What is the drill point angle?
It describes the angle formed at the drill tip, which directly influences how the bit enters the material. Different angles are designed to optimize performance across various materials and drilling conditions. The most 2 common and popular drill point angles in the market is 118 and 135 degree.
118° Drill Point Angle
Most standard jobber drill bits are made with a 118° point angle, which is considered for general drilling purpose. This sharper angle allows the drill to enter softer materials more quickly and easier. So it will suitable for wood, plastic, aluminum, and mild steel. Another advantage of 118 design is that it can be resharpened easily, users can extend the drill’s life with proper maintenance.
However, one limitation for 118 is more likely to “walk” or slip when drilling into harder materials, especially if you don’t use a pilot hole first. A sharper angle will be easily to push the drill off-center when drilling on harder materials. This “walking” effect can reduce accuracy and may damage the material surface if you don’t have a pilot hole first.
For tougher applications, we recommend to center punch the material or pre-drill a small hole to stabilize the drill. Despite this drawback, the 118 drill point still be a reliable and economical choice for everyday drilling needs.
135° Drill Point Angle
Drill bits with a 135° point angle are usually designed with a split-point tip, which helps the drill self-center on the material surface. This design greatly reduces the chance of “walking” or slipping, especially when working on hard and smooth surfaces. Therefore, 135° drills have better stability and accuracy, making them particularly suitable for stainless steel, hardened steel, and other tough alloys where precision is important.
135 drills can also have a long tool life. Because 135 angle is wider, when the cutting edges enter the material, it can be more slowly, the drill has less pressure. It helps it last longer when used in tough jobs. These makes 135° drills a good choice in industrial and heavy-duty applications where need efficiency and reliability. They can drill cleaner holes and require less force to stay aligned, to help us improve safety and productivity.
However, when drill on softer materials such as wood or plastic, 135° drills may cut more slowly compared to 118° drill. But it’s not a big problem for industrial users. Just remember this when you need faster drilling in some light drilling work. Overall, the 135° angle is perfect for tougher jobs, providing higher precision, longer tool life, and superior performance in demanding environments.
Key Differences at a Glance
For make things simple, we summarized the key differences between the 118° and 135° drill point angles in the table below. It highlights their typical applications, advantages, and considerations, making it simple to see which angle is better suited for different drilling needs. Whether you are working with soft materials like wood and aluminum, or tougher metals such as stainless steel, this comparison can help you quickly identify the right drill bit for the job.
Both 118° and 135° drill bits have their strengths. The 118° angle is wild-used and ideal for general drilling tasks, and the 135° split point works better in harder materials when you need accuracy and stability. Selecting the correct point angle ensures better efficiency, longer tool life, and improved safety.
Post time: Sep-30-2025