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5/8" steel drill bit

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branimal

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May 31, 2016
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I need to drill 2" x 3/16" thick square tube for a hitch project. I usually use milwaukee shockwave (gold) bits on my drill press with no issue. I can't find a 5/8" shockwave bit.

Can someone recommend a good bit? I've been reading reviews on HD/Lowes and people are not happy with the bits offered on the big box stores sites.
 
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branimal

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There’s a grainger nearby. Can you recommend a brand of steel drill bit to look for?
 
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Gutman

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ENC
I like Norseman, however not sure what would be carried locally. Lots of threads here on drill bits. You can check them for other recommended brands and see if they're carried locally. Second on the tap magic, or anchor lube.
 
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cherrybomb

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Near Madison Wi.
Our Fastenal carries Norseman bits,a great bit i.m.o.Make sure you run the bit reasonably slow ,with good steady pressure,you don't want blue chips.The lube is very important,heat kills the bit,and you are wise stepping up to quality bit from them previous bits you mentioned.Not sure on Grainger,but remember Grainger is a Professional, so their customers demand quality,and in your case you need that.Good luck,let us know how this turns out
 
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Sumboodie

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cherrybomb said:
Our Fastenal carries Norseman bits,a great bit i.m.o.Make sure you run the bit reasonably slow ,with good steady pressure,you don't want blue chips.The lube is very important,heat kills the bit,and you are wise stepping up to quality bit from them previous bits you mentioned.Not sure on Grainger,but remember Grainger is a Professional, so their customers demand quality,and in your case you need that.Good luck,let us know how this turns out
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Fastenall doesn't sell to the public anymore, only to commercial accounts.
 
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bwringer

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Search Grainger's website, and pick whatever is in stock near you the quickest...? Check local pickup and punch in your zip code.

Cle-Line and Chicago-Latrobe are better than DeWalt and Westward, but unless you're doing a production run, any of these will serve just fine for your project.

As to online reviews of drill bits... bear in mind that the vast majority of people do not own a drill press and do not have the slightest idea how to use a drill or that lubricant is a good idea... even fairly cheap drill bits will usually poke a couple of holes when treated decently.
 
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Retired dozer fixer

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Aug 6, 2022
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Leesburg Indiana
For 2 damn holes any cheap assed bit will cut 3/16”. If it’s a one off job go on the cheap. Why spend 4-5 times the cost of a cheap bit unless you are running production??
Just saying…..200 rpm or less is your friend and good oil
 
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sparky 1971

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Central Iowa
For two holes, about any cobalt bit would work and one should be available at any hardware store. If it were me, and I didn't have one on hand, a hole saw would be coming out.
 
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64C10

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Globe, Az
I’ve always liked the Dewalt bits from Tractor Supply for decent quality and quick availability.

Long as you keep them cool, they’ll last a pretty long time.
 
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cherrybomb

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Near Madison Wi.
Sumboodie said:
Fastenall doesn't sell to the public anymore, only to commercial accounts.
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I'm confused,I was at my local Fastenal a couple of weeks ago and I bought some small taps,drill bits and some special Tap Magic for aluminum.I wonder if the stores in Wi.have different marketing rules
 
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danielbuck

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Apr 15, 2014
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I like using rotabroach or annular cutters instead of twist bits for larger holes in thicker steel, they work really well in a drill press, and leave a very clean hole.

Any time I'm drilling into tubes like hitch receiver tubes or anything 1/4-1/2" thick, I'm using the rotabroach cutters if I can get the item in question onto the drill press. If I can't, I drill a series of larger holes (starting small and ending up at my final diameter), that seems to go alot better than just giving it one shot with a twist drill.

A cheap bit will work just fine though, use oil and a drill press if you can, and start the holes with smaller bits and finish with the silver and demming bit.
 
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Beerhippie

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The only thing I'd add is that this is for a through-pin, so alignment is fairly important. Unless you have a good, rigid, drill press and press vise--and the skills to use them right--it's often best to lay out and drill each side separately instead of trying to through-drill them.

I'd step 1/8"-1/4"-5/8". I've found that using a 1/8" pilot increases the life of the larger, more expensive bits by saving wear on the tip of the bit.
 
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dogdog

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Nov 15, 2011
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something like these ... tungsten carbide hole saws... you want better quality then go get a brand name and paid more. I have the 7/8 Klein for 1/2" knockouts and they cut those steel like butter. Not sure if they have 1/2" hole saws... not a common thing so AMazon or other places.




in the old days, it would be a pilot hole then a silver deming bit like these. since not too many hand drill chuck are 5/8 maybe a good sized drill press.

 
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timgunn1962

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Mar 31, 2018
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Lancashire, England
Best with a Carbide-toothed one-piece holesaw, as they seem to drill rounder and less-oversized holes than the bimetal ones that fit a threaded arbor.

If you drill through from one side, then open up the holes from both sides for hassle-free alignment, you'll want to check the pilot drill diameter and use a jobber-length drill the same diameter. That may involve actually measuring the pillt, as the information provided in the description is generally pretty poor.

Check the inside of the square tube for a weld seam. If you need to drill through it, drill from the seam side: the hole will keep things straight as the drill breaks through. If you do it the other way, the seam can deflect the unsupported drill.
 
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