Drill Dr and a few other purchases..

[nosrac]

Looking at the latest Craftsman Club Flyer I found a few things I am interested in, but wanted to hear some comments...

Drill Doctor: $50 for the 350/$105 for the 500x

The only real reason I can see to spring for the 500 is its ability to do both 118/135 degree bits. Is this worth it?


Dril Bits: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Power+Tool+Accessories&subcat=Drill+Bits&pid=00964085000 They have these marked down to 50% off - $30. Searching around I have not seen too many positive comments about sears bits, but these seem to be priced right and I need something for harder metals, and need a 17/64 for a 8mm tap project - hard to pay $4 for 1 bit when I can get the entire set for $30.

Air Hose Reel: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&pid=00916349000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Air+Tool+Accessories&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes These are marked down to $40. I know they are not as good as the metal version, but I am not spending $150 on this. Now that I have my cordless 1/2" impact, I dont run many air tools. Anyone used one of these? I mainly use air for blowgun and tires.

All of these are for a small hobby garage that I use several times a week for working on my racing atvs - think four wheeler. Most components are aluminum. Went through about $40 worth of bits in the last week removing an ezout from a cast aluminum component, so I am need of the drill dr and the bits.
Thanks for any and all comments - have pulled mucho good info from this board.

 

[lilpeenoiracer]

i have hte 500 i love it i havent done all my bits but the ones i have recently needed, so far all my bits ive done are 135 but whats nice about the 500 is that it can basicaly do everything the 750 can except the 1/2+ bits. corect me if im wrong. the guy at sears wouldnt stop talking to me about how great the drill doctor is and hes had it for 2years already he says. i have yet to hear one bad thing other than the guys who can use a bench grinde and are able to sharpen bits perfectly. all the drill doctor is to me is a jig made up for sharpening, its bassicaly a jig to align the bit in teh chuck and then a jig set up on a rotary tumbler for u sharpen. but id say 500!

 

[eschoendorff]

I cannot comment on the Drill Dr, but I have abunch of Craftsman drill bits, as well as Irwin and even some HF specials. I, personally, am starting to find that most bits will get the job done if you use proper drilling technique. I have some cheapie bits taht I use when I have to drill through junk and even those have held up pretty well - as long as I don't drill carelessly and heat up the bit.

I wouldn't hesitate to get the Cman drills. Drill bits are a boderline consumable anyway. Chances are you will buy another drill index sometime in your lifetime...
My .02....

 

[mjribeiro]

I have a Drill Dr. 750 - unless it's different for the 500 series, loading small bits (like <3/16") in the holder takes a bit of practice. Otherwise it's a great tool. I don't use the different angle degrees, but I do use the split point feature.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Looking at the latest Craftsman Club Flyer I found a few things I am interested in, but wanted to hear some comments...

Drill Doctor: $50 for the 350/$105 for the 500x

The only real reason I can see to spring for the 500 is its ability to do both 118/135 degree bits. Is this worth it?


If you get anything cheaper than the 500 series, you have to send it back to the factory to get a replacement grinding wheel installed, whereas with the 500 or 750 series you can purchase and install the replacement wheel yourself. That was the big reason I got a 500 or larger. At least that was the case 5yrs ago when I got mine.

 

[nosrac]

thanks for all the feedback.

Went with the 500x. According to tech support person, the 500 is more hd than the 350, but the only real advantage aside from that is that you can do both 118 and 135's and split points. Not sure how important that is, but I imagine it is worth the money - that and the 500x has a mail in rebate for a free wheel - $25 value. Looking at the two, the 500 just seems to be better made. With the 350 they really push "hobbyist".

Skipped the hose reel - hate vinyl hose in the garage.

Bits are on back order, but I went ahead and put my name in for a set.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[nosrac]

..oh, and according to drill dr you can now change the wheel on all 3 models yourself..

 

[mjribeiro]

I'm not sure that's a new feature. My 700 series is probably 6-7 years old and you can change the wheel yourself....maybe that's a new feature on the 300 & 500 series.....

 

[nosrac]

I'm not sure that's a new feature. My 700 series is probably 6-7 years old and you can change the wheel yourself....maybe that's a new feature on the 300 & 500 series.....

correct - you can now change out the 350x yourself.

 

[Willy Victor]

Looking at the latest Craftsman Club Flyer I found a few things I am interested in, but wanted to hear some comments...

Drill Doctor: $50 for the 350/$105 for the 500x

The only real reason I can see to spring for the 500 is its ability to do both 118/135 degree bits. Is this worth it?


If you get anything cheaper than the 500 series, you have to send it back to the factory to get a replacement grinding wheel installed, whereas with the 500 or 750 series you can purchase and install the replacement wheel yourself. That was the big reason I got a 500 or larger. At least that was the case 5yrs ago when I got mine.

I have an older model 300 and you can change the wheel yourself. Use the wrench supplied with the grinder and a Phillips screwdriver. Viola you're good to go.

Willy

 

[Willy Victor]

Oh and one more thing, you can extend the life of the wheel by simply turning it around.

Willy