10 Best Left Hand Drill Bits in 2026

A 13-piece SAE set in a metal index case gives you a solid range of sizes for tackling most broken fastener jobs, from small screws to larger studs. The titanium nitride coating on high-speed steel provides that extra surface hardness to bite into tough materials, while the 135-degree split point design keeps the bit from skating off the target. This combination of a practical size range, durable construction, and organized storage makes it a reliable first grab for the majority of workshop and garage scenarios.

The trade-off is that high-speed steel, even with a coating, has its limits compared to a dedicated cobalt alloy when you’re drilling into hardened steel or exotic alloys. For those extreme situations, the IRWIN Cobalt set is built from the ground up for that specific punishment. For the NEIKO, think of it as your versatile workhorse. It covers the broad middle ground of DIY and professional repair work exceptionally well, balancing capability with organization so you spend less time searching and more time fixing.

The M-42 8% cobalt alloy steel is the defining feature here, built to chew through hardened fasteners and stainless steel without immediately dulling. That material, combined with a 135° split point, means you can apply less pressure to start the bite, which is critical when you’re trying to back out a broken bolt without snapping your bit. This set is for the mechanic or metalworker who regularly drills into high-tensile materials and needs a bit that can survive the abuse and actually help with extraction.

The trade-off for that premium cobalt construction is a focused, five-piece set. You get a practical range for most common screw sizes, but you won’t have the extensive sizing options of a set like the NEIKO 10038A with its 13 pieces. That makes the IRWIN set a specialist’s choice, it’s the bit you reach for when the job is too tough for standard high-speed steel, not the all-encompassing kit for every possible drill size.

Covering sizes from 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch, this 15-piece set provides a wide range for various fastener removal and drilling jobs, making it a comprehensive kit for a home toolbox. Its bits are made of M2 high-speed steel with a titanium nitride coat for added durability. A 135-degree split point design increases cutting speed with self-centering to prevent the bit from walking off the mark.

The set uses M2 steel with a titanium nitride coating, while other available sets use materials like cobalt or niobium alloys. Its left-hand design is intended for use with screw extractors to remove broken fasteners and can be attached to reversible drills. The included sizes range from 1/16 inch up to 1/2 inch.

The most decisive feature here is the complete run from 1/16-inch to 1/4-inch without skipping a single 1/64-inch increment. That means when you’re chasing a broken 5/64-inch screw, the exact bit is in the case, not the closest approximation. It’s the set for the mechanic or fabricator who needs to match the precise size of a fastener to get a clean bite and spin it out. The Niobium steel construction offers a solid balance of toughness and heat tolerance for the repeated, high-friction work of extraction.

You’ll notice the size difference in the packaging. The dimensions suggest this isn’t a slim case for a pocket; it’s a shop set. For a more compact, coated option you’d toss in a service truck, the NEIKO set is notably smaller. But if your priority is having every possible size on hand in the workshop to tackle any broken bolt from the start, Drill Hog’s comprehensive range is the practical choice. You trade portability for completeness.

The premium M35 cobalt steel is the key here, giving these bits the heat resistance to power through hardened fasteners without immediately dulling. That makes them a go-to for anyone regularly wrestling with broken bolts in automotive or machinery repair. The mechanics-length construction is their other major advantage; the shorter, stiffer body fights deflection and breakage when you’re leaning into a drill press or an impact driver, providing the control needed for precise extraction work.

Century’s left-hand drill bits are built for one demanding job: removing broken fasteners while drilling and preparing them for extraction. Their mechanics-length construction provides added strength and reduced breakage during precision work, which is crucial when dealing with stuck bolts in hard metals. The trade-off is reach; that stout, stable length won’t help if the broken fastener is buried deep in a casting. For a deeper cavity, you’d need a longer set like the NEIKO. The focused five-piece sizing is practical for matching popular screw extractor applications, but it means you’re not getting the wide range of a larger kit. This is a specialized set built for toughness in a specific role.

This 35-piece set combines left-hand drill bits with two styles of hardened extractors, creating a complete system for tackling stripped and broken fasteners. The left-hand bits are made from high-speed steel with a titanium coating to enhance hardness. Their 135-degree point angle is designed to cut in with less axial resistance, and the reverse rotation can often back a screw out before you even need an extractor. This makes it a suitable pick for a home workshop or mechanic who wants a single, organized kit ready for the unpredictable nature of repair work.

A key limitation is noted by the manufacturer: the drill bits are not suggested for use on stainless steel, so you would need a separate set for that material. While the heavy-duty blow-molded case keeps all the bolt removers organized, the comprehensive 35-piece contents determine its overall bulk. For focused drilling in tough metals, a dedicated, smaller set might be more efficient, but for a one-box extraction solution, this kit has the tools.

The M35 cobalt construction and titanium plating are what set these bits apart. That combination is built to walk into a fight with a stripped stainless steel bolt and win, resisting heat and wear where standard bits would dull. Its self-centering split point bites in fast with less pressure, which is exactly what you need when you’re trying to back out a stubborn screw. This set is for the person who needs a durable, focused kit for metal and fastener extraction, not a sprawling collection for every possible hole size.

This set focuses on a premium M35 cobalt steel construction, which is formulated for extended service life when drilling hard metals like stainless steel. You get seven bits covering sizes from 5/64-inch to 19/64-inch, a range that handles many common bolt and screw removal tasks. While a set like the 13-piece NEIKO offers more pieces, it uses high-speed steel, making the SMJXTOP a specialist’s choice for shops prioritizing material durability over maximum size variety.

The stubby mechanics length of these bits is the key feature, giving you the clearance to work a drill in cramped spots where a standard-length bit simply won’t fit. That short profile, combined with a self-centering split point, helps the bit bite immediately and reduces walking on curved surfaces. This set is built for the specific, frustrating job of extracting broken fasteners, and its M35 cobalt composition can handle the heat generated when you’re drilling out a hardened bolt. It’s a focused toolkit for mechanics and fabricators who regularly work in tight engine bays or between joists.

This set’s stubby mechanics length reduces drill walking, which helps keep the bit centered on a damaged fastener head. You get seven bits, but they cover only five specific sizes, maxing out at 19/64-inch. While the NEIKO set includes more pieces, the Drill Hulk set excels in its niche by providing the toughness and geometry for extraction work. You might need a longer, more comprehensive set when space isn’t a constraint and you require more size options.

Made from M35 cobalt steel, these bits are built for drilling tough metals like stainless steel and cast iron, which helps them stay sharp longer. The 13-piece set covers imperial sizes from 1/16″ to 1/4″, so it handles the most common screw and small bolt sizes. Its compact stubby design provides easy access to tight and hard-to-reach spaces, a real advantage when working in cramped areas.

The set’s maximum size is 1/4″, so it will not handle larger fasteners. However, for removing damaged studs, bolts, or screws in hard materials, the cobalt construction and stubby format create a focused toolkit.

The 15-piece set ranges from 1/16″ to 1/2″, which provides a broad selection for progressively drilling out broken hardware. Its Hi-Molybdenum M7 steel is formulated to withstand friction heat, an important trait when using the larger bits. The left-hand thread design is specifically intended for removing broken bolts, screws, and studs.

The trade-off for that comprehensive size range is a bit more heft in your toolbox. At one pound, it’s a more substantial kit than something like the five-piece IRWIN Cobalt set. While the M7 steel offers excellent heat resistance, it doesn’t include a surface hardening coating like titanium nitride, which some other sets use for added abrasion resistance. For the majority of large fastener extraction jobs, however, the raw material toughness and complete size spread here are the defining factors.