Let's talk drill bits

[MagnumForce]

Drill bits are something I rarely think about, namely because they are consumables and free for me at work. Get a drill index, go to the tool crib at work and fill it up with basic, cheap bits.

Well yesterday I was having a helluva time drilling through an eighth inch red iron support column to mount some fans at work. It was a brand new bit and even at slow speed with coolant it dulled almost immediately. A Coworker saw me struggling and grabbed his Craftsman Titanium coated 11\32 split point. He had never used them before.

HOLY COW! Like a hot knife through butter. I priced them today and was unimpressed with the high cost, especially considering it not including all my commonly used sizes. Went to Lowe's and they had the same issue. Dewalt had all the sizes I wanted but it was a 80 dollar set.

I just find that hard to justify when I can get all the boys I want for free, even if they are a PITA. Especially when there are new things out I really want like reversible flex head combos.

What would Garage Journal do?

 

[Codyyy]

I got a set from H-F probably about 8 years ago. I lost a few, broke a few, but they drill real well. I fill it back up usually when I go to Sears and get the inexpensive little drill bit set, I cannot remember the brand but they sell them in a standalone bin. I could not justify buying $50 or more for a set of drill bits unless they were a good lifetime warranty or if I used them daily.

 

[MagnumForce]

I doubt hf bits would hold up in an industrial environment, if they are cheapies I'll stick with the free ones.

 

[abk241]

Many of the cheap bits that your company buys (if not all of them) should be sharpened before first use.

 

[Farmall450]

Learn how to sharpen drill bits. Practice religiously.

Also, do a quick search. This topic has been endlessly conversed over since the Journal came to existence.

 

[scissorman]

GOOD QUALITY drill bits are going to cost you monetarily but when it comes time to use them they will perfrom like they should. I like 135* split point Cobalt bits over anything else as they cut like butter with or without coolant. A good set of Dormer (Precision Twist) will run you about $250.

 

[PT Doc]

As recommended above, cobalt bits are nice for very tough materials. Normal hss, 135 degree split point would sort you out well. For USA made that won't banrupt you, go with Norseman. They have anything you want and are very high quality.

 

[defektes]

The craftsman titanium are USA made and they really do go through like a hot knife through butter.

 

[defektes]

I doubt hf bits would hold up in an industrial environment, if they are cheapies I'll stick with the free ones.

They do not. My company tried HF bits, they dull instantly, even with proper drilling practices. Example, drill holes in 2x4, by the third hole, it is dull.

But occasionally you will get the good HF bit that lasts for 5 holes instead of 3.

Now, with metal, it is a waste of time to use.

We do not sharpen, none of us at work know how to sharpen.

 

[Chevy-SS]

They do not. My company tried HF bits, they dull instantly, even with proper drilling practices. Example, drill holes in 2x4, by the third hole, it is dull. .....

You mean a piece of 2x4 wood is dulling your bits?

I used large HF bits (9/16" and 5/8" and 3/4") to drill hundreds of holes for wiring when I built garage addition last year, and those HF bits are still working good. Just used the 9/16" bit yesterday for a few more holes, worked like new.

 

[MagnumForce]

Learn how to sharpen drill bits. Practice religiously.

Also, do a quick search. This topic has been endlessly conversed over since the Journal came to existence.

I have unlimited access to new bits. I can sharpen bits no problem but my employer realizes my job is worth more than spending ten minutes saving a 2 dollar drill bit vs grabbing a new one. Ten minutes of my pay costs more than the bit.

 

[DenisG]

A dull drill bit is an opportunity to practice sharpening them. I throw them out when they get too short, like pencil stubs. But what can I say, I'm cheap.

 

[larry_g]

I would talk to your management. Explain the $1 they saved on the drill bit has cost them $50 in wasted time as you have to make 3 trips to the tool crib to get one hole drilled with the drill bits being provided. The cheap drill bit is costing $50 per hole vs $.50 per hole if they would provide you with premium drill bits. Management will listen to dollar's being wasted vs whining. Be professional and just present the facts and figures. Make them decide what a hole should cost.

Btw what brand of bits are they providing you and what material?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Wizzard]

I learned there is a BIG difference in USA vs China drill bits. I have a separate set of drill bits that I use for steel only, which are designed for steel. Then another set designed for the soft stuff...no more replacing bits all the time using this system.

 

[MagnumForce]

Bulk from fastenal, just plain steel bits. I really run into the problem with tempered red iron. Cold rolled isn't the easiest but I get through it. I drill more holes than anyone in the plant with a hand drill as my capital maintenance position requires it. Reactive and line maintenance guys drill rarely and the process techs and tool and die guys use drill presses where the problem isn't so evident so I doubt my cost argument would fly since I am the only guy that really needs them. Maybe I should just by singles two steps above and below 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2. Those are what I really need for my job. Covers over sizing for backed bolts and under sizing for tapped holes.

 

[Farmall450]

I have unlimited access to new bits. I can sharpen bits no problem but my employer realizes my job is worth more than spending ten minutes saving a 2 dollar drill bit vs grabbing a new one. Ten minutes of my pay costs more than the bit.

Sure, but if even a new bit won't cut, and the company won't buy better bits, you don't have a whole lot of other options.

 

[MagnumForce]

How about pilot point bits? Any experience with those?

 

[defektes]

You mean a piece of 2x4 wood is dulling your bits?

I used large HF bits (9/16" and 5/8" and 3/4") to drill hundreds of holes for wiring when I built garage addition last year, and those HF bits are still working good. Just used the 9/16" bit yesterday for a few more holes, worked like new.

Maybe it was the batch we got, was the HSS multi pack in the plastic case.

 

[MagnumForce]

A rusty spoon will drill wood

 

[jeffmoss26]

Norseman, CTD, Chicago-Latrobe, Greenfield Industries are all good production quality. I'm sure I am forgetting a few names.

 

[defektes]

A rusty spoon will drill wood

They drilled, but had to use considerable force and ended up burning the wood.

 

[larry_g]

Bulk from fastenal,........... and tool and die guys use drill presses where the problem isn't so evident so I doubt my cost argument would fly since I am the only guy that really needs them..

I would bet that the tool and die guys are not using bulk **** from Fastenal. Have a chat with someone there and see if they don't stock a better quality bit. Also have a chat with the toolroom guy and see if they only stock the cheap **** and/or if they can get you a better bit set on special order. I know when we had Fastenal in house they would get us what ever we needed.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Conductor562]

I use budget bits in wood and have become find of the $19 Milwaukee Thunderbolt set for general purpose use. When they dull, I just replace the set.

I keep a set of Norseman Magnum Super Premiums exclusively for metal drilling. It's amazing the difference they make.

 

[jetdawg]

I would talk to your management. Explain the $1 they saved on the drill bit has cost them $50 in wasted time as you have to make 3 trips to the tool crib to get one hole drilled with the drill bits being provided. The cheap drill bit is costing $50 per hole vs $.50 per hole if they would provide you with premium drill bits. Management will listen to dollar's being wasted vs whining. Be professional and just present the facts and figures. Make them decide what a hole should cost.

Btw what brand of bits are they providing you and what material?

lg
no neat sig line

Best post in this thread. It amazes me the amount of frustration people will endure in order to save a few bucks. To me, the stress isn't worth it and it is a pleasure to use proper tools for the job.

 

[thieltech]

just buy the couple titaniums u need and sharpen as needed . seems like the cheapest option

with out the stress of constant dull bits

 

[MagnumForce]

I would bet that the tool and die guys are not using bulk **** from Fastenal. Have a chat with someone there and see if they don't stock a better quality bit. Also have a chat with the toolroom guy and see if they only stock the cheap **** and/or if they can get you a better bit set on special order. I know when we had Fastenal in house they would get us what ever we needed.

lg
no neat sig line

My workbench is right next to them. Same bits except for anything over 1/2 inch.

I have the fastenal guy on speed dial and know him well. I could order whatever I want but don't want to face the grief afterwards or ribbing from Co workers about me not knowing what I am doing. Lol

 

[rob0781]

Learn how to sharpen drill bits. Practice religiously.

Also, do a quick search. This topic has been endlessly conversed over since the Journal came to existence.

This is good advice I've recently just started learning to sharpen bits at work,o practice every Chance I get I'm starting to get better. Definitely a awesome skill to learn.

 

[MaineGuide]

My workbench is right next to them. Same bits except for anything over 1/2 inch.

I have the fastenal guy on speed dial and know him well. I could order whatever I want but don't want to face the grief afterwards or ribbing from Co workers about me not knowing what I am doing. Lol

Most Fastenal's stock two lines of drills in their stores. One is Norseman, and the other is FMT. FMT is a Chinese version of Norseman but they generally don't hold up as well. I would make sure you're getting the Norseman stuff rather than FMT.

 

[MagnumForce]

I just picked up four common sizes from Menards. Masterforce brand. I will see how they hold up and share the data with our Tool Buyer. She is smoking hot, so any opportunity to spend one on one time is worth it. Lol.

I may fill out a reimbursement for for them. Or if they last well enough I wouldn't have an issue paying 20 bucks once a year.

 

[Codyyy]

I doubt hf bits would hold up in an industrial environment, if they are cheapies I'll stick with the free ones.

Yeah, I doubt they would work for that environment. I just use those around the house.