Drill Bits

[Motornoggin]

I have a set of Snap On Thunder bits that are pretty much useless right now. I have had them for somewhere around 8 years so they have held up very well and were some of the best bits I have ever had. I was talking to the Snap On dealer and he says they generally can't be sharpened due to the coating being removed in the process.
He has a sale coming up on them for about $160 which isn't a bad price but it got me to thinking. Would I be better off getting a set of bits I can sharpen or should I stick with these and just replace them when they wear out again? I will be getting a drill press soon to help keep the speed under control so my bits will last longer.

[solarpower]

I spent $150.00 on a set of Vermont Tool Drill bits that are 10 years old and have drilled tens of thousands of holes.

He is full of shit.

Spend the money on a Drill DR. and use them until the flutes are gone.

What color are your bits?? The coating.

and just an FYI while I'm sure you have a decent set of drills, you spent money for the Snap-on name more than anything. They make nice ratchets, wrenches etc. etc. If you want a good set of drills, buy them from a company that makes drills. Same goes for taps, measuring instruments etc.

USA stuff is almost always better than a import when it comes to these things.

[randii]

He is full of shit.
Yup.

Spend the money on a Drill DR. and use them until the flutes are gone.
Double-yup.

A sharp but cheap drill bit cuts better than a dull but expensive bit. Though better quality bits may stay sharper longer, brand doesn't always equate to quality... especially since your Snap-On guy has proven himself to be a liar.

Randii

[Motornoggin]

They have a black coating on them. They have been run through a Drill DR. once already and it helped, but they didn't stay sharp for long.
Who makes good drill bits?

[D60]

They have a black coating on them. They have been run through a Drill DR. once already and it helped, but they didn't stay sharp for long.
Who makes good drill bits?

I still think he's full of shit, too. Keep sharpening them, or learn how to do it on a bench grinder.

As for good bits, Chicago Latrobe comes to mind.

And yeah, you only paid for the Snap-On name.

Pretty much any bit set made in the USA is gonna be good if not great. Hell, I've been using the uber-cheap import $40 115pc index and for what they are they work really well, but most of my use is in a mill. I was gonna point you toward a USA set from Enco, but once again their website is down on the weekend (NO ONE buys machine tools on weekends, don't ya know??)

item #RP300-0027, USA $93
If you want cobalt for $190 item #RP890-9962

www.use-enco.com

[glfredrick]

Sharpen the Snappy bits... Also, with the DD, you can change the point angle and style -- make them 135* and split point them -- they'll drill.

I used to love it when my customers gave me their old bits -- lots at home, all sharpened and ready for use. :D

[TJREX]

I have all different types of bits; cobalt, titanium....made from several different manufactures...some sets cost me upwards of $190...

The best set I have is rodman....saw a demonstration at the truck fest show and bought a set....these out perform all the high dollar bits 10 fold. drills through a broken bolt extractor like it was mild steel...also the only bit I could get to drill through some tile to mount my microwave....these things are awsome and flex quite well before breaking....I have not broke one but during the demonstration they had a 1/4 inch bit deflected by about 3/4 of an inch while drilling and it did not break....best set of bits I have ever owned.

[adampfisters]

Is this what you are talking about?

http://www.rodmanandcoinc.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=1307321|1307323&PRID=1492961

They state to have a 2000 RPM minimum which I found weird?

[TJREX]

yep...I went out and bought a new drill to meet the speed that is reccomended....

[Motornoggin]

I would just set the press to the lowest speed above 2k. What I don't like about those is the whole trade show deal. That makes it difficult to get a replacement unless the manufacturer will send them out.

[mason44]

the rodmans are a carbide tipped bit, thats the reason for the speed. Thats the cheapest way to remove broken extractors is with a carbide tipped bit made for concrete, which can be bought cheap.

[BumpyDodge]

Snap-On doesn't make everything that's stamped with their name. Look under "products" and the click on "drills-sets" here (http://www.ttdonlineusa.com/sandvik/4534/internet/s002390.nsf/html/Startpage?opendocument) and see if anything looks familiar.

[Tool Pimp]

Go break the Snappy bits anything above 1/4 should be covered under warranty :flipoff2:

[DUG]

Sharpen them, the Snap-On guy is just looking to take more of your money then he already has.