Best drill bit set for less than 100$?? Cobalt?

[Budguy207]

Ok guys, wife is getting me a little birthday gift, need a real drill bit set for around the house, wood/metal etc, tired of breaking the dewalt (lowes) bits all the time, was looking at a set on amazon for around 65$ and they are cobalt, any opinions? Link below
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0041N4WMY/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

 

[cmandp]

http://store.harryepstein.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=DrillBitSets

 

[A_Pmech]

If you're breaking cheap drills now, you'll only break expensive drills by buying an expensive set.

 

[shoturtle]

The colbalt are really for metal drilling only. They are not wood bits. The colbalts are great for drill metal, and they stay sharp longer. But you still can snap the smaller gauge bits if you push them to hard.

Think the amazon set might be made in china, the price points to it. Most US and EU made sets that size are 80+ dollars. Craftsman has some US made colbalt sets.

 

[shoturtle]

If you're breaking cheap drills now, you'll only break expensive drills by buying an expensive set.

+1, Putting way to much pressure on the bits.

 

[aussiek2000]

Norseman. Recently just got a co-worker to ditch his snap-on bits in favor of Norsemans.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/DrillBitSets/SPM-29P.html

 

[cbracer]

Craftsman has some US made colbalt sets.

The "craftsman" cobalt set which they sell in the stores is not US made. China.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Norseman. Recently just got a co-worker to ditch his snap-on bits in favor of Norsemans.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/DrillBitSets/SPM-29P.html

Yep. Norseman.

For work we source USA made Dormer bits.

All for metal..


For wood, I do DeWalt or C"man and keep a bit sharpener around.

If ultra cheap, the HF set will get you by, but for metal, drill at the proper speed and pressure and use lube. Think of it as tool **** 'cause it really is.

 

[purplezr2]

The "craftsman" cobalt set which they sell in the stores is not US made. China.

My set is has USA stamped on the bits, they are not that old, maybe a year or so.

 

[filtered]

The new craftsman ones are China and are junk. If you buy them make sure you know how to sharpen them. I'd go for the Norseman molybdenum if I were buying more.

 

[shoturtle]

The "craftsman" cobalt set which they sell in the stores is not US made. China.

They have some older sets in stock that are. It is a mix bag, but you can find some.

 

[wafrederick]

The cobalts go dull quickly,have tried them drilling out drilling out broken exhaust manifold bolts out of cylinder heads.

 

[Mastermind]

so, what everyone is saying is invest in a drill doctor huh?

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

so, what everyone is saying is invest in a drill doctor huh?

Even better is a pile of dull bits and a bench grinder. It doesn't take very long to master sharpening them on the grinder. There's even a couple of Audel's books that can walk one through the process.

 

[metaleltr]

Even better is a pile of dull bits and a bench grinder. It doesn't take very long to master sharpening them on the grinder. There's even a couple of Audel's books that can walk one through the process.

Finally someone who agrees with my ideology. I learned how to sharpen drill bit's 2 years ago in shop class (it does still exist), since then the only reason I would see to use a drill doctor is for bit's smaller than about 3/16, when we get that small those bits are a little more disposable. Additionally you can do a whole lot more with a bench grinder than a drill doctor.

 

[woody 73]

Funny how it has become a lost art (shop class and how to sharpen a bit).

The norseman is a very nice set and you will be very pleased.
This is what I call a woody special tip:

When you are going to garage sales start buying those old dull drill bits and practice on a drill doctor,bench grinder,belt sander etc. soon you too can have sharp cutting bits and save a ton of money buying sets.

Been there done that...

 

[Mastermind]

good point....haven't tried that in yrs....slipped my mind i guess.

 

[KnurledNut]

Even better is a pile of dull bits and a bench grinder. It doesn't take very long to master sharpening them on the grinder. There's even a couple of Audel's books that can walk one through the process.

 

[rodm1]

This is a good link on the old school way to sharpen drill bit's.

http://autospeed.com/cms/title_Sharpening-Drill-Bits/A_110814/article.html

 

[vintagefan]

The cobalts go dull quickly,have tried them drilling out drilling out broken exhaust manifold bolts out of cylinder heads.

I don't mean the following in the rude, snarky way that it's usually used, but you're doing it wrong if that is the case (or the bits are doing it wrong).

Generally, as far as durability goes, Cobalt falls directly in between HSS and Solid Carbide/Carbide tipped.

I think the problem you're running into in this particular case, is that the manifold bolts are heat treated, so it's essentially trying to drill hardened steel.

Although Cobalt bits are more durable than HSS, either will dull very quickly when drilling hardened or heat treated steels.

Your best bet for this application is probably Carbide tipped, as solid Carbide can get rather expensive if you don't get a killer deal on them (such as ebay).

 

[JayL]

Are these twist drills any good. How are these compared to Norseman Magnum series?

I purchased one set to try as these are cheaper ( $48 shipped ) than the Norseman we currently use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230830933938?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

CHAMPION 29pc HD JOBBER DRILL SET 1/16 TO 1/2 Model 129-XGO

Where are these manufactured?

http://www.championcuttingtool.com/

Thanks

 

[beelsr]

since they don't mention coo anywhere on their website or in the literature...

i'd wager a guess that the factory is closer to you than to me.

 

[Wrench 2201]

To the OP: If they keep breaking then its either pressure or a dull bit. Is it still making chips? No chips = dull bit. A Drill Doctor can help but if you would like to see a decent video of the old school (and much preferred) method check these videos out. Part one is all about what you are looking for in a sharp bit and part two shows the actual grinding from dull to sharp. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annota...&feature=iv&src_vid=QbRPPxyw1hw&v=_pDitJb7z-M

 

[JayL]

since they don't mention coo anywhere on their website or in the literature...

i'd wager a guess that the factory is closer to you than to me.

I have a feeling that that might be the case. However looking at the drill bit pics these resemble the Norseman Black and Gold Magnum series.

Union Made in the USA.

The Fastenal and Viking offering in the same category looks the same too. I wonder if these all come from the same factory and packaged on Huot Metal Cases.

 

[carterbeauford]

http://www.imperialsupplies.com/itmsrchsolrgwt.asp?#q=sabre

Sabre "jobber" length bits from Imperial are the best I've ever used but you have to have an account to buy them.

 

[beelsr]

I have a feeling that that might be the case. However looking at the drill bit pics these resemble the Norseman Black and Gold Magnum series.

Union Made in the USA.

The Fastenal and Viking offering in the same category looks the same too. I wonder if these all come from the same factory and packaged on Huot Metal Cases.

and tonight, coincidentally, i'm going through a bunch of drills i bought from someone here...

one index was a Champion, re-badged Huot. 5 or 6 of the drills inside were Champions, stamped "UK". Black & Gold ones...

 

[shoturtle]

If you do not want to spend to much, craftsman are on sale for a week

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00964085000P

And if you are a craftsman club member they are 30 dollars