Metallics HSSCN26E Drill Bit HD Cobalt St 135d SplPt #26 3" YLW (1pc)

A #26 wire gauge bit cuts a 0.147 inch hole, which is the standard tap drill size for an 8-32 thread. That is the thread used on most equipment ground screws, device mounting screws and enclosure tapped holes, so the Metallics HSSCN26E is the bit you reach for when you are drilling and tapping a box, panel or strut for 8-32 hardware. Wire gauge numbers are not fractions, so do not substitute 9/64 or 5/32 if the hole is going to be tapped.

Yes. The HSSCN26E is a cobalt high speed steel bit, and cobalt is the alloy you want for stainless, spring steel, strut and heavy enclosure steel because it holds its edge at the higher heat those materials generate. Plain HSS dulls fast in stainless. Run it slow with steady pressure and cutting fluid, and let the bit cut rather than skating on the surface.

A 135 degree split point self-centers, so it starts on its own without walking across sheet metal or a panel face. For most enclosure and strut work you can skip the center punch with the HSSCN26E, which is the point of the geometry. The flatter 135 degree angle also spreads thrust better in hard material than a standard 118 degree point, so it wanders less on curved or coated surfaces.

Overall length is 3 inches on the HSSCN26E, which is a standard jobber-style length for this gauge. That gives you useful flute depth for sheet steel, strut and enclosure walls, but it is not a long-reach or extension bit, so it will not get you down inside a deep recess or through stacked framing. For that you need an aircraft-length or extension bit.

Yes. A #26 bit is sized for 8-32 threads. For 10-24 the tap drill is #25, and for 6-32 it is #36. Drilling 8-32 clearance rather than tap size is a different bit again, so match the gauge to the thread you are actually cutting or the tap will either bind or strip.

One bit per pack, supplied in a pouch. If you are stocking a van or a shop bench and expect to break or dull a few in stainless, order multiples rather than expecting a set.

The yellow finish on the HSSCN26E is a coating on the cobalt body that reduces friction and helps the bit shed chips and resist galling in steel. It also makes a small wire gauge bit easier to find in a pouch or at the bottom of a bag, which matters when you are carrying several gauges close in diameter.