Where to get GOOD drill bits?

[Hellbound]

need some good strong bits not Harbor Freight crap All ready have those throw away bits they suck....drill DR. is next

[James_Fendley]

MSC, but I still use a drill Dr.

[bigdreamin]

i have used those cheap harbor freight high speed steel drills for a long time and i'm happy, sure i have broken a few smaller ones from heat failure but shit happens. anyway if you use the proper speeds and feeds for your drill press and keep your drills sharp any half way descent drill will work well (as long as your not trying to drill through super hard steel or iron)

[Aces'n'8s]

MSC, but I still use a drill Dr.


MSC (http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm)

and it's little buddy ENCO...

ENCO (http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM)

or

Grainger

Grainger (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/searchcategory.jsp?xi=xi&category=%2FMetalworking%2C+Welding+%26+Shop+Suppl ies%2FDrilling)

[SeaBass44]

ebay
bought the best around
$80 for the set to 1/2"
MAGNUMS will drill grade 8
have 3 flats full shank won't slip
#s are marked above so won't wear off
Stronger then the colbolts
mac & snap on sell these for $300+
usedon monster garage
I also udse a new 750 DD

YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER BIT AT ANY PRICE:)

note name CDT in pic & search google for them


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=256126&stc=1&d=1154024837


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=256127&stc=1&d=1154024837

[mudslinger99]

ebay
bought the best around
$80 for the set to 1/2"
MAGNUMS will drill grade 8
have 3 flats full shank won't slip
#s are marked above so won't wear off
Stronger then the colbolts
mac & snap on sell these for $300+
usedon monster garage
I also udse a new 750 DD
Link ?

[SeaBass44]

Link ?
been several months, just search drill bits highest price 1st

there is also a colbolt set at $39.99 that I bought a few years ago, it is a pretty good set too.

The DD is the best thing you can do to keep them sharp, I dull them fast drilling plastic, seems to dull faster then steel:eek:

[mudslinger99]

there is also a colbolt set at $39.99 that I bought a few years ago, it is a pretty good set too.
Do you mean "Kobalt" as in what Lowes sells ?

http://www.kobalttools.com/

[mudslinger99]

This says that "Blu-Mol" drill bits are made in the USA and can be bought from Home-Depot..

http://www.usstuff.com/tools.htm

http://blumol.net/

[D60]

Link ?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448365

[SeaBass44]

Do you mean "Kobalt" as in what Lowes sells ?

http://www.kobalttools.com/


No
I mean as in COBALT
Neiko brand

[SeaBass44]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448365
I should have thought of that:p

[mudslinger99]

No
I mean as in COBALT
Neiko brand
Gotcha :)

This is good timing because I'm in need of some new bits.. A buddy has been using mine for his project and let's just say a few are no longer usable :shaking: :laughing:

[andyr354]

Have some Champion bits that are very good. Around $100 for a set up to 1/2"

Andy

[andyr354]

on that older thread, seabass. Are these the ones you got?

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-pc-COBALT-S-D-RS-GIANT-JUMBO-LARGE-DRILL-BITS-Set-NEW_W0QQitemZ260011629375QQihZ016QQcategoryZ50383Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Always needing a bigger bit, local store carries hanson bits at $15-20 each for the big ones.

[SeaBass44]

ps, the last pic is a set 9/16" to 1":eek: didn't see the magnums that big, thee were only like $50 and also work very very well;)

[SeaBass44]

on that older thread, seabass. Are these the ones you got?

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-pc-COBALT-S-D-RS-GIANT-JUMBO-LARGE-DRILL-BITS-Set-NEW_W0QQitemZ260011629375QQihZ016QQcategoryZ50383Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Always needing a bigger bit, local store carries hanson bits at $15-20 each for the big ones.

those apear the same, though I don't see a brand name

[andyr354]

these must be them then, around the same price to.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-8-pc-Cobalt-Silver-Demming-Bit-Set_W0QQitemZ150007997376QQihZ005QQcategoryZ50383Q QssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[AzTaco]

Just got a set off ebay last week and they cut better than any of my other bits.

[jarvisjeep]

Mac or Matco tool trucks. Lifetime warrenty. expensive, but the warenty is worth every penny when you use them everyday IMO. my .2

[bigdreamin]

Mac or Matco tool trucks. Lifetime warrenty. expensive, but the warenty is worth every penny when you use them everyday IMO. my .2
this is true but its only on 1/4" and bigger, for obvious reasons, i wish snap-on would do the same
on that note the most impoartiant thing i learned from my grandfather, machinist for 35 years and a damn good one at that (this man made an entire new head for my 9" angle grinder) anyway he always preaches you can have the sharpest carbide drill on earth and still won't cut shit unless your speeds and feeds are right

[drnut]

I have had good luck with Grainger cobalt drill bits... espcially since my comapany buys them..

[dkc1657]

As part of my apprenticeship, we spent the first week of my first year learning how to sharpen drill bits by hand. It's really easy and takes about 5 seconds to sharpen a dull drill bit. All you need is a bench grinder.

Since I learned that, I don't think I bought a drill bit bigger than 1/8" inch in the last 5+ years. (Drill bits smaller than 1/8" are hard to sharpen and cheap to buy).

I seriously recommend getting someone ... maybe a millwright or machineist to show you how to do it by hand. I initially learned how to do it in school as an apprentice then a friend's dad who was a retired machinist showed me all the neat little tricks:

When you get good at it you can do stuff like change the lip angle to suit the material you're drilling, mild steel / stainless / aluminum.

You can cut wood drill bits, convert a twist drill to a wood drill and vise versa

And even custom cut a split point on larger drill bits so you don't have to use a smaller drill to drill a pilot hole then switch to a bigger drill bit. The trick to doing this is you need a grinding wheel with a nice sharp edge meaning you'd probably have to dress the wheel.

Anyways, learn to hand sharpen and you'll never buy another drill bit. Don't let anyone else know you know how to do this or they'll forever bring their dull drill bits to you. Just tell them you don't know how then take their old drill bits and replenish your collection. :D

[Blue MT. SnowRunner]

As part of my apprenticeship, we spent the first week of my first year learning how to sharpen drill bits by hand. It's really easy and takes about 5 seconds to sharpen a dull drill bit. All you need is a bench grinder.

Since I learned that, I don't think I bought a drill bit bigger than 1/8" inch in the last 5+ years. (Drill bits smaller than 1/8" are hard to sharpen and cheap to buy).

I seriously recommend getting someone ... maybe a millwright or machineist to show you how to do it by hand. I initially learned how to do it in school as an apprentice then a friend's dad who was a retired machinist showed me all the neat little tricks:

When you get good at it you can do stuff like change the lip angle to suit the material you're drilling, mild steel / stainless / aluminum.

You can cut wood drill bits, convert a twist drill to a wood drill and vise versa

And even custom cut a split point on larger drill bits so you don't have to use a smaller drill to drill a pilot hole then switch to a bigger drill bit. The trick to doing this is you need a grinding wheel with a nice sharp edge meaning you'd probably have to dress the wheel.

Anyways, learn to hand sharpen and you'll never buy another drill bit. Don't let anyone else know you know how to do this or they'll forever bring their dull drill bits to you. Just tell them you don't know how then take their old drill bits and replenish your collection. :D

I did the same thing when I went to school for machining. Once you get it its really easy and you develop an eye for it. I can sharpen a bit by hand in no time. Like he said to being able to do different tips is handy, another good tip to use if you do sheet metal is a sheetmeatal point pretty trick. As for brands ive found the hertel, cleavland twist, precision twist are some of the best you can buy. You can get them in HSS, cobalt, and also Tin coated. There pricey but well worth it. I have a good set for use in the mill or lathe then a cheap set for hand drills etc.

[dkc1657]

I did the same thing when I went to school for machining. Once you get it its really easy and you develop an eye for it. I can sharpen a bit by hand in no time. Like he said to being able to do different tips is handy, another good tip to use if you do sheet metal is a sheetmeatal point pretty trick. As for brands ive found the hertel, cleavland twist, precision twist are some of the best you can buy. You can get them in HSS, cobalt, and also Tin coated. There pricey but well worth it. I have a good set for use in the mill or lathe then a cheap set for hand drills etc.

Yea it seemed pretty useless at the time, we also were given a file and a block of aluminum which we had to hand-file to a specific dimension .. that was fun, thats how they taught us to use vernier calipers and micrometers ... but learning how to use a sharpen drill bits ... what a useful skill. I timed myself today, it takes about 4 seconds to sharpen a dull bit. Damaged bit (chipped etc..) takes longer.

I should also add that using proper cutting oil, the right speed, keeping the drill bit cool and using a drill press instead of a hand drill greatly increases the life of a drill bit. Honestly if you do all of that correctly, you can get like 5 - 10 times the life out of a drill bit.

ALso should add try not to drill through a weld and try to avoid drilling work-hardened metal.

Probably the biggest killer of drill bits is heat.

[bigdreamin]

I think its time my Grandpa taught me how to sharpen them by hand, he told me the hardest part is making sure you grind the same amount off each flute.

[andyr354]

On the subject of cooling or oil what is the consensus there. I have been using water to cool the bits in the drill press while drilling.

[bigdreamin]

Use oil, far better for the tool than water, also serves as a lubercaint and helps pull chips out of the bore. Personally I use motor oil, or in a pinch air tool oil.

[dkc1657]

I think its time my Grandpa taught me how to sharpen them by hand, he told me the hardest part is making sure you grind the same amount off each flute.

Well for starters you can buy a drill guage at any machinest supply store. That way you can accurately measure the lip angle and make sure the lips (the two cutting edges) are even.

But eventually you'll get good enough to put away the angle guage and just eyeball it. WHat I do is I use a bench grinder to sharpen both lips, then hold the drill bit up to a light part of the wall thats well lit ... like a bare piece of drywall or something so I can eyeball the lip / cutting edges and make sure they're even.

[Speedycheater]

ebay
bought the best around
$80 for the set to 1/2"
MAGNUMS will drill grade 8
have 3 flats full shank won't slip
#s are marked above so won't wear off
Stronger then the colbolts
mac & snap on sell these for $300+
usedon monster garage
I also udse a new 750 DD

YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER BIT AT ANY PRICE:)

note name CDT in pic & search google for them


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=256126&stc=1&d=1154024837


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=256127&stc=1&d=1154024837

After reading your post I went ahead and bought a set for myself. I have been using them for the past couple projects (including drilling out a 1/2" grade 8 bolt) and they have worked amazingly. I had used snap on bits in the past and was impressed, but I wasn't willing to pay what they are asking off the truck. These bits it turns out are the same as the Snap On bits, and at a much better price. When I bought mine I purchased another couple sets in order to get mine at a good price. I have been using the set up to 1/2" and have already sold off a couple of the other sets the friends after they tried mine. I've got one left which is on Ebay right now. If anyone here is interested the link is http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2F20002242517 6_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8QQfviZ1&item=200022425176

Thought I would pass that info along to anyone interested here.

[PhantomEB]

Hmmm just brought me a drill doctor, now thinking these.....

[AIRZUKI]

Those "magnum" drill bits look suspiciously like Osborn bits with a different tag on the index
but osborn drills are pretty good

for the very best drill bit the word is Guhring ( but they wont be cheap )

[SeaBass44]

Those "magnum" drill bits look suspiciously like Osborn bits with a different tag on the index
but osborn drills are pretty good

for the very best drill bit the word is Guhring ( but they wont be cheap )

I dought there are any better then these mags;)

snap on sells then for $300-350 are the Guhring more then that?

don;t let the under $100 price fool ya, these are badass:smokin:

[Speedycheater]

Those "magnum" drill bits look suspiciously like Osborn bits with a different tag on the index
but osborn drills are pretty good

for the very best drill bit the word is Guhring ( but they wont be cheap )
The bits I have are not osborn bits. Mine were made by Norseman Drill and Tool. The boxes were made by "Dril Box" in the USA.... I'm not sure if that name means anything. The box is just a generic case (there is a sticker on the back that says "Drill Index 21 Pc Empty Box Made in USA"). I am 100% sure the bits themselves are Magnum Super Premiums.