Who has a well priced drill bit set now?

[Machinehead]

I'm looking for a set to just make blind holes and drill out softer material. Not them 200 or 300 sets. I mean if I lose the set or its stolen I don't want to cry about it.
Ive been using Milwaukee but they did really increase their price from what I see.
I've used DeWalt but it seems the like they use to always stock that brad point version which I didn't like very much.
I've never tried Harbor Freight's drill bits, not sure if they are that good or worth the chance.

 

[bdbecker]

Just buy an affordable set that meets your needs. When you notice a certain size is starting to get dull from use, replace it with a better quality brand (assuming you don't want to try and resharpen it). Kind of the best of both worlds at that point - you have access to all the sizes you might need, and high quality bits in the sizes you use the most.

Not an original idea on my part - I read that when researching which router bit set to buy for woodworking.

 

[NoahG]

It’s hard to find an affordable index of drill bits with no skips.

Is $128 too much?

Norseman Hi-Molybdenum 29 pc Drill Bit Set Jobber Length

Norseman Hi-Molybdenum 29 pc Drill Bit Set Jobber Length

www.harryepstein.com

If it is, I’ve been buying these for job kits. $45

Metabo HPT® Gold Oxide Twist Drill Bit Set - 29 Piece at Menards
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...29-piece/728078gm/p-1444432947950-c-10079.htm

 

[Etchase]

Dewalt and Bosch work well for me.

 

[Machinehead]

I may check out the Norseman but a lot of things go misplaced around here and I don't have to pay for it really.
But I don't think I can get that from Menards, the Premier in CA doesn't allow them.

 

[T444e]

I typocally only buy a drill set for use in the field, DeWalt pilot points. For use at home, I have Norseman (screw machine, letter and number) and Clevand (metric) drill indexes, but typically use the jobber bits I stock in my drill dispenser which are Cleveland, Cle-line, Norseman, Precision Twist Drill... Some sizes are used more than others which makes stocking quantities of certain sizes advantageous. I stock a minimum of (2) each thru 1/2" and have several of my commonly used sizes. I have found, from experience, the individual bits sold at the box stores are a waste money.

 

[Cruzan80]

What sizing? Something like a Hout cabinet allows you to bulk buy (6 or 12pks) of the smaller ones. It seems like CLE (Cleveland) used to drop prices pretty regularly for sizes under about 3/8 on the Amazon thread...

Large sizing, morse taper or silver and deming is a very different story than the 1/16-1/4 sizes.

 

[T444e]

I've bought 12 packs from McMater-Carr, always quality and I thoughttheir price was fair. I have several S&D bits, but typically use annular cutters in the mag-drill for anything over 1/2".

 

[alinc100]

Do you use Facebook? I know the first 3 in these ads are reliable(private) sellers. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/112423512103789/search?query=drill index

 

[ecotec]

Do you use Facebook? I know the first 3 in these ads are reliable(private) sellers. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/112423512103789/search?query=drill index

I agree, wholeheartedly, with this. At least try the secondary market first.

Over the last 17 years, I have bought a stupid amount of drill bits.

I recently bought a huge amount at $2 a pound.

I collect vintage drill bit indexes and drill bit stands. I try to fill them with complete made in USA sets.

It is easiest to find fractional imperial sets. Numbers, letters and metric are a lot less common.

As drill bits break or get dull, you could buy envelopes of those specific sizes.

Maybe keep a list of the drill bits you use most often on your phones notes app. If you use certain taps on a regular basis, you could look for envelopes of the corresponding drill bits.

 

[nicks78camaro]

What sizes do you frequently use? I bought a set of Cle-Lines and some backup bulk Dewalt black and gold bits for cheap.

 

[sparky 1971]

I use Bosch cobalt drill bits because that's what Menards has on the shelf along with the Masterforce house brand. I also have a couple of sets of the Masterforce bits and like them as well, but if there's no Menards in the area, you're SOL.

 

[jayemm]

I've had good luck with the 21 piece Dewalt regular split point (not pilot point) black oxide bits with the 3-flat shanks. Would make a nice starter set for someone also.

 

[AEAdam]

I’ve not found a short cut or cheat code for drill bits. The Chinesium bits are either too soft or are very often sharpened with no relief angle and don’t cut at all. I bought DeWalt black oxide like @jayemm described and wasn’t as lucky.

For wood and Azek the steel is okay so I resharpened them. Bona fide US made are the best answer but they aren’t cheap.

I recently bought a Milwaukee hex shank set with zero expectations and they are actually okay. Even my wimpy M12 Surge does fine drilling small holes in soft material

If you are just drilling pilot holes for wood screws I think I’d look into a few hex shank drills. For really small holes, you could almost chuck up a finish nail and use that!

 

[neophyte]

I'm looking for a set to just make blind holes and drill out softer material. Not them 200 or 300 sets. I mean if I lose the set or its stolen I don't want to cry about it.
Ive been using Milwaukee but they did really increase their price from what I see.
I've used DeWalt but it seems the like they use to always stock that brad point version which I didn't like very much.
I've never tried Harbor Freight's drill bits, not sure if they are that good or worth the chance.

What “softer materials”.
Aluminum if preferably drilled using Titanium nitride coated drill bits, or bright finish drill bits.
For mild steel the above or a black oxide finish would probably be fine.
If you can get away with larger differences in the drill bit increments, buying a 15 piece rather than a 29 piece set would probably be the better option.
The Taiwan made imported sets might be the more reliable option for cheaper imported bits.
For all the **** Stanley/B&D gets, buying a set under the Dewalt brand or one of their other brands might work out as well.

 

[MichaelP]

RE: "...they use to always stock that brad point version which I didn't like very much"

It tells me the OP drills wood and, maybe, soft plastic. Otherwise, he "wouldn't like it at all"

 

[jayemm]

I’ve not found a short cut or cheat code for drill bits. The Chinesium bits are either too soft or are very often sharpened with no relief angle and don’t cut at all. I bought DeWalt black oxide like @jayemm described and wasn’t as lucky.

For wood and Azek the steel is okay so I resharpened them. Bona fide US made are the best answer but they aren’t cheap.

I recently bought a Milwaukee hex shank set with zero expectations and they are actually okay. Even my wimpy M12 Surge does fine drilling small holes in soft material

If you are just drilling pilot holes for wood screws I think I’d look into a few hex shank drills. For really small holes, you could almost chuck up a finish nail and use that!

Regarding the Dewalt bits, those were purchased several times ranging from 4 to 8 years ago in both 14 and 21 piece sets. These are (were) black oxide only and not the black and gold that Dewalt more recently offers in the same lower price range. I was surprised how good they were for being China made when first purchased. Later on I saw where Todd at Project Farm had good results with them also. My applications are small and light in scale with maybe medium carbon steel at worst. Not sure about your applications or expectations but I thought they were pretty good for a cheaper bit. Just wanted to elaborate with my experience.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I may check out the Norseman but a lot of things go misplaced around here and I don't have to pay for it really.
But I don't think I can get that from Menards, the Premier in CA doesn't allow them.

The Norsemen are really nice

 

[CGT80]

The Norsemen are really nice

Yep, I have the same set from above and bought a bunch of replacements, which HJE has as well, and they had the uncoated taps for a good price. My taps are noreseman/viking as well......spiral point (pushes chips forward) for machines. Spiral taps are on my wish list for blind holes (chips come out behind and out of the hole).

Many years ago, the dewalt split point were german made. When they went to China, I found noresman/viking and haven't looked back.

My bother has some super expensive milwaukee bits....probably cobalt. They have more than one grade. The noresman magnum are a little softer than cobalt, from what I read, but that is to make them tougher for hand drilling. They will bend a little instead of just snapping.

 

[neophyte]

RE: "...they use to always stock that brad point version which I didn't like very much"

It tells me the OP drills wood and, maybe, soft plastic. Otherwise, he "wouldn't like it at all"

OP could be referring to the Dewalt/Black & Decker “Pilot Point” or earlier “Billet Point” drill bits, that had a smaller diameter tip.
Technically, these weren’t “Brad Point” drill bits, but were sort of similar in a way.
The earlier “Bullet” design, had the secondary step ground forward slightly, like a brad point bit, but at a much shallower angle.
This tip design led to issues drilling thru multiple layers of material, since a circle of material could get separated, and start spinning, preventing the drill from moving forward.
The tip design was later modified so the secondary step had a negative angle, probably to prevent the original issue, but removing the potential for as clean a hole in wood that the original tip design had. (Not that these really made an ultra clean hole in wood).

 

[AJHD]

Don't use drill bits much these days, but the Milwaukee bits are fine for light duty. For more heavy duty use, I like the Astro bits. I used some of them working on equipment every day.

Drills & Screwdrivers | Astro Pneumatic Tools

www.astrotools.com

 

[Steve_P]

Norseman is awesome, but if you don't want to spend that much then watch the PF video and buy based on your budget.

 

[four.cycle]

zip

 

[Rinspeed]

The Norsemen are really nice

I've been using them for years and well worth the price.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Don't use drill bits much these days, but the Milwaukee bits are fine for light duty. For more heavy duty use, I like the Astro bits. I used some of them working on equipment every day.

Drills & Screwdrivers | Astro Pneumatic Tools

www.astrotools.com

I'm with @AJHD on this one, but I'm curious now. I have mostly big box brand drill bits, less a really nice set from Dad (Cle Line), but I've always wanted to invest a nicer, larger set for some specialized (or heavy) equipment I get into these days, but mostly light/med automotive with some, old rusty junk throw in there.

Not to hijak @Machinehead ...but...

Can anyone recommend a complete jobber set from Norseman for something like this?

This set is highly rated:

https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Norseman-93840-SP-115-Premium/dp/B001EHI17C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm ok with the price if I can count on them the next 20 years.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I'm with @AJHD on this one, but I'm curious now. I have mostly big box brand drill bits, less a really nice set from Dad (Cle Line), but I've always wanted to invest a nicer, larger set for some specialized (or heavy) equipment I get into these days, but mostly light/med automotive with some, old rusty junk throw in there.

Not to hijak @Machinehead ...but...

Can anyone recommend a complete jobber set from Norseman for something like this?

This set is highly rated:

https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Norseman-93840-SP-115-Premium/dp/B001EHI17C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm ok with the price if I can count on them the next 20 years.

Nice set. I have essentially that set but in Cobalt

Viking Drill and Tool by Norseman 69280 Type 240-D 135 Degree Split Point Cobalt Jobber Gold Finish Drill Set (115 Piece) - Amazon.com

Viking Drill and Tool by Norseman 69280 Type 240-D 135 Degree Split Point Cobalt Jobber Gold Finish Drill Set (115 Piece) - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[pbon]

I bought a big box like that of titanium many years ago and then one of cobalt some years ago but it was a no name brand and cost a small fraction of that amount.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I bought a big box like that of titanium many years ago and then one of cobalt some years ago but it was a no name brand and cost a small fraction of that amount.

My first cobalt set was probably 20 years ago. 1/8" to 1/2" in 64ths for well under $100. It was a very good deal at the time. More recently I paid more for my non-cobalt sets.

 

[milkovich]

I have a 135 degree HSS Hertel index that has served me well for years but if I'm going to abuse it or do a lot of the same operation, I'll buy a pack from MSC/Zoro/KBC. The stuff you get at the big box stores isn't really up to the task. That said, bosch is the least worst I've found.

 

[AEAdam]

Nice set. I have essentially that set but in Cobalt

Viking Drill and Tool by Norseman 69280 Type 240-D 135 Degree Split Point Cobalt Jobber Gold Finish Drill Set (115 Piece) - Amazon.com

Viking Drill and Tool by Norseman 69280 Type 240-D 135 Degree Split Point Cobalt Jobber Gold Finish Drill Set (115 Piece) - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

US M-42 Cobalt is the shizz. Nothing else comes close

 

[engineer2]

If you have Menards in your area, they have good prices on drill bit sets.
They have their own "disposable" line and Bosch. I believe you can mail order too.

 

[cherrybomb]

I'm thinking the Bosch at Menards,but once you have established your likes and needs,I would try McMaster Carr.They have a selection of fractions, metric,letter and numbers.They have very short,jobber and many super long.The prices are fair,quality excellent and shipping is quick.

 

[16again]

These arrived from Harry Epstein today.
$90.89 delivered.
In my almost 62 years, never had more than a cheap set of bits. Now I'll get to see what all the fuss of good drill bits is about.

 

[T444e]

I'm thinking the Bosch at Menards,but once you have established your likes and needs,I would try McMaster Carr.They have a selection of fractions, metric,letter and numbers.They have very short,jobber and many super long.The prices are fair,quality excellent and shipping is quick.

I also like buying from Zoro, but stick with known domestic brands.

 

[Wamsutta]

-Norseman
-Viking
-Consolidated Toledo

All one family?

 

[CGT80]

Noresman and viking certainly are the same. I'm not sure about the latter.

 

[16again]

More goodness from Harry Epstein just delivered.

 

[Steel_Rain]

More goodness from Harry Epstein just delivered.

Damn! You went from cheap bits for years to drowning in high quality stuff! Nice work!

 

[16again]

Damn! You went from cheap bits for years to drowning in high quality stuff! Nice work!

Thank you. Used the set I got last week on a small project. What a difference REAL drill bits make.

Now I need a good set (7 piece) jobber length USA MADE masonry bits. This house has concrete walls; I'm always drilling into it.
Can't find anything that fits that need, yet.
To be used in a Handheld Milwaukee Battery Hammer Drill.
Been using the BOSCH for years, time for a better-quality replacement.

Aim me where the heck I can find this. PLEASE

 

[MichaelP]

A wisper from behind the scene: "Look into rotary hammer drill".