewelry making where accuracy is everything, you’ll notice the requirements shift dramatically when it comes to superalloys. Similarly, drilling nickel-based alloys shares some challenges with finding the best drill for 304 stainless steel—but Inconel 718 takes toughness to the next level. So, how do you pick the right one? Let’s break it down.
Top pick
Best Side-Cutting: 8 Pack Titanium Coated HSS Twist Drill Bits
This 8-pack titanium-coated HSS drill bit set covers popular sizes from 3mm to 10mm, offering flexibility for various projects. The titanium coating enhances sharpness and durability, while the serrated side-cutting design improves chip removal and drilling efficiency. The spiral flute construction reduces heat and friction, helping to extend tool life and maintain accuracy.
From a user’s perspective, these bits are highly practical for DIY projects and light to medium-duty tasks across wood, plastic, aluminum, and thin metal. Professionals may find them less suited for prolonged heavy-duty work on hard steel, but for general household and workshop use, they deliver consistent results.
Overall, this set offers strong value for its range, durability, and efficient design, making it a reliable choice for everyday drilling needs.
Best Precision: Manual Craft Drill Sharp HSS Micro Mini Twist Drill Bits Set
This manual craft drill set includes a pin vise hand drill with sharp HSS micro twist drill bits, designed for precision work in jewelry making, resin, wood, plastic, and miniature projects. The high-speed steel bits offer durability and reliable sharpness, while the lightweight manual design provides excellent control for delicate applications.
From a customer and expert perspective, the biggest advantage lies in its accuracy and ability to handle fragile materials without cracking or over-drilling. While it cannot match the speed of an electric drill, its precision makes it the better option for detailed, small-scale work where accuracy matters most.
Overall, this tool set delivers great value for hobbyists and artisans seeking fine control and durability, making it a dependable choice for jewelry and craft projects.
Best for Tough Metals: Drill America 5 Piece Cobalt Drill Bit Set
The Drill America 5-piece cobalt drill bit set includes essential sizes from 1/4" to 1/2", housed in a practical pouch for organization. Built from cobalt steel, these bits are engineered to handle demanding materials like stainless steel, titanium, and Inconel. The 135° split point ensures faster starts with less walking, while the high red hardness allows higher drilling speeds without sacrificing durability.
From a user’s standpoint, this set is particularly valuable for professionals and serious DIYers who often work with hard metals. The cobalt composition delivers long life and consistent performance, though it comes at a higher price and with fewer size options compared to larger kits.
Overall, this set offers strong efficiency, precision, and resilience, making it an excellent investment for anyone needing reliable performance on tough materials.
FAQs
What is the best drill for Inconel?
The best drill for Inconel is typically a solid carbide drill with advanced coatings such as TiAlN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride) or AlTiN (Aluminum Titanium Nitride). These coatings improve heat resistance and reduce wear when cutting tough superalloys. In some cases, high-performance cobalt drills with specialized geometry can also be effective, especially when paired with proper coolant delivery. To get consistent performance, look for drills with optimized point angles and strong chip evacuation designs, as Inconel tends to work-harden quickly during machining.
What is the machinability of Inconel 718?
Inconel 718 has a machinability rating of around 12–20% compared to standard free-machining steels. This means it is considered very difficult to machine. Its strength at high temperatures, combined with its tendency to harden during cutting, makes tool wear a significant issue. Because of this, machining requires slower cutting speeds, steady feed rates, and the use of cutting fluids or high-pressure coolant to manage heat buildup.
Is Inconel hard to drill?
Yes, Inconel is notoriously hard to drill. The alloy’s toughness, heat resistance, and ability to work-harden make standard drills wear out quickly or fail altogether. Without the right tooling, drills can dull after only a few holes. Successful drilling requires rigid setups, sharp cutting edges, and careful attention to feed and speed settings. Consistent coolant application is also crucial to reduce thermal stress and extend tool life.
What is the best tooling for Inconel?
The best tooling for Inconel includes solid carbide drills, indexable carbide inserts, and end mills with heat-resistant coatings. Carbide tools are preferred because they maintain cutting strength even under high temperatures. Coated tools like TiAlN or AlTiN help reduce friction and extend life. In addition, using high-pressure coolant systems, rigid machine setups, and optimized cutting parameters are just as important as the tool material itself. Together, these factors ensure cleaner cuts, longer tool life, and more efficient machining of this demanding alloy.
Conclusion
Choosing the **best drill for Inconel 718** comes down to matching the right tool material and design with careful machining practices. Because this nickel-based superalloy is both heat resistant and prone to work-hardening, not every drill can withstand the demands. Solid carbide drills with advanced coatings like TiAlN or AlTiN consistently deliver the best results, while cobalt drills may work in lighter applications when paired with proper coolant. Beyond the tool itself, success depends on maintaining steady feed rates, rigid setups, and effective heat management. With the right combination, you can achieve cleaner holes, reduce tool wear, and improve efficiency—even when working with one of the toughest alloys in modern manufacturing.
