atch
Well-known member
Are there any brands of center drill bits I should look for or stay away from? I would like to find good ones on Amazon or at a local box store (Lowes/Menards/Home Depot) if possible. TIA.
center drill bit brand recommendations
- Thread starter atch
- Start date
nadogail
Well-known member
my local industrial hardware has Chicago Latrobe
quickfarms
Well-known member
I just go to the local industrial supply when I need them, or single drill bits. The stuff they sell is far better than the junk at the big box stores
matt_i
Well-known member
One can even buy those (60 deg included) at a box store?
I've gotten some from McMaster Carr and some from Shars. Always have the size you don't need....Rarely do I need to use the live center.
Some people use those to enforce reliable hole locations but imo if you are doing that sort of work, you will be miles ahead when you get a 120deg included solid carbide spot drill and treat it with care only in rigid setups.
I've gotten some from McMaster Carr and some from Shars. Always have the size you don't need....Rarely do I need to use the live center.
Some people use those to enforce reliable hole locations but imo if you are doing that sort of work, you will be miles ahead when you get a 120deg included solid carbide spot drill and treat it with care only in rigid setups.
BillK
Well-known member
I get them from McMaster. I dont think you are going to see them in a box store. Not sure if I would trust Amazon quality 
jrsavoie
Well-known member
Not always. The cheap Fastenal drill bits are ****.
I prefer Norseman cutting tools.
Though I did get bad Norseman taps. I can not remember at the moment where I purchased them. There is a slim posibility they were counterfeit.
I do know Norseman was not interested in hearing about them or receiving them back. I was very disappointed in Norseman customer service. I have been using their cutting tools for decades.
Not sure I have any decades left in me.
I believe they were M6 x 1.5 bottoming taps.. Took threads right out of the case I was trying to fix
RoninB4
Well-known member
Morse is/was another industrial quality brand found in professional machine shops. There are several geometries available from "O" ring seats, for flat head screws, etc.
RoninB4
Well-known member
Not sure but not likely if you don't have an industrial account. MSC is almost always overpriced. I used to use a number of industrial supply houses (Chicago) that may not be there any more. I have also used Traverse Tool and worked near Zengers Supply ( Grand Ave, Melrose Park) so compare prices and search for what's near you. They likely do shipping to your location. The big box stores and Amazon likely do NOT carry the better quality items. They all tend to carry things based upon what Harry Homeshop thinks is fairly priced, not a good metric to use when evaluating industrial items.
Larrywv
Active member
Grainier will sell and ship to individuals
Zeke
Well-known member
So will Mc C.
McM-C has a great selection of same: https://www.mcmaster.com/center-drills/
BUT: if you are not a power user, and treat them with respect the $15 set from Amazon will do 99% of what most people need.
BUT: if you are not a power user, and treat them with respect the $15 set from Amazon will do 99% of what most people need.
My Old Tools
Well-known member
Shars has some decent US made ones. The one I got is fine.
Grainger is stupid expensive if you aren't with a company.
Probably expensive there too, just convenient for big companies.
jrsavoie
Well-known member
CraigStu
Well-known member
M-C is my go to for any hardware stuff I need. They ship quickly. My record is just under 24 hrs from the time I got the confirmation email til it came off the ups truck in my driveway. As you see in the link that cannuck provided their website is a tremendous source for info.
I usually buy my cutting tools and tool holders from Maritool. Not the cheapest but its typically good name brand stuff made in the usa. https://www.maritool.com/Cutting-To...e-High-Speed-Steel/c78_144_145_257/index.html
niget2002
Well-known member
I've gone through two different sets of Amazon ones. Both sets not all the points are centered on the bit. Between the 2 sets I have 2/3rds of a working set with centered points. The rest all wobble off center.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Not sure of the brand because they are unmarked but the last few I purchased were U.S. made ones from McMaster Carr and were very nice quality and have held up exceptionally well for the past few years. Lately the #1 and #4 are about the only two sizes I use.