Startool (Startool Inc.) is a nail drill bit maker headquartered in Orange County, California, and a brand since 2009. It specialises in carbide e-file bits, and M1 Nail & Beauty Supply in Markham, Ontario stocks 81 Startool bits and mandrels: Large and Small Barrel, Round Top safety barrels, 3 in 1 Special, All in 1, Shark, under nail cleaners, cuticle and diamond bits, and LOXO sanding band mandrels. Most come in every grit from Fine to 3X or 5X Coarse, and several shapes are also stocked with a 1/8 in shank.
Startool bit shapes at M1
| Shape | What it is for | In stock at M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Large Barrel | Flat-top barrel for surface work, shortening and backfill cuts; the widest cutting face | 3/32 in: Extra Fine · Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse · 3X Coarse · 4X Coarse · 5X Coarse 1/8 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse · 3X Coarse · 4X Coarse · 5X Coarse |
| Small Barrel | The same flat-top barrel with a smaller circumference for narrow nails and tighter areas | 3/32 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse 1/8 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse |
| Round Top Large Barrel | Safety barrel: the smooth rounded top protects the cuticle and side walls while removing gel, acrylic and dip | 3/32 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse · 3X Coarse · 4X Coarse · 5X Coarse |
| Round Top Small Barrel | The safety round top on a small barrel for narrower nails | 3/32 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse |
| 3 in 1 Special | Smooth top, tapered body and wider base in one bit; Startool positions it for short nails | 3/32 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse · 3X Coarse 1/8 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse · 3X Coarse |
| All in 1 | The longer multi-zone bit for a full set without changing bits; Startool positions it for long nails | 3/32 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse · 3X Coarse |
| Shark | Barrel with X-cut cross teeth for gel polish removal, described by Startool as heat-reducing; chamfered top | 3/32 in: Fine · Medium · Coarse · Extra Coarse · 2X Coarse · 3X Coarse · 4X Coarse |
| Cone and T-Cone under nail cleaners | Slim cones for cleaning and bevelling under the nail, the side walls and toenail work | 3/32 in: Small · Large 1/8 in: Small · Large 3/32 in: T-Cone · T-Cone Large |
| Cuticle bits | Small ball, football, taper and raindrop heads for the cuticle line and nail prep | Cuticle Cleaner Ball · Cuticle Cleaner Football · Cuticle Taper (1/8 in) · Cuticle Raindrop |
| Diamond bits | Fine diamond-coated ball and conical bits; unlike the carbide bits these can be used on natural nails | Diamond Ball · Diamond Conical |
| LOXO mandrels | Stainless steel holders for single-use sanding bands, made in the U.S.A. | LOXO Mandrel 3/32 in · Mini LOXO Mandrel 3/32 in · LOXO Mandrel 1/8 in |
Also in stock: the Startool Cone Special, a pointed cone with a wide base.
Startool grit codes: STF, STX, ST2X, RX, A2X
Startool grits run from Extra Fine through Fine, Medium, Coarse and Extra Coarse, then 2X, 3X, 4X and 5X Coarse. The higher the grit, the more product each pass removes. Each shape has its own code prefix, and a small "s" at the end means Small Barrel, while "sp" means the 3 in 1 Special. The All in 1 bits in our stock also carry a colour band on the neck.
| Grit | Large Barrel | Small Barrel | Round Top Large Barrel | Round Top Small Barrel | 3 in 1 Special | All in 1 | All in 1 band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Fine | STXF | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fine | STF | STFs | RF | RFs | STFsp | AF | white |
| Medium | STM | STMs | RM | RMs | STMsp | AM | yellow |
| Coarse | STC | STCs | RC | RCs | STCsp | AC | blue |
| Extra Coarse | STX | STXs | RX | RXs | STXsp | AX | red |
| 2X Coarse | ST2X | STXXs | R2X | R2Xs | ST2Xsp | A2X | orange |
| 3X Coarse | ST3X | - | R3X | - | ST3Xsp | A3X | green |
| 4X Coarse | ST4X | - | R4X | - | - | - | - |
| 5X Coarse | ST5X | - | R5X | - | - | - | - |
Shark bits are sold by grit name only, from Fine to 4X Coarse. Codes are the ones Startool uses on its own product pages; band colours are read from the bits M1 has in stock.
3/32 in or 1/8 in shank?
The shank is the smooth rod that goes into the handpiece. 3/32 in (2.35 mm) is the standard for nail e-files and fits almost every salon handpiece. 1/8 in (3.175 mm) is thicker and only fits a handpiece or collet made for 1/8 in bits, so check your machine before ordering. On Startool SKUs at M1, numbers starting with 9 or 7 are 3/32 in and numbers starting with 8 are 1/8 in.
Startool FAQ
What do Startool codes like STF, STX and ST2X mean?
They are grit codes. On the Large Barrel, STXF is Extra Fine, STF is Fine, STM is Medium, STC is Coarse, STX is Extra Coarse, and ST2X to ST5X are 2X to 5X Coarse. A final "s" (STFs) is the Small Barrel, "sp" (STFsp) is the 3 in 1 Special, R codes (RF, RX, R2X) are Round Top safety barrels and A codes (AF, AM, A2X) are All in 1 bits.
What is the difference between the Startool 3 in 1 and the All in 1?
Both combine a smooth top for the cuticle area, a tapered body and a wider lower body for shaping and reducing product. Startool describes the 3 in 1 Special as the version for short nails and the longer All in 1 as the version for long nails. The 3 in 1 Special comes in 3/32 in and 1/8 in shanks; the All in 1 is 3/32 in only.
Can Startool carbide bits be used on natural nails?
No. Startool's own safety notes say carbide bits should never be used on natural nails, and that the bits are for professional nail technicians wearing safety goggles and a mask. Its diamond-coated bits, such as the Diamond Ball, are the ones Startool says can be used on natural nails for cuticle work.
What is a Startool Round Top bit?
It is Startool's safety barrel. The top of the barrel is smooth and rounded instead of flat and toothed, which protects the cuticle and nail walls from cuts and scratches while the sides remove gel, acrylic or dip powder. M1 stocks it as a Large Barrel from Fine to 5X Coarse and as a Small Barrel from Fine to 2X Coarse.
Which Startool grit should I choose?
Fine and Medium are for finishing, refining and thinner product. Coarse and Extra Coarse shorten and shape acrylic, hard gel and dip powder quickly. 2X to 5X Coarse remove thick product fastest and need light pressure and a controlled speed, so they are usually chosen by experienced technicians.
Are Startool bits made in the USA?
Startool is headquartered in Orange County, California. It states that its LOXO mandrels are made in the U.S.A. from stainless steel, and the shanks of the Startool bits in our product photos are engraved "MADE IN U.S.A.".
Where can I buy Startool nail drill bits in Canada?
M1 Nail & Beauty Supply in Markham, Ontario stocks 81 Startool bits and mandrels for in-store pickup and ships them across Canada.
Compare with other brands in carbide drill bits.
Last updated October 2026. Shapes, grit codes, shank sizes and safety notes follow Startool's own product information; colour bands and stock are from the bits on M1's shelves.
Not sure which bit you need? Read the guide: Startool Drill Bit Guide: Shapes, Grit Codes and Which Bit to Use.