Customer Reviews for Milwaukee Cobalt Red Helix Drill Bit Set for Drill Drivers (29-Piece)

I got a new Milwaukee drill 2 months ago, and I've been needing a new set of drill bits for it. I decided to buy the same set I already owned; this 14-piece Milwaukee Titanium drill bit set. It’s the same quality as my old set, but with a way better case PROS *Very sharp. They drill right through sheet metal *They completely redesigned the case and fixed all of the bad issues the old design had including the hinges, latches, and the interior. All around, it is a brand-new case with a much better design than the old one. *Super tough and hard to snap *Fairly priced Nothing like brand new sharp drill bits! 5 out of 5 stars!

A great value for titanium drill bits compared to buying 2 or 3 individual at the same cost for a set of 23. I have purchased 2 sets in a month but that's to be expected when drilling through 6 gauge metal hundreds of times. I gave a 4 out of 5 due to not being able to sharpen and reuse.

Milwaukee Cobalt Drill Set This review is for Milwaukee RED HELIX, Product 48-89-2338, a 23-piece cobalt drill set. The first thing that impressed me about this product is the tough, high quality case, it equipped with steel hinge pins and a secure lid closure clipping device. This set includes two each of the most commonly used 7/64-in., 1/8-in., 3/16-in. and 1/4-in. sizes. The drills in this set are tough and have resisted breakage and have stayed very sharp during my use almost daily for the last two weeks for wood and metal working activities. I like the fact that the larger sized drills in this set (3/16-in. and larger) have three flat sides for the shanks so that they do not slip in the drill chuck. Another feature that I appreciate are the split points for the 3/16-in. and larger sized drills that reduce the likelihood of wandering when starting in hard materials like steel. I expect that the chip breaker and helix features provided for these drills will increase their life expectancies significantly when drilling into thick materials because the heliixes facilitate fast material removal, reducing the drill bit temperatures. High temperatures contribute to drill bit dulling. This is a nicely organized, quality drill set. I like it enough to have obtained a second set so that have one set for each of my two workshop areas.

So nice to have good drill bits. I continually go through the smaller size drill bits since I use them the most frequently. I am always picking up whatever is reasonably priced and I can get my hands on, because I know they'll wear out quickly or break. Not the case with these bits. They actually do hold up and last longer than other steel bits that I've purchased. I recommend these for long life and durability as well as accurateness. They do have a nice case to store and keep with my tools and I like that they go up to 1/2 inch in size. Well worth the money.

This is the 23-piece Cobalt Red Helix Drill Bit Set from Milwaukee (48-89-2338). Included in the set are sizes from 1/16” to 1/2”. Milwaukee smartly gives you two each of the most commonly used small sizes (1/16”, 5/64”, 7/64”, 1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, and 1/4”). It’s especially nice having a 1/2” drill bit in the set. I keep this set in the bag with my drill and impact driver to take on jobs. You never know what you’ll have to drill through. The case appears made well and very rugged. It’s a small thing, but I really like how the front of the case is marked with the content type, so you can easily tell whether you have the driver bits or drill bits container—makes life much easier on the job. The back of the case has a 1/4”-20 female thread for mounting the case. I can’t imagine using this for anything, but I guess someone must use it if Milwaukee puts it there. These drills are rated for “hard metal.” While I don’t usually drill through hardened or stainless steel, I’ll often need to drill various metal objects found on the job, like electrical boxes, fixtures, and such. And supposedly, the geometry of the tips (135 degree tips) prevents the bits from walking. To see how these bits would work for me, I drilled several holes, of various sizes in an older electrical junction box. This box appears to “better” steel than that used in today’s boxes. I performed the tests as I would on the job—just holding the box on top of a 2x6 and using a cordless drill (in the case of the larger bits, I stepped on the box to keep it from spinning). All the bits drilled through the steel box effortlessly. What really surprised me was how clean all the holes were—very little burr on the back side of the holes (see photos 1 and 2). I also tested the bits in wood (pine and a particularly hard piece of White Oak). As I would have expected, the bits drilled with no problems, and again, the holes were very clean. Overall I think these are great drill bits that would serve nicely on-the-job. They are pricy, but if you’re the kind of guy that tends to NOT lose your tools, these would make a good addition to your drill bag.

High quality drill bits….with a carry case to match. Before even looking at the drill bits, the first thing one notices is the carry case….real hinges (not breakage prone flexing plastic), a latch that can be easily latched and unlatched but not inadvertently come open while in transport and a substantial thickness of plastic to endure the rigors of being tossed into one’s tool bag or bucket. It even includes a threaded (1/4” x 20) insert on the back of the case for ? (magnet?, tripod?, tool management tag?) which is not noted in the accompanying descriptive information. Milwaukee has also (wisely) chosen to include multiples of the smaller, frequently used sizes which are more prone to damage in use (1/16”, 5/64”, 7/64”, 3/16” and ¼”). Bits 3/16” and larger have shanks with three flat lobes to inhibit slipping when drilling difficult material. These bits also incorporate a “chip breaker” tip design to minimize long pieces of metal trying to coexist in the same space as the operator. The ½ inch bit has a reduced shank (3/8”) eliminating the need to have a ½ inch chuck available. The split point design (on sizes 3/16” and larger) provides more cutting surface and minimizes “walking” of the bit, and the variable helix design facilitates quicker waste removal from the hole being drilled (which removes heat at a faster rate). The manufacturer claims a lifetime ten (10) times that of black oxide bits, which could only be corroborated after long time use. However, comparing like size bits (Red Helix vs. Milwaukee’s ThunderBolt Black Oxide bits) in drilling into 1/8 inch steel, the Red Helix bits were faster and resulted in a cleaner cut, with little if any “chattering” of the bit, allowing faster drilling. Drilling ¼ inch holes the Red Helix bit took 10 seconds vs. 15 seconds for the black oxide Thunder Bolt bit. When opening up the ¼ inch holes to ½ inch, the Red Helix zipped through in 6 seconds vs. 20 seconds for the black oxide bit. The faster time for the Red Helix was due to the lack of chattering, which allowed a faster drill speed. I additionally tried the ½ inch Red Helix bit drilling into the 1/8 inch steel with no pilot hole (or center punch). It drilled through (28 seconds) with no wandering or chattering and left a clean hole. Theoretically, since the Red Helix bits derive their performance from the cobalt steel composition (rather than a coating) when they do wear, sharpening should be possible, though replicating the split-point, chip-breaker configuration could be challenging (though, until one gets into large bit sizes above ½ inch, sharpening has fallen victim to the economics of just replacing dull bits with new ones). Overall, these bits appear to meet or exceed the manufacturer’s claims.

Big selection of sizes, nice case, durable enough for some abuse. The first thing that strikes you is that the case is very handy and holds all the bits very nicely. The bits rows pivot out for usage and selection. My only complaint is that with gloves, it is sometimes awkward to pivot the bit row out. Everything else is great. I recently was working with a volunteer group. Volunteers can be hard on your tools. When bits were needed, I handed them the case. These bits, along with the matching case of power driver bits, were a huge hit among the volunteers. After our day was done, everything was returned to me. I asked how the bits worked. Everyone had great praise, and they were especially happy about how well they were drilling brick. Uh oh! Brick!? I didn't envision using these on masonry! But in the end, they held up to the abuse and everyone is happy.

After testing the Milwaukee 23 Piece Cobalt Drill bit set on an auto repair, it is a quality set. After grinding the work surface flat, the bits did not walk or chip. They drilled into the metal quickly and created perfect, long ribbons / spirals. They took some abuse initially while attempting to drill before removing some uneven material with the die grinder and appear no worse for wear. While I can’t speak to endurance, they do compare favorably to more expensive American Made Cobalt bits I’ve owned in terms of how they cut out of the box. If they do not hold up as well, I’ll submit an updated review. The only negative is one of preference. I would prefer 23 unique sizes rather than several duplicates in common sizes. If I want backups, I’d rather buy a separate set. Then again, I’m using them for auto repair where variety is desirable, rather than contracting and installation where you may be repetitively using a few common sizes. So I won’t hold this against them.

Great set of drill bits. Includes the important sizes. This case is made of plastic. Each spot for each drill bit is specific, helping keep the bit organized and in the correct position. I have a slight preference for metal cases. It is easier to drop the drill bits in and pull them out. I received this cobalt red helix drill bit kit for free to write this review.

Great selection of drill bit sizes! There are 23 bits in this selection. They range in size from 1/16" to 1/2". This selection includes 2 of each of the following: 1/16", 5/64", 7/64", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", and 1/4". This gives an extra one as a replacement for all the ones you break, lose or wear out. If you are drilling holes in metal these are the bits to have. The finish used on the bits and their design make it much easier to drill holes in metal especially when using a cordless drill. The bits are securely held in a nicely designed storage box. The plastic used in the box is durable. See phots and video.

Perfect for drill and driver combo set no need to climb back down for your drill.

This is a nice set of drill bits that last a long time. I have had several different sets of these Milwaukee titanium bits and have been very pleased with them. One of the things I like about this set is that the point does not "walk" around on the work and starts and stays in place. Another nice feature is that the base of the bit fits tightly into the drill chuck and stays in place. Good quality and good value!

High quality set of bits. These attach to, and are removed from the driver very quickly and easily. I prefer these helix bits because its so convenient when I need to use various sizes on a project. The bits are tough and drill with ease. I have used these to drill through 1/8 metal and they made quick work of it and didn't float at all. You will see from the pics that this set comes with 2 bits of the 1/8" size. The case is convenient for holding them, but because of the snug fit, I do find it a little difficult to pull the bits out sometimes.

This a a nice, light but strong case, and a great value for a set of all-purpose bits. My only "complaint", if you will, is that there is a threaded hole for a belt clip in the back of the locking case. This you have to buy separately, but it would have been nice to throw in together, even if that meant a few more dollars, just for the sake of convenience. The dense plastic box has metal hinges, and removable holders allow it to be used as a storage container for other small parts or hardware, etc. The bits indeed do not walk or wander, and at a 135 degree pitch it prevents the drill from digging too deep too fast, making for a precision set and preventing premature wear. I was surprised I did not have to center-punch my metal as per my usual routine. The bits are very thick just as advertised and I do not expect them to ever break. Typically the reason for breakage is due to uneven pressure (not holding the drill straight) and too much force or overheating. You should always allow the any bit or blade metal to cool down between holes/cuts. If it has started smoking, it's too late; you might as well throw it away or resharpen it if you have the tools, knowledge, and time. Now, I attempted to use this on hardened metal when I had some door hinges to replace, but it barely even made a dimple. However, it will cut into metal if the bit is new, you go slow, apply pressure, and use cutting oil (you can find 3-IN-1 at most stores). With that said, it will go through softer materials like plastic, wood, rubber, etc. all day long.

This black oxide drill bit set has a broad selection of bit sizes from 1/16th of an inch all the way up to 3/8ths inches. The set is meant for wood and plastic primarily. Hardened bits would be required to drill metal projects but these bits are excellent for most construction duty. They are made with a 135 degree bevel on the tip which keeps the bits centered on the work and doesn't allow "walking" when the drill cut is started. They come in a very substantial formed plastic case with tipping shelves for easy access to the desired bit. The core of each bit is designed to be thicker than most to keep them from breaking under stressful use. The case also has a convenient mounting point built in to screw on an optional belt clip. Good ergonomic and mechanical engineering in this set.

29 piece drill sets span a range from 1/16" to 1/2" in steps of 1/64" and I usually buy a new set every year or two because of wear or breakages. This set with stronger webs and better design and coating should last me longer. I find that drill wander is reduced compared to my old set, although for precision drilling I still use a center drill to start the hole, then use an under-size drill finally finishing the hole with the exact size drill, using it more like a reamer.. The case is really well designed, much better than the sheet metal cases that I am used to. When closed it removes the chance of losing a bit.

I have never used drill bits this nice before. First off, they send these in a really nice holding case that is made from hard plastic and has the nice Milwaukee logo across the front. They also say that the bits have a reinforced center to make them stronger, and I can tell they aren't joking. I took a few of the smaller bits and tried to bend them just to see if they would hold up, but could not get them to bend, twist or snap at all. They also hold up to a lot of force when drilling in an angle and adding a lot of pressure. I 135 degree cut tips really do help minimize walking/skating on material such as hard wood and plastic while drilling in at an angle. You need to add more pressure to prevent it from happening (hence the 135 degree) but it does a fantastic job preventing that. I also love the curved flutes. The edges are curved inwards to help bring up the wood chips/duct faster. This works amazingly well, and not to mention they are extremely sharp. I had absolutely no issue drilling through wood, PVP or metal. Well done by Milwaukee.

Fantastic Thunderbolt Black Oxide Drill Bit set with 15 pieces including the carrying case,. The case is very nice, able to hang it on the belt or screw a magnet on it an attach it to the work site so they are within easy reach. The special way they grind the drill bits is unique in a way that they wont walk when drilling, so there is no need for pilot holes. It also cuts real fast and smooth

The Milwaukee Thunderbolt black oxide drill bit set including fifteen pieces is a great item to have in your tool box. It comes in a nice red plastic case that latches shut to keep all the bits secure and organized. The bits have a 135 degree split point to keep them from walking at the start of drilling. The bits also have a thicker core to resist breaking and the black oxide to resist corrosion.

Over the years I have been very happy with “Milwaukee” brand products and this 29 titanium Drill Bit Set is no exception. This set contains just about every size drill bit you might need. All bits are equipped with “secure-grip” which completely eliminates slipping in the chuck. The bits have a thicker core to resist braking, and a 135 degree spit point to prevent walking. The bits also have a titanium coating reportedly providing up to three times the life expectancy. The set also comes with a heavy duty storage case. If I use these drill bits carefully I expect they will last many years and possibly be the last set I will ever have to purchase. See attached photographs. As usual, well done Milwaukee!

All my life I have done a lot of drilling and have dulled or broken more than my share of drill bits. Last year I decided to spend more and bought a couple of titanium 3/16" and 1/8" drill bits because I use these sizes the most. To my surprise they held up very well. This 14-piece Milwaukee drill bit set has drill sizes from 1/16" up to 1/2". Each bit has a lot of drilling surface. These drill bits have outlasted my regular ones by 3 to 4 times. They produce less friction and they stay sharper longer than other bits. I use them for drilling on metal, wood, PVC, Acrylic and pressure treated wood. Another problem I had was finding drill bits in my tool boxes. The Milwaukee bit set is housed in a pretty red plastic case that's easy to notice / find. Because they are titanium coated, the bits can not be resharpened. Milwaukee makes good products.

Very Impressive - I needed a 5/16 titanium drill bit for drilling 4 holes into a 1/16 flat steel plate. This drill bit worked better than expected. No problem drilling the 4 holes. The bit did not bind and no walking noted. The shank is not round but has 3 flat areas for a solid grip. The 4th hole was just as easy to drill as the first. I was very impressed using just my cordless drill with a full charge. The carrying case has a threaded screw hole in the back for 1/4-20 accessories such as a magnet or belt clip. I highly recommend these drill bits.

Great product as always! These Cobalt drill bits are the standard for quality. Just got them and already impressed how well they work. Once again Milwaukee comes through with top level quality tools for the job!

The Helix design is GREAT!! Fits cleanly into the chuck and "locks" in so it won't spin. The drill bits slide easily in and out of the case with ease. This seems like a little thing, but I HATE when I have to FIGHT with each drill bit as I try to remove it from the case. The other "claim to fame" for these bits is ....they last 10X longer than standard bit. I used them on 1/4 inch steel and they have done a nice job so far. Also, I like the wide array of size choices. I would recommend these bits.

This is a great set of drill bits. The bits cut into the material easily and do not tend to overheat like other bits. Normally when drilling into metal you have to drill a pilot hole and use oil to lubricate and cool the bit. These bits just begin cutting into the material with ease, I imagine that lubricating oil would be a good preventive measure for drilling larger diameter holes. The waste is channeled away from the work so the bit does not load up. The set comes with a nice case that allows easy access to the size you need.

This review is for the Milwaukee 29 piece Cobalt drill bit set (Model 48-89-2332). I was granted a chance to test one of these kits out, and it’s proving to be a welcome addition to my tool box. I’m a homeowner/DIY’er, not in the building trades, so my review is from the DIY viewpoint. The 48-89-2332 kit includes: (1) 1/16", (1) 5/64", (1) 3/32", (1) 7/64", (2) 1/8", (1) 9/64", (1) 5/32", (1) 3/16", (1) 7/32", (2) 1/4", (1) 5/16", (1) 3/8", and (1) 1/2" bits. It's nice that they include the extra 1/8" and 1/4" bits since those are frequently used and liable to dull first. All of the bits come in a nice hard plastic case, in red with the standard "Milwaukee" logo in white. A couple of notes about the case - the thing came encased in the usual clamshell plastic packing box and I had a difficult time getting the drill set out of the clamshell. I used a utility knife and wore gloves - the clamshell edges are very sharp. YMMV. Once out of the packing you'll see that the 1/2" bit comes separately from the Milwaukee case (so as to be prominently on display in the clamshell), but there is a hole in the Milwaukee case for the 1/2" bit along with all of the others. In the photo attached you’ll see the bits are in two rows on each side of the case. The back row bit size can be difficult to read without removing the bit in front. When new the bits can be a bit sticky to get out and back in but as the bits are used the case “wears in” and taking bits out or replacing them becomes easier. The case measures (when closed) 7 ¼” wide, 3” deep, and 4 5/8” tall. It has a solid clasp to keep it closed (see attached photo) and small feet designed into the bottom of the case. There is no carrying handle on the case but it can easily be grabbed with one hand. The Red Helix bits themselves offer a 135 degree split point to reduce walking on hard surfaces. The Cobalt drills are designed for hard metal use: stainless steel, high alloy steel, cast iron, and wood. I’ve used a Red Helix bit (not from this kit) to go through PVC piping and it worked just fine. In this kit the bits that are larger than 11/64” have a “Chip Breaker” designed in, to help reduce heat buildup. Seems to work, no complaints. I’ve not run into anything around the house or yard that the Cobalt bits can’t handle. (I should note that I use the bits in cordless drills and in a drill press and get good results either way). The bits (except for the very smallest ones) offer flat surfaces that will help secure the bit in a drill chuck. Also the bit size is, of course, marked on each bit – but can be hard to read because the markings are the same color as the bit itself. (See photo below). The bits run true, I’m not getting any wobble from them, and running them through soft pine doesn’t seem to leave any jagged edges on the reverse side of the wood. The bits are infused with a cobalt mixture, they’re not coated. That means that the bits can be resharpened if required without ruining or removing any coating (such as some titanium bits have). Of course when going through hard metal it’s wise to go slowly and use a quality cutting oil. Note that these bits are NOT impact rated – they’re not designed for use in “hammer” mode in masonry. For home use the 48-89-2332 offers a comprehensive range of sizes and buying the kit is less expensive than buying the bits individually. Of course some of the bits in the kit may be sizes you’ll never use – but it’s always nice to have your bases covered, “just in case”. There are certainly cheaper bit sets on the market, but I’m getting good service out of the Milwaukee Cobalt bits and “cheap” and “value” don’t always go together. If all you do is occasionally drill into drywall to hang a photo frame or two, then this set may be overkill for you. If, however, you perform household repairs on sinks, siding, cabinets, HVAC, plumbing, etc. then the Milwaukee kit may be right up your alley. For most of the jobs I do the Cobalt series is overkill; however they get the job done without fuss and when I do have to drill into a stainless steel sink top or some such repair they’re up to the task. HTH Regards, Jim

The drill bit itself worked well, but the 1/2" bit sheered off from the chuck area the first time I used it to drill into an aluminum tube. Aluminum is much to soft to have caused this bit to snap, especially on its first use. The smaller bits have held up better, but considering the fact that the largest bit, which played a large part in my determination to buy the kit only worked once, I can not recommend them. I expected better from a Shockwave set.

The Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Duty Titanium Drill Bit Kit (23-Piece) is a nice collection of high quality drills for use with both impact and standard drills for masonry, metal, wood and plastic. These drills are coated with a hard coating of titanium and have a more shallow 35 degree cutting edge to minimize initial walking. The larger drills have what they call a chip breaker to decrease heat buildup and consists of grooves cut in the face of the bit which I don't understand just how it works. The helix refers to the angle of the drill turns that moves waste chips up and out of the hole and these drills are designed to run cooler by varying the angle. It all sounds like advanced stuff whose proof is in the using. I do like that the set includes doubles of the smaller most used size drills which always wear out or break first. I've tried these out on some scrape hardwoods and they bite cleanly and easily did their job. The case is normally not worth mentioning except with this one, its sturdy has a good lock mechanism and strong hinges, should last the life of the set. I have a number of drill sets and this is going to be my go to one for most jobs.

Great addition to my collection