OSG vs Mitsubishi Materials Drills — Which Is Right for Your Application?

Sep 8

3 min read

If you are sourcing solid carbide drills or indexable drilling systems in Malaysia, two brands come up consistently — OSG and Mitsubishi Materials (DIAEDGE series). Both are Japanese precision tooling manufacturers with decades of global track records. Both are carried by KS Precision Tools as authorised distributor. But they are not interchangeable — each has distinct strengths that make it the better choice for specific applications.

This guide gives you the honest, application-based comparison you need to make the right call for your operation.

About OSG

OSG Corporation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of taps, dies, end mills, and drills. Their drilling range is particularly strong in threading, tapping, and deep-hole applications. OSG's EX series and A-Brand series are widely trusted across Malaysia's Automotive, Medical, and General Engineering sectors.

OSG drills are renowned for:

Threading and tapping tools — OSG is the global benchmark for taps across virtually every material and thread standard. If you are threading aluminium, steel, stainless, or titanium, OSG is the first brand to evaluate.
Deep-hole drilling — OSG's EgiAs and deep-hole series deliver excellent chip evacuation and straight hole geometry in deep L/D applications.
Micro-drilling — OSG EXOCARB series covers diameters from 0.1mm upward, with excellent dimensional consistency for semiconductor and medical micro-machining.
Stainless steel and difficult alloys — OSG EX-SUS series is specifically engineered for surgical-grade stainless, Inconel, and duplex stainless. Point geometry and coating are optimised to prevent work hardening on entry.
Broad range and availability — OSG covers virtually every drilling application. If there is a standard size and material you need, OSG almost certainly stocks it.

About Mitsubishi Materials (DIAEDGE)

Mitsubishi Materials' DIAEDGE series offers one of the broadest drilling ranges in the industry, from solid carbide drills to indexable insert drilling systems for high-production environments. Their strength lies in high-volume production drilling and indexable systems for large-diameter applications.

Mitsubishi Materials drills are renowned for:

Indexable insert drills (MVS series) — for large diameter drilling (25mm+) in high-volume automotive and general engineering. Insert drilling is significantly more economical than solid carbide at large diameters.
High-speed steel production drilling — Mitsubishi's DP series HSS drills offer excellent value for general-purpose steel drilling at moderate volumes.
Cast iron and grey iron drilling — MC7000 series carbide grades are proven performers in automotive cast iron (engine blocks, brake discs) at high production rates.
Aluminium high-speed drilling — Mitsubishi PCD insert drills for aluminium alloy at Vc 800–1500 m/min in high-volume automotive transfer line applications.
Combination drill-tap tools — reducing cycle time by combining drilling and threading in a single pass.

Head-to-head by material

Steel (mild, alloy, carbon) — both brands perform excellently. OSG for threading applications; Mitsubishi for insert drilling at large diameters or high volume.
Aluminium alloy — Mitsubishi Materials PCD insert drills for high-speed production. OSG for standard solid carbide drilling and threading.
Stainless steel (304, 316L) — OSG EX-SUS series is purpose-built for stainless. Mitsubishi MC Series solid carbide drills are also a strong option.
Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) — OSG EX-TI series with TiAlN coating and through-coolant design. Vc: 25–40 m/min, coolant pressure minimum 40 bar.
Inconel and high-temp alloys — OSG EX-SUS or Mitsubishi Materials solid carbide with AlCrN coating, Vc: 15–25 m/min, mandatory high-pressure coolant.
Cast iron — Mitsubishi Materials MC7000 or uncoated carbide. High Vc (200–300 m/min) with dry or air-blast cutting.
Deep-hole drilling (L/D > 5) — OSG EgiAs series. Excellent chip evacuation geometry and through-coolant for straight, clean deep holes.
Micro-drilling (below 3mm) — OSG EXOCARB series is the benchmark for diameter consistency and runout tolerance in micro applications.

Which should you choose?

The honest answer: many of our customers run both brands simultaneously — OSG for threading, micro-drilling, and difficult alloys; Mitsubishi Materials for insert drilling, high-volume cast iron, and aluminium production drilling. They are complementary, not competing.

If you are choosing one brand to start with and your primary application is threading or difficult alloy drilling — choose OSG. If your primary application is high-volume steel or aluminium drilling at large diameters — choose Mitsubishi Materials.

Get a free drill application recommendation

KS Precision Tools is the authorised distributor for both OSG and Mitsubishi Materials in Malaysia. Our technical team will assess your specific material, hole diameter, depth, tolerance, and machine specification — and give you a brand and grade recommendation with expected tool life and cutting parameters.

Call 03-8941 7168 or email kokyong@ks-precision.com. Based in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Local stock available for standard grades — same day or next day delivery.