Drill Bits Made in America

R.W. Thompson, Inc., a small family-owned business founded in 1982 by Ray Thompson in Georgia and now run by second-generation owner Andy Thompson, established the KnKut brand in 1996 to deliver high-quality, American-made metal cutting tools, initially focusing on the automotive aftermarket and expanding to serve mechanics, fabricators, and tradespeople nationwide.

KnKut specializes in a comprehensive lineup of premium drill bits and drilling products, made from high-grade Molybdenum High Speed Steel (HSS) with high vanadium content and salt nitride treatment for superior hardness, heat resistance, and durability when drilling tough materials like stainless steel, titanium alloys, hardened steel, sheet metal, brass, and more.

Their extensive selection includes jobber length, short stubby length, extra length, reduced shank, left hand, double end, hex shank quick release, step bits, step point/mechanics length, M35 cobalt, carbide tipped, and spot weld drill bits—available in fractional, number, letter, and metric sizes—along with related tools such as car reamers and carbide burrs.

Designed for precision, long tool life, and performance in demanding automotive, fabrication, and industrial applications, KnKut products emphasize consistent quality control and are marketed as “The Hole Solution” for professionals seeking reliable, outperforming American-made alternatives.

Melin Tool Company, founded in 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio, as one of the early American manufacturers of end mills, has grown into a leading producer of premium solid round cutting tools for the metalworking industry, serving sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, die and mold, and medical. Now part of Walter (a division of Sandvik Machining Solutions) since its acquisition around 2020, Melin remains committed to high-quality manufacturing of carbide and cobalt high-speed steel tools, with in-house coating capabilities and a focus on both standard and custom/specialty products backed by excellent customer service.

Melin offers a dedicated line of carbide drills as part of its expanding high-performance cutting tool portfolio, designed for precision drilling in demanding applications. These solid carbide drills emphasize durability, accuracy, and efficiency when machining tough materials, complementing their well-known carbide end mills, countersinks, thread mills, and other tools. Engineered for superior performance and long tool life, Melin’s carbide drilling products cater to professionals seeking reliable American-made solutions for high-speed, high-precision metal removal across industrial and specialty machining needs.

Montana Brand Tools, a consumer-oriented brand manufactured by Rocky Mountain Twist in Ronan, Montana, produces high-quality, superior-performance drilling and driving accessories with a strong emphasis on American manufacturing and innovation. The company draws on decades of precision engineering heritage—originally developed for demanding industrial applications like aerospace—and brings that same rigorous quality to tools for professional tradespeople, woodworkers, construction workers, and DIY enthusiasts, using premium materials, proprietary CNC machining, and thorough testing to exceed industry standards.

Their drill bits include titanium-coated hex shank sets for quick-change impact drivers (with 135° split points for reduced walking, faster speeds in metal, and longer life), patented X29 Brad Point drill bits (engineered for exceptionally clean, accurate holes in wood with superior chip clearance and durability), as well as specialized options like modular drill & driver sets, plug cutters, and more. All are proudly Made in the USA, designed for precision, speed, smooth cutting, and extended tool life across woodworking, metal, and general drilling tasks.

Norseman Drill & Tool, founded in 1951 and operating from a dedicated manufacturing facility in St. Paul, Minnesota, has built a strong reputation as a premier American producer of high-quality cutting tools, proudly manufacturing its entire line using the finest tool steels in a facility optimized for efficient, high-precision production.

The company specializes in a comprehensive range of high-speed steel (HSS) drill bits and related drilling products, including jobber length, mechanic length, screw machine length, left-hand, high-helix flute, quick-release hex shank, titanium nitride (TiN) coated, and M42 cobalt drill bits, along with the signature HSS Magnum™ Super Premium Drill Bits featuring a thin web design optimized for fast penetration of work-hardening stainless steel.

Additional offerings include VORTEX-Point™ mechanics and Silver & Deming drills, spotweld autobody drills, step drills for electricians, plus complementary tools like taps, reamers, and extractors. Engineered for superior heat resistance, durability, and performance when drilling metal, hardwood, and other materials at higher speeds than carbon steel bits, Norseman products emphasize precision, long tool life, and value for professional machinists, fabricators, maintenance teams, and industrial users.

Rocky Mountain Twist (RMT), is a leading U.S. manufacturer of high-performance, precision industrial cutting tools, founded in 2001 by Mick Cheff in Ronan, Montana. Operating from a state-of-the-art ~300,000 square foot facility at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the company is dedicated to keeping American manufacturing strong, with a strong emphasis on quality, innovation, community, and employee commitment.

RMT specializes in a wide range of premium drill bits and drilling products engineered for demanding industrial, aerospace, automotive, maintenance, and fabrication applications. Their lineup includes jobber length, maintenance, screw machine, aircraft extension, Silver & Deming, threaded shank, and cobalt varieties, along with BlackGold (black oxide with gold temper) series featuring 137° or 135° split points for faster penetration, reduced walking, and superior chip removal.

Products are crafted from high-speed steel (HSS), NAS-grade materials, and cobalt for enhanced heat resistance and durability when drilling tough metals and other materials. Additional options like custom-engineered bits, diamond tile drills, and sets emphasize precision CNC machining, aggressive web designs to prevent breakage, and longer tool life—making them a trusted choice for professionals seeking reliable, high-efficiency American-made performance.

W.L. Fuller, Inc., a family-owned and operated American manufacturer based in Warwick, Rhode Island, that has been producing high-quality cutting tools since the 1930s–1940s, with over 45–70 years of specialized experience in crafting superior drill bits and related woodworking/metalworking accessories. The company emphasizes quality, service, dependability, and a satisfaction guarantee, often modifying or producing custom sizes while distributing other tools.

W.L. Fuller offers an extensive line of premium drill bits, starting with their signature Brad Point Drills made by reworking industrial-grade High Speed Steel (HSS) originally designed for metal to deliver metalworking tolerances and exceptional longevity when cutting wood. Their range also includes regular/taper point, split/four-facet point, Plexi Point, screw point, and taper point configurations, plus cobalt, solid carbide, carbide-tipped, carbon steel, double-end, hex shank, reduced shank, extra-length (up to 18"), parabolic flute, and left-hand drill bits.

These tools excel at producing the cleanest, straightest, most accurate holes in hardwoods, softwoods, plastics (including Plexiglas), composites, fiberglass, sheet metal, and hardened steel, with specialized features like self-centering split points, clean-edge spurs on brad points, and options for deep holes or screw predrilling—making them a favorite among woodworkers, cabinetmakers, and professionals seeking durable, precise performance over standard woodworking bits.