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Decent Set of Drill Bits

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PartsGuy27

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Sep 27, 2015
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Pennsylvania
I seem to have a problem keeping a decent set of drill bits around. All the ones I use either snap way too easily or end up dulling very quickly.

I have used Snap-On, Craftsman, Dewalt, and a few others.

So far the Dewalt were the best but were prone to snapping.

I drill into steel so I am assuming a set of cobalt bits would probably suit me best?

I am looking for suggestions that will not break the bank.

Thank you.

-Brian
 
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md21722

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Mt Juliet, TN
Cobalt is harder/more brittle and more likely to snap compared to plain HSS bits when used in a hand drill. Norseman, Triumph, Champion, and Greenfield/Chicago Latrobe all just some high quality drill bits made in the U.S.A. Here folks tend to prefer the Norseman. All drill bits will dull and snap if used improperly. Use good quality cutting oil or wax. Since hand drills cannot put as much pressure on the bit as a drill press, cutting speeds need to be lower than the stated drill speed tables commonly available online, especially in larger sizes.
 
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gdocktor3

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Connecticut
I have a ton of drill bits from Snap On, Matco, Irwin/Hansen, Morse, etc, but dollar for dollar the Milwaukee black oxide drill bits do EVERYTHING I ask, over and over again. If/when one breaks, I go to HD and buy another set because they're so cheap.
 
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nczo6

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winston-salem nc
Precision twist in hss or Norseman get cheap sets on eBay. I have a bunch of them that I lucked up getting real cheap.
 
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T45

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Nov 20, 2014
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Good hss, but also m7, m35, m42steel -- depending on hrc

Drills need considerations for bit materials, cutting fluids etc

window for cobalt is narrow but tip, web geometry,

and the quality underlying is key as well
 
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larry_g

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oregon
PartsGuy27 said:
Not particularly, just looking for the common sizes to tap holes and such.
Click to expand...

Tap drills for some common treads use letter and number drill bit sizes. What are you doing for those holes?

In addition to good quality bits I would suggest that you consider getting screw machine length bits, lots less flexing and problems. Shop for bits from a vendor catering to machine shops and you'll get some better bits.

lg
no neat sig line
 
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scissorman

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Dec 7, 2014
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Pleasanton, Ca.
If you have a problem with bits snapping or dulling it's usually user error. ALWAYS start with a small bit and work your way up in size (I go up 2 bit sizes at a time). I use 135* split point Cobalt bits and never have an issue and they cut like a hot knife in butter.
 
OP
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PartsGuy27

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Pennsylvania
larry_g said:
Tap drills for some common treads use letter and number drill bit sizes. What are you doing for those holes?

In addition to good quality bits I would suggest that you consider getting screw machine length bits, lots less flexing and problems. Shop for bits from a vendor catering to machine shops and you'll get some better bits.

lg
no neat sig line
Click to expand...

I'm currently matching them up with as close of a bit I have then tapping the hole.
 
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Teenager with old tools

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riverside california
I love my vintage drills. Especially cle-forge I have two old indexes I bought used with Mis matched bits in them of different brands but all USA and all are good. Cle-forge stands out as being best to me out of them. But all are exceptionally better than dewalt and Wednesday night I can get you the list of the brands all are good


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6PTsocket

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Mar 12, 2014
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PartsGuy27 said:
Not particularly, just looking for the common sizes to tap holes and such.
Click to expand...
Then you had better look at a tap drill chart. A fraction set by 32nds is not going to hit a lot of the sizes you will need. They will work for "and such" if you just want to poke a couple of holes in something. In fact number or letter bits are the only ones close enough for some tap sizes. If you are really concerned about tapping buy the sizes you will need for the sizes you want to tap. Tool Rule:The tool you buy, just to have it is never the right size when you need one.
scissorman said:
If you have a problem with bits snapping or dulling it's usually user error. ALWAYS start with a small bit and work your way up in size (I go up 2 bit sizes at a time). I use 135* split point Cobalt bits and never have an issue and they cut like a hot knife in butter.
Click to expand...


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larry_g

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Mecha

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Volunteer State
HSS from Huot, Cleveland Twist Drill, Precision Twist Drill, or Chicago Latrobe. Basically made in the USA HSS is the best you really can get. Cobalt, and all the other treatments are nice but hardens the steel and prevent it from letting you have some "give" in the drilling. I actually saw a full set of Cleveland Twist drill bits at Lowe's just this week. Otherwise you can find them online.

The key to drilling holes is to punch a center and then drill. If it is a bigger whole the step the hole up, drilling out about half the needed diameter size and then drilling the full size. Then pushing hard but not too hard, and also the technique of pushing relaxing pushing relaxing may help.

You may already know all this anyway, and if so I'm sorry for over explaining.
 
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Teenager with old tools

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riverside california
Mecha said:
HSS from Huot, Cleveland Twist Drill, Precision Twist Drill, or Chicago Latrobe. Basically made in the USA HSS is the best you really can get. Cobalt, and all the other treatments are nice but hardens the steel and prevent it from letting you have some "give" in the drilling. I actually saw a full set of Cleveland Twist drill bits at Lowe's just this week. Otherwise you can find them online.

The key to drilling holes is to punch a center and then drill. If it is a bigger whole the step the hole up, drilling out about half the needed diameter size and then drilling the full size. Then pushing hard but not too hard, and also the technique of pushing relaxing pushing relaxing may help.

You may already know all this anyway, and if so I'm sorry for over explaining.
Click to expand...



Cobalt won't flex enough to make a u turn the way one of my old augur bits did. Cobalt would snap. I have seen the cle-line never tried it if they sold an individual in store instead of online I would try one


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CJM8515

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Mar 8, 2014
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NJ
I found the ryobi cobalt set at home cheapo is actually really good for the money. I bought a 29pc set awhile back and have yet to have an issue.

I have way better drills I got from my grandfather who is a retired tool and die maker. But those I wont use unless needed.
 
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EOC_Jason

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Jun 25, 2012
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Bentonville, AR
Might want to invest in a drill press if you are doing a lot of steel. More rigidity and able to control pressure easier.

Also I bought a drill doctor and it's so quick and easy to sharpen bits. Sure it's not the same quality as if you go to a professional, but spending several bucks a bit for them to sharpen I usually reserve that expense for larger or expensive bits. Even then I will still hand-sharpen my larger bits on the bench grinder a couple times between professional sharpening.

Low RPM, sharp bits, and oil (even WD40) makes all the difference.
 
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Monte

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24909877ja.jpg
 
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winlinmac

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mbshop

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visalia ca
I have used cobalt for a looooong time. I have never needed anything else. Yes, I have broken a few but that was certainly my fault. I lost one and just went to the local big store and easily replaced it. Ease of replacement is critical to me. I also have a hss bit set for simple soft steel drilling.
 
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FMC1959

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Feb 9, 2014
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Montreal, Canada / Upstate NY
four.cycle said:
If you're snapping drill bits off, don't blame the drill bit.

see here:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_ssn...8810&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=norseman&_sop=10
Click to expand...

winlinmac said:
four.cycle, what if its a cheap import? It just happened to me on a 5/32" HSS Titanium-coated bit (feels like a cheap composite and went through several light-to-medium uses)? Is it still user error?

If I go for a Norsman Set, would it be overdoing it for someone not using a drill every day?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I remember a few years ago, some buddies were over helping me with my deck. They kept breaking bits, I can go a year and not break any. A 5/32 is big enough that you should not break. It doesn't matter the COO or what the bit is made of, bad technique and they will break. No different than screw bits, use then properly they will last. Again, some of my buddies can't keep the angle correct and the right amount of pressure., the can go through 5-6 screwbits in an afternoon....you just hear them constantly making that "bit turning in the screw head sound":scared:

Back to drill bits, I think having one or two top quality sets (Norseman, Champion...etc), then one of those humungus el-cheapo sets that have 200+ bits. Use the cheap ones for everyday drilling, when you have a tough material to go through or need a nice clean hole, use the good ones.

Never, ever, let wives, gf, buddies or anyone go near the good drill or screw bits :D
 
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Provincial

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Sep 21, 2011
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Near Salem, OR
Cheap carbon steel can be made hard if it has enough carbon and is heat treated to maximum hardness. The downside is that it that it becomes very brittle and can't withstand the heat from drilling metals.

Guess what the Chinese (and others) substitute if the importers don't stay on top of quality control?

Real High Speed Steel is more brittle than mild steel, but it is much less brittle than highly hardened carbon steel. It can withstand some abuse, but will break if subjected to excessive loads in it's weakest direction.
 
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