I've been trying to find a really good set of bits that will last and geez what a hassle. I bought a set of Dewalts a few years ago and they're junk. I've got a set of craftsman that I've had for many years and while a lot of them are pretty dull, they seem to be better quality then most newer ones. Who makes good bits nowadays?
Drill bits, are there any good ones out there?
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rjmkn
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I have had good luck with the Black and Decker "Bullet Bits". I have used them in both wood and steel (seperate sets of course). In fact When I was wrenching at a trucking company I was able to dril 47 3/16 pilot holes in a truck frame before it was trash (to mount pump and a compressor brackets). Best part is they are not overly expensive and are available in all hardware stores. But regaurdless what bit you decide on they must be cooled by some form of coolant to perform at there optimum. I like a "gel" type because it adheres to the bit longer when drilling in steel. In wood of course you would not do this, instead use bees wax. I hope this helps and let me know what bits you end up with. Currently I run a shop for a construction company and I am using cobalt bits from Kimball Midwest that are do well. They also have an excellent drill bit coolent spray.
humpty
Well-known member
Viking Drill & Tool, great drill bits and made in St Paul Minnesota!
I get them from Unlimited Supply my hardware vendor for work but they should have distributors all over the country.
humpty
I get them from Unlimited Supply my hardware vendor for work but they should have distributors all over the country.
humpty
sberry
Banned
I go to a flea mkt every year and there is a guy there that vends bits, says he lives next door to a place in Minnesota that makes them. Can get like 4 for 5$ up to 3/16 maybe, something like that but I buy a fistful of small ones every year if he is there. Some of the small ones I use as pilots I don't even bother sharpening a lot of times, after a hundred holes, mostly dry drilling, hand drill motors, in 1/4 plate a bit I pay a dollar for doesn't owe me much and can be very stressed anyway, they are about some of the best bits I have used.
TheCarbideRat
Well-known member
The Rigid cobalt drill bit index at Home Depot works for me.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I have new Dewalt ones and they're very good. Mine are tungsten carbide, and made in Germany.
JayL
Well-known member
I'm really disappointed with these bits. I was about to get Norseman but at the last minute changed my mind thinking these Irwins are cobalt and must be better. It was a mistake.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BO9JMK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BO9JMK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
hammergodthor
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Not to be a PITA... I've worked with quite a few people who don't understand drill bit speeds; they spin the **** out of the bit at 3000 rpm (while drilling metal), heat it 'til its way past smoking, and then complain the bit is junk.
I realize we have MANY different skill levels here, if everybody already knew this, I do apologize.
I realize we have MANY different skill levels here, if everybody already knew this, I do apologize.
hammergodthor
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Add: I'm NOT implying anything about anybody here, I just wanted to clarify.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Not to be a PITA... I've worked with quite a few people who don't understand drill bit speeds; they spin the **** out of the bit at 3000 rpm (while drilling metal), heat it 'til its way past smoking, and then complain the bit is junk.
I realize we have MANY different skill levels here, if everybody already knew this, I do apologize.
Go slow and keep it cool. I've found i can drill a hole slowly, and get it done faster than someone drilling fast.
I remember my old boss trying to drill out a wheel bolt, max rpm and using WD-40. Took him over an hour. I drill them out with a 12v Dewalt drill in about 30 seconds.
speed bump
Well-known member
Not to be a PITA... I've worked with quite a few people who don't understand drill bit speeds; they spin the **** out of the bit at 3000 rpm (while drilling metal), heat it 'til its way past smoking, and then complain the bit is junk.
I realize we have MANY different skill levels here, if everybody already knew this, I do apologize.
It depends on the bit material to though, some bits such as smaller carbide bits are okay to be spun as fast as you can. Mostly its about keeping the bit cool.
wellstig1
Well-known member
We got these at my shop after we were having to drill repeated holes in a 1" steel plate table and everyones drill bits were just wearing out very fast. Finished off every hole with these and and the bit still looks brand new afterward.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KVMAW8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KVMAW8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
TheCarbideRat
Well-known member
RE cobalt bits: the % of cobalt used to make the bit is a key factor. Example the literature included in my Matco 29 pc cobalt set states the bits contain 8% cobalt.
Carbide drill bits being king, are costly. A 1/4" bit can go for $20.
Carbide drill bits being king, are costly. A 1/4" bit can go for $20.
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Only in a controlled production environment with accurate feed rates, RPM, lubricant, etc.
Carbide is rather unforgiving to general purpose use.
LGMechanical
Well-known member
Has anyone tried Walter bits? Any feedback would be great.
atari
Well-known member
High speed steel, Lube, and a drill doctor when they are dull. Works for me.
volvo420coupe
Well-known member
My matco guy AND a local parts store both warranty irwin bits down to 1/8".
i haven't used enough different brands to know if the irwin bits are top quality but I believe they are pretty high up there.
i haven't used enough different brands to know if the irwin bits are top quality but I believe they are pretty high up there.
9GUY9
Well-known member
I have the irwin set and have been very happy with them. Plus they are warrantied by my tool guy.
If you have a drill doctor and sharpen them before using, even cheap bits work well.
If you have a drill doctor and sharpen them before using, even cheap bits work well.
mrpowderkeg
Well-known member
The viking/norsman bits are top quality. JMHO.
Vinko
Well-known member
+1 on MSC during sales. I've bought their USA-made house brand; the Chicago and the Cleveland. Hard to keep up with what's still quality.
When I looked Harry Epstein's had fair pricing on Norseman.
How are the Champion bits. Haven't tried them.
When I looked Harry Epstein's had fair pricing on Norseman.
How are the Champion bits. Haven't tried them.
quattrojon
Well-known member
I like Alpen HSS drill bits, made in Austria. I have also heard good things about Dormer drill bits.
Jon
Jon
speed bump
Well-known member
Go to Fastenal and get some Norseman Bits you'll change your mind quickly. My coated 1/8" Norseman's that I use for drilling pilot holes are better without lube than the Irwin cobalts.
Yep and fairly priced, I also like Consolidated-Toledo bits in that same price range. For higher end bits, Chicago-Latrobe, Precision Twist drill, and Kenematal have all done well for me.
Not sure if they're producing in Crystal Lake, but they should be USA or made in England by Dormer.
ourkid2000
Well-known member
I'm no expert but the place I work at only brings in Dormer bits.....
I use the HSS & cobalt ones daily and man they are pretty sweet, if you use em properly. I've had the same ones for quite a while now and have drilled out hundreds of hardened steel screws with them.
I use the HSS & cobalt ones daily and man they are pretty sweet, if you use em properly. I've had the same ones for quite a while now and have drilled out hundreds of hardened steel screws with them.
arkangel06
Banned
Guhring.....
mrholeshot
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I have used so many drill bits over the years I've come to the conclusion that none of them are really all that great. I have them from Snap-On, Mac, Sears, Black and decker, Werner and everything else trying to find the best. I find that the Pilot point Dewalt bits as good as any I've ever used. Cost a lot less than the hyped up Snap-On.
arkangel06
Banned
You need to stop buying your drillbits at the same place your buying your wrenches.
Buying a drill bit off a snap on truck is like buying a computer from the amish.
Chicago Latrobe are available from McMaster-Carr. They still make some of the best IMO. A 115pc set runs about $250 but is well worth it.
I put mine together from Yard sale indexes, stuff I already had, etc, and now I have a complete Chicago Latrobe set I think I put about $100 into.
Drill bits and end mills are two things I will not cheap out on. It just isn't worth it no matter how you look at it.
I put mine together from Yard sale indexes, stuff I already had, etc, and now I have a complete Chicago Latrobe set I think I put about $100 into.
Drill bits and end mills are two things I will not cheap out on. It just isn't worth it no matter how you look at it.
mrholeshot
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The last ones I bought of the Snap-On truck was in 83. First set of split point I had ever seen. They worked great but broke easy and were super expensive.
Split points are a strange animal. They're great for new fabrication, sheet metal, and machining, but they're horrible for repair work, where you may be enlarging holes, drilling through different materials at once, or drilling off center holes to center.
When I first started machining, I was using standard 118's, and then I discovered split points. I used those for most of the 10 years I was working at that shop.
Once I started my own shop though, I switched back to 118's because they're less expensive to replace, and can be very successfully hand resharpened if you know what you're doing.
Split points cost more and require expensive equipment to properly resharpen.
I always recommend plain old 118's for folks like us. All of those fancy turbo-mega-ultra-dodeca-quadra-helix bits are nice and all, but they're impossible to resharpen, expensive, and hard to individually replace.
I've never seen a workable drill sharpener for less than $1000, and usually you're looking more like $2000.
If you've got a steady hand and good technique, $30 for a bench grinder is much better.
Keep
Well-known member
I tried all different types of bits, HSS, Black Oxide, Titanium coated, cobalt coated, and they all sucked.
I bought a set of KAR HSS bits at a local swap meet that was only $20 as it was missing 1 bit. I could not be happier, I never realized how much of a difference a quality bit makes.
I bought a set of KAR HSS bits at a local swap meet that was only $20 as it was missing 1 bit. I could not be happier, I never realized how much of a difference a quality bit makes.
bmxr4life87
Well-known member
We have nasseau super insane bits atwork that are very hard but also brittle I have a 115 pc index of wholesale tool no name usa bits for those weird sized holes and use my spare dormer cobalts or my dewalt pilot points I always use a "disposeable" bit to get a hole going then finish with my hss plain bits as they are less likely to break they just get dull which is fine with me they can be resharpened
jimmycrackcorn
Well-known member
