Drill Bits that last

[lowbucktruck]

I'm looking for a quality set of twist-drill bits for use in my drill press, which will hold up under casual hobby usage. Main use will be for drilling aluminum stock and the occassional piece of steel. My drill index is getting depleted and needs replacing. (and Santa didn't put any in my stocking this past year). I'd like a full set of round-shank twist-bits. Not afraid to pay some decent money for a set of twist-bits that will hold up over the long haul.
This post scared the heck out of me when I read it:
http://toolguyd.com/caution-cheap-drill-bit-sets/

So I thought I'd post up and ask what you guys who do metal fab work like in drill bit brands. Has anyone had experiences (good or bad) buying drill bits from these manfucturers? Any suggestions or recommendations?

Blu-Mol:
http://www.blu-mol.com/blumol.html

Norseman (avail from Harry Epstein):
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/DrillBitSets/SP-18TD.html
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/DrillBitSets/D-29.html

Montana Tool:
http://www.montanabrandtools.com/pageID/124/CategoryID/170/Products.aspx


I am also considering a bit-sharping tool-gadget. My main problem is twist-bit breakage (and not having enough spare bits on hand). I should mention that I'm planning to upgrade my drill press this year, I'm using just a small Craftsman bench-top press, which is a bit light-duty. So the new drill index is intended for eventual use with a better drill press.

 

[Outlawmws]

Try McMaster Carr:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-drill-bits/=fnu2uw

 

[DavidB]

The Norseman bits get good reviews on the site and I picked some up. They seem like nice items and drill well. I haven't used them long or hard enough to say how they'll fare in the long run though. I'd search for Norseman here if you have not already.

 

[njride]

I bought the norseman 115 piece index. I'm a light user though not a machine shop but they've been solid so far, drilled out a few broken bolts easily. They came in a very nice heavy duty us made huot metal index as well.

You may want to consider the shorter screw machine length for use in a drill press, less flex and less chance of breakage.

 

[StevePgh]

I saw a review for products from oempta.com, and I ordered a set of their cobalts. So far, so good - they cut well, seem to retain their sharpness, no noticeable runout, and I have yet to break one. They sell a complete set ($30) or 5 or 10 packs of individual sizes (cost varies based on bit size). Then again, I'm not tough on bits as a rule, so I may not be the best example.

As an aside, I also grabbed some of their bits, and found them to be of excellent quality, although I haven't actually used them for enough impact driving to judge their lifespan.

I also have no idea where they are manufactured - I'll edit this reply when I get home and can look at the set to see if a COO is specified.

 

[GrantCee]

The twist drill business has been in tremendous flux over the last decade, with several old-line and well known companies (like Greenfield, Cleveland, and Chicago-Latrobe) being sold to Chinese conglomerates. Makes it hard to buy decent drills!

If you've got the money, Guhring and OSG are very good. I have a few of these in my most-used sizes, and if you're a heavy user they're worth it.

In the middle price spread, I've had very good luck with Morse drills. Be careful - like Williams, they have a U.S. line and a Chinese line, but unlike Williams they're very clear about which is which. I've bought them from Maritool, who carry only the US line:
http://www.maritool.com/Cutting-Tools-Drills-Drill-Sets/c78_140_141/index.html

Precision Twist Drill is another good company making twist drills in the U.S. I get 'em from MSC:
http://www.mscdirect.com/

Triumph is still around, but rumor is they were sold recently. I won't recommend them unless I've tried them, but many people seem to be pleased. MSC carries them as well.

Buy quality drills, stay away from TiN coating (usually "bling" to hide inferior steel), and use cutting oil when you drill. That's how you make 'em last!

 

[lowbucktruck]

Thanks GrantCee. I was looking for an index of Chicago-Latrobe twist bits, but haven't found any old stock yet.

"Buy quality drills, stay away from TiN coating (usually "bling" to hide inferior steel), and use cutting oil when you drill. That's how you make 'em last! "

Exactly my thought! I've been a bit gun-shy about buying any new drill bits with that blasted titantium nitride dip coating on them; plus I didn't think you could re-sharpen them and retain that TiN coating anyways.

 

[Trucky]

The twist drill business has been in tremendous flux over the last decade, with several old-line and well known companies (like Greenfield, Cleveland, and Chicago-Latrobe) being sold to Chinese conglomerates. Makes it hard to buy decent drills!

I'm not 100% on this, but I'm fairly certain that Kennametal owns all three of those companies now. I'm from Latrobe where Kennametal HQ is, and that's what I've heard. (Yes, I know this is an old thread )

 

[trboxman]

It's pretty ironic for someone from Bridge City Toolworks to accuse anyone of something outrageous. Now, I'm not saying that their tools are ****, clearly they are not, but my God do they manage to prey on those folks who think high price is the biggest deciding factor in purchasing a quality tool. I guarantee that their profit margins aren't too far out of line with what the guy described for the cheap bench grinder.

 

[bagsanthony]

Another vote for Norseman!

 

[Kenwc]

Norseman here as well. Also, a having a drill doctor around will keep your dill bits happy.

 

[tatra]

i have used cheap and top rated twist bits and honestly, invest in quality stones for your bench grinder and learn how to sharpen your own bits.........as an apprentice, had an old navy machinist discover how inept i was at sharpening bits and that sob had me sharpening bits for three shifts staright..........started off with the largest we had, over an inch and progressed down to the smallest as i improved.........hated that guy until i needed to get a job done sap and all the new bits [ 7/8ths ] were out of stock..........took the rattiest one and spent 20 minutes dressing and cooling as required after truing the stone.........my mate was impressed and said it did the job better than the new ones they had been using prior to running out.........never really did get to thank that man properly but do what i can to pass on one the more valuable lessons i learned......... try a machine shop and maybe offer your time to dress their tools in exchange for professional intruction .........

 

[jhelrey]

I love the pilot tipped DeWalt drill bits. I've had very good luck with them.

 

[Stuey]

So which brand did you end up going with?

 

[cbracer]

"Buy quality drills, stay away from TiN coating (usually "bling" to hide inferior steel), and use cutting oil when you drill. That's how you make 'em last! "

Exactly my thought! I've been a bit gun-shy about buying any new drill bits with that blasted titantium nitride dip coating on them; plus I didn't think you could re-sharpen them and retain that TiN coating anyways.

Your associating TiN coating with bad drill bits. It's not that TiN is bad, it's the quality of the bit that's bad. The TiN coating actually does help, but you're unlikely to notice it. Cutting oil is more helpful but lacking that I'd grab a TiN coated bit over black oxide any day. Given the drill bit quality is the same. Yes you can sharpen them and yes you do loose the TiN coating. But that's the same with any black oxide bit too.

 

[blasto9000]

I have the "USA" brand drill index from Enco, screw machine length, 135° split points. I bought the set almost 10 years ago and they're still going strong after drilling many holes in challenging materials (titanium, inconel, hardened steel). They're HSS but hang in there as long as temps are kept under control. I've broken a few 1/16" drills and replaced them many times over, but I think I'm only on my second 1/4" and 1/2" drills because the shanks were chewed up due to me not getting the chuck adequately tight.

135° split point is good for drill press/mill/lathe use; haven't used them much in a hand drill but with an adequate center punch they seem fine. Slip easily without punching though. The screw machine (stub) length really helps keep setups rigid.

Paid around $110 for the set, it was a lot of money at the time but has saved me countless numbers of frustrations. A good friend of mine keeps buying the $25 drill indexes from Home DePot and they go dull on the first use.

 

[woody 73]

Whatever bit you buy (and I realize this is an old post) learn how to sharpen your bits. I repeat this because it has taken me a long time but when you learn the art the sky is your limit.

I like all tools but don't make my mistake I bought a HF set for something like $8.00 dollars for a big set of drill bits and I do believe they were made out of tissue paper,chewing gum,pot metal and held together with hair spray! Now some guys might go ape over that set but mine all failed in a big way.

Today the big names change so fast I don't know where they come from, but the Hertel from MSC come from the USA.

pick up a little drill bit sharpener machine and practice with it.

Jigs are your best friend buy or build a jig next to your bench grinder/belt sander and in time just keep practising 24/7.

Never pass up a box of used drill bits because with all that practice you can turn them into gold.

Hope that helps you out for this old post.

 

[StevePgh]

pick up a little drill bit sharpener machine and practice with it.

Jigs are your best friend buy or build a jig next to your bench grinder/belt sander and in time just keep practising 24/7.

Never pass up a box of used drill bits because with all that practice you can turn them into gold.

Hope that helps you out for this old post.

Woody - can you expand on this a bit? Perhaps we are now officially off-topic, but what machine do you recommend, and what sort of jig are you talking about? I have never even considered sharpening my own, nor do I own more than a handful of bits I would consider decent (aside from the Cobalt set - is that a even a coating or the bit material?).

 

[shoturtle]

Colbolt bits, pretty much any brand.

 

[woody 73]

Buy the drill doctor for a start. The special jig that I use I had to jury rig from the oneway company. It comes with an arm that I put a block of wood into it; then holding the drill bit I rotate it on both sides at a 118 degree pitch. the whole thing takes a few seconds and it comes out factory sharp.

 

[Ign]

ANY quality set of HSS bit for general/hobby use.

The Dewalt pilot point bits are a scam, you can't easily re-sharpen them.

People are lazy and don't want to learn to re-sharpen, so they want bits that won't dull (doesn't exist). It's like saying you don't want to learn to change your oil so just throw the car away when the oil's dirty.

For heavier use I have had good luck with PTD also (Precision Twist Drill).

MSC or Enco. Why any (private individual or hobbyist) would buy machine tooling from McMaster is beyond me.

If you walk into any machine shop you're not gonna see Norseman or any other "Ginsu Knife" miracle bit. You're gonna find primarily HSS and cobalt bits from CL, PTD, Triumph etc. This should tell you something and yet people still fall prey to the Billy Mayes Oxy Clean marketing. I don't get it......

Cobalt's more dangerous to re-sharpen and so I don't recommend it for hobby/home shop use. Plus with proper lubrication, feed and speed HSS will last a long time, making the extra cost of cobalt just extra.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Whatever bit you buy (and I realize this is an old post) learn how to sharpen your bits. I repeat this because it has taken me a long time but when you learn the art the sky is your limit.

I like all tools but don't make my mistake I bought a HF set for something like $8.00 dollars for a big set of drill bits and I do believe they were made out of tissue paper,chewing gum,pot metal and held together with hair spray! Now some guys might go ape over that set but mine all failed in a big way.

Today the big names change so fast I don't know where they come from, but the Hertel from MSC come from the USA.

pick up a little drill bit sharpener machine and practice with it.

Jigs are your best friend buy or build a jig next to your bench grinder/belt sander and in time just keep practising 24/7.

Never pass up a box of used drill bits because with all that practice you can turn them into gold.

Hope that helps you out for this old post.

Thanks woody. Actually that is good advice. I do pick up used drill bits at garage sales from time to time (usually woodworking bits), but will have to keep an eye out for metal twist-drill bits.
I had a similar experience with the cheapie drill index (although I didn't buy mine from HF!), which is why I'm looking for some quality bits made with decent steel. I'm in the habit of sharpening my tools and chainsaw chains myself, so guess its time to learn how to sharpen twist drill bits.

Funny... I was just looking at Alex71's website and his HSS twist-bits.
http://asmc.net/pages/DRILL_BITS_001.html

 

[lowbucktruck]

So which brand did you end up going with?

Well, actually I'm still shopping around!

 

[kc-steve]

I use mid priced drill bits of DeWalt for my press and haven't had any issues since I use an oil can to keep the bit from overheating. Never needed a drill doctor either.

Maybe I'm just lucky,
Steve

 

[JEM]

Have a variety of different stuff, had good luck with Norseman, mostly use the 'mechanics length' bits when possible. Bought my last batches from this outfit:

http://www.emisupply.com/catalog/175ag-magnum-super-premium-mechanic-length-drills-p-9352.html

 

[lowbucktruck]

I just looked at HSS twist bit indexes at Fastenal today... and got sticker shock. That 29 piece Norseman twist bit sets from Epsteins seems a bit more affordable by comparison.
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=53839
And Harry Epsteins:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/DrillBitSets/SPM-29.html