01M538 - Walter SST+ 19/32" Cobalt Prentice Drill Bit with 1/2" Reduced Shank

Heavy-Duty Precision with Walter SST+ Prentice Drill Bits

The Walter 01M538 19/32" SST+ Prentice Drill Bit is a premium cutting tool designed to bridge the gap between large-diameter hole requirements and standard equipment capacity. Known in the industry as a "Prentice" or "Silver & Deming" style bit, this tool features a reduced 1/2-inch shank, allowing operators to drill 19/32-inch holes using standard portable power drills, drill presses, and magnetic base drills that typically have a maximum chuck capacity of 1/2 inch. This versatility makes it an essential component for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) professionals who need flexibility on the job site.

Durability is at the core of the SST+ series. Crafted from a specialized cobalt blend, this drill bit is engineered to withstand the intense heat and stress generated when drilling through hard metals. Unlike standard high-speed steel (HSS) bits that can dull quickly under thermal load, the cobalt composition maintains its hardness at higher temperatures, significantly extending the tool's lifespan. This makes it particularly effective for drilling stainless steel, a material notorious for work-hardening and destroying lesser quality bits. The addition of a bronze SST surface treatment further enhances performance by reducing friction and facilitating smoother chip evacuation.

Operational efficiency is greatly improved by Walter's exclusive point geometry. The bit features a self-centering tip that bites into the material immediately upon contact, eliminating the tendency for the bit to "walk" or wander across the workpiece. This precision removes the need for time-consuming center punching or pilot drilling, allowing for faster hole production. Furthermore, the shank is machined with three flats, a critical design feature that locks the bit securely into the chuck jaws. This prevents the bit from spinning under high torque, ensuring maximum power transmission and preventing damage to both the bit shank and the drill chuck.

Whether you are working on round surfaces like piping or fabricating structural steel, the Walter 19/32" SST+ Prentice Drill delivers reliable, high-performance results. Its ability to drill more holes before requiring re-sharpening translates to lower cost-per-hole and less downtime for tool changes.