‘Titanium’ Bosch Drill Bits Made from Inferior Steel Alloy, Class Action Alleges

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A proposed class action alleges certain Bosch titanium drill bit products have been falsely advertised in that they’re made not from titanium but an inferior-quality “nonstandard-US tool steel alloy,” and are coated with a “virtually non-existent” layer of titanium nitride.

The 49-page lawsuit against Robert Bosch Tool Corporation says that optical emission spectrometer testing of a number of Bosch titanium drill bits and drill bit sets has revealed that the products’ base metal is inferior to titanium. Similarly, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopic testing has revealed that the plating on the exterior of the products is an ultra-thin ceramic layer of an entirely different compound, the complaint claims.

The case charges that consumers have overpaid for the following Bosch titanium drill bit items given the company has “misrepresent[ed]” the products’ composition, strength and overall quality:

• Bosch 9 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 5 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 14 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 21 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 23 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 29 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 10 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 15 pc. Titanium Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 3 Piece Titanium Step Drill Bit Set; 
• Bosch 13 in 1 Titanium Step Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 8 in 1 Titanium Step Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 1/2 Inch Titanium Countersink Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 27/64 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 25/64 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 1/4 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 3/8 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 1/2 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 1/8 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 1/16 Inch Titanium Drill Bit;
• Bosch 13/64 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 9/64 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 5/64 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 7/64 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 5/32 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 3/16 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; 
• Bosch 7/16 Inch Titanium Drill Bit;
• Bosch 1/16 Inch Titanium Drill Bit; and 
• Bosch 14 pc.

According to the complaint, the metal composition of a particular tool is a material consideration for consumers given certain metals, such as titanium, are significantly stronger than others. A stronger metal means better strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and a higher melting point compared to inferior products, the lawsuit states. A reasonable consumer, the suit says, believes higher quality metals such as titanium, one of the strongest, most durable metals on the planet, can provide better performance.

The case alleges, however, that the above-listed Bosch titanium drill bits and drill bit sets, unbeknownst to buyers, are not made of titanium as advertised. The lawsuit claims testing has revealed that the products’ base metal is made of an inferior quality “nonstandard-US tool steel alloy,” and that the titanium nitride coating of the drill bits is a mere .00001535 inches thick. 

The lawsuit alleges Bosch’s misrepresentations are “likely to continue to deceive and mislead reasonable consumers and the general public.”

“The Products Plaintiff received were worth less than the Products for which he paid,” the suit claims. “Plaintiff was injured in fact and lost money as a result of Defendant’s improper conduct.”

The lawsuit looks to represent all consumers in the United States who have purchased any of the Bosch titanium drill bit products listed on this page.

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