Ever been confused between 118 Vs 135 degree drill bits while using a drill? Don’t worry; you are not the only one. Most people often suffer from this dilemma which angle would give them precision and perfection simultaneously.
As you have landed in the right place, let’s explore together what are the variations these two drill point angles offer. Whether you are drilling a single hole or a thousand- the drill bit you choose can make a significant difference.
That’s why I have come up with a forthright confrontation between the two most popular drill point angles.
As a long-time drill operator, I will try my best to make you understand which drill bit is suitable for which project. Stay tuned till the end.
How to Measure Drill Bit Angle?
Before moving forward to the main discussion, let’s learn how to measure the angle of a drill bit.
As a driller, you must know that there are two cutting edges at the top of the bit. The angle between these two main edges is the drill bit angle. And based on this point angle you can determine how perfectly you can place the drill into the cutting material.
So, basically, you need to measure the point angle of the two cutting corners located on the top. It’s always better to measure the drill bit angle before heading towards any project. Otherwise, you might not get the expected drilling result.
Before going to the differences, check the best drill bit set in the market:
- 29 Pieces
- Material: Cobalt
- Cutting Angle: 135 degrees
- Best for tough metal
Now find the differences of 118 Vs 135 drill bit angle:
118 VS 135 Degree Drill Bits: Differences
Talking about the two most common drill bit angles, 118 or 135 degree drill bits, they both are widely used in many drilling applications.
The use of these two cutting angles differs in the following aspects:
Material:
118-degree drill bits are used for cutting into softer materials such as wood and aluminum. Even though you can cut hard material like steel using it, it will only reduce the lifespan of your tool making it dull. So, why take risks? As a result, 118 drill bit is standard for piercing through the permissive materials.
On contrary, expert drill enthusiasts often choose 135-degree bits for penetrating harder materials. For instance, it will perform better while cutting stainless steel. Even you can make repeated holes for hours using this drill point angle.
Shape:
Another prime distinction between the two drill bits is the shape. The 118 degree is steeper, resultantly edgier. Due to the upright cutting angle, it’s less flat than the 135 bit.
135 degree, on the other hand, less pointed with a less sharp tip, though tougher materials need it the most for precise angle cut. In terms of shape, 135-degree is way flatter than that of 118.
Pitch:
As I have been handling both the drill bits for years, the next dissimilarity that I always notice is the pitch amount. A 135-degree drill bit has more pitch than a 118 degree bit. So, builders who need to drill through tough and tenacious materials, that too over and again, opt for 135 degrees. Because of the sufficient amount of pitch, 135-degree angle servers better to make holes in unyielding elements.
Having less amount of, a 118 point angle is more appropriate to cut through the yielding elements.
Cutting Edges:
To talk about the cutting edges, the smaller the point angle, the longer the cutting edges, and vice versa. So, it is evident that 118-degree, being smaller in angle, has longer cutting edges than the 135 drill bit.
My profound knowledge of drilling says that the longer the drilling edge, the better the performance while cutting.
In this regard, 118 drill bit with a longer edge outperforms the 135-degree bit. 135-degree offers less cutting power being shorter in cutting tip.
Chisel:
118 have a small chisel, resultantly fiercer while drilling a hole.
On the other hand, being designed with a longer chisel, 135 degree focuses more on continual drilling than making aggressive drill holes.
Now before you know which of these 118 or 135 degree drill bit angles is better, take a look at the most popular drill bit set of the market (In my opinion, it is in the number 1 position):
- 14 Pieces
- Material: Metal
- Titanium coating
- Best for wood, metal and plastic
Which Is Better Between 118 VS 135 Drill Bits?
After going through the disparities, now you may ask which I should go for. Though there is no definite recommendation, I will try my best to show you the pros and cons of both.
First, determine the types of cutting material. Is it gentle and smooth like wood or sturdy like steel? Based on the material, choose the point angle of a drill bit; 118 degrees for softer, 135 degrees for harder.
Now, let’s talk about which is better for what purpose. Always remember that a small angle is much easier to place into the material, especially centering in it. A drill with a smaller drill bit angle is also risk-free to be slipped off frequently.
But if you opt for a short tapping time, go for 135 degrees. However you need to put much pressure to center it in the cutting material.
Nevertheless, for a successful drilling project, 118 drill bit is pretty popular because of its far-reaching cutting edge. As a high-performance cutting machine, a drill with a smaller angle is preferable for better cutting performance.
However, the 135 degree is not much aback though. In fact, the cutting edges make very small differences. Still, between 118 VS 135 drill bits, 118 will do just fine in most of the DIY projects. Only for tougher materials, a 135-degree bit is required to avoid quick corrosion of the drilling tip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is The Angle Of A Drill?
Answer: The drill point angle refers to the angular distance between the two top cutting edges. According to the angle point, it is determined which material the drill bit will be drilling into.
Q: Are Most Drill Bits 118 Degrees?
Answer: Yes, it is. As a 118 degree bit is more pointed with a smaller chisel, it drills a bit more aggressively. Also, it is easier to place it quickly. For precision cutting, 118 drill bit with a longer cutting edge is more preferable by the expert drillers.
Q: What Is The Best Angle For Drill Bits?
Answer: 118 degrees and 135 degrees are the two most standard drill bit angles for any drilling project. Both work fantastic in their own sector.
However, the 118-degree angle is steeper with a long edge while the 135 drill bit doesn’t dull quickly due to the shallow angle. So, hard materials need it the most.
- 30 Pieces
- Material: High Speed Steel
- Titanium coating
- Ideal for wood, metal and plastic
Final Words
If you are going to work with a drill anytime soon, choosing the appropriate drill bit might seem intimidating. To help you out in this regard, I have discussed all the positives and negatives of the two prominent point angles- 118 Vs 135 degree drill bits.
Despite having some dissimilarity, both are designed to lessen your workload while drilling. Needless to say, both have their own usage.
However, determine your project type first and then decide on your pick between these two cutting angles.
Hope it will help to add more success to your drilling project.
