Drill with Coolant vs. Drill without Coolant: Which One Should You Choose?

HPMT • Sep 08, 2023

When it comes to drilling, there are many different types of drills available. Two of the most common types are drill with coolants and drill without coolants. But which one should you choose? 


Different types of drills are better suited for different materials and applications. Meanwhile, choosing the wrong drill can lead to poor results and even damage to your equipment.


In this blog article, we’ll find out what is the difference between a drill with coolant and drill without coolant and help you decide which one is right for your needs to get the most out of your drilling operations.

What is a drill with coolant?

Drills with coolant are a type of drill that uses a coolant to help lubricate and cool the drill bit as it cuts through the material. The coolant is typically delivered through the center of the drill bit and helps to reduce friction and heat buildup during the drilling process.


They are generally better suited for drilling harder materials like stainless steel or titanium. These materials tend to generate more heat during the drilling process, which can cause the drill bit to wear out more quickly. Using a coolant can help reduce heat buildup and extend the life of your drill bit.

Key Advantages

Drills with coolant are a type of drill that uses a coolant to help lubricate and cool the drill bit as it cuts through the material. There are several key advantages to using a drill with coolant over a drill without coolant:

Coolant Situation During Drilling

Drilling Depth:

  •  ≤ 5 × Ø; External Flood Coolant minimum of 8 bar.
  •  3 × Ø; Internal through coolant minimum of 8 bar is recommended for optimum result.
  •  5 × Ø; Internal through coolant 12 bar
  •  12 × Ø; Internal through coolant of at least 40 bar is highly recommended.
  •  Dry drilling should be avoided as it will shorten the tool’s life significantly.

Maximum entry and exit angle

Image Credits: HPMT Drilling Handbook

Entering non-flat surfaces

When going into non-flat surfaces, there is a danger of drill deflection. To avoid this, the feed can be reduced when entering.

  • Convex surface: No feed reduction is necessary.
  • Concave surface: Reduce to 33% of the original feed rate.
  • Inclined surface: Reduce to 33% of the original feed rate.
  • Curved surface: Reduce to 33% of the original feed rate.

What is a drill without coolant?

A type of drill that does not use any coolant during the drilling process. Instead, it relies on the friction generated by the drill bit as it cuts through the material to help remove chips and debris.


Drills without coolant are generally less expensive than drills with coolant and are better suited for softer materials like aluminum or wood. Because these materials generate less heat during the drilling process, there is less need for a coolant to help reduce friction and heat buildup.

Key Advantages

Drills without coolant are generally less expensive than drills with coolant and are better suited for softer materials like aluminum or wood. Here are some important advantages of drill without coolants:

Selecting the Right Drill for You

When it comes to coolant vs without coolants, you need to select the right drill for your needs. Here are some of the several factors to consider:

List of Services

HPMT offers a wide range of high-quality solid carbide drills, including NC spotting drills, twist drills, oil feed twist drills, spiral burnishing drills, long drills, and more, catering to your industry-specific requirements.

Conclusion

Should I buy a drill with coolant? Both drill with coolants and drill without coolants have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. When choosing between the two, it’s important to consider the type of material you’ll be drilling, the precision and longevity you require from your tools, the scale of your project, and your budget and maintenance needs. Therefore, it’s not to say that one drill is better than another in all instances; it depends on the task at hand.


HPMT is committed to providing high-quality cutting tools and services to clients worldwide. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.

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