7 Best Left Hand Drill Bit Sets to Get in 2023 - Handyman's World (2024)

When you need to remove a bunch of broken or rusted fasteners and bolts, left-handed drill bits come in handy, with their counterclockwise rotation, compared to a regular drill bit’s rotation. Since they are not very popular compared to normal drill bits, finding them can sometimes be challenging.

That’s why we’ve reviewed those that are available. While we recommend reading the entire article, if you are in a rush, make sure to at least check our top pick, theDrill Hog Left-Handed Drill Bit Set.

Compared to common HSS or high-speed steel drill bits, molybdenum M7 has a better build and flexibility, so it can be used for many projects without breaking. M7 steel has a melting point of 4,753 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can use it for tough projects. Additionally, M7 can be used for working through stainless steel and can also take out Grade 8 bolts.

The 15-piece set contains lengths from 1/16 to 1/2-inch and all of them have a 135-degree split point to avoid the dreaded “walking” during drilling. All of them are arranged in individual slots in a solid steel case for easy access and durability. It is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

Things I Like About This Product: The molybdenum M7 steel construction means it’s a special kind of HSS, which can be used for tougher projects. I also like the solid steel case which protects the bits better than plastic ones.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The size names for each drill bit are engraved, so it may take a keen eye to read them, unlike if it were imprinted in black or a darker color.

If you’re in the hunt for a set with a ton of drill bit sizes then you will definitely like the COMOWARE 29 Pcs High-Speed Steel Left Hand Drill Bit Set. This one has sizes from 1/16 to 1/2 inch and comes organized in a neat metal index case. The HSS black and gold finish not only makes it attractive and durable, but also easy to see how the bit spins when you load it.

Each of the bits also has a 135-degree split point and twist design so that walking and chipping will be lessened or avoided altogether. This means that you’ll need to clean up less frequently than with regular bits when working on wood or other messy materials. Bearing a straight round shank, each bit also has titanium coating to help increase their durability.

Things I Like About This Product: The metal case can keep the bits protected better than plastic containers. I also like the anti-chip split point to help ease cleaning in between operations. It also has many drill bit sizes to choose from.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Be wary that some of the smaller sizes can be a bit delicate when applied with certain pressure.

The Drill Master 13-Piece Left-Hand Drill Bit Set has double-flute HSS bits. Also sporting 135-degree split points on each bit for easy cleanup and quick drilling, it comes with a slightly slanted storage case that adheres to the height arrangement of the entire set. I also like that each bit hole in the container is labeled in black letters for easy identification.

As for the sizes, this set includes 1/16 to 1/4-inch bits, so it might be more applicable for smaller jobs (where you may not need bigger sizes, such as 1/2-inch). They’re also corrosion resistant thanks to the titanium coating, making them suitable even in humid weather. Also, the container is metal to keep the bits protected.

Things I Like About This Product: The design of the storage case is unique and can prevent the drill bits from falling out of place.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t have the 1/2-inch size so you might only use it for smaller applications.

Ideal for soft metals, the Chicago Latrobe 150L Left-Hand (Reverse) Drill Bit Set has drill bit lengths from 1/16 to 1/2-inch, in increments of 1/32-inches. All of the bits are HSS, that can resist typical wear and tear for all your reverse drilling needs, while the uncoated finish means you can use it for different materials without risk of staining it with anything.

It has a 118 degree conventional point, so you can work on different types of drilling jobs all within one set of drill bits. Each bit size is engraved in the metal case and slot (both in fraction and decimal form for convenience) and everything else fits in a slanted metal case. The length of the jobber drills also help when working on a wide range of projects and materials.

Things I Like About This Product: The slanted case helps keep everything intact, while the drill bit sizes are conveniently converted to decimals, in addition to the standard fraction form. The bright and untreated finish makes it easier to drill through different materials without leaving stains.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Although the drill bit sizes are engraved, it can be slightly difficult to read without glasses for some, since they aren’t black or a dark color.

What I like about the Neiko 10037A Left Hand Drill Bit Set is that the HSS is M2-type steel, which has a titanium nitride coat which enhances its durability. Compared to T1 and M1-grade HSS, M2 is more “industry-appropriate” because the distribution of the metals is more equal, which increases its toughness.

The self-centering feature, along with the 135-degree split point, helps reduce chipping so you can work and clean up debris in a breeze. The set contains sizes from 1/16 to 1/2-inch and all are indexed in individual holes in a storage case.

Things I Like About This Product: Each size is printed in black so it’s easier to identify. The titanium nitride coat can also help in terms of durability.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The design of the box could be improved, mainly to make it easier to see when a bit falls out of place.

If you are in need of only a few drill bits, then you may be interested in the IRWIN Left Hand Drill Bit Set, which comes with five pieces. With a 135-degree split point to make it easier to penetrate any material you’re working on, each bit is made with M-42 8% cobalt high-speed steel for better resistance. This allows you to use it easily even on hard metals. The sizes included range from 5/64 to 19/64-inch.

Another feature that I am fond of is thanks to shorter cutting lips, you can work with high-tensile-strength materials, which lessens torque during drilling. To ensure quick chip removal, all the drill bits are made with a heavy-duty spiral flute design.

Things I Like About This Product: The combination of cobalt and high-speed steel allows the bits to power through higher RPMs without easily wearing out.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The case for the bits might not be as durable as the others I have picked above.

If you’re looking for Nb41 steel then the Drill Hog 13 Pc Niobium Left Hand Drill Bit Set may be for you. Because the melting point of niobium is 4,476 degrees Fahrenheit, this Nb41 drill bit set can work on harder steel materials without easily breaking.

The slanted design of the drill bit case keeps them well-protected from falling off, while the wide arrangement means you have less risk of bits falling out of place. If you simply don’t like the stacked design of some drill bit cases, then you might prefer something like this instead. It has sizes from 1/16 to 1/4-inch, in increments of 1/64-inches. Additionally, the bits are backed by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

Things I Like About This Product: The slanted set helps to keep the bits intact, while the one-layer scheme of the case makes it easy to take out the drill bit you need.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t have the bigger sizes such as the 1/2-inch drill bit.

The Methodology: What I Considered When Picking the Left-Hand Drill Bit Sets Featured Above

So how did I pick the left-hand drill bit sets mentioned above? Here are some criteria that I considered (and you should as well):

Materials Used

High-Speed Steel, or HSS, is a common standard for most drill bits, and left-hand drill bits are no exception. However, there are also unique types of HSS, such as M7 (molybdenum) HSS and Nb41 (niobium) steel.

Usually, certain metals are more capable of making your bits durable against wear and tear, especially when working with hard metals. Some of them even have high heat resistance – just look for the melting point of the HSS metal component for your reference.

Bit Sizes

The majority of left-hand drill bit sets I mentioned here have 1/16 to 1/2-inch sizes. However, there are also smaller kits that only have up to 1/4-inch, but it’s up to you what you need for your projects. Those who only need to mend a few repairs may be fine with 5-piece or 13-piece kits rather than the 29-piece ones, which appeal to workers with industrial projects.

Cases

It would be helpful to find a case that arranges the drill bit set properly. Stackable containers are okay because they make the container slimmer, but they can be a bit difficult to grab and go compared to single-layer arrangements.

Most drill bit cases are metal, so there is less risk of losing the bits from cracks or breaks. Also, good design includes labels for each size written in black or bold fonts for easy identification. However, if you can read engraved drill bit sizes well enough, then that may be fine for you, since engravings don’t get erased at all.

Bit Design

My picks here are all left-hand drill bits that have a split point or some kind of design that helps reduce chipping. This would be helpful when working with wood or other materials that may make a mess. Some bit end designs also allow for easy penetration.

Summary

If you prefer an M7 HSS steel drill bit set, you might like the Drill Hog Left Handed Drill Bit Set Screw Extractor, which also has a tough metal case. Other picks that also have durable cases include the COMOWARE 29 Pcs High-Speed Steel Left Hand Drill Bit Set and the Chicago Latrobe 150L Left-Hand (Reverse) Drill Bit Set.

However, for those who want a slanted case to help keep the bits intact during transit, you might consider the Drill Master 13-Piece Left-Hand Drill Bit Set, Chicago Latrobe 150L Left-Hand (Reverse) Drill Bit Set, and the Drill Hog 13 Pc NIOBIUM Left Hand Drill Bit Set.

For those who have trouble reading the sizes of the drill bits, the Neiko 10037A Left Hand Drill Bit Set has bold numbers for you to see. You might also prefer the Drill Hog 13 Pc Niobium Left Hand Drill Bit Set if you want a single-layer arrangement instead of stacked drill bits in the container.

A cobalt and high-speed steel combination set that you might like is the IRWIN Left Hand Drill Bit Set, especially if you prefer extra speed resistance. If you want an Nb41 steel set, you can try the Drill Hog 13 Pc Niobium Left Hand Drill Bit Set.