Drill bit usage

[d.mcfarland]

Anyone else have 2 sets of drill bits?

Meaning ... that one set that is dirty, mismatched, and probably foreign made. And the other "good" set that is rarely used except for when you need something to be neat and clean.

The imported ones at $10 are hard to beat especially when used for everyday DIY projects, but a good USA made set will drill better and last longer right out of the box.

That's my rationale at least.

 

[APEowner]

Nope- I hate crappy tools and I especially hate crappy cutting tools.

 

[astroracer]

I probably have close to a thousand drills in all shapes and sizes. At least 6 complete sets, numbered, fractional and letter. I have bought them in bulk at yardsales and auctions. A lot where given to me by family members that don't need all of their "dads" or "uncles" stuff. Most of the older drills I pick up are excellant quality American made drills and, with a quick run through the Drill Dr., are perfectly usable.
Look for this stuff at yardsales. Last year I bought two small plastic tackle boxes FULL of drills and taps... for 3 bucks...
Mark

 

[larry_g]

What do you consider a set of drill bits? In the machining world a set could mean a lot different than in the woodworking world. Then start throwing in all the point styles, materials, lengths and other varieties one could consider a complete set of drill bits would have over 10,000 pieces. At least that is what one of the members on another forum figured out. Do you include hole saws in your set?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[d.mcfarland]

What do you consider a set of drill bits? In the machining world a set could mean a lot different than in the woodworking world. Then start throwing in all the point styles, materials, lengths and other varieties one could consider a complete set of drill bits would have over 10,000 pieces. At least that is what one of the members on another forum figured out. Do you include hole saws in your set?

lg
no neat sig line

I guess for this observation I'm just referring to general purpose fractional drill bits say 1/16 through 1/2.

 

[sailah]

I used to buy drills at the box store. Then I started buying them at live auctions. Then I acquired my first set of a complete by 64ths MT1-3 from 3/16"-1 1/2" drills.

After that it was letters, numbers, metric, screw machine length, airplane drills etc.

I stopped after I figured I had 1000# of drills. I must have 20 indexes scattered and lots of loose drills.

I can tell the difference between nice and **** drills immediately. Just not worth the hassle of digging a busted one out to mess with

 

[thebeekeeper1]

As above, a Drill Doctor and a little time learning how to use it opens an endless world of having high quality drill bits in large numbers, and for VERY little $$. But don't tell anyone, as the price will no doubt rise.

 

[Petey156]

Dmcfarland. Could you post a link to what you consider good drills?

 

[d.mcfarland]

I use my Norseman's as my "good" set.

For conversation sake, I do not have a Dr. Doctor, and for how much I drill, I don't think it's a good investment. I may be wrong though.

 

[larry_g]

I guess for this observation I'm just referring to general purpose fractional drill bits say 1/16 through 1/2.

So your set is the common 29 piece set. I have a few, maybe 6 or 7, but so many more loose and in number and letter sizes sets as well as reaching to near 2" sized. I think the point I was making above is there are so many ways to make a hole and the common twist drill that you are thinking of can come in so many different prumentations (sp?) that it can boggle the mind if you try to get it all figured out.

There are a lot of people here from different walks of life that your idea of a set has nothing to do with their field of endeavor. There is also a lot of science and engineering that goes into the making of a hole, and the twist drill is just one of the ways.

lg
no neat sigline

 

[Kevin54]

I have quite a few sets and by now are probably all mismatched. I don't spend money on expensive bits though. I can use Westward bits from Grainger and they will last for years. It all depends on how you use them and what you use them on. I've watch a toolmaker burn up bit after bit, HSS and carbide, all while trying to drill a 3/8" hole in a piece of stainless steel sheet metal. He would have them red hot where it would melt the tips of the bit. The harder he tried the worse it got, so he would speed the drill press up some more. I told him take one bit, slow the drill press all of the way down to the slowest speed, and add a few drops of oil. He popped the holes right through. A cheap bit, other than maybe HF will drill most metal if you use the correct feed and speeds. As soon as you get in a hurry, you will burn the bit up. And that is the problem with most people, they het in too big of a hurry, or they want to jump right in with a huge drill bit without drilling a pilot hole first.

 

[royesses]

I have a 118 piece Precision Twist Drill set HSS black oxide, a 29 piece Enco metric set HSS bright finish, 118 piece Harbor Freight cobalt set(really decent quality), a Drill America 29 piece fractional stub drill set HSS, a left hand 29 piece Neiko Pro Tools drill bit set HSS, a 20 piece Craftsman black oxide fractional set (for wood and loan out) slow speed steel is about the best way to explain that set, a Harbor Freight Silver and Deming set HSS and an easy out/cobalt drill Sunex set. I used to sharpen by hand on a grinder, but now I use a DD tradesman 500 for 1/2" and smaller. For larger than 1/2" I still sharpen on a bench grinder. The lowest quality set is the Craftsman. The Harbor freight cobalt set is actually my favorite go-to. The Drill America and Precision Twist sets are quality American made so I tend to be quite protective of them.

 

[dmftoy1]

Anyone else have 2 sets of drill bits?



Meaning ... that one set that is dirty, mismatched, and probably foreign made. And the other "good" set that is rarely used except for when you need something to be neat and clean.



The imported ones at $10 are hard to beat especially when used for everyday DIY projects, but a good USA made set will drill better and last longer right out of the box.



That's my rationale at least.

Three sets -

Good set for precision work like tapping a hole, etc

Semi-good set for neighbor and kids to use
Not quite so good set for wife to use

 

[Palmer812]

I only have 1 complete set of drill bits and they are Mac. My Mac guy warranties them when they break and I never loose tools so I have had them for years. I also have a 4 piece set of step drill bits.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Three sets -

Good set for precision work like tapping a hole, etc

Semi-good set for neighbor and kids to use
Not quite so good set for wife to use

You let your wife use a drill and drill bits?

Good Gawd man.

That is an epic fail youtube video wating to happen in my world.
A set of screw drivers and a pliers has me on edge.
Power tools? Eeeeek.

I keep my metal drilling drill bit sets seperate from my plastic and wood drills.

With wood and plastic being so soft, even a 118 degree bit is fine and see little if any wear.. Drill metal, steel, hardened steel and some Al, and the wear kicks in.

As a drill doctor owner, yes, they work well if you go thru a lot of bits.

And I find all sorts of drill indexes all summer at fleas and garage sales.
Mainly Huot, C'man or Japanese made units.

 

[Kevin54]

You let your wife use a drill and drill bits?

Good Gawd man.

That is an epic fail youtube video wating to happen in my world.
A set of screw drivers and a pliers has me on edge.
Power tools? Eeeeek.

I keep my metal drilling drill bit sets seperate from my plastic and wood drills.

With wood and plastic being so soft, even a 118 degree bit is fine and see little if any wear.. Drill metal, steel, hardened steel and some Al, and the wear kicks in.

As a drill doctor owner, yes, they work well if you go thru a lot of bits.
And I find all sorts of drill indexes all summer at fleas and garage sales.
Mainly Huot, C'man or Japanese made units.

So you like the Drill Doctor? I have a ton of drill bits that need sharpened and was thinking about getting one. How long does the wheel last on a D.D.?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Speaking of drill bits...I got a box to send out

 

[shockwave]

I usually keep a few boxes 2 cobalt and 2 hss they both have there points and faults possibly upgrading for some jobber length sets

Norseman makes some nice bits aswell I like them better than Irwin bits

 

[jjjrmx5]

Speaking of drill bits...I got a box to send out

LOLZ.
I was going to PM you re: that.

I like to keep my mail carriers informed and full of swag goodies when 10# of bits show up in my poor rural route mailbox.
LOLZ.

Kevin54, yes, I picked up my used DD (it was nearly new) for $35 or so. I am on wheel two and they run $20 a piece but can be flipped over to double the life.

I want to buy two of the medium grit wheels to see how they work.

Machine screw length/stubby drill bits get fussy when setting them up, but it's not THAT bad.

A DD is a great way to keep sharp what you have and make friends and maek good use of old drill bits.

I;ve worked in the world of metal fab and mfg. for a long time where worn bits get tossed or scrapped like gum wrappers.

It is sad to see, and it's fun to save some worthy tools.

Or you can step up and drop $1k to $3k on a used Darex bit shapener and be the "Belle of the Ball."

LOLOLOLZ

 

[Kevin54]

LOLZ.
I was going to PM you re: that.

I like to keep my mail carriers informed and full of swag goodies when 10# of bits show up in my poor rural route mailbox.
LOLZ.

Kevin54, yes, I picked up my used DD (it was nearly new) for $35 or so. I am on wheel two and they run $20 a piece but can be flipped over to double the life.

I want to buy two of the medium grit wheels to see how they work.

Machine screw length/stubby drill bits get fussy when setting them up, but it's not THAT bad.

A DD is a great way to keep sharp what you have and make friends and maek good use of old drill bits.

I;ve worked in the world of metal fab and mfg. for a long time where worn bits get tossed or scrapped like gum wrappers.
It is sad to see, and it's fun to save some worthy tools.

Or you can step up and drop $1k to $3k on a used Darex bit shapener and be the "Belle of the Ball."

LOLOLOLZ

That's where I got all of mine. Used drill bits laying everywhere, so if they weren't picked up. someone would shitcan them. I grabbed a few handfuls at 5S time.

With the Drill Doctor, can you dress the wheel, or can you only reverse it?

 

[jjjrmx5]

With the Drill Doctor, can you dress the wheel, or can you only reverse it?

Oh, the 5-S system. I know it well.

I;ve got a basement full of goodies as a result. I STILL don't understand the epic waste of paid for goods that get pictched out in the process.

No need to dress the wheel.

It's a hollow center diamond grit wheel you just flip over.

Simple as heck.

A DD takes a little fiinesse' to learn to use, but it's not using a sewing machine hard.
And I haz one of htose too. Old skool FTW.'

 

[eddiemeddiem]

I have a few sets of drills.

- Fractions/numbers/letters
- Small 1/8"-1/2" index that I throw in a bag when I want to be portable.
- a small drawer full of various sizes for when I just need to make a hole

And a drawer of dull bits waiting for an evening with a couple beers and my drill doctor.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ffast65]

DD was a wise investment for a non machinist non patient person like me.
Great uncle worked at Cleveland twist drill and got rejects when only quality mattered.
Even after grandpa sharpened them by hand, DD has made most usable.

While I have a few Asian HSS, they don't hold the sharp edge long but are fine for drilling spot welds.


I have the DD 750x that was paid for with scrap money.

 

[Conductor562]

I have a Milwaukee Thunderbolt set I use as beaters until a few get broken or dull, then I replace.

I have the KISS set from Fastcap that sits on my bench and finds work exclusively on woodworking projects.

I have a set of Craftsman cobalt bits that I hate, paid too much for, and use only when drilling metal in a situation I'm likely to break one.

I have a set of Norseman Magnums I use in my press or for any hole that will be tapped. They are the best bits I have ever owned and I will probably buy Norseman exclusively in the future.

 

[ng8264723]

I love my DD. I occasionally rip through my entire set up to 1/2 and resharpen them all

 

[nelstomlinson]

Does the drill doctor work on left hand bits?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Does the drill doctor work on left hand bits?

I'd have to look at the directions but I don't think so. The bit holder has highs and lows that engage/disengage the bit on the sharpener. I think it only goes one way.

 

[Mud]

I've got different sets, generally all quality though as I see low grade drill bits as a pain in the ****. They obviously take a beating when used in the field but generally hand sharpen them till they are too short. Good bits last years.

 

[mrjaw14]

So a drill dr actually works? I figured that was a gimmick the big box stores sold. Does it make them usable, or does it it sharpen them like they are almost new?

Are there brands of bits that are better than others? Where are you guys buying your "good" drill bits from?

 

[thebeekeeper1]

So a drill dr actually works? I figured that was a gimmick the big box stores sold. Does it make them usable, or does it it sharpen them like they are almost new?

Are there brands of bits that are better than others? Where are you guys buying your "good" drill bits from?

Once you get the hang of it they work GREAT. I've taken many bits that were broken, got them "close" on a grinder, then finished them on the DD--like new. They definitely end up with "almost new" condition (again, with a little practice).

Someone asked above about the life of the grinding wheel. The book says approx. 200 uses, but mine has done MANY more than that and still works fine. It seems as though the finished polish is nicer now than it was at the beginning. I too got mine "almost new" on CL and only paid $35 for a 500 model. VERY happy.

 

[Alchymist]

Nothing wrong with a DD, I guess, I'm just used to firing up the bench grinder and having at it. Works OK down to about 1/8", after that I have to put on the magnifiers. Drawback to the DD is I have spade, forstner, brad point, auger, etc drill bits that a DD can't do.

 

[ffast65]

Yes it does with the LH Bit holder. I have both the holder and the LH Bits.

Does the drill doctor work on left hand bits?

 

[ffast65]

Just in case it wasnt known, the 750X can put a Split point on a drill. I just learned how saturrday night and wow it makes drilling spot welds a ton easier even using an offshore 3/8" HSS Bit. FYI

 

[lotsoftools]

I have a ton of bits in cans, all different brands and different levels of "sharpness". I'm putting together one cabinet to store them in. Because I have so many, my plan (as of today) is to drop them all off at Fastenal for re-sharpening. After that, I'll maintain them at home with the DD.