Relatively inexpensive drill bits???

[70NOVA]

Need a new set of drill bits that will last but don't want to break the bank. They will be used mainly on 1/8" or thinner sheet metal. Any suggestions?

 

[joedodge]

Irwin cobalt set from tool topia full 29 piece fractional set is $70 or so use them at the hop all the time

 

[Rag Roc]

You'll probably get a bunch of responses on this, and I have moderate firsthand knowledge. Personally I like the uni-bits for thin sheetmetal, as they do not distort the finished hole.

 

[joedodge]

Nice one rag forgot bout those. My Hf unibits keep up with the Irwin's

 

[Jlipton]

I need some cheap bits as well. I'm starting to build a cobra replica kit and have to drill and rivet several aluminum panels, a few hundred holes. So I need probably 25 of each 1/8" and 5/32" bits. Nothing super expensive. Any ideas?

 

[sharkytm]

For sheet, UniBits work great.
For thicker material, buy them on eBay by searching "USA drill bit" or "Cleveland drill".
If you need multiples of the same size, buy them from an industrial supply house... in bulk, they shouldn't be too $$.

 

[creativecars]

I used these HF bits when building my shop. I was going through 11gauge, so nothing real heavy. I went through all 10 drilling 300 holes, so for the price I thought it was ok. I also really like the 29pc set, many magazines have coupons for $9.99. I have several for that price.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-ei...itanium-nitride-drill-bits-10-pack-93079.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/29-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-drill-bit-set-5889.html

 

[RECox286]

I have been using drill bits from HF for at least 25 years, and while they

aren't the industrial "best" they are far from the worst either. Get the

regular black bits in a tin case. 1/8" bits are available in a bulk pack.

If you don't force the bits, or bend them as you are drilling, they will

do the job you want to do. I use the fractional, numbered and Silver

Demiing that go up to 1". Drilled a lot of steel, alum, brass, and wood

for a fraction of the cost. When one breaks, and I need that size, I

scoot to the local hardware store for a single bit out of the display.

I keep packs of 1/8" and 1/4" in stock, seems I use a lot of those.

Resharpening: after a while you get a good feel for it, especially if

you do it freehand enough on the bench grinder.

Uncle Bob

 

[A_Pmech]

One decent quality (NOT Harbor Freight) twist drill is more than sufficient for 5,000 to 10,000 holes in Aluminum with a hand drill.

Let the drill do the work, don't force it, and use your free hand to hold the drill motor square as your right hand provides feed force. No more broken drills.

 

[03protege]

I have been using drill bits from HF for at least 25 years, and while they

aren't the industrial "best" they are far from the worst either. Get the

regular black bits in a tin case. 1/8" bits are available in a bulk pack.

If you don't force the bits, or bend them as you are drilling, they will

do the job you want to do. I use the fractional, numbered and Silver

Demiing that go up to 1". Drilled a lot of steel, alum, brass, and wood

for a fraction of the cost. When one breaks, and I need that size, I

scoot to the local hardware store for a single bit out of the display.

I keep packs of 1/8" and 1/4" in stock, seems I use a lot of those.

Resharpening: after a while you get a good feel for it, especially if

you do it freehand enough on the bench grinder.

Uncle Bob

I use to buy the Harbor Freight 10 packs and thought they were ok but ever since I purchased some Dewalt bits from HD I stopped using the HF bits. I probably went through 10 Harbor Freight bits for every 1 Dewalt bit.

And from my understanding the Dewalt bits are not even that great.

 

[woody 73]

I am all for saving money and all the more power to the above GJ members that have had good luck with the HF drill bits; But I for one have had horrible luck. I think my batch must have been made out of toilet paper,chewing gum and dog turds.

I think the step drill is the best way to go but I have never tried the HF ones because of my bad experience with their drill bit lots.

 

[Cedge]

HF titanium nitride or Cobalt drill bits have been excellent for use in my garage machine shop. Their high speed steel drill bits proved to be pretty worthless.

Steve

 

[supra90turbo]

I bought a Black and Decker set at Walmart for $20 last year around this time. I was leery, but it was the best decision I could have made. Metal flip up case, something like 1/16" - 1/2", and I figured I'd try it.

Surprisingly good quality, I'd definitely buy another set to have around. I have broken a couple, mostly small ones, but then I replace the broken ones with USA Irwin bits, so it's a win-win price wise

 

[cheechi]

HF titanium nitride or Cobalt drill bits have been excellent for use in my garage machine shop. Their high speed steel drill bits proved to be pretty worthless.

My experience pretty much agrees with this. They are ok, but they aren't for more than soft wood. Caught a good deal on some Dewalt pilot point cobalts on amazon recenty, they go pretty good through thin sheet, haven't put them through anything difficult though. Just tested with some scrap.

If I got any more HF bits, I would get the Cobalt index. At least I could sharpen them a few more times, better investment than the Ti coated, for not much more.

My Hf unibits keep up with the Irwin's

I don't use mine all the time but I got a set of each and am seeing the same performance with both.

 

[joedodge]

Really that's awesome. I've always had bad luck with bits always gone slow and lubed but I guess I'm hard on them. I'll have to get a Hf set as well

 

[PT Doc]

The hf 115 cobalt bits and the hf silver demming bits definitely get the job done. I almost exclusively use a drill press. I think that many problems that people have with drill tuts is too slow a feed rate. With a drill press this is easy to figure out.r

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

Sheet metal is funny when using regular the normal flute design bit, holes get distorted and also cause the sheet metal to ride up the bit. The tip should be the only cutting part of the whole deal, but I have and see people using the sides to stretch out a hold. Like the above post unibits work better. If you have old bits and or can get a decently cheap set, you can make bits with a grinder made for sheet metal. I was first put on to it in a home shop machinist issue. Works great if you have a bunch of old bits laying around.

Here is an article I found its similar to the one in my magazine and a good read for anyone wanting to pull a trick out of the bag.

http://qrpbuilder.com/downloads/sheet metal drills a.pdf