Drill Bit Sets

[davbell22602]

Who makes a good set of drill bits for drilling through hard metals that costs less than $100?

Harbor Freight has 115 piece SAE and metric for $100.

 

[The Dutchman]

I can't find a drill bit set on Harbor Freight's site that has metric & SAE. However, I have this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/115-piece-cobalt-drill-bit-set-47653.html

Could this be what you are referring to? Anyway, I have this set & today I enlarged a cavity in a fairly hard steel brake adjuster mechanism with a bit from said set. No problem.

Personally, with all these sizes, I don't really need metric bits. The letter & number sizes fall in between the 1/64" incremented fractional bits to create bit sizes very close to each other. Even if the tap drill size for a metric bolt is designated in millimeters, there will always be a bit in the above set that will be within thousandths of an inch of the "Kosher" tap drill size.

 

[davbell22602]

Thats the one I was referring too. Kinda uncertain on paying that much for being from harbor freight. Does dewalt, Kobalt, sears/craftsman make set for drilling hard metals?

 

[bart1]

I would get the Norseman from epstein.

 

[davbell22602]

I would get the Norseman from epstein.

Whats there website?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

If you can get by with a smaller general set, these Irwins aren't too bad. ToolTopia Irwin Bit Set

 

[Keep]

Whats there website?

http://store.harryepstein.com/

 

[The Dutchman]

Thats the one I was referring too. Kinda uncertain on paying that much for being from harbor freight. Does dewalt, Kobalt, sears/craftsman make set for drilling hard metals?

They 135 degree Cobalt split point, 115 bits. I don't know that you can get an equivalent set much cheaper.

I actually also used to have this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pi...d-m2-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-1611.html

When I first used these bits I wasn't expecting much but I never had a real problem with them. Held up well. I went to the 135 degree split point set referenced in my earlier post for convenience's sake; the split point make it so you usually don't need to use a center punch or pilot bit.

When I first started out in the auto repair business I couldn't feature buying 115 drill bits in one fell swoop, but one's attitude changes over time.

 

[davbell22602]

They 135 degree Cobalt split point, 115 bits. I don't know that you can get an equivalent set much cheaper.

I actually also used to have this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pi...d-m2-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-1611.html

When I first used these bits I wasn't expecting much but I never had a real problem with them. Held up well. I went to the 135 degree split point set referenced in my earlier post for convenience's sake; the split point make it so you usually don't need to use a center punch or pilot bit.

When I first started out in the auto repair business I couldn't feature buying 115 drill bits in one fell swoop, but one's attitude changes over time.

How would I get replacement bits if one were to break?

 

[The Dutchman]

How would I get replacement bits if one were to break?

Well, not from Harbor Freight, that I know of. They only seem to sell sets.

If you buy just a couple bits online periodically, the shipping will kill your wallet. My local hardware store has Irwin/Hanson bits in the popular sizes & can order sizes they don't have. Irwin makes Snap On's drill bits, I believe, so you can't go wrong w/them.

Also, there is an opinion among machinists & the like, that the TiN (Titanium Nitride) coated bits are nothing more than a sales gimmick. If you go with this school of thought, it would make more sense to get the good old HSS (high speed steel) setw/black oxide coating bit:

http://www.harborfreight.com/115-piece-high-speed-drill-bit-set-with-index-528.html

What kind of metal are you gonna be drilling into? You said hard metal, but how hard? I mean, there are metals that only carbide & harder bits can drill & those carbide bits are an ARM AND A LEG!

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Also, there is an opinion among machinists & the like, that the TiN (Titanium Nitride) coated bits are nothing more than a sales gimmick. If you go with this school of thought, it would make more sense to get the good old HSS (high speed steel) setw/black oxide coating bit

None of the machine shops I've worked in have ever used TiN coated bits. It's all black oxide or those dull goldish coloured cobalt bits.

 

[skruft]

Look at the flea market.

 

[Canadian Cowboy]

If you are drilling hard steels like stainless,exhaust studs,etc you will want cobalt 135 degree split point drill bits.
If you are drilling case hardened steels,tool steels,etc you will want tungsten drill bits.

CC

 

[The Dutchman]

I take back what I said about Titanium Nitride (TiN) coated bits. they're not a sales gimmick, but according to this Wiki page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit

...according to this Wiki page, they last longer than black oxide, but can't be sharpened w/o losing the TiN coating, which is probably why machine shops don't use them, as Jim Johnstone said.

 

[davbell22602]

I want to be able drill out broken bolts, broken screw extractors, etc. that are in cast and aluminum relate casings etc. such as engines and trany in automotive repair.

 

[PeterT]

The norseman set from epstein are awesome and under $100

I purchased a set to replace my 3 craftsman sets that I purchased at BF last year. Those craftsman bits are so worthless when drilling even thin metal and they say for metal on the container. A container that after opening it for the very first time, I wasn't able to close it as the 2 internal metal bit holders got all binded up. Made in CHINA of course, JUNK that I will never have to worry about or buy again because I have the NORSEMAN bits.. which by the way are made in USA.

 

[davbell22602]

The norseman set from epstein are awesome and under $100

I purchased a set to replace my 3 craftsman sets that I purchased at BF last year. Those craftsman bits are so worthless when drilling even thin metal and they say for metal on the container. A container that after opening it for the very first time, I wasn't able to close it as the 2 internal metal bit holders got all binded up. Made in CHINA of course, JUNK that I will never have to worry about or buy again because I have the NORSEMAN bits.. which by the way are made in USA.

So which set by norseman should I get?

 

[larry_g]

I take back what I said about Titanium Nitride (TiN) coated bits. they're not a sales gimmick, but according to this Wiki page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit

...according to this Wiki page, they last longer than black oxide, but can't be sharpened w/o losing the TiN coating, which is probably why machine shops don't use them, as Jim Johnstone said.

You'll find that most of the special coated bits are directed at production environments where life does matter as well as hole finish and power requirements. They are of little use in a hand drill or job shop.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[GMZ]

I just ordered the SPM-29P set, cant wait to get it.

 

[PeterT]

Norseman Super Premium Drill Bit Set [#SPM-29P] @ $86.10

 

[PT Doc]

I contacted hf to find out what type of cobalt bit they were. Here is their response:

Drill bits are M35.

M35 is similar to M2, but with 5-6% cobalt added. The addition of cobalt increases heat resistance.

M42 is a molybdenum-chromium-vanadium-tungsten high speed steel alloy with additional 8% cobalt - HSS-Co.

Please attach all previous e-mail when replying back to us.
Thank you,
*@#$
Mich
Customer Service Dept.
HFT Tech Support
888-866-5797
[email protected]

 

[davbell22602]

Thanks

 

[cotjocky]

I want to be able drill out broken bolts, broken screw extractors, etc. that are in cast and aluminum relate casings etc. such as engines and trany in automotive repair.

From what I have read on this forum, Left handed drill bits would be your best bet.

A lot of times the drilling of the bolt will bring it out so no extractor is needed.

I did a search and didn't find anyone who sells a 115 piece set of left hand drill bits.

Looks like Snap-on sells it in a 5 piece set. Cobalt or HSS.

http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/item....roup_ID=682015&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/item....roup_ID=682016&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Northern Tool sells a 29 piece fractional set and has good reviews. Same type of drill bit sets that HF sells.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_34759_34759

There are sets all over eBay as well. Some sets that are a mix of bits and extractors.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...ded+drill+bit+set&_sop=16&_osacat=0&_from=R40

 

[The Dutchman]

Wow. Great info on this thread. I've used the M42 bits PT Doc referred to earlier. Apparently, the designation "HSS-Co", which is stamped on my Irwin cobalt hardware store bits, means M42. I don't think they can drill out broken bolt extractors, though. You may have to go with carbide tipped bits. Big bucks! One alternative is to go get the right size masonry bit. They're cheap and carbide tipped & at least one poster on this board has claimed to have drilled out a broken tap with one of them.

 

[bw77]

From what I have read on this forum, Left handed drill bits would be your best bet.

A lot of times the drilling of the bolt will bring it out so no extractor is needed.

I did a search and didn't find anyone who sells a 115 piece set of left hand drill bits.

Looks like Snap-on sells it in a 5 piece set. Cobalt or HSS.

http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/item....roup_ID=682015&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/item....roup_ID=682016&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Who makes those drill bits for Snap-on?

 

[cotjocky]

How would I get replacement bits if one were to break?

I don't know about where you live, but in my crappy little town, our local hardware store carries a full line of drill bits. I have a crappy 115 piece set of the black oxide bits from HF. I more or less bought it just to get by at the time and wanted a decent 115 piece box. Some of the bits were bent brand new and I have broken some over time.

When I need a replacement bit, I just go to my local hardware store and buy the individual bit I need. My hardware store carries quality brand HSS bits and they are fairly inexpensive; jobber length. Smaller bits are a dollar or less.

Who makes those drill bits for Snap-on?

No clue, but if you enlarge the picture, they say M42 on them.

 

[davbell22602]

Norseman Super Premium Drill Bit Set [#SPM-29P] @ $86.10

I'll probably go with these to see how well they work.

 

[blacK20]

^ The norseman super premiums are very good for the money. You will not be disappointed.

 

[woody 73]

If you give these people a call at 910-944-1883 they have American drill bits that will help you out. The name of the company is called ARTU

Only buy the one size that you will need they are very expensive drill bits.

Hope that helps you out.

Woody

 

[theoldwizard1]

Holy thread resurrection Batman !

I have been doing research on this topic so I thought I would add it here,

Apparently, the designation "HSS-Co", which is stamped on my Irwin cobalt hardware store bits, means M42.

Don't bet on it !

It could mean M35/36. If you want M42, you need to look in the specifications for "M42" or "8% cobalt".

 

[MotoDave]

I have one of the cheap 115 pc sets, and the above linked Norseman set. Unless I specifically need some oddball size, the Norsemans see 99% of the use. Way better quality, hold an edge longer, and I've yet to break any. I hate crappy drill bits, all theys eem to produce is frustration.

Really the only time most people need any of the number or letter sizes are for drilling holes to be tapped, so I would personally rather just buy good quality bits in those sizes and get the 29 pc set for general use.

 

[CoyoteKyle]

I have one of the cheap 115 pc sets, and the above linked Norseman set. Unless I specifically need some oddball size, the Norsemans see 99% of the use. Way better quality, hold an edge longer, and I've yet to break any. I hate crappy drill bits, all theys eem to produce is frustration.

Really the only time most people need any of the number or letter sizes are for drilling holes to be tapped, so I would personally rather just buy good quality bits in those sizes and get the 29 pc set for general use.

The 18-TD and 18-TDF tap and drill sets from Norseman are always handy. Has the tap and correct drill right next to each other. The taps actually cut threads unlike those **** carbon steel taps.