Black & Decker HSS bullet drill bit 1/2 in

First impressions and setup

I put the Black & Decker 1/2-inch HSS bullet bit to work on a mixed bag of tasks: boring clean holes through maple face frames, opening up mounting points in mild-steel angle, and knocking a few pass-throughs in PVC for irrigation plumbing. Out of the package, the bit looked straightforward—no flashy coatings, just a conventional high-speed steel finish and that distinctive bullet-style tip. Mine came with a reduced shank that fit a 3/8-inch chuck, which immediately broadened its utility. Being able to chuck a 1/2-inch bit into a compact drill is a practical advantage on a ladder or in a crawlspace where I don’t want to lug a big 1/2-inch drill.

The key promise of a bullet tip is to start cleanly without skating. In practice, it lived up to that on wood and plastic. On clean steel, it still benefited from a center punch, but even when I was lazy, it didn’t wander like a standard chisel-point twist bit.

Design and build

• Geometry: The bullet tip is a self-centering profile that behaves like a partial split point. It’s not as aggressive as a fully ground split-point jobber bit, but it’s noticeably better than a generic point for reducing walk.
• Material: HSS is a sensible choice here. It’s a true generalist—tough enough for wood and plastic and capable in mild steel and aluminum.
• Flutes: The flutes cleared chips reliably in wood and aluminum. In thicker steel, pecking was necessary to avoid heat build-up, as expected for this diameter.
• Shank: The reduced shank makes it widely compatible. I had no slippage in a keyed chuck; in a keyless chuck, I had to re-tighten once during an extended steel cut, which is par for the course when you’re pushing a big diameter.

At 1/2 inch, the bit is on the margin of what most compact drills should be asked to do in metal. Pairing it with a drill that has a low gear and a handle makes the work safer and easier.

Performance in wood

I ran it through pine studs, maple, and a chunk of white oak. Entry holes were clean and accurate with minimal need for pilot holes. Compared with a standard twist bit, the bullet tip saved me a step in layout on wood faces—I could line up on a pencil cross and go. Tear-out on exit is still a reality with a cutting tip like this. Backing with scrap completely solved the issue on maple cabinet parts. If you want flat-bottom holes or tight tolerance on the exit face, you’ll want a Forstner. For general purpose 1/2-inch through-holes, this bit was quick, straight, and left a round, true bore.

Speed-wise, a medium to high speed on a cordless drill worked well in softwoods; I slowed down for hardwoods and eased off the feed pressure. The bit stayed cool and chipped nicely, with no audible squeal or burnishing. After a dozen holes across mixed species, the cutting edges still felt sharp to the fingernail.

Performance in metal

In mild steel (up to 1/4 inch thick), the bit did well if I treated it properly:
- Center punch your mark to lock the tip.
- Use a cutting fluid or light oil.
- Run slower: roughly 300–600 RPM is a good handheld target for 1/2-inch HSS in mild steel.
- Peck the hole to clear chips and break the heat cycle.

Following that routine, I punched clean holes in angle iron and a 1/8-inch steel strap without drama. The bullet tip did help the bit start in my punch mark without skating. It’s worth noting that starting a 1/2-inch hole directly in thicker plate asks a lot of any bit; step drilling (1/8 inch, then 1/4, then to size) makes life easier, especially with a smaller drill.

In aluminum, the bit was a breeze. I wiped the flutes with a little paste wax, ran higher RPM, and got long, continuous chips with a clean finish. No galling or clogging.

I wouldn’t choose this bit for stainless or hardened steel. HSS can do thin stainless in a pinch, but it dulls quickly and generates heat; cobalt (M35 or M42) is a better call there.

Performance in plastic

On PVC and ABS, the bullet tip grabbed less than a conventional twist bit. I ran the drill slowly with very light pressure and backed the work to avoid blowout. The result was neat holes without cracking or melting. If you regularly drill acrylics, consider a plastic-specific grind, but for the occasional 1/2-inch pass-through in plumbing or enclosures, this bit handles it well.

Accuracy and hole quality

The bullet tip consistently reduced walking and made it easier to hit my marks. In wood, I could start right on a pencil line; in metal, I still preferred a scribed cross and a punch for repeatability. Holes measured on-size with a caliper, and the bit tracked straight through 1-1/2 inches of hardwood without drifting. Exit burrs in metal were moderate and typical; a quick deburr took care of them.

Durability and sharpening

After a weekend’s mixed use, the cutting lips were still slicing rather than rubbing, and the tip hadn’t blunted. That’s in line with HSS used within its comfort zone and kept cool. The geometry is resharpenable on a benchtop sharpener if you’re comfortable dressing the lips; you may not perfectly reproduce the bullet profile at home, but you can bring the edges back and restore performance. If you routinely drill metal, a light touch on the sharpener between jobs will extend the bit’s life.

Ergonomics and compatibility

The reduced shank was the standout convenience for me. I used a compact 12V drill for wood and plastic, and a larger 18V drill with a side handle for steel. For heavy cuts, a keyed chuck grips better; if you use a keyless chuck, stop and re-tighten if you feel any slip. The bit’s overall length is comfortable—long enough to clear common thicknesses without being unwieldy.

Where it shines and where it doesn’t

Shines:
- General-purpose 1/2-inch holes across wood, aluminum, mild steel, and plastics
- Fast, reasonably accurate starts without a pilot hole, especially in wood
- Compatibility with 3/8-inch chucks thanks to the reduced shank
- Occasional metalworking tasks with proper lubrication and speed control

Less ideal:
- Stainless or hardened steels
- Furniture-grade exit faces without backing (tear-out risk)
- Flat-bottom holes or very tight-tolerance joinery work (use a Forstner)
- Continuous heavy production drilling in steel (consider cobalt or a split-point jobber designed for metal)

Practical tips for best results

• Mark and punch in metal; back your work in wood and plastic.
• Use cutting oil for steel, wax or light oil for aluminum; run slow and peck.
• Let the bit do the work. Excessive feed pressure overheats HSS and dulls the edge.
• Consider step drilling for thicker steel to reduce torque load on smaller drills.
• Check your chuck tension periodically, especially on keyless chucks.

Value

As a single, general-purpose 1/2-inch bit, it offers solid performance without frills. You’re not paying for exotic coatings or cobalt metallurgy, but you get reliable starts, true holes, and broad material compatibility. For a homeowner, DIYer, or pro who needs a dependable 1/2-inch hole-maker in the kit, it hits a very reasonable price-to-performance point.

Recommendation

I recommend the 1/2-inch HSS bullet bit from Black & Decker for general-purpose use across wood, plastic, aluminum, and mild steel—especially if you want the convenience of running a 1/2-inch diameter in a 3/8-inch drill. The bullet tip meaningfully reduces wandering, the bit cuts cleanly when used at appropriate speeds with proper lubrication, and the HSS construction balances toughness and value. It’s not the right choice for stainless or precision joinery, but as a go-to, affordable 1/2-inch bit that you can trust to start where you place it and finish the job without fuss, it earns a spot in the drill index.