Drill Bits

[BlksnshN]

I'm in need of a good set of drill bits, Primarily for steel, drilling out broken bolts, etc.

I can't see spending the $300+ off of the Matco/SO truck for something that isn't warrantied.

So, any recommendations?

 

[truckdriver]

I have had to drill through the frame on my semi several times and I used the dewalt impact bits with awesome results. I only have through 3/8 so I had to use a reamer to get it to 5/8. They run about $40 at ACE. I think Lowes carries them to. Made in Germany.

 

[woody 73]

Although I have seen the dewalt impact bits at lowes, I would stay away from dewalt bits (ask me how my arm is still healing after 5 months from a snapped drill bit).

Go with this set:

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/DrillBitSets/SP-29P.html

And you will be very pleased with the results.

 

[BlksnshN]

Thanks for the suggestions. I too have had bad experiences with the Dewalt bits.

 

[gtermini]

Check out the Enco monthly sales flyer on their website. You should be able to get a set of USA made jobber length drills for about $75 or high quality imports for less than that.

Greyson

 

[McFarmer]

Norseman from Epsteins. Very happy.

 

[truckdriver]

Which dewalt bits? Most are made in China, the Impacts are made in Germany.There is no camparison.

 

[kts]

For steel/broken bolts I've recently discovered cobalt bits work much better than impact/HSS bits. Just don't put too much pressure on the bit and don't let it get too hot.

I'm just a home use guy. I picked up a set of Ridged cobalt bits and they worked much better than the Milwakuee impact/HSS set I had. I did kill a few from too much pressure and heat, I need to see if I can resharpen those bits or not. This was with a corded hand drill to drill out some snapped exhaust studs on an exhaust manifold.

Reading reviews the Dewalt cobalt bits seemed to be better liked than the Ridgid but a Ridgid was all my local Home Depot had and I needed them ASAP.

 

[BlksnshN]

Which dewalt bits? Most are made in China, the Impacts are made in Germany.There is no camparison.

More than likely China. I was walking through HD and I saw a big Dewalt kit with drill bits, driver bits, etc, on clearance for like $15.

 

[ricky836]

tried many brands and no such luck, we have a tool truck that came by we got some bits off it. they are called gold edge. made right here in pa about 1hr from my home. they work excellent and have yet to dull or break one. we have the 29pc set. http://www.goldedgetools.com/drill-bit-set-29pc-weather-proof

 

[jjjrmx5]

Norseman or Dormer if you want to pony up coin for good drills (aka drill bits)

HF if you want to sharpen often.

Each has its merits.

Or not.

 

[bart1]

When I need some good bits again, I intend to get the Norseman from Epstein.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Jerry knows all about sharpening bits
Those Gold Edge bits look like rebranded Norseman to me.

 

[rusty_ratchet]

I've also been looking for bits along the same lines.
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but what's the difference between different Norseman sets like this one and this one ? What are the pros and cons of HSS, molybdenum, and cobalt?

 

[justanengineer]

Id suggest hitting the thrift shops, fleas, auctions, etc and looking for a good Huot index for <$10. Every time I buy one, its ~1/2-3/4 full of good quality drills and that should get you started. You can then continue to buy boxes/indexes of good old US drills for dirt cheap and fill in the empties in your main index as necessary. Its cheap and gets you good quality drills. Regardless, Id suggest learning to sharpen a drill and this way you wont feel bad if you trash one.

Personally, I wouldnt give two nickels for the economy coated drills as the coatings are ridiculously thin and usually terrible quality to boot. HSS is the way to go unless youre spending bucks for machining hard materials.

 

[czgunner]

Mac bits have a full warranty. Not the best, but I've had several replaced.

 

[neufab]

if using to remove broken bolts left hand bits work great

 

[CWP1616L]

.

Toledo Consolidated

.

 

[Beowulf]

You will never regret spending the money on something of quality. A set of cobalt bits from Chicago Latrobe will set you back over $100, but at least you want be kicking yourself for not buying a better set the first time.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LDIR5Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LE895S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IPPGYI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[lilscorpion]

For drill bits, eBay is your friend. Search "drill bit lot" in Manufacturing and Metalworking. A little patience and persistence and you could end up with quite the set for under $100. Get a drill doctor and you're set for a while.

 

[neophyte]

I've also been looking for bits along the same lines.
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but what's the difference between different Norseman sets like this one and this one ? What are the pros and cons of HSS, molybdenum, and cobalt?

The bits you linked to on Epsteins website are Mechanics length Black&Gold Magnum bits.

The bits you linked to on Fastenal's website, are Jobber length, Gold Strike bits.

Basically the first difference is that the mechanics length drill bits from Norseman are shorter than the Jobber length drill bits. For instance a 1/4" Jobber length drill bit is 4" long with a flute length of 2-3/4". The Mechanics length drill bit is only 3-1/2' long with a flute length of 2".

Secondly, the Gold Strike drill bits simply have a gold oxide surface finish, whereas the Magnum bits are gold and black. The gold part is also gold oxide but the black parts of the bits is actually a nitro carburized surface treatment. The nitro carburizing finish heats the bits to a very high temperature, producing an ultra hard surface, that can withstand heat better, and which is also more corrosion resistant. The nitro carburized surface is similar to the treatment used on firearms such as Glocks.

Lastly, the flute design on the bits may be different. Its sort of hard to tell from the catalog, but it reads as though the Gold Strike bits use a thicker traditional flute design, whereas the Magnum bits use a thinner flute design that allows chips to clear better, allowing for quicker chip clearance.

Between the two you'd probably be better off with the Magnum drill bits, unless you need the longer jobber length sizing. If you do need the Jobber length you should be able to find Magnum bits in that length as well. The metal index in the Fastenal picture is wrong, the Fastenal bits you linked to come in the type of index pictured on the Epstein website.

 

[pipsters]

A few months ago I bought a 29 pc cobalt set from Sears for $59. They are all stamped USA, although the new ones seem to be imported but they are likely still good for the $$. Just used the 1/2" to drill 8 holes in 3/16" mild steel plates with a hand drill. Worked well and the nice thing is the metal is thru the entire bit so they can be sharpened.

My understanding on cobalt vs moly is cobalt is harder but much more prone to snapping because they are brittle. I was very scared that was going to happen to me because the bit got snagged every time I broke thru.

I bought them thinking they would be good but I think I made a mistake - moly bits aren't as tough but are more lenient toward snapping and can also be sharpened. Cobalt are good in drill presses where as moly are good in hand drills.

On a side note, how do I prevent the bit from snagging on the last bit of metal? So annoying.

Read thru this
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117954

 

[pipsters]

Also to add, I've had good luck with the left handed drill bits from HF when drilling out broken bolts.

 

[MattPersman]

As stated above the newer MAC cobalt drill bits been on promo on and off for around $100 are lifetime warranty even if dull according to my driver and I got them warrantied already. Pretty decent bits so far, it's a 21 piece set. If you can find bits that are lifetime warranty you buy them

 

[jeffmoss26]

I am pretty sure the Consolidated Toledo drills are also rebranded Norseman. They even use the same part numbers for their sets.

 

[Excalibur]

Cromate makes an awsome bit, a little pricey however can be found on ebay.

 

[neophyte]

I am pretty sure the Consolidated Toledo drills are also rebranded Norseman. They even use the same part numbers for their sets.

I tried looking up Consolidated Toledo Drill, to see what the manufacturing site was like on Google Earth/Maps. The address I found is an office for an accounting firm that also sets up LLCs etc. I'm not sure whether there's actually a separate manufacturing facility, or warehouse, and CTD simply uses the accounting firm to run their business out of, or whether CTD was set up as a separate brand for some reason. The CTD bit sets I've found are usually similarly priced to the Norseman bit sets, so its probably just better to purchase whichever are more easily available. This is the address I found for CTD.


https://maps.google.com/maps?client...=us&ei=JFpgUvGGC6HOyAGhvIGQBg&ved=0CCkQ8gEwAA

 

[sberry]

On a side note, how do I prevent the bit from snagging on the last bit of metal? So annoying.

Use a battery drill, something you can stall or set the stall on. I buy USA bits from a flea mkt vendor, super good and priced right. You can get mixed bags on occasion so cheap doesn't pay to sharpen them and pilot bits for a dollar, 1/8 or so and I just toss them after a hundred holes.

 

[LG63]

On a side note, how do I prevent the bit from snagging on the last bit of metal? So annoying.

IF you've drilled a pilot hole and IF you have access to the other side of the part, it sometimes helps to finish the hole from the other side.