Best drill bits on amazon?

signcrafter · Jan 19, 2018

Broke a bunch of drill bits last month drilling out some exhaust bolts. Need to replace them.

What is the best set of drill bits I can buy on amazon? What do I want to look for? So many different sets to choose from. Black oxide, cobalt, etc, etc, etc. Mostly looking for drilling metal, I have some others I use for wood. Tired of the box store garbage.

Also any education on what type of bits work best for what types of metal or situations would be great.

ishiboo · Jan 19, 2018

Norseman would be my choice. Decent selection on Amazon. You can Google what bits are what.

Tallpilot · Jan 19, 2018

I like cobalt for metal.

PassnThru · Jan 19, 2018

An excellent question. I'm watching.

WhataTool · Jan 19, 2018

Tallpilot said:
I like cobalt for metal.

If he's breaking bits instead of dulling them, M35 Cobalt is just going to make it worse. Cobalt is better for hard materials, if you can control the feed, speed and stability well like in a drill press. They are less ductile than HSS so drilling out exhaust hardware with a hand drill is going to be a risky endeavor.

M2 High Speed Steel is fine. Nothing wrong with it. Get a 135 degree split point for most work.

Norseman, Triumph and Viking are all good buys.

Git · Jan 20, 2018

I would say look at a 135 degree, split point set. The split point helps prevent the bit from walking.

118 degrees is for softer metals (aluminum) and wood
135 degrees is for harder metals like stainless steel

Whiskeymike · Jan 20, 2018

Your question reminded me of this episode. He covers a few sets the second half.

neonlazer · Jan 20, 2018

Any of these are quality drill bits from MN, the drill bit capital of the world.

Norseman = Viking = Consolidated Toledo(same company/products)
Triumph
Drill Hog

For drilling metal with a hand drill. I would recommend these. I have them and I love them!

One feature you might not think about is the length. These are easier to control with a hand drill because they are shorter.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C92C04/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For exhaust bolts, other than I never dealt with them myself, best bet is these plus lots of lube to keep them cool, cobalt, as others have mentioned will be more prone to shattering.

anndel · Jan 20, 2018

Norseman from Amazon, Drill hogs from Ebay

tarbellb · Jan 20, 2018

Champion, Cleveland Viking, Norseman, Triumph, and a # of others are all on Amazon Prime.

Here you go... Cleveland 29pc at %52 off, quick!

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00E4B0YUM/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

signcrafter · Jan 20, 2018

So many different norsman bit sets on amazon. Just get one of each? LOL.

theoldwizard1 · Jan 20, 2018

anndel said:
Norseman from Amazon, Drill hogs from Ebay

Drill Hog are now available on Amazon. Maybe not as many options to choose from, but still Made in the USA and Lifetime Warranty !

theoldwizard1 · Jan 20, 2018

WhataTool said:
M2 High Speed Steel is fine. Nothing wrong with it. Get a 135 degree split point for most work.

For the small difference in price, I would go with M7. Drill Hog Made in the USA and Lifetime Warranty !

If you are drilling metal you need a good punch AND a good pilot hole bit !

BMack37 · Jan 20, 2018

CLE Line are great drill bits too.

Pretty much any made in USA drill bits are good, in my experience. You'll probably want both 135 and 118 degree bits and don't forget to let the bit do the work and use lube.

The big box store bits aren't good, the USA made bits will be like an epiphany and you'll never go back. I still have big box store bits, I only use them for soft wood...and won't be replacing them.

exmaxima1 · Jan 20, 2018

I recently was gifted a Chicago-Latrobe set, and they are the best I ever used.

Beowulf · Jun 12, 2019

I need to drill out some 12.9 M12 flat head bolts. Would everyone recommend M42 cobalt set 135deg?

Tallpilot · Jun 12, 2019

Beowulf said:
I need to drill out some 12.9 M12 flat head bolts. Would everyone recommend M42 cobalt set 135deg?

Sounds more like a job for a rescue bit or a carbide end mill.

Beowulf · Jun 12, 2019

This is sadly on the bottom side of my jeep frame. I wish I could put it in a Mill or even a drill press.

The rescue bit might work.

Anyone ever put a mill end in a hand held drill?

MattT · Jun 12, 2019

Beowulf said:
I need to drill out some 12.9 M12 flat head bolts. Would everyone recommend M42 cobalt set 135deg?

Quality M2 HSS will drill 12.9 no problems. Just run slow with plenty of pressure and stop immediately if the drill stops cutting.

Personally for M12 I'd drill a ~5/32" pilot with a 135* split point then drill to size with a 118*.

Beowulf said:
Anyone ever put a mill end in a hand held drill?

I've tried it. Don't do it.

matt_i · Jun 13, 2019

Beowulf said:
I need to drill out some 12.9 M12 flat head bolts. Would everyone recommend M42 cobalt set 135deg?

The first question I'd ask is if you can use the blue wrench and a 4 pointed ez out after getting the fastener red hot a couple of times. There could be some definite downsides to using a large flame on an assembled chassis, so proceed with care. :shocking:

These are the finest ez outs in my opinion as they will slip first carving a bigger hole and not simply break off. But no ez out is going to remove the fastener without it being "loosened" first and the rust "dissolved"
https://www.irwin.com/tools/screw-bolt-extractors/straight-flute-screw-extractors-536526-series-set

I keep 12 packs of 1/8" bits for hand drilling until they are consumed. 118 deg Chicago Latrobes. Then jump up to the size you need. 135s don't follow the pilot hole as well and are next to impossible to resharp on a bench grinder when you need a fresh edge.

b7labelle · Jun 13, 2019

Whiskeymike said:
Your question reminded me of this episode. He covers a few sets the second half.

This guy cracks me up. Him and ThisOldTony have great content.

Tallpilot · Jun 13, 2019

Beowulf said:
This is sadly on the bottom side of my jeep frame. I wish I could put it in a Mill or even a drill press.

The rescue bit might work.

Anyone ever put a mill end in a hand held drill?

Use the rescue bit to make a nice flat spot then progressively larger left hand bits. I like Norseman super premium. Some heat to break up the rust is probably a good idea too if you can.

Cutting oil or the Boeing drill paste would help protect the drills.

HenryAZ · Jun 13, 2019

I like Champion drill bit sets, but they don't usually come up in a general Amazon search. This set comes in both mechanics and jobber sizes. Made in the USA.
Champion drill bit set

NoahG · Jun 13, 2019

Just the regular black oxide Chicago Latrobe bits McMaster stocks were a huge improvement over any hardware store pack.

I don’t care what pretty colors Milwaukee or Dewalt makes their bits in, USA made bits just cut better.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CobraRed · Jun 13, 2019

Whiskeymike said:
Your question reminded me of this episode. He covers a few sets the second half.

Sounds like AvE has a very thin grasp of understanding about drill bits and their materials, much like most the subjects he talks on like an expert.

Indexmill · Jun 13, 2019

Anything Made in the USA will be fine.

Engineer61 · Jun 15, 2019

If you are using them to drill out bolts, get a left-hand drill set. Often will get the bolt coming out during the drilling, and if it doesn't can still use your easy-out.

Steve_P · Jun 17, 2019

This was discussed in other threads but drill hog drill bits are not made in USA. I think someone said their step bits are? but there is no proof the drill bits are USA.

Mostly Norseman bits for me

Tallpilot · Jun 18, 2019

signcrafter said:
Broke a bunch of drill bits last month drilling out some exhaust bolts. Need to replace them.

What is the best set of drill bits I can buy on amazon? What do I want to look for? So many different sets to choose from. Black oxide, cobalt, etc, etc, etc. Mostly looking for drilling metal, I have some others I use for wood. Tired of the box store garbage.

Also any education on what type of bits work best for what types of metal or situations would be great.

Did you win this battle yet? Let us know what you did.

signcrafter · Jun 18, 2019

I ended up getting this set, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C92C04/?tag=atomicindus08-20. So far have been very happy with it. Cuts like butter.

Bill C · Jun 18, 2019

Smart move on the mechanics length w/ 3-flat shank. Perfect for.... well... mechanics work and using with a hand-held drill

CGarage · Aug 9, 2020

Any updates to this thread?

Outahere · May 25, 2021

There is quite a large price spread on Amazon for 29pc sets of premium made in the USA jobber HSS drill bits:
Viking/Norseman 44150: $83
Chicago-Latrobe 45640: $112
Triumph 099856: $124

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EHLS22/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Chicago Latrobe 45640 150ASP Heavy Duty Jobber Length Drill Set, 135 Degree, Steam Oxide, 29 Piece - Jobber Drill Bits - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Triumph Twist Drill Co. 099856 T17HD Size Ranger 1/16-Inch-1/2-Inch by 64ths High Speed Steel Drill Set, Black and Bronze Oxide Coated, 1-Pack - Jobber Drill Bits - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Best drill bits on amazon?

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