Drill bits

[vette-kid]

I'm sick of cheap bits that last for 2 days, spin out of there holder or are too dull to drill drywall! Who makes decent bits in in a fairly comprehensive set? I don't mind spending a little coin, but don't want to break the bank! What do you have to spend to get decent quality? I've tried craftsman, kobalt, dewakt and black and Decker. Maybe a few others that i can't think of.

What say the experts?

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[dogdog]

No expert but ....
what are you drilling ? drywalls ?

The $50 set I got years ago from costco served me well.... and it's only titanium nitrate coated ones.

get a set of HSS bits and a bit sharper like drill doctor ?
or go find a machinist / industrial supply place and get a set of cobalt bits ?

 

[dogdog]

maybe it's the drilling technique that needs to be updated. I have seen some people that just ran their drill to max trying to go faster and dulls out the bits in seconds on harder materials.

 

[gte718p]

No expert but ....
what are you drilling ? drywalls ?

The $50 set I got years ago from costco served me well.... and it's only titanium nitrate coated ones.

get a set of HSS bits and a bit sharper like drill doctor ?
or go find a machinist / industrial supply place and get a set of cobalt bits ?

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A good set of bits will run you ~$120-$180. With a drill doctor they should last you 10 to 15 years and probably more. Also the correct speeds, pressures, and lubrication will go a long way to make even a crappy bit last longer.

 

[Wamsutta]

If you're just drilling drywall, the Hitachi bits at Lowes will probably work.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

As above, proper technique and use is more important than the bit. No insult intended, as I learned about this on this site also. Drill speed, pressure, and proper lubrication, along with some other factors, will produce good results--and long bit life. If you spend a little time with the Search function you can learn a ton about this subject. Also, I'd suggest the videos by user "tubalcain" on Youtube. He's a treasure!

 

[brownbagg]

i bought a drill doctor to sharpen my bits, worst piece of **** i ever had, cheaper just buy new bits

 

[PugetDude]

I'm sick of cheap bits that last for 2 days, spin out of there holder or are too dull to drill drywall! Who makes decent bits in in a fairly comprehensive set? I don't mind spending a little coin, but don't want to break the bank! What do you have to spend to get decent quality? I've tried craftsman, kobalt, dewakt and black and Decker. Maybe a few others that i can't think of.

What say the experts?

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With all due respect, if your bits only last two days, spin out of the holder and are too dull to drill drywall.. and you've tried 4 different brands... you should probably look at the reverse switch on your drill.....

 

[purplezr2]

i bought a drill doctor to sharpen my bits, worst piece of **** i ever had, cheaper just buy new bits

Learn to use it? Mine works awesome, I can make cheap Harbor freight bits sharp no problem.

 

[md21722]

I am guessing the comment about drywall was just an exaggeration to say "very dull". Norseman makes excellent drill bits. The mechanics set SPM-29 is highly rated if that applies to your needs. They also have jobber length and other choices. There are a bunch of threads on drill bits. It mostly boils down to good quality drill bits, correct speed control, and use of proper cutting oil.

 

[1badbird]

I've had good luck with Cleveland, Chicago Latrobe, and Ptd to name a few.

 

[vette-kid]

I am guessing the comment about drywall was just an exaggeration to say "very dull". Norseman makes excellent drill bits. The mechanics set SPM-29 is highly rated if that applies to your needs. They also have jobber length and other choices. There are a bunch of threads on drill bits. It mostly boils down to good quality drill bits, correct speed control, and use of proper cutting oil.

Yup...it was a bit of exaggeration. Mostly I drill 2x4's and the like. Occasionally steel or masonry. For wood stuff i mostly just use high speed, but admit I never really researched this any. Slower speeds for metal, along with lubrication and masonry bits with the hammer drill for concrete, etc. Oddly, I havn't had any issues with the masonry bits, they hold pretty well. Its the wood bits i have trouble with. I try and let the drill do the work and not put too much pressure on it, although I have with stubborn dull bits when trying to get that last hole done to finish the job!

 

[vette-kid]

With all due respect, if your bits only last two days, spin out of the holder and are too dull to drill drywall.. and you've tried 4 different brands... you should probably look at the reverse switch on your drill.....

By spins out of the holder I am referring to smaller bits that have the larger shank toward the back to fit the drill better. Not sure what they call that, but it spun right out after two holes into drywall/stud.

 

[uart]

By spins out of the holder I am referring to smaller bits that have the larger shank toward the back to fit the drill better. Not sure what they call that, but it spun right out after two holes into drywall/stud.

Do you mean that you're using hex shank drill bits?

Are you running them in a drill or an impact driver?

 

[Samg250ps]

I have the Irwin set and love them

 

[vette-kid]

Do you mean that you're using hex shank drill bits?

Are you running them in a drill or an impact driver?

Yes, i am using then in the regular drill

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[astroracer]

All of the drills you mentioned are generally good quality. I think you might want to consider investing in a drill sharpener. Drills will not keep an edge forever, no matter what you are drilling.
I have a Drill Docter 750 and it is an excellant tool. I can sharpen any size drill from 1/16th up to 3/4 and it does a beautiful job. I have 3/8ths inch drills that will pull chips off both flutes as they are drilling mild steel or aluminum. They do so well I don't have to drill pilot holes in steel plate for a 3/8ths drill.
Mark

 

[Techie1961]

Pretty much anyone that is having trouble with drills is having operator issues and not drill bit issues. I have drilled many thousands of holes and when watching others these are what I usually see. Too fast for the material and drill bit size and type. Not enough feed because it is with a hand drill and they're not pushing hard enough. Slightly dull bit that has work hardened the start of the hole and then killed the bit. Trying to drill too large of a hole by hand without stepping up to the size that will work.

Try to find some information on drilling online and learn. Get a Drill Doctor and learn to use it correctly. I can sharpen drills very well but these actually do a fairly decent job if used correctly. Go slower than you think and then work up in speed until you get failures. Learn from that and then compensate on the next try.

Knowledge and practice.

 

[uart]

Yes, i am using then in the regular drill

Ok, so just the regular "general purpose" bits (metal wood plastic etc), with the hex shanks, something like the ones in the attachment? You would have a lot more choice in better "machinist" quality stuff if you went for regular shanks, or even tri-flat if they're mostly for a hand drill.

I second what the above two posters said about learning to sharpen or getting a drill doctor. No matter what you get they'll eventually dull. Though this should take quite a long time with high quality bits, especially if you're mostly using them in wood.

 

[Jmonnty]

To answer your question; Norseman, champion, or triumph all make a fairly complete selection of bits in good quality. Are you looking for a complete index set, what substrate you are drilling?

 

[PWC Repair]

Recently picked up a set of these..http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...m-Drill-Bit-Set-18-Piece-48-89-4680/206150395 I have to say I'm pretty impressed for the money.

 

[Philbert]

I have a Triamph drill index 1/6 to 1/2 withe the 3/8" shank. I think i did good buying them 27 years ago.