Hand Drill Test: TTP HARD Cobalt Drill Bits Cut Hardened Steel

Independent Demo by Wayne Winton, TriCounty Locksmiths

Can a hand drill really cut through hardened steel? In this independent demo, Wayne Winton of TriCounty Locksmithsshows how a TTP HARD cobalt drill bit, combined with CUT-IT paste, breezes through a 1/2” hardened wear bar.

Using only a Milwaukee hand drill, Wayne proves that with the right tools and lubrication, even the toughest metals can be drilled cleanly and efficiently.

Key Highlights from the Video

• Independent demo by Wayne Winton, TriCounty Locksmiths

• Drilling a 1/2” hardened steel wear bar with a hand drill

• Drill bit powered through smoothly using CUT-IT paste

• Wayne highlights Rockwell hardness rating of 66

• Notes CUT-IT’s clean lubrication and ease of use

• Demo performed with a Milwaukee hand drill

Hardened wear bars are designed to resist cutting, impact, and abrasion — making them extremely difficult to drill. In this real-world demo, Wayne Winton proves that TTP HARD cobalt drill bits, paired with CUT-IT paste, can make light work of even these conditions.

The bit, rated at 66 Rockwell hardness, shows no signs of overheating or dulling, cutting smoothly through the 1/2” hardened steel plate. Wayne also highlights how CUT-IT paste clings to the bit, keeping it lubricated throughout and making drilling cleaner and easier.

What makes this video especially powerful is that it uses only a Milwaukee hand drill — no drill press, no specialist equipment. It proves that with the right cobalt drill bit and lubricant, professionals and DIYers alike can tackle hardened steel with confidence.