Decent Quality Drill Bits

[sometoyotaguy]

I find myself having to replace drill bits on occasion due to breakage.

I've been going to Lowes and buying the Dewalt bits, but they are still made in China. Are they any better than the ones you'd find at HF, or the cheaper Black And Decker Bits that are also made in china?

Are there any USA made bits that are locally available?

 

[n8n]

Do you have a Fastenal? They sell singles that aren't bad.

 

[PT Doc]

The hf black oxide have been reported to not be terrible with appropriate speeds and feed. Use some cutting oil. Drill presses are easier on bits.

If you want good quality, affordable and USA made, look at Norseman.

 

[Ainsley]

I've been using the Walters and champion brute recently, both have flats on the shank rather than just being round. both are HSS, the champion is a bit less than the Walters if I remember correctly.

 

[Zeroek]

Do drill bits actually have a warranty? I keep eyeballing a set on the snap on truck but I feel like there would be a cheaper set that would be just as good.

 

[woody 73]

Have a good cry pull your hair one time let go of your money and be done with it.

http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/hi-molybdenum-29-pc-drill-bit-set-jobber.html

Although not local to your area you can buy them online.

 

[sometoyotaguy]

The hf black oxide have been reported to not be terrible with appropriate speeds and feed. Use some cutting oil. Drill presses are easier on bits.

If you want good quality, affordable and USA made, look at Norseman.

Thanks.
Yes, a drill press is much easier on bits, but most of the time it's not something I could get under a drill press. Most of my drilling is broken bolts on the car or truck. The joys of living in the salt belt of Maine.

 

[TomB19]

I've been using the Walters and champion brute recently, both have flats on the shank rather than just being round. both are HSS, the champion is a bit less than the Walters if I remember correctly.

I picked up a set of Champion Brutes a couple of years ago. They are worlds better than anything from a big box store. The best of the big box store are the Ridgid at HD, IMO.

I've never tried Norseman but with all the great comments on them in this forum, I will try a set at some point.

 

[larry_g]

If you a re drilling out a lot of broken bolts then I would suggest a left handed bit in a screw machine length. The left handed bit will sometimes grab the bolt and screw it out and the screwmachine length is shorter and less likely to bend or break.

http://www.mscdirect.com/FlyerView?pagelabel=50&search=81350076&contentPath=/sales-catalogs/big-book

You only need a few sizes to fit the common sized bolts you work with.

lg
no neat sig line