Brad Point Drill Bits
- Thread starter cjarvis
- Start date
purplezr2
Well-known member
I have a set of Fisch brand ones, they seem really good.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I am biased, as I hand ground my own.
cretedog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
woody 73
Well-known member
You want good than this is what you want.
norsemanknives.com
You want cheap than any Chinese set will work for you.
Norseman 14-Piece Premium Brad Point Drill Bit Set
Upgrade your toolkit with the Norseman 14-Piece Premium Brad Point Drill Bit Set. Precision, durability, and top-notch performance in every bit!
norsemanknives.com
You want cheap than any Chinese set will work for you.
woody 73
Well-known member
Another nice set.
www.rockler.com
Fisch 7-Piece Imperial Brad Point Drill Bit Set
High-quality chrome vanadium drill bits with brad points and dual outer spurs for exceptional accuracy.
www.rockler.com
neophyte
Well-known member
The best brad point bits usually has a very sharp point or lip on the outside edge.
Lee Valley sells various versions, in various sizes, as “Lipped Brad Point bits”.
My understanding, is that Lee Valley basically takes industrial HSS bits, and then regrinds the tips on CNC equipment.
Make sure to buy the mire expensive “Lipped Version” the cheaper bits usually work nowhere near as well.
There are other specialty sizes on the Lee Valley website including 20mm.
WL Fuller was the US manufacturer of similar quality bits.
I think Fuller does similar, buying high quality HSS twist drill bits, and regrinding the tips to a similar design as the Lee Valley bits.
Fuller is a high end bit supplier to high end woodworking suppliers.
www.wlfuller.com
Famag may be another option.
They seem to make bits with a similar tip design to the Lee Valley and fuller bits, although Famag uses a different twist design that looks closer to a “parabolic twist drill helix” which may clear chips faster. (I think the Triumph “Thunderbit” twist drills use a similar helix design)
Famag bits are supposedly made in Germany.
I would avoid basic German DIN pattern brad point bits like Festool sells.
The tip design has been around a while but seems to have more of an issue with tearout than the Famag, Fuller and Lee Valley designs.
I have no experience with the Wood Owl bits from Japan.
The tips on the brad point bits don’t strike confidence in me, although some of the other Wood Owl bits have nice spurs.
If by chance you are drilling into wood end grain, you would be better off just buying parabolic twist regular twist drills with a more open flute designed for drilling metal.
The brad points don’t do as well when drilling into end grain.
Lee Valley sells various versions, in various sizes, as “Lipped Brad Point bits”.
My understanding, is that Lee Valley basically takes industrial HSS bits, and then regrinds the tips on CNC equipment.
Make sure to buy the mire expensive “Lipped Version” the cheaper bits usually work nowhere near as well.
There are other specialty sizes on the Lee Valley website including 20mm.
WL Fuller was the US manufacturer of similar quality bits.
I think Fuller does similar, buying high quality HSS twist drill bits, and regrinding the tips to a similar design as the Lee Valley bits.
Fuller is a high end bit supplier to high end woodworking suppliers.
Drills | W L Fuller
Conveniently purchase high-quality tools and accessories from W.L. Fuller's online store. Browse our extensive selection of precision drill bits, woodworking tools, and more. Experience seamless online shopping, secure transactions, and prompt delivery.
www.wlfuller.com
Famag may be another option.
They seem to make bits with a similar tip design to the Lee Valley and fuller bits, although Famag uses a different twist design that looks closer to a “parabolic twist drill helix” which may clear chips faster. (I think the Triumph “Thunderbit” twist drills use a similar helix design)
Famag bits are supposedly made in Germany.
I would avoid basic German DIN pattern brad point bits like Festool sells.
The tip design has been around a while but seems to have more of an issue with tearout than the Famag, Fuller and Lee Valley designs.
I have no experience with the Wood Owl bits from Japan.
The tips on the brad point bits don’t strike confidence in me, although some of the other Wood Owl bits have nice spurs.
If by chance you are drilling into wood end grain, you would be better off just buying parabolic twist regular twist drills with a more open flute designed for drilling metal.
The brad points don’t do as well when drilling into end grain.
Attachments
Yep. My dad, before he passed on, bought me a full set of several types of Norseman bit sets. I love them. Rarely need to resharpen any. Neighbor wants to borrow some. I handed him the old generic bits I have in a drawer. Never loan out the good stuff. (Father in law is the sole exception)You want good than this is what you want.
Norseman 14-Piece Premium Brad Point Drill Bit Set
Upgrade your toolkit with the Norseman 14-Piece Premium Brad Point Drill Bit Set. Precision, durability, and top-notch performance in every bit!
You want cheap than any Chinese set will work for you.
neophyte
Well-known member
Those have proper tips.
Dave455
Well-known member
The only ones I’ve found that I liked are the “Fisch”, which seem to be excellent.
I use these. But note that Fisch offer a grade down, and a grade up.
Also note that I’m in the U.K, where these are not stupidly expensive. If I was in the U.S. there might be a manufacturer that offers better value.
I particularly despise the Bosch. You would think you are getting something decent, with both a big name, and buying a tool dedicated to woodworking, but I’m really unimpressed. I think I’ve cut neater holes with a Buck knife!
For general hole drilling in wood I tend to use normal HSS drill bits. Provided they are sharp, they cut quite neatly, certainly for most things I need.
I tend to keep a few sets exclusively for woodworking. They don’t have to be the absolute best quality, but I never use them for metal.
For certain applications the brad point are to be preferred though, and of course they are very easy to locate.
I once bought one of these fast cutting drills, and the hole was worse than the Bosch. Think “blunt Buck knife”!
But, stoning the edges of the tip made all the difference.
There are other brands of these though, and they are not all the same.
I did wonder if, being made in Austria, they were made by Fisch? But apparently not.
I use these. But note that Fisch offer a grade down, and a grade up.
Also note that I’m in the U.K, where these are not stupidly expensive. If I was in the U.S. there might be a manufacturer that offers better value.
I particularly despise the Bosch. You would think you are getting something decent, with both a big name, and buying a tool dedicated to woodworking, but I’m really unimpressed. I think I’ve cut neater holes with a Buck knife!
For general hole drilling in wood I tend to use normal HSS drill bits. Provided they are sharp, they cut quite neatly, certainly for most things I need.
I tend to keep a few sets exclusively for woodworking. They don’t have to be the absolute best quality, but I never use them for metal.
For certain applications the brad point are to be preferred though, and of course they are very easy to locate.
I think you are right.
I once bought one of these fast cutting drills, and the hole was worse than the Bosch. Think “blunt Buck knife”!
But, stoning the edges of the tip made all the difference.
There are other brands of these though, and they are not all the same.
I have not used those, but one fixings supplier in the U.K. keeps them, so I have been inclined to try them.
I did wonder if, being made in Austria, they were made by Fisch? But apparently not.
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NORTON'S SHOP
Well-known member
I have a Fuller set. Expensive; but to me; worth every penny.
neophyte
Well-known member
An article years ago in a US woodworking magazine said that Fisch was having their bits made in China, but shipping over the European steel they used to use for European production to insure quality, and maybe the CNC equipment was getting shipped over as well.btw. Fisch wood drill bits:
fyi
NoahG
Well-known member
WL Fuller is excellent. I think I have some Fisch in the mix which are good too. Famag makes my absolute favorite forstner bits so I would assume their brad points are good too.
The Dewalt multi pack is good for accessibility, you can get it at Lowe’s, but they’re just ok otherwise.
Avoid any Irwin branded ones, and the ones in the Ryobi sets are garbage.
The Dewalt multi pack is good for accessibility, you can get it at Lowe’s, but they’re just ok otherwise.
Avoid any Irwin branded ones, and the ones in the Ryobi sets are garbage.
Dave455
Well-known member
I’m not too happy to discover that.btw. Fisch wood drill bits:
fyi
Mine were definitely made in Austria, but they are far from new.
I know they offer different grades? Those are the “standard”! I wonder if the “premium” are Austrian made?
I might be more inclined to go for the Alpen in future.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Its good to consider what species of wood you are using, as the optimum drill may vary.
McFeelys did a blog on it:
McFeelys did a blog on it:
drokihazan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2018
- Messages
- 271
I have a small Norseman set from HJE, they've been solid as would be expected
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I just received these today. They are garbage.Another nice set.
Fisch 7-Piece Imperial Brad Point Drill Bit Set
High-quality chrome vanadium drill bits with brad points and dual outer spurs for exceptional accuracy.
Say "Produced for Fisch, Quality Control in Austria"
Probably chinese made and the last part is a lie or they would have caught the gross runout on the points of the drills. HF drill bits have less run out than the 1/2" one. 7/16 and 3/8 were marginally better but still very visible with the eye. Back they go.
I guess I will try the Lee Valley reground ones.
72Anthony
Well-known member
Are there quality sets with a hex shank to use in a drill/driver with 1/4" hex (instead of a traditional chuck)?
Dave455
Well-known member
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Another vote for Norseman, they make great taps as well. Also the dewalt brad point bits at HD are also pretty good.
www.norsemandrill.com
Product Catalog | Norseman™ Drill and Tool
Norseman™ Drill & Tool our cutting tools are designed, engineered and superbly crafted to provide long lasting durability
Alpen?
Haven’t used these but everything else I have from them is superb.
I've yet to see a hex shank bit not wobble like crazy
Machinehead
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2025
- Messages
- 60
Decent? I have used Irwin in the past. I just got a set off Amazon, not super cheap and not perfect but they are sharp and get the job done.
I think it was under $40
I think it was under $40
Dave455
Well-known member
The cheaper ones tend to, but then they tend to be two piece bits, and not that well made.
These are one piece bits, so that’s a start. Even my Bosch one piece “multi material” bits are a vast improvement on the two piece bits.
But I suspect these are another notch above. I might try a couple and report back!
OMG. If this is not a joke you really have patience!
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Not a joke, 30 year repair machinist. Grew up from the teens off hand sharpening drills. I need to use a magnifier these days however.
That is impressive! You have my respect. At my level, I would just turn a dull brad point drill into a regular split point -- or just recycle it. I use an older "Drill Doctor" to sharpen rather than freehand. In spite of the negative comments on them, I find they can work ok for diameters 1/8" and larger if one goes about their use consistently. I have little luck getting good results even with standard or split points if the drills are less than 1/8" diameter. Brad points look hopeless to me outside of maybe light touchup with diamond files.
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OccupantRJ
Well-known member
My son brought a Drill Doctor over a couple years ago for me to play with sometime on sharpening the smaller drills. It is sitting on a shelf in the tool room waiting until one day when I am bored and get one of these.
