HSS-R drill bits vs HSS-G – what’s better for you?

One question we’ve been asked recently revolves around drill bits and which is better out of the HSS-G and the HSS-R.  

In the interest of fairness, we have to share that we have recently stopped selling HSS-R drill bits. However, in this article, we will compare the two as objectively as we can.  

We will highlight the pros and cons of both and by the end of the article, you’ll be well aware of the differences between the two.  

Firstly, what exactly are they? 

As mentioned above, they are both drill bits. However, HSS stands for high-speed steel and the R and G stand for different things.  

The R stands for rolled, while the G stands for ground. This means that the R has been rolled into shape, while the G has been ground to shape. 

The differences between the two are that the G undergoes more grinding and sharpening processes, thus making it more precise, while the R is very wear-resistant.  

What are the pros of the HSS-R? 

The main pro of the HSS-R is its cost, with it being notably cheaper than the HSS-G. Naturally, for those who are keeping a close eye on the purse strings, this makes them very appealing.  

In addition, they are very durable. They are also wear-resistant and strong, so when it comes to general-purpose drilling, they are very effective.  

They are also very easily accessible, which can help if you’re in a bit of a spot and you need something at short notice.  

And what goes against the HSS-R? 

Because of the way that they are made, HSS-R drill bits will not be as precise as HSS-G drill bits, which naturally can be a problem depending on what you’re working on.  

In addition, they won’t fare as well at high cutting speeds as HSS-G drill bits, which makes them unsuitable for projects that require demanding drilling applications.  

Finally, they are not the most versatile. They are best used with metal, but aren’t the best for drilling into some of the more tougher materials.  

What about the HSS-G? What makes that good? 

The precision of HSS-G is its main selling point, as the accuracy you get with an HSS-G is exceptionally good. It also leaves a nice surface finish, which can be important.  

Despite being more precise too, they are also very effective with harder materials. Whether it’s steel, stainless steel or alloy steel, an HSS-G drill bit will be great for you. They are also very efficient when used with wood.  

Much like the HSS-R drill bits, the HSS-G drill bits are also very versatile and wear-resistant, but they also come in a number of different sizes and coatings, giving them more versatility. 

And what lets HSS-G drill bits down? 

They do cost more than HSS-R drill bits, which can be problematic. Budgets are becoming more and more important and with a need to make every penny stretch, the added cost can be off-putting.  

In addition, finding HSS-G drill bits in smaller sizes can be harder than getting hold of HSS-R drill bits, which are very easy to obtain by comparison.  

This isn’t a major issue, but could be annoying, depending on what you need and when you’d need it.  

High-performing drill bits 

Both of these drill bits offer high performance, but for us, the HSS-G edges it. The fact it’s more precise, more versatile and more needed by customers gives it the nod for us.  

This is also why we have discontinued our HSS-R range, as while it is undoubtedly a very good drill bit, the HSS-G is seen as better.  

If you would like to see our range of HSS-G drill bits, you can do so here.