Drill Bit Options

[J_G]

I'm in the market for a GOOD set of drill bits. I've honestly, never had a quality set over the years. I do drill everything from aluminum, mild steel, and even stainless, in sizes from 1/8", up to 1". Price isn't an issue, I just want quality. Any recommendations are appreciated.


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[kylesmth]

I've had good experience withe the cobalt steel bits. Just make sure you get solid cobalt not plated.

 

[CGT80]

The Dewalt titanium coated split point have been my favorite. They were made in Germany, but I don't know if that is still the case. I used them as a construction professional and for hobby work or auto work at home, in various materials. Home depot sells them. I used one recently that was 11/32 or so to drill 60 holes in 1/4" cold roll plate with a drill press on low speed and didn't even bother with lube since the bit didn't get more than warm. It cut great even to the end of that project, but a big part is due to the drill press. My set is 1/16" to 1/2". I don't know if they have large bits.

You might try a couple of a brand you may like, before buying a whole set.

 

[Scsmith42]

I have owned machinist grade bits for years, but my favorites are Magnum bits from Norseman Tool. US mfg, able to drill spring and dome grades of stainless steel, these are outstanding bits.


Scott

 

[DJAMiller]

+1 on the dewalt bits. For cheap homedepot bits they are awesome, ive used them extensively at work drilling fiberglass, aluminum, and stainless, they've held up great.

 

[wagon]

Viking / Norseman.

The best union American made drill bits you can buy!

 

[Ruger_556]

I bought a set of HSS Craftsman Pro a few years ago and they've been fine, they don't take well to drilling stainless though. I've replaced a few with cobalt from the hardware store and they're great, no idea what brand they are though

 

[1950mercury]

Norseman

 

[zkling]

What are you using these for? Hand drill, drill press, lathe/mill?

 

[thinmac]

Vikings are great, as are Precision Twist drill bits.

Drill bits labeled "cobalt" can be a lot of different things. While all cobalt bits do have cobalt in them, there's no way to know how much cobalt is actually in the alloy they use. As you would expect, you often get what you pay for. Cobalt bits are also generally more brittle than high speed steel bits, which is particularly a problem with smaller bits. I mostly drill metal, any my go-to bits are all high speed steel. They do just fine on most metals and they don't break on me as much. I save the cobalt bits for hardened material (which would include stainless if I'm doing a job requiring a lot of holes).

A good strategy is to get a good, not great, set. Then, as you break them or they get dull, buy great bits as replacements. Over time, the ones you use the most will be high quality. I'm a *huge* drill snob, but the truth is while most people get a lot of use out of a high quality 3/8" bit, they don't need to blow a bunch of money on a 23/64" bit.

 

[mikehaugen]

"Good" cobalt bits should tell you the cobalt content, m30 or m42 which if I remember correctly is .5% and .8%.

I agree with the brittle statement. I'd rather have a good hss bit than a cheap cobalt. Also included with the mentioned respected brands is Chicago-Latrobe and Cleveland Twist.

If you are hand drilling don't waste money on titanium coatings.

 

[Cypherian]

135 deg split tip cobalt of a quality manufacturer use your drill speed and cutting fluid chart and or recommendations of bit manufacturer. I personally like Chicago latrobe .
If your doing a lot of alum they make higher twist rates for faster drilling in it.
Cypher

 

[Tronyadorable]

.For regular use sets I have a Metabo 19 piece and a custom assembled Guex(GX) titanium.
I use the Nachi cobalt splits on SS.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Norseman!

 

[Scsmith42]

Butterfield is another machinist quality bit.


Scott

 

[tinker rick]

Every now and then there is a Norsman group buy here great quality good pricing.

 

[u118224]

Another excellent USA brand is Tru-Cut.

 

[Jeeper]

Believe it or not, I have had great success with Craftsman Professional Cobalt kit. You can pick them up on sale for $30 (50% off) pretty regularly.

I had a bosch cobalt drill bit and a CM pro cut side by side into a Jeep frame. The bosch took a while and the CM was quick. Can't go wrong for the price.

 

[Adam.C]

The Dewalt titanium coated split point have been my favorite. They were made in Germany, but I don't know if that is still the case. I used them as a construction professional and for hobby work or auto work at home, in various materials. Home depot sells them. I used one recently that was 11/32 or so to drill 60 holes in 1/4" cold roll plate with a drill press on low speed and didn't even bother with lube since the bit didn't get more than warm. It cut great even to the end of that project, but a big part is due to the drill press. My set is 1/16" to 1/2". I don't know if they have large bits.

You might try a couple of a brand you may like, before buying a whole set.

Nooooo.

These are not good bits. Buy decent set of US made HSS bits from an industrial supply house (grainger, Enco, MSC, etc). Buy real US made Cobalt (no comparison with Asian cobalt, which are softer than our HSS) only if you have to drill hardened or very abrasive materials.

Last, buy a Drill Doctor. If you buy the DD first, you can consider buying used bits at auctions. No drill bit cuts as well as a sharp US made bit.

 

[Mud]

P&N or (Sutton)- HSS and get a couple of solid carbides in the lot. Wurth which may be rebranded make good standby bits and are durable (ie. will drill bis80 time and time again). You won't regret purchasing quality drill bits and with proper use/ maintenance they will last years.

 

[Banjorear]

Nooooo.

These are not good bits. Buy decent set of US made HSS bits from an industrial supply house (grainger, Enco, MSC, etc). Buy real US made Cobalt (no comparison with Asian cobalt, which are softer than our HSS) only if you have to drill hardened or very abrasive materials.

Last, buy a Drill Doctor. If you buy the DD first, you can consider buying used bits at auctions. No drill bit cuts as well as a sharp US made bit.

This. OP-When you said good, don't buy imported big box bits. The Drill Doctor will allow you to keep a high quality set off bits for DIY use for almost ever.

I also have the name of another vendor who I've had great success with. I'll post it tonight.

The difference of a high quality bit and a cheapo is night and day. You can't believe something could cut metal as quick and then you see the one piece ribbon of metal spiraling out you know you are the right track.

 

[abk241]

A good set of USA made HSS bits should serve you well.
Keeping them sharp and using using oil along with correct speed for size and material are important for long life.

 

[T45]

If you are hand drilling don't waste money on titanium coatings.

Just don't make the mistake of buying black oxide

as bright polished is needed for alloy

 

[Kirbot]

What about Hanson bits? As far as I can tell, they're USA, and Advance carries them pretty cheap with the coupon codes.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Norseman or Chicago-Latrobe

If you are interested, read the Wikipedia article on High-speed Steel.

Very few manufacturers specify what grade of HSS that they use (Norseman and Chicago-Latrobe do !). In general T1 (or T1xxx) contains Tungsten and is the hardest and toughest and the most expensive. M42 has more Molybdenum and Cobalt that the other "M series" HSS and is a good compromise to T1.

... my favorites are Magnum bits from Norseman Tool. US mfg, able to drill spring and dome grades of stainless steel, these are outstanding bits.

Many people like the Norseman Magnum bits. I conclude they do not contain Cobalt because Norseman sells those separately. Likely they are M7 grade HSS.

 

[Davefr]

Precision Twist!!

Most of the name brands at MSC or Enco are 10X better then the **** brands found in stores like Home Crapo or Wal Mart.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I am fortunate that I can buy drills from the toolcrib at work and they come out of my paycheck...convenient when you break them like I do!
They primarily stock PTD cobalt.

 

[thejudges69]

Keep replacement in mind. We have discussed this before and if you break one you need to be able to get a replacement bit without having to order it and wait a week for it to arrive.

I personally have had great luck with consolidated Toledo drill which according to there website are somehow affiliated with norseman.

Someone can surely confirm that relationship between CTD and Norseman.

 

[EZH]

A good strategy is to get a good, not great, set. Then, as you break them or they get dull, buy great bits as replacements. Over time, the ones you use the most will be high quality. I'm a *huge* drill snob, but the truth is while most people get a lot of use out of a high quality 3/8" bit, they don't need to blow a bunch of money on a 23/64" bit.

Great Idea. Thanks for sharing.

Eric

 

[thejudges69]

Try Fisher Price. They have a drill/drill bit combo.

 

[bcradio]

Nooooo.

These are not good bits. Buy decent set of US made HSS bits from an industrial supply house (grainger, Enco, MSC, etc). Buy real US made Cobalt (no comparison with Asian cobalt, which are softer than our HSS) only if you have to drill hardened or very abrasive materials.

Last, buy a Drill Doctor. If you buy the DD first, you can consider buying used bits at auctions. No drill bit cuts as well as a sharp US made bit.

mmmmm... debatable.

 

[PT Doc]

Another vote for Noreseman. We all have used Asian drill bits. And if they sharp they cut mild steel very well. Chipping can be an issue so keep an eye on the tip if drilling a lot. After going to Norseman, there is just no reason to buy anything else for me.

What is the deal with Precision Twist in the Enco catalogs having the same chinsy cases that HF uses for the 29 and 115 piece sets? I think the bits are USA made bits. They should be using USA made cases and the best are HUOT. Norseman and Huot, perfect together.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

The above mention of the Drill Doctor made me smile. If you get one of those you can buy boxes/handfuls of used bits at auctions and sales and make them like new. LOTS of guys have worked in "shops" over the years and went home with pocketfuls of drill bits. When they die or sell out they are available for next to nothing, but need to be resharpened. Learn how to do it and learn how to use your DD to have hundreds of bits.

I bought a Huot cabinet ($85 shipped on Ebay, but came from Zoro Tools) to keep them organized, and now I have a nice sharp bit of every use. This method takes some time and effort to accumulate, but this is a lifetime thing, no?

When I buy new I get the Norseman (at Fastenal) as others have mentioned. They are not terribly pricey and are plenty good.

 

[RedRabbit]

+1 on Dewalt. Love all their bits.

 

[catalytic]

A good place to ask this question is on a machinist forum, where people put their drills (drill bits) through thousands of cycles. There, you will hear that nothing beats good HSS USA-made drills, and these run miles around dewalt and other sets (I have a few of those, too, and they're fine for occasional use, but the OP wants the good stuff). Norseman is quality (occasionally people report problems with over hardening). Cleveland twist is good. Whatever McMaster carries is good, too.

 

[Adam.C]

A good place to ask this question is on a machinist forum, where people put their drills (drill bits) through thousands of cycles. There, you will hear that nothing beats good HSS USA-made drills, and these run miles around dewalt and other sets (I have a few of those, too, and they're fine for occasional use, but the OP wants the good stuff). Norseman is quality (occasionally people report problems with over hardening). Cleveland twist is good. Whatever McMaster carries is good, too.

The problem with the coatings is that they wear off, or are removed at the first sharpening. The home center bit manufacturers are trying to create a product that will serve adequately without ever being sharpened and are produced at a price that makes them disposable. Like any other tool, these just don't compare favorably to professional, industrial bits. If you are drilling wood, buy whatever floats your boat. I like brad points. But metal? If you want good holes you need good bits. If you do a lot of metal work, buy one set of HSS, learn to sharpen (don't need a drill dr, that's just what I use) and your bits will last the rest of your life.

 

[Scsmith42]

A good place to ask this question is on a machinist forum, where people put their drills (drill bits) through thousands of cycles. There, you will hear that nothing beats good HSS USA-made drills, and these run miles around dewalt and other sets (I have a few of those, too, and they're fine for occasional use, but the OP wants the good stuff). Norseman is quality (occasionally people report problems with over hardening). Cleveland twist is good. Whatever McMaster carries is good, too.

Well stated. I don't think that you will find a machinist that endorses home center bits over good quality US Mfg alternatives.


Scott

 

[theoldwizard1]

A good place to ask this question is on a machinist forum, ...

Like these posts on the Hobby Machinist Forum

Dill bits

Brill bits Question #2

 

[Whitworth]

Just some random thoughts;

Like said, cobalt is brittle in the smaller sizes, not fun having one snap and come back at you.
Whatever drills you get, get a good drill index box to keep them organized. The large sets with fractional, letter and wire size are preferred. When a drill breaks, get a new one. If you use a particular size often, buy them by the dozen.

Hertel is a brand I like, currently a subsidiary of Kennemetal. I think they are positioning it as the small shop tooling and moving Kennemetal brand increasing towards pure industrial tooling.

Keep drill bits sharp. Keep them oiled, but clean off the oil from the shank when installing in a chuck. Nothing worse than spinning a drill bit in the chuck. Bad for the chuck and will destroy the bit.

Lastly, by careful of the long chips drilling metal will create. Especially drill press or lathe work.

Gary

 

[Davefr]

A good strategy is to get a good, not great, set. Then, as you break them or they get dull, buy great bits as replacements. Over time, the ones you use the most will be high quality. I'm a *huge* drill snob, but the truth is while most people get a lot of use out of a high quality 3/8" bit, they don't need to blow a bunch of money on a 23/64" bit.

That's true but why would anyone want to put up with mediocre quality bits awaiting failure before they get really good ones?

Just wait for a Enco, MSC, Zoro sale and get the great ones to begin with.