Chicago-Latrobe 55443 118 Degree Silver & Deming Drill 43/64 in

Drill bit for large-diameter holes

The Chicago-Latrobe 55443 is a Silver & Deming drill bit with a 43/64 inch cutting diameter and a 118 degree point angle. It is made from high speed steel with a black oxide finish for corrosion resistance and reduced friction. The bit is designed for general-purpose drilling in metal, wood, and plastic materials. It suits tradespeople and maintenance crews who need to enlarge existing holes or create new ones in a single pass.

Reduced shank fits standard chucks

The 1/2 inch reduced shank allows the bit to be used in drill presses and hand drills with standard 1/2 inch chuck capacity. This eliminates the need for a larger chuck or special adapter when stepping up to larger diameters. The black oxide surface treatment helps retain lubricant during operation and resists rust during storage. The straight shank provides secure clamping without slippage under high torque loads.

Practical limits of the 118 degree point

The 118 degree point angle is optimised for general-purpose drilling but may walk on hard or curved surfaces without a centre punch. High speed steel construction offers good wear resistance in mild steel and aluminium but dulls faster in stainless steel or abrasive alloys. The bit is not designed for deep-hole drilling beyond standard flute length or for high-production CNC cycles requiring carbide tooling. Users needing split-point geometry or cobalt alloy for tough materials should select a different bit style.