Dormer Pramet

Dormer Pramet’s solid carbide drills are designed to solve common production issues—such as the need to switch drills for different materials or inconsistent accuracy during continuous stainless steel machining.

The FORCE X series handles a wide range of materials, while the FORCE M is tailored for stainless steel. Both feature coolant-through designs and TiAlN-based coatings to balance productivity and reliability.

This article summarizes the key features and recommended applications of Dormer Pramet’s solid carbide drills.

Recommended
Applications
for Dormer Pramet

Dormer Pramet’s solid carbide drills are ideal for production environments that require flexibility across various materials or face quality fluctuations when drilling stainless steel in continuous runs.

The FORCE series combines CTW flute geometry (Continuous Thin Web), a 140° 4-facet split point, TiAlN-based coating, and coolant-through design. Together, these features enable stable cutting with low thrust force and smooth chip evacuation.

This reduces edge wear and tool breakage, extending tool life and minimizing tool changes and machine downtime.

Note: Performance may vary depending on tool type and machining conditions such as spindle speed, feed rate, coolant, and machine rigidity.

How to Choose Carbide Drills
from Dormer Pramet

As a carbide drills manufacturer offering both multi-application and material-specific drill series, Dormer Pramet provides options for general-purpose production, stainless steel machining, heat-resistant alloys, and smaller-diameter holemaking. The right choice depends on the workpiece material, drilling depth, coolant capability, and required balance between productivity and cost efficiency.

For Multi-Material Production Drilling

Recommended Series

FORCE X Multi-Application Series

When to Choose This Type

Choose the FORCE X Series when one production environment needs to handle a wide range of materials, including carbon steels, alloy steels, cast iron, stainless steels, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals. It is a practical option for mixed-material production where reducing tool changes can help improve machining efficiency.

The series is available in 3×D, 5×D, and 8×D drilling depths. Solid and coolant-through options are available for 3×D and 5×D applications, while the 8×D version is offered as a coolant-through drill only.

The combination of CTW flute design, a 140° 4-facet split point, and TiAlN-based coating helps deliver stable performance across diverse machining environments.

Suitable Materials

• Steel and cast steel
• Stainless steel
• Cast iron
• Non-ferrous metals
• Heat-resistant alloys
• Hardened materials

Available Types

• Force X Drill 3×D
• Force X Drill Oil Feed 3×D
• Force X Drill 5×D
• Force X Drill Oil Feed 5×D
• Force X Drill Oil Feed 8×D

For Stainless Steel and Heat-Resistant Alloys

Recommended Series

FORCE M Stainless Steel Series

When to Choose This Type

Choose the FORCE M Series when drilling stainless steel, ISO-M materials, or heat-resistant alloys in continuous or high-volume production. This series is designed for applications where chip control, hole quality, and repeatable tool life are especially important.

The coolant-through design supports stable drilling in tough-to-machine stainless steels and heat-resistant alloys. Its 4-facet split point and CTW flute geometry help maintain smooth chip flow and consistent hole quality.

With longer tool life and repeatable performance, FORCE M can help improve productivity in mass production lines where stainless steel or heat-resistant alloy components are drilled regularly.

Suitable Materials

• Stainless steel with at least 11% chromium content for corrosion resistance
• Heat-resistant alloys, including superalloys with high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance

Available Types

• Force M Drill Oil Feed 3×D
• Force M Drill Oil Feed 5×D

For more detailed technical information and product comparisons, visit our special feature on carbide drills for stainless steel.
The page highlights three top manufacturers with proven strengths in stainless steel machining, including in-depth coverage of recommended tools for this demanding material.

For General-Purpose Small-Diameter Drilling

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Recommended Series

R100/R120 General-Purpose Solid Carbide Series

When to Choose This Type

Choose the R100/R120 Series when a cost-effective solid carbide drill is needed for general-purpose holemaking in materials such as carbon steel, cast iron, and aluminum. This series is especially useful when smaller diameters below Ø3.0 mm are required or when the machine does not support internal coolant.

Made from fine-grain K10-grade solid carbide, the R100/R120 Series provides a reliable entry-level option for shops that need solid carbide performance without moving to a more specialized high-performance drill series.

Under the right cutting conditions, these drills can still achieve tight tolerances up to H8 class, making them suitable for general-purpose applications where accuracy and cost efficiency both matter.

Suitable Materials

• Steel and cast steel with alloy content of 10% or less and hardness below 45 HRC
• Cast iron, including Fe-C alloys with more than 2% carbon
• Non-ferrous metals and alloys with minimal iron content
• Hardened engineering materials above 45 HRC

Available Types

• R1201.5 – Stub Drill
• R1201.6 – Stub Drill
• R1201.3 – Stub Drill
• R1203.0 – Stub Drill
• R1236.0 – Short Spotting Drill 90°
• R1235.0 – Short Spotting Drill 90°
• R12210.0 – Short Spotting Drill 120°
• R1228.0 – Short Spotting Drill 120°

Quick Selection Guide

• For mixed-material production: Choose the FORCE X Multi-Application Series.
• For reducing tool changes across different materials: Consider FORCE X for broad material compatibility.
• For stainless steel and ISO-M materials: Choose the FORCE M Stainless Steel Series.
• For heat-resistant alloys: Consider FORCE M with coolant-through design for chip control and process stability.
• For smaller diameters below Ø3.0 mm: Choose the R100/R120 General-Purpose Solid Carbide Series.
• For machines without internal coolant: Consider the R100/R120 Series as a practical solid carbide option.
• For cost-effective general-purpose drilling: Use the R100/R120 Series when a specialized high-performance drill is not required.

After-Sales Support from Dormer Pramet

As of October 2025, Dormer Pramet does not publish detailed information on regrinding or reconditioning services on its official website.

However, customers in the U.S. can contact the technical support team directly for product questions and usage guidance.

Company Information

Address	Dormer Pramet Limited, Manor Way, Halesowen, West Midlands, United Kingdom, B62 8QZ
Phone Number	+1-800-877-3745
Official Website	https://www.dormerpramet.com