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drill bits

brownbagg

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Mar 20, 2006
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5,208
i need some good sharp drill bits for metal, what type you recommend.

I have a drill doctor and its one of the biggest turd of a tool, i wish i never bought.

i need some good bits
 
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JimRB

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Jan 2, 2016
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84
Location
East of Atlanta in the country.
My DD has brought back some dull or broken bits. Sometimes I do not have it set up correctly which means I do not have a proper leading/cutting edge.

Hanson bits work fine for me. I also buy big bits from McMaster Carr.
 

Jim Diesel

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Mar 16, 2016
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346
Location
Brisbane, Australia
If your using a drill press or have steady hands find a good set of cobalt drill bits. Not just coates by at least 13% cobalt. I use Sutton drill bits and have found them to be exceptionable.
 

Cypherian

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Oct 11, 2014
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Location
Delaware
Cobalt 135Deg Split Tips work for most metal working use bees wax for lube if need be or what ever strikes your fancy. I have purchased many from http://www.panamericantool.com/ and been satisfied and many in this case is defined as gross quantities over several years for an USAF Air Craft Structural repair shop.

Cypher
 

mikegt4

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Sep 12, 2005
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3,263
Location
sw ohio
i need some good sharp drill bits for metal, what type you recommend.

I have a drill doctor and its one of the biggest turd of a tool, i wish i never bought.

i need some good bits

I just spent about an hour yesterday going through my drill bit sets and sharpening them. I use a DD and it works great!
 

MFolks

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Joined
Feb 3, 2013
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1,045
Location
Springfield Mo.
I use the standard "Jobbers" length dill bits,and for hard to reach spots,6" and 12" long bits make hole drilling easier.
 

tarbellb

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Apr 17, 2011
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5,733
Location
Oregon
Cruise Ebay for any old US made bit sets. Always a good deal lurking on there.

If you want to pony up the cash, Norseman gets great reviews and just about any new set still made in the USA, Germany, or Japan.
 
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bob15

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Dec 8, 2011
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Northeasten, CT
Norseman.

With regards to your DD, what model do you have? What is wrong with it. I've had mine for close to 20 years and never had any issues with it. If you want send it to me, that would be great....I have a brother who could use one.
 

royesses

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Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
789
I have a drill doctor and it's one of the best tools I've ever bought. Either you got a lemon, I got a pearl or you just don't know how to use it.

Which do ya' think? ... :headscrat


Sgt Lumpy

+ 1. I've had a DD since they first came out. Never had a problem. Perhaps use a drill gauge to make sure the lips are both equal in length. Also it is critical to get the drill centered in the holder. Sometimes the guide fingers want to get off centered. Like any tool you must learn the idiosyncrasies to get the best of its capabilities.
 

kelpaso1

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Sep 28, 2009
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New Brunswick
I have a drill doctor and it's one of the best tools I've ever bought. Either you got a lemon, I got a pearl or you just don't know how to use it.

Which do ya' think? ... :headscrat


Sgt Lumpy

I have one too and it works great. I haven't bought a drill bit for years. Op must not be using his correctly.
 

cgrutt

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Mar 4, 2016
Messages
8,160
Reading through this thread today got me thinking about drill bits, lol. Ended up going through my sets and ordered replacements for ones I've broken over the years. Mostly small stuff and a couple of specialty bits (left twist). Bits have gotten very expensive, LOL...

Couple of good videos on bit sharpening on youtube. Can sharpen them on a grinder with a protractor, rule and good hands. Looked into a drill doctor a few times over the years and never pulled the trigger on one. Also saw a jig for my Tormek online but it was almost $300. Can buy alot of replacement bits for that kind of coin, LOL...
 

tarbellb

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Apr 17, 2011
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5,733
Location
Oregon
Norseman or drill hog.

Im not sure I would recommend Drill Hog just yet. I ordered a set of step drills from them based on the super low pricing and the implied USA made marketing.

I was not totally impressed. 2 of 5 dulled immediately, leaving my HF step bits to finish the job. I have owned Greenlee, Lenox, and Uni as well, so I have a feel for the spectrum of quality.

Drill Hogs marketing definitely leads you to think they are MADE USA, but there is not actual literature to support it as far as I know.
 

thebeekeeper1

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Sep 5, 2012
Messages
1,011
Location
Illinois
I have a drill doctor and it's one of the best tools I've ever bought. Either you got a lemon, I got a pearl or you just don't know how to use it.

Which do ya' think? ... :headscrat


Sgt Lumpy

That's what I was thinking. If the OP can't manage to figure out a DD he almost certainly won't be able to manage proper drilling techniques, which will nullify any benefit of buying expensive quality bits.

OP, there are tons of threads on this site, as well as Youtube videos, which show the basics of drilling and sharpening drill bits. Once you understand this you will be able to utilize drills and bits in a way to maximize their usefulness and life. One's frustration level is lowered greatly also. :)
 

larry_g

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Apr 28, 2007
Messages
16,866
Location
oregon
+ 1. I've had a DD since they first came out. Never had a problem. Perhaps use a drill gauge to make sure the lips are both equal in length. Also it is critical to get the drill centered in the holder. Sometimes the guide fingers want to get off centered. Like any tool you must learn the idiosyncrasies to get the best of its capabilities.

In addition to the machine you must know what a good bit looks like and if your not getting a bit sharpened how you want then what to change on the machine to get it to produce what you want. If the reliefs are not correct then the thing is not going to cut.

http://www.mfg.mtu.edu/marc/primers/drilling/nomen.html

lg
no neat sig line
 

PelicanPines

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Apr 30, 2014
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New Jersey, USA, Earth, My own reality
I also have a drill doctor 750 and it works perfectly. Maybe you should watch a youtube video on the proper setup and technique to sharpen.

I prefer made in USA drills. However... I do get throwaway step drills from HF and use them to death when I need larger holes in metal.
 

jgorm

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Joined
Jan 5, 2015
Messages
463
Location
San Diego
I love my drill doctor! I've sharpened 100s of bits. I give them a fresh grind if I need to drill through thick metal.
 

astroracer

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Joined
Jun 22, 2005
Messages
3,001
Location
Mid_Michigan
Like most everyone here... Learn to use the DD. I couldn't tell you how many drills my 750 has brought back to life. Mine works so well I quit drilling pilot holes for anything under a 1/2"... 135 split point 3/8 bits pull twin curls when drilling steel plate. They are SHARP! I get bits at yard sales for pennies on the dollar. I picked up a small plastic tackle box FULL of bits, some even up to 5/8ths. 3 bucks. They are all sharp now and used frequently.
Learning to use the DD will save you a ton of money. You do realize any
"new" bit is going to get dull and will need to be sharpened or replaced...
Mark
 
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