Black oxide drill bits... buy or pass?

[bmwpower]

I found a deal online for Irwin bits, but I have never owned a set of black oxide bits. I've only had titanium coated and cobalt.

How does black oxide wear? Seems like a good deal...

http://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-3018004-Piece-Industrial-Black/dp/B000EB8912/sr=8-4/qid=1171329328/ref=sr_1_4/103-6654480-1462236?ie=UTF8&s=hi

[Dodgepu360]

get 'em

I used to work in a tool & die shop and I would say 95% of the holes we drilled were with black oxide drills

the trick to making drills live is the proper feed and speed for the material you are drilling and plenty of cutting oil to keep the drill over heating

[ba614]

nothing wrong with black oxide bits ... that's all I use ... I think the coating is just for looks on the other bits ... it might make the bit last long before you have to sharpen it ... but after the first sharpening it will be the same as the black oxide bit

[ba614]

Oh yeah ... I forgot to say that looks like a good buy ... almost to good to be true

[ImportTuner]

I found a deal online for Irwin bits, but I have never owned a set of black oxide bits. I've only had titanium coated and cobalt.

How does black oxide wear? Seems like a good deal...

http://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-3018004-Piece-Industrial-Black/dp/B000EB8912/sr=8-4/qid=1171329328/ref=sr_1_4/103-6654480-1462236?ie=UTF8&s=hi
That's a great buy ... get them, they are excellent ... :)

[wilbilt]

I have lots of black oxide drills. I bought a couple of lots of them off ebay a few years ago, figuring they were cheap enough to dispose of when they died.

They just won't die :)

[l_bilyk]

My favorite drill bits are some very old german made black oxide bits

[wilbilt]

My favorite drill bits are some very old german made black oxide bits
Guhring? I have some of those.

The black bit lots I bought came from some Eastern Bloc country, and arrived wrapped in greasy paper. They are sharp and tough.

[Deafautotech]

i had craftsman black oxide drill bits set and i use it few time but other tech borrow my smallest drill bits and broke all of it. they said will pay me for new one but i dont have time to look for individual one. i am plan to buy industry drill bits that will work on heavy metal as craftsman sell it as full range from smallest bit to 1/2 for 100 dollars.

[bmwpower]

i had craftsman black oxide drill bits set and i use it few time but other tech borrow my smallest drill bits and broke all of it. they said will pay me for new one but i dont have time to look for individual one. i am plan to buy industry drill bits that will work on heavy metal as craftsman sell it as full range from smallest bit to 1/2 for 100 dollars.

Tell them to go and look for a new one!

Sounds like they have a case of "it ain't mine to care about" disease.

[bmwpower]

OK..... I bought the set...we'll see...

Thanks guys!!!

[Deafautotech]

few times that i did told them to get "yourself" tools but they said that they need it by now.... if i dont let them borrow then they stuck on the problem that they dont have tool.

also i have mac tool 10mm impact swivel socket as 1/4dr. most of tech in my work dont have it. so they just borrow mine. but today my friend tech said need borrow my one again and told me that he will buy one tomorrow as mac tool guy come on tuesday..... so i had to let him use mine as he is my good tech friend and his wife too. i cant make them upset with me over simple tool.....

[bmwpower]

few times that i did told them to get "yourself" tools but they said that they need it by now.... if i dont let them borrow then they stuck on the problem that they dont have tool.

also i have mac tool 10mm impact swivel socket as 1/4dr. most of tech in my work dont have it. so they just borrow mine. but today my friend tech said need borrow my one again and told me that he will buy one tomorrow as mac tool guy come on tuesday..... so i had to let him use mine as he is my good tech friend and his wife too. i cant make them upset with me over simple tool.....

They're perfectly capable of buying tools off the truck, right? I know the type of people you're talking about. Do you at least borrow some of their stuff, too?

[Deafautotech]

well i dont borrow their stuff often as what they did to me.... some of techs dont want buy tool if they only use once... so they will ask me to let them borrow my tool....

i dont borrow anything from them but i did ask if i can use plier or socket for quick while i was come over to body shop as my dealership have service shop and body shop. but most of time they just borrow my special tools and smaller wrench as stubby wrench, swivel sockets that i have smaller metric like 8mm and 10mm swivel socket....

[Deafautotech]

i am always borrow then return it right after i am finish using the tool to tech where i asked to. but other tech just borrow my tool then use it almost afternoon then bring it back to me and said thank you to me.. but other time they not often to forget that they suppose to return to me...

[wrencheshurt]

How well will these black oxide drill bits hold up if I'm using them for heavy metal drilling (truck frames) ? of course i will use them properly, I've been using cobalt ones but i need a set not just random ones, any input?

[eschoendorff]

I have a set of Irwin bits (some made in USA, others in Brazil) and they are not black oxide, but have really stood up pretty well. I would not hesitate buying the Irwins.

[mike944]

Looks like a pretty good deal. I think i'm going to order a set.

[wantedabiggergarage]

The old Irwins I have used are pretty good bits. I always like to look at them before I buy my bits though (habit from pre drill dr days), as the cheaper bits (any brand), always put their coatings on after, sharpening the bits, then didn't clean off the sharpened edges. So you started off with a dull bit.
That is just annoying as hell.

[-lecroix-]

The secret is using the correct speed and feed on ANY drill ... regardless of the coating.

Rule of thumb:

(4 * CS) / Dia. of drill = RPM

CS = Cutting Speed

CS for most common metals:

50 for most cast iron
75 for most stainless steels
100 for most carbon steels
500 for most aluminum

example for a 1/2" HSS drill in steel

(4 * 100) /.5 = 800 RPM

Hope this helps.

[Deafautotech]

i hate my air drill because it dont have any control of air flow through to air drill. so i have to decrease air pressure from air regulation then i use air drill. when i got done with it then i had to increade air flow on air regulation from 40 psi to 100 psi. ( sometime 90psi).....

[eschoendorff]

i hate my air drill because it dont have any control of air flow through to air drill. so i have to decrease air pressure from air regulation then i use air drill. when i got done with it then i had to increade air flow on air regulation from 40 psi to 100 psi. ( sometime 90psi).....
Which is why I don't use an air drill :bounce:

[Deafautotech]

i bought air tool ar menards as it is clearance. i had craftsman drill cordless and it is good for simple like screw driver or small socket for do door panels works...

[Hurricane]

i hate my air drill because it dont have any control of air flow through to air drill. so i have to decrease air pressure from air regulation then i use air drill. when i got done with it then i had to increade air flow on air regulation from 40 psi to 100 psi. ( sometime 90psi).....



thats all i use anymore. get a whip hose with a regulator on it. mine doesnt have a gauge or anything, just a small knob to adjust air pressure.

[wilbilt]

I had a couple of air drills that were geared and had a max RPM of 650 or so.

They were great, but would freeze my hands off if I had to drill a lot of holes.

[burger]

Thanks! I printed that out and will hang it up next to my drill press.


The secret is using the correct speed and feed on ANY drill ... regardless of the coating.

Rule of thumb:

(4 * CS) / Dia. of drill = RPM

CS = Cutting Speed

CS for most common metals:

50 for most cast iron
75 for most stainless steels
100 for most carbon steels
500 for most aluminum

example for a 1/2" HSS drill in steel

(4 * 100) /.5 = 800 RPM

Hope this helps.

[bmwpower]

I got these bits today (along with a huge 8" Columbian C-clamp in order to receive the free shipping deal they were running). I'm impressed with the quality and design of the case. The bits look really good, too, just haven't had a chance to use them yet. Maybe tonight...

[wilbilt]

I got these bits today (along with a huge 8" Columbian C-clamp in order to receive the free shipping deal they were running). I'm impressed with the quality and design of the case. The bits look really good, too, just haven't had a chance to use them yet. Maybe tonight...

Drilling holes in metal is very therapeutic. I think it should be a part of everyone's daily regimen.

[eschoendorff]

So, as far as speed, am I correct in assuming:

when in doubt, spin slower and push harder?

[-lecroix-]

So, as far as speed, am I correct in assuming:

when in doubt, spin slower and push harder?

Not necessarily. The larger the drill, the slower the RPM that is needed. The "push" you speak of is actually where the feed portion comes from. Push so that you get a nice spiral of a chip. Too little and you get small chips ... too much and you will get a long string of metal.

[eschoendorff]

Not necessarily. The larger the drill, the slower the RPM that is needed. The "push" you speak of is actually where the feed portion comes from. Push so that you get a nice spiral of a chip. Too little and you get small chips ... too much and you will get a long string of metal.
Okay... the spiral chip I knew about. What I was getting at, in general, is that it is better to err on the slow side when drilling metals (if you are not sure), right?

[-lecroix-]

Not necessarily on the speed either. Too slow and the drill will chip ... too fast and it will burn. There really isn't a "lesser of two evils" when it comes to this. Use the formula with the correct CS for the given material and you will be in the ball park.

[TNToy]

It is better to err on the slow side when drilling metals (if you are not sure), right?
Yes. But lecroix is right.

The reason it's generally good to go slower if you're not sure isn't because it's nessecarily better than drilling too fast... it's that most people tend to spin their drill too fast in steel, and this will put you closer to the right ballpark. :)

[unclemat]

I found a deal online for Irwin bits, but I have never owned a set of black oxide bits. I've only had titanium coated and cobalt.

How does black oxide wear? Seems like a good deal...

http://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-3018004-Piece-Industrial-Black/dp/B000EB8912/sr=8-4/qid=1171329328/ref=sr_1_4/103-6654480-1462236?ie=UTF8&s=hi

Current deal is ~$63.... still good one?

[Stuey]

Current deal is ~$63.... still good one?
Eh, seeing as how every other vendor has it for ~$60 as well, I'd say it's not a "deal."

[bmwpower]

Current deal is ~$63.... still good one?

I believe they were $25-30 when I first posted this...free shipping.

This was one of better deals I've seen. Too bad the price has jumped.

I've pretty much retired my crappy titanium bits in favor of these things. Haven't been disappointed yet. They ain't all fancy like the cobalts, but they sure do drill.