Drill America 57/64 in Reduced Shank Cobalt Drill Bit - Durable Cutter

In this review the Drill America 57/64 in reduced shank cobalt drill bit is evaluated for workshop users who need a tougher bit for metal drilling. The bottom line is that this bit is best for fabricators and maintenance techs who regularly drill stainless steel or other high tensile metals because it uses heat resistant cobalt steel and a heavy duty 135 split point for faster centering. It expands the usable size range of a portable drill chuck while maintaining concentricity, making it a practical, value-oriented option when a hardened, long-life bit is required.

Key Features

• Cobalt construction: Cobalt steel offers improved performance when cutting harder metals such as stainless steel and nickel alloys, so it holds up better under heat than standard HSS.
• Reduced shank design: The 57/64 in body with a 1/2 in shank lets this bit fit smaller drill chucks while providing a larger cutting diameter for jobs that need a beefier hole.
• Ground 135 split point: The heavy duty split point reduces walking and helps the bit bite quickly, useful for accurate starts in metal work.
• Precision ground concentricity: The bit is ground for a tight alignment between shank and body, which reduces runout and improves drilling accuracy in presses and hand drills.
• Spiral flutes, right-hand cut: Flutes evacuate chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging and keep the cutting zone cleaner on longer holes.
• Gold oxide finish: A thinner oxide surface treatment protects the tool while keeping performance similar to uncoated bits and allowing easy identification.

Who It's For

This bit suits professional tradespeople and serious hobbyists who drill a lot of metal, especially those working with stainless steel or other tough alloys where heat resistance and edge retention matter. It's also helpful for users who need to use a standard portable drill chuck but want to cut a larger hole than the chuck nominally accepts.

Casual users who only drill occasional soft materials or expect perfect results in every situation should consider a standard HSS bit or a coated HSS variant instead, since some users report variable sharpness and mixed performance depending on material and technique.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable cobalt material handles higher heat and harder metals than typical HSS bits.
• Reduced shank expands portability by fitting 1/2 in chucks while providing a larger cutting diameter.
• Precision ground with a 135 split point for quicker starts and better concentricity in use.
• Gold oxide surface aids identification without significantly changing cutting behavior.

Cons

• Customer feedback shows mixed results on sharpness; some report early dulling or breakage under heavy loads.
• Performance can vary between drill press and hand drill applications, so technique and feed rate matter.

Specifications

Brand	Drill America
Series	DWDCO
Cutting diameter	57/64 in
Shank size	1/2 in round
Material	Cobalt steel, gold oxide finish
Point type	135 split point
Standards	Manufactured to National Aerospace standard 907

Our Verdict

The Drill America 57/64 in reduced shank cobalt bit is a practical choice for metalworkers who need a tougher bit that fits standard chucks and starts well in stainless and high tensile materials. Given its construction and precision grinding it offers good value for users who match speed and feed to material, though occasional variability means heavy production users should inspect batches before large runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this bit be used in a portable drill?
This reduced shank is designed to fit 1/2 in chucks so it works in portable drills, but pay attention to speed, feed, and clamping to avoid excessive stress.

Is the gold oxide coating a cutting coating?
The gold oxide is a thin surface treatment for identification and minor protection; performance is similar to uncoated cobalt tools.

Will it drill stainless steel reliably?
Yes, cobalt construction and the 135 split point make it suitable for stainless, though operator technique and firm support affect durability and life.