Drill bits - Big set or smaller set

[vrinner]

Looking at getting a new set of bits. Whats your thoughts on getting a big set (100+ count) with every size imaginable vs. a smaller set with just the basics (like a typical 29 piece set).

I've found that my larger sets I've had over the years I ended up screwing up the "normal" sizes and have just used the ones "around" that size to get me through the job (I don't do much that needs super precision).

I figure it's probably better to just get the smaller quality set, learn to drill properly and get a Drill Dr. to sharpen.

 

[jayemm]

A 29 pc set can be had at a reasonable price and is handy for drilling out clearance holes slightly bigger than bolt size.It's not easy to "ream out" that extra 1/16 or 1/32 in hard material and sizes don't jump from 3/8 to 1/2".
As for the Drill doctor,my experience was pretty lousy overall .I had the 500 model and spent alot of time with it.Only ever got 1 passable point"split" on a split point bit.It doesn't do true split points.The back angle(rake) was also variable.Big waste of money in my experience though some people have good results.Finally gave it away and didn't look back.Probably could have bought a quality 29 pc set of cobalt bits for what I spent.You might consider a search for Drill doctor threads before buying one.Good luck.

 

[dr_clyde]

I use most sizes of drills at some point or another. I start with full indexes of all the drills I use. Fractional 1/16-1/2 x 64ths, wire gage, letters, and metric. Then, as I use them, I replace in quantity.

I tend to buy full packages of whatever size drills I am using. For instance, if I job has a lot of 1/4-20 tapped holes, I figure a package of #7 twist drills into the price. That way, I'm covered if a drill or two breaks or if everything goes well the tool crib gets a few new drills.

Drills under a certain size get tossed when they're dull; costs more in labor to sharpen vs replace.

I sharpen bigger drills by hand, but I'm looking into a Darex drill sharpening system for 2020.

 

[seber]

Drill Dr. is very difficult to figure out. The instructions are not complete. Everyone I know of would up calling customer service to get a hint. Once you figure it out it does a terrific job. I bought a few dozen trashed bits to play with. I think it took around 70 attempts to get it straight.

 

[Aquamoose]

I use a Drill Dr 750 model. Does the job well IF done right. There’s online tutorials.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oldwino]

I've had good luck with the Drill Doctor 750 after a learning curve. Still can't get a decent split point with it though.
As per drill sets I say go for a 29 or so piece of quality bits and fill in as needed (i.e. number bits for taps, etc). I'm not one to have an extra $100 or so ******* in bits that I will never use.

 

[Davefr]

If you ever plan to do metric and SAE tapping you better get the big set. In some materials you might even need to deviate from the recommended drill size for the tap. Having the complete set is one less potential headache.

 

[dodge610]

If you ever plan to do metric and SAE tapping you better get the big set. In some materials you might even need to deviate from the recommended drill size for the tap. Having the complete set is one less potential headache.

^^^^^^^This well worth it^^^^^^^^^

 

[vrinner]

If you ever plan to do metric and SAE tapping you better get the big set. In some materials you might even need to deviate from the recommended drill size for the tap. Having the complete set is one less potential headache.

Ah...for tapping. Only had to do that a few times but now I see the benefit of the bigger set.

As for the drill dr. maybe just learn how to do it with a grinder. I have plenty of bits to practice with.

 

[sberry]

I use most sizes of drills at some point or another. I start with full indexes of all the drills I use. Fractional 1/16-1/2 x 64ths, wire gage, letters, and metric. Then, as I use them, I replace in quantity.

I tend to buy full packages of whatever size drills I am using. For instance, if I job has a lot of 1/4-20 tapped holes, I figure a package of #7 twist drills into the price. That way, I'm covered if a drill or two breaks or if everything goes well the tool crib gets a few new drills.

Drills under a certain size get tossed when they're dull; costs more in labor to sharpen vs replace.

I sharpen bigger drills by hand, but I'm looking into a Darex drill sharpening system for 2020.

This. I will buy a small tap for customer work, I go to a flea for drills. There is one vendor at the same event I go to every year and we pony up a few bucks each year to refresh some smaller sizes we abuse hand drilling. I sharpen some but after a bit brutalizing it as pilots hand drilling I don't fool with them. I bought couple in singles for size I didn't have, aint scrared to buy 1 off but get 10 packs etc of a different smaller size every year. I sprayed flo paint in the baggie to indicate they were 17/64, etc.

 

[sberry]

Something else is the guy has some bulk grab bag and they are a super steal. Some off size etc but they sharp and they are tuff and near disposable pricing.
I see a guy stop by and buy a nice index about 100$ or so I guess with this vendor. Says the plant he buys from is in Minnesota maybe. Goes right to the plant, its his home state. Been vending 30 years in this same spot/show, lots of return customers.
I am a hand driller. Some bits are consumable. Same for some tools. Got to buy a couple saw zall blades, just part of it.

 

[clubairth]

I find my Drill Doctor 750 works good on larger bits but have given up on anything 1/4" and smaller. The bits are too cheap to mess with it and I can't get the small drill bits chucked up good enough to get a decent edge. I did add the LH check so I can sharpen LH drill bits and that's wonderful.
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[Whitworth]

If you need to do occasional tapping buy a tap set; which includes tap, drill bit for clearance and drill bit for tapping, and sometimes a de-burrer.

If you only need "close enough" drill sizes, buy small sets. When I did carpentry, there was only one size drill bit: 1/8 inch. If you didn't have 1/8", there was always 1/8" small, or 1/8" a little bigger.

 

[sberry]

I actually like twist drills for a lot of old house wiring. 5/8 for 1 wire and 3/4 for 2

 

[matt_i]

If you ever envision mill and or lathe in your future I'd go with a 115pc set.

But you can always buy individual bits or packs if you start tapping #10-24 (its a #25) or the like but it would stop your project until you can acquire more materials.

 

[The Cobbler]

for average use a 1/32" or 1/64" set would be fine in most cases. I have a few 115 pc or so sets,and the odd time the number & letter come in handy . Like when I re-drilled my Weber gas grill orifices to convert from propane to nat gas.
sometimes holes need to be very accurate sized, other times not. tapping can be critical too .depends largely on the type of work you do I guess

 

[kctyphoon]

I’m gonna say this depends on what you need them for, what type of work.. if this is just around the house, average guy home/car stuff - i wouldnt waste the money on a big set that is just gonna sit around with a bunch or sizes NOBODY in the real world uses..

If youre like a hobby machinist - then yea big set i guess.. i see no point in owning drill bits for stuff no home center on earth offers hardware for..

I have one of those big sets someone got me years ago. Its a big mess of a pile with every bit available but the ones i need cause they are gone/missing/broken, and every time i needed one I’d try to get by with grabbing 3 or 4 odd sizes that never worked right, and get tossed/lost in the middle of projects. Avoid the unnecessary mess. Buy a smaller decent set, and when that gets thin, buy another.. at least the spares you wind up with are sizes you might actually use.

 

[PugetDude]

I bought a couple of Huot cabinets to store my bits in- and have pretty good luck keeping the fractional one stocked with garage sale finds and a Drill Doctor- and keep an eye on EBay/Amazon Warehouse for multiple quantities of smaller bits.

 

[woody 73]

Come on OP , this is the Garage Journal you don't ask should I buy the big set or the small set, better yet buy them all.. (Used of course). New is also good too.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271214

 

[vrinner]

Come on OP , this is the Garage Journal you don't ask should I buy the big set or the small set, better yet buy them all.. (Used of course). New is also good too.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271214

LOL. Lots of good feeeback. Probably go for another smaller set. No mill or lathe in my future. Save some cash for something else I don’t need.

 

[bwringer]

Yep, ALL THE BITS is the only acceptable answer.

Or unless you're doing a lot of fine or precision work where you need wire and letter sizes regularly, just grab a decent 1/16-1/2 by 64ths set. I've even seen some extra thoughtful sets with extras of 1/16", 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4".

The real protip has been mentioned several times -- keep a stock of extras of the most commonly used and abused sizes.

I'd also invest in a small set of decent left-handed drill bits. Buy these before you need them because they are hard to find on the shelf.

 

[georgiadave]

I have a big set so that I can get the exact size when I need it. For normal work, close is good enough, and I have a can of bits that I bought at swap meets and estate sales. It may be hard to find a decent big set, most of them are Chinesium. You want HSS, US made. Some carbide bits are useful as you need them, or find them cheap.