Drill bits for a tap and die set

[pendragon1998]

My mom picked up an unused 41 pc Craftsman Kromedge set of taps and dies for me this Christmas and I would like to get a nice set of HSS drill bits to go with it. I need 8 numbered, 4 letter, and 5 fractional sizes of bits. I don't currently have any need for a whole set of each, but I plan to buy some metric stuff later on. Would I be saving much by purchasing individual drills or should I be looking at buying a whole set of each? I will be using these for general purpose shop stuff. Also looking for brand and purchase location suggestions.

 

[Wamsutta]

Do you have a good industrial supply store in town? And I don't mean Grainger either. You could buy only the sizes you need along with a couple of Huot drill index cases to store them in. From there, you could stop by the industrial store every so often and slowly fill up the missing slots.

 

[The Cobbler]

here is a tap drill chart that has more detail as in the percentage of thread engagement

http://www.guhring.com/documents/Tech/Charts/CutTapDrill.pdf

 

[rslaback]

Just get a nice set of 1/64" fractional drills. You'll be fine with those. You won't always get full thread depth but for most applications it won't matter at all. The tap drill sizes are based on a 70-90% thread depth. In tests, there is little thread strength gained above 55% thread depth.

 

[pendragon1998]

Any suggestions for quality that won't break the bank?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Norseman? Drilling steel isn't exactly a cakewalk for drill bits so unfortunately you might have to pony up a couple bucks each for drill bits if you only need an assortment of sizes.

 

[383novamike]

I have had good luck with kodiak,american made and fair pricing.

 

[astroracer]

Go here and do some price comparisons.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHI?PMSECT=600
You will probably be farther ahead to pick up a set at your local hardware. Most will carry Vermont/American and those are good quality drill.
Mark

 

[machine_punk]

I get my single drill bits from aircraft tool suppliers (I like Brown Tool, but you need to order at least $100 for free shipping - they also have US-made options for a lot of tools)
http://www.browntool.com/Default.aspx?tabid=344&CategoryID=109&Level=a

You can also go to Enco and get individual drill bits in any size (or length, for that matter). They have free shipping for orders over $29 until the end of the year (use the code DEC29, or they list a code on their home page). Their web site is notoriously painful to use. I usually use their browse function to get close, then click on the link to go to that page in the master catalog, look around, and pick from their. You can get them to send you a paper catalog, which is a LOT easier than using their site.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=5&PARTPG=INLMK32

Or Travers Tool Co, Inc (who also has a lot of US-made options for tools)
http://www.travers.com/drills/c/297629/

Kev

 

[theoldwizard1]

Norseman are some of the best you can buy. Enco may be your best bet, but double check pricing on Amazon.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I get my Norseman bits from Harry J Epstein.

 

[anndel]

I have Montana brand drill bits made in USA- Montana. I've used them for removing busted bolts in my friend's car and also retapped new threads with them. They are holding up very nicely. I also have made in china DeWalts and even they claim it's a gold titanium nitride coating, it seems like the coating came off when I used them to remove a busted bolt in my neighbor's lawnmower plus I dulled the bit.

The Montana bits are suspiciously inexpensive as well when compared to Norseman and thought I would be replacing them after 4-5 uses but they're holding up well.

 

[markbugno]

Flea market. Buy used and learn to sharpen on a bench grinder. You'll save lots of $$$. Most people don't know how to or don't care to sharpen bits.

Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[leg17]

Just get a nice set of 1/64" fractional drills. You'll be fine with those. You won't always get full thread depth but for most applications it won't matter at all. The tap drill sizes are based on a 70-90% thread depth. In tests, there is little thread strength gained above 55% thread depth.

What he said.

And keep in mind that holes drilled by hand often run a little big.

An hour or so of self-education about pitch diameter, drill sharpening, careful drilling procedures, and related details should give you the confidence needed.

 

[Outlawmws]

If you are ding much work at all with drills, and/or tapping I'd get both the fractional and numbered sets (0-60), and that will cover 99% of commonly used sizes for anything, be it threading or clearance holes (don't forget the clearance holes...)

This also sets you up for Ovesized holes needed for Helicoils, as well as any other "I need a particular hole here" needs..

Numbered sets would be a "nice to have" and you can add those as needed.

If you only expect to actually need to thread a hole a few times and really don't do a lot of fab work where specific hole sizes are needed, then buying only as needed is fine.

 

[PT Doc]

Norseman and don't look back.