I cut at least 30 holes in 1/4" mild steel plate with my first pick. NOW I'm a machinist and have done this on an 80 RPM vertical knee mill. Keeping it in a hand drill reduces results drastically, and very few people can spin at 80rpm (most drills don't even come close). I have ordered a second one as a spare and they are made in China so I am concerned that the quality may drop or vary but so far I have no real experience to back up such concerns.