118° vs 135° Drill Bit Point: What Is the Difference?

Quick Answer: A 118° drill bit point is widely used for general-purpose drilling and offers good versatility across common materials. A 135° point has a flatter geometry and is commonly used for metal drilling where better centering and reduced walking are important. Many 135° drill bits also use a split-point design, which can reduce the force needed to start drilling.

The point angle is easy to overlook when comparing drill bits, but it can affect how the drill starts, how stable it remains, and how the cutting edge performs in different materials.

118° Drill Bit Point: A Common General-Purpose Choice

The 118° point is widely used on standard twist drill bits. Its relatively sharper tip helps the drill enter the workpiece easily and makes it suitable for a broad range of everyday applications.

Typical applications include:

• Mild steel
• Aluminum
• Wood
• Plastic
• General workshop use

For product ranges that need broad application coverage, a 118° point remains a practical and widely recognized option.

135° Drill Bit Point: Designed for More Stable Metal Drilling

A 135° point has a flatter tip than a 118° point. This geometry is commonly used for metal drilling, particularly where drill walking and starting stability are concerns.

When combined with a split-point design, a 135° drill bit can:

• Improve centering at the start of drilling
• Reduce the tendency to walk across the surface
• Reduce the thrust required to start the hole
• Provide more stable cutting in many metal applications

A 135° point does not automatically make a drill bit suitable for every difficult material. Drill bit material, heat treatment, grinding quality, and cutting conditions still play an important role.

The table shows general differences. Actual performance depends on the complete drill bit design rather than point angle alone.

Common Drilling Problems and What to Check

Drill Bit Walking

If the drill bit slides across the surface before it starts cutting, the point design may be part of the issue.

A 135° split point can improve centering and reduce walking, particularly when drilling metal. For production applications, this can also help improve consistency between holes.

High Starting Pressure

Some drill bits require significant pressure before the cutting edges begin to work effectively.

A properly designed split point can reduce the amount of thrust needed at the start of drilling. This is one reason split-point drill bits are commonly used for metalworking applications.

Poor Hole Quality

Hole quality is affected by more than the point angle. Drill bit rigidity, grinding accuracy, flute geometry, machine stability, and cutting conditions can all influence the final result.

Changing from 118° to 135° will not solve every drilling problem, but selecting the correct point geometry is an important part of the overall specification.

Which Point Angle Should You Choose?

A 118° point is generally suitable for versatile, general-purpose drill bit ranges.

A 135° point, particularly with a split-point design, is often selected for metal drilling applications where improved centering and reduced walking are important.

For OEM and private-label projects, the better choice depends on the intended workpiece and product positioning. A general-purpose drill bit and a professional metal-drilling drill bit may use different point geometries even when the diameter and material grade are similar.

TOOLJOY One-Stop Drill Bit Solutions

TOOLJOY provides one-stop sourcing for drill bits and related tool products, covering different materials, point angles, drill geometries, sizes, surface treatments, packaging, and OEM/ODM requirements.

For customers developing a drill bit range, specifications can be matched to the intended application—from general-purpose drilling products to more demanding metalworking ranges—while also supporting broader one-stop tool sourcing requirements.

FAQ

What is the main difference between a 118° and 135° drill bit?

A 118° drill bit has a sharper point and is widely used for general-purpose drilling. A 135° drill bit has a flatter point and is commonly used for metal drilling where improved centering and stability are required.

Is a 135° drill bit better than a 118° drill bit?

Not necessarily. The better option depends on the workpiece and application. A 118° point is versatile for general use, while a 135° point is commonly selected for metal drilling applications.

Does a 135° drill bit prevent walking?

A 135° point can help improve starting stability, particularly when combined with a split-point design. However, the workpiece surface and drilling conditions also affect drill walking.

What is a split-point drill bit?

A split point is a modified drill bit point geometry designed to improve centering and reduce the thrust required to start drilling. It is commonly used on drill bits designed for metalworking.