Drill bit search

[TauntDevil]

Hey everyone.

So recently I have been looking for some drill bits.

I was told about a drill bit set that fit my liking.
Its a 29 piece cobalt high speed setup (I work almost always with metal)
and was informed by a friend that it has a hex shank instead of the annoying round shank. Well, once I got the part, saw that it is actually a round end.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623988_200623988

So back on the search again for a drill bit set. Looking for 29 piece cobalt preferably but with a hex end or triangles end. Anyone know where I may be able to buy a set? Preferable $200 or less? Must be cobalt and hex or non round shank. The part that the drill grabs.

Looked for quite awhile before and didnt find any sets so thought I would ask.

Thanks in advance

 

[Stooge]

for a press or hand drill? I've always thought of cobalt bits more for drill press over a hand drill, try looking for cobalt mechanic length drill bits, the mechanic length denotes the 3 flats on the end of the shank as well as being slightly shorter/ more rigid, although the mechanic length Norseman set I have (spm-29), the handful of smallest sizes are round shanks. they are not cobalt, but Hi Molybdenum, have been getting quite a bit of use, I've only used them to drill through steel, sheet metal to 1/4" and have been great. http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/norseman-super-premium-drill-bit-set.html

 

[toolchaser]

Rather than a hex shank, which will limit your options, try the ones with the 3 small flats 120 deg. apart. I think Triumph & Precision have them. I`m sure others do also.

 

[TauntDevil]

for a press or hand drill? I've always thought of cobalt bits more for drill press over a hand drill, try looking for cobalt mechanic length drill bits, the mechanic length denotes the 3 flats on the end of the shank as well as being slightly shorter/ more rigid, although the mechanic length Norseman set I have (spm-29), the handful of smallest sizes are round shanks. they are not cobalt, but Hi Molybdenum, have been getting quite a bit of use, I've only used them to drill through steel, sheet metal to 1/4" and have been great. http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/norseman-super-premium-drill-bit-set.html

I appreciate the suggestion. I have used Cobalt for both drill press and hand drill because they last the longest. Titainium goes dull pretty quickly and so. A drill set I got from my grandfather was cobalt and had 3 flat end shank which worked great even though I only had a 5 piece set which I had to work around often. Sadly, they were stolen. I will look into that set and see about maybe purchasing it to try it out. Need to sell the brand new bits I just got.
Smaller ones under 1/8th arent much of an issue but 1/8 and bigger are where the smooth shank starts to be a major issue. Annoys me.

Rather than a hex shank, which will limit your options, try the ones with the 3 small flats 120 deg. apart. I think Triumph & Precision have them. I`m sure others do also.

Sorry. I mainly am looking for any cobalt sets that don't have a smooth round shank. So hex, 3 flat, etc. Not sure what the actual terms or names are for them so stated hex. My apologize.

 

[Cypherian]

Check with https://m.mscdirect.com/mobileweb/product_detail?id=59538165 these are not split point nor 135 deg for metaal but it was what I could find easily on my tablet. You can check with Grainger and pan American tool the have just about every conceivable bit type .

Cypher

 

[larry_g]

http://www.mscdirect.com/FlyerView?...05951553&contentPath=/sales-catalogs/big-book
bottom of the page

lg
no neat sig line

 

[TauntDevil]

Issue with HSS is it is mainly for wood. Had a set from home depot that was HSS. Didnt say cobalt, titainium, or any of that, and lasted about 3 drills before I had to sharpen the bit. It does not like metal.

 

[Daves69]

https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0316154?term=cobalt+drill

 

[larry_g]

Issue with HSS is it is mainly for wood. Had a set from home depot that was HSS. Didnt say cobalt, titainium, or any of that, and lasted about 3 drills before I had to sharpen the bit. It does not like metal.

You sir are misinformed, or you may want to review your technique. HSS has drilled millions of holes in all sorts of metal. Standard issue in a machine shop.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Indexmill]

Issue with HSS is it is mainly for wood. Had a set from home depot that was HSS. Didnt say cobalt, titainium, or any of that, and lasted about 3 drills before I had to sharpen the bit. It does not like metal.

Incorrect. HSS is the primary material for fine drill bits for metal. Coatings are generally **** gimmicks. A sharp HSS bit run at the proper speed and feed will last forever cutting metal.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Issue with HSS is it is mainly for wood. Had a set from home depot that was HSS. Didnt say cobalt, titainium, or any of that, and lasted about 3 drills before I had to sharpen the bit. It does not like metal.

Good HSS bits are just fine for metal.

Throw away the cheap **** and buy a good set of HSS drills and you will be good to go.

 

[TauntDevil]

https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0316154?term=cobalt+drill

This is probably exactly what I have. Not what I am looking for though. Doesnt state anything about the shank.

You sir are misinformed, or you may want to review your technique. HSS has drilled millions of holes in all sorts of metal. Standard issue in a machine shop.

lg
no neat sig line

Incorrect. HSS is the primary material for fine drill bits for metal. Coatings are generally **** gimmicks. A sharp HSS bit run at the proper speed and feed will last forever cutting metal.

Good HSS bits are just fine for metal.

Throw away the cheap **** and buy a good set of HSS drills and you will be good to go.

Sorry for being mis-informed. Most likely cheap bits since they were from home depot. Have a hard time telling the difference between home depot and harbor freight most of the time. Will try some of the HSS bits that were recommended then when I can and post back to this thread. Thanks all.

 

[gorilla]

Millions of holes have been drilled in really tough materials with round shank drills. You need a better drill chuck.

 

[sgs236]

You might be thinking of mechanics drill bits. They work great in the cheaper keyless drill chucks. They come in sets just like the jobbers size drill bits. From the Norseman website:

MECHANICS LENGTH offers a 3 flat-spot drill shank to stay in place in the drill chuck. They also are 15% shorter than the jobber sets, which makes them harder to break from bending or small movement while using a hand drill. Working in hard to access areas is easier with the mechanics length drill bits.

 

[JonDick13926]

For me, the round shank isn't the problem, as I've never had a bit spin loose in the chuck. For me it's finding a drill bit that doesn't dull so fast. Just tonight I dulled (in a row) SIX previously sharp 11/16" HS USA made drill bits on one short bolt (with a torn off head) on my car. Used lubrication and what felt like a proper speed. Got lucky that the last one I had just punched through.

 

[Greyhorse]

http://www.wintersdrillbitcity.com

No experience with these but I have seen them highly recommended on other forums. Not sure they have the end you want but it's worth a call to see.

 

[purplezr2]

Norse man makes some great has bits with three side shanks. Thinks will drill tons of holes. Also used a single triumph bit to drill about 400 deck bolts for a goose neck trailer deck. They are great bits. It a lube, speed and feed to maintain the cutting edge.

 

[Ign]

For me, the round shank isn't the problem, as I've never had a bit spin loose in the chuck. For me it's finding a drill bit that doesn't dull so fast. Just tonight I dulled (in a row) SIX previously sharp 11/16" HS USA made drill bits on one short bolt (with a torn off head) on my car. Used lubrication and what felt like a proper speed. Got lucky that the last one I had just punched through.

Really? 11/16" as in .6875"? In a hand drill? Drilling thru a "bolt?"

Sounds about right to me. Proper speed for that (not referencing charts, just gut as a machinist) would be somewhere around 250-ish rpm and that "bolt" was probably hardened. I doubt you had a hand drill putting out a consistent 250 rpm that wouldn't also flip you in circles.

OP, get some quality HSS bits, a quality chuck, and go to town. Also step bits are your friend in hand drills. Flatted shanks are like gel seats on a bicycle - sounds good to the layman, works out poorly in practice.

 

[oldldh]

Milwaukee Model #48-89-2802

$59.97 at Home Depot...

I'm very pleased with my set...

All the sizes needed, and the quality is first class...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 14pc Cobalt Set is $64.97...

Model #48-89-0026...

Both are "Unround" too...3 side bits...

(I haven't tried the Cobalt Set...)

 

[jrobb316]

Dump the cheap ****, i.e. most anything you can buy at a store. Get the Norseman and you will be happy. Have a set of right and left handed, worth every penny. Otherwise I have a set of Chicago Latrobe Cobalts that are top notch as well. I have fallen for the tool truck brand coated stuff and its junk. Once you sharpen it the coating is gone and its just a regular bit. I still have them for light duty but thats it.

 

[Indexmill]

Speed and feed are the two most significant factors.

Setup a 1/2" sharp HSS bit in a drill press at a slow speed and go down on a piece of 1/2" thick steel. It is tricky to find the right feed rate but you can do it by reading the chips. Use some cutting oil and relieve the pressure every few moments. You will have a fine hoe with zero damage/wear to the bit.

 

[ChevyEFI]

OP, what 29pc set did you buy that began this extension of the search?

 

[uart]

Norseman makes some great has bits with three side shanks.

http://www.wintersdrillbitcity.com

No experience with these but I have seen them highly recommended on other forums.

No first hand experience with these either, but others here have reported that "winter drill bit city" are actually just reselling the Norseman drill bits (confirmed with identical part numbers on the packaging). And that the (identical) Norseman bits may be available from other sellers a better price.

They look like excellent drill bits though. The videos on the WDBC site look pretty impressive. Obviously as the sellers they have an agenda there. However I've also seen some independent youtube videos where (locksmith Wayne or whatever his name is) is beating the snot out of his Norseman's and they seem to be holding up well.

IMHO these bits seem like an ideal match to what the OP is looking for.

 

[Adam.C]

I thougth the hex shanked bits were usually homeowner grade. Tru Cobalt M-42 bits are pretty awesome I must say. I used them for drilling hardened spring steel.

But if you aren't drilling hardened steel, the only benefit is that they will stay sharp longer than HSS. But eventually, and maybe sooner than you would like, they get dull.

My advice is to buy a Drill Doctor or learn to sharpen bits using a grinder. Then buy good quality USA made drill bits. Once you have a Drill Dr, you can buy used bits from some retiring machinist on ebay or by the coffee can full for $5 from a flea market. Those will be so far superior to the imported bits, coated or otherwise, you won't believe people have the chutzpah to sell them. And old USA HSS bit sharpened, cuts better and longer than the Chinese solid cobalt drills (which probably aren't M-42 at all).

 

[JonDick13926]

Really? 11/16" as in .6875"? In a hand drill? Drilling thru a "bolt?"

Sounds about right to me. Proper speed for that (not referencing charts, just gut as a machinist) would be somewhere around 250-ish rpm and that "bolt" was probably hardened. I doubt you had a hand drill putting out a consistent 250 rpm that wouldn't also flip you in circles.

OP, get some quality HSS bits, a quality chuck, and go to town. Also step bits are your friend in hand drills. Flatted shanks are like gel seats on a bicycle - sounds good to the layman, works out poorly in practice.

Not 11/16", that's my bad. I wasn't thinking before I typed. 11/32". Big difference. lol.

 

[PT Doc]

Norseman will do you right. So many options in their sets as well.