Drill indexes

[bornbadbob]

I am in the market for drill indexes, I would like a complete set, numbers, fractional, letters and metric. What’s worth buying out there? Just a home gamer but I prefer quality tools if they can be had at a reasonable price. What’s out there? What would you buy. They don’t need to be pro top of the line but at least a decent set .

 

[paulsomlo]

PTD, Cle-Line, Chicago Latrobe, Norseman... all good. But, do you really need a full number, letter and metric set?

 

[bornbadbob]

No, I don’t is the short answer
. But I don’t have to get them all at the same time either, I can pick them up when I am feeling flush and let them wait when times are not 100%
. There is not a big rush for this

 

[paulsomlo]

In that case, I'd start with a fractional set by 64's. The only time I use a number or letter bit, is when I'm going to follow up by reaming or tapping. The vast majority of my letter and number bits never get used.

 

[CapriMikeC]

https://www.mcmaster.com/8834A71/ Made in USA, 135° split point.

MSC is a good place to shop but prices are not friendly unless you're spending thousand$ each month. https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn?navid=2106099&refinements=Number+of+Pieces:115&action=rs

 

[ecotec]

I buy unused or very lightly used USA made sets at garage/estate sales.

I got an unused PTD set and a lightly used Vermont American set for $15 last week.

I display the unused USA sets in vintage drill stands that I collect, and use the lightly used sets.

I, probably, have enough drill bits for 20 lifetimes at this point. The drill bits that I use at work are supplied by the contractors that I work for.

 

[Firebrick43]

I recommend Chicago Latrobe or Cleveland bits.

Which ever brand you choose of drill bits I would only get hout index cases.

I prefer 118 piece sets because I use the **** out of both numbers and fractions.

I also probably use this index the most, it has noth the correct drill and tap. They make them for NC, and metric threads or the make the big one that has both NG and b/c threads plus places to hold your tap wrench on the lid. If you do a lot of tapped holes they are great

https://www.huot.com/product/nc-nf-tap-drill-index/

 

[neophyte]

“Proper” metric drill indexes get expensive, particularly in the USA.
A standard 25 piece, M1.0-M13.0 drill index, (by .5mm sizes), set is one thing, that is going to be similar in price, give or take, to a standard 29 piece fractional drill set.
The “Machinist” metric drill sets are usually sized in .1 mm increments, and those get very expensive, and are harder to source in the USA.
The standard 115 piece drill sets should probably cover most needs, although maybe that supplemented with a 25 piece metric set would be good.

It should be mentioned that the term “Drill Index” sometimes just refers to the case that holds the bits, and sometimes refers to the case WITH the bits.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have a lot of drill bits of various types, but my advice is don't bother buying a 200pc drill index if you aren't using machine tools. In other words, I have complete indexes for my milling machine, but I have different sets I use in my drill press (greater runout) and my hand drills. Start with a nice fractional index and add letter and number indexes if you find a need.

 

[four.cycle]

Norseman sets

THIS Huot model is pretty much "gold standard" - I've been using one of these since 1973.

 

[ronkz650]

I have a Norseman 115pc set. They have different sets. I don't remember which one I have, but it's fabulous. I usually just use a cheap Harbor freight set that goes in 1/64 increments though. It works pretty good for the most part. Save the good set til I need it. Sometimes you just need that .002" different bit, and it's great to have all the sizes and the nice case.

 

[glenng]

“Proper” metric drill indexes get expensive, particularly in the USA.
A standard 25 piece, M1.0-M13.0 drill index, (by .5mm sizes), set is one thing, that is going to be similar in price, give or take, to a standard 29 piece fractional drill set.
The “Machinist” metric drill sets are usually sized in .1 mm increments, and those get very expensive, and are harder to source in the USA.
The standard 115 piece drill sets should probably cover most needs, although maybe that supplemented with a 25 piece metric set would be good.

It should be mentioned that the term “Drill Index” sometimes just refers to the case that holds the bits, and sometimes refers to the case WITH the bits.

Tell me about it dude. Metric drills by 0.1mm increment have gotten really expensive lately.

In 2012 I paid the following on Amazon and looking back, it was an absolute steal.

Precision Twist Made in USA 1.0mm to 5.9mm x 0.1mm = $57.06 >> $66.46 shipped + tax
Dormer Brazil 6.0mm to 10mm x 0.1mm = $58.93 >> $64.16 shipped + tax

You can't even get the Precision Twist USA anymore, and Amazon wants $414 for the Dormer Brazil 6-10mm set that I have.

 

[ecotec]

I used to get NOS USA sets for Harbor Freight prices… but, the supply dried up.

I am down to garage/estate sales now.

 

[American Locomotive]

As others mentioned, the Metric sets can be spendy, because you can basically dial down to any "level" of precision you want. If you want metric drills, my recommendation would to simply "build your own" set, in the most common metric hole sizes.

i.e., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14mm

If you plan on doing metric tapping, it will probably be best to just order the specific drills you need for that. To figure out what size drill you need for tapping in metric, you just subtract the thread pitch from the diameter. So for example, an M10x1.5 bolt, will need an 8.5mm hole drilled to tap it.

 

[bornbadbob]

I will buy them all separately. I do look on marketplace but those so far are either more than I want to pay for used, lower quality than I want or beat to death. I guess I am a picky *****.

 

[PFSard]

I bought most of my collection from estate sales and garage sales. I filled in holes from Epstein. Seemed like decent quality bits at reasonable prices.

The Harry J. Epstein Co. - USA Hand Tools - Surplus/Retail/Liquidation

The Harry J. Epstein Co. - USA Hand Tools - Surplus/Retail/Liquidation

www.harryepstein.com

 

[Hannahranga]

“Proper” metric drill indexes get expensive, particularly in the USA.
The “Machinist” metric drill sets are usually sized in .1 mm increments, and those get very expensive, and are harder to source in the USA.
The standard 115 piece drill sets should probably cover most needs, although maybe that supplemented with a 25 piece metric set would be good.

In fairness they're also not that cheap in metric countries either. You've really got got to be keen to want more than 0.5mm increments, I'd rather buy them individually or get a nice set that includes taps and the relevant drill bit.

 

[nicholasbailey1993]

https://www.kittstools.com/product5444.html I've bought a few of these sets from Kitts Tools. They are cheaper offshore drills but come in a nice Huot case, so far I actually haven't had any problems with the drills, but if you do you can always replace the commonly used sizes with more reputable brands.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I recommend Chicago Latrobe or Cleveland bits.

I am happy with my Drill Hog bits. Over the years they have replaced many of them for FREE !

Which ever brand you choose of drill bits I would only get Hout index cases.

Drill Hog used to ship sets with Hout cases. Not sure today.

 

[neophyte]

In fairness they're also not that cheap in metric countries either. You've really got got to be keen to want more than 0.5mm increments, I'd rather buy them individually or get a nice set that includes taps and the relevant drill bit.

The advantage to the small increments, is being able to easily size up or down a hole, in case of a poorly concentric drill chuck or arbor, or if the material tolerances are just off, being slightly undersized or oversized, or if you need just a bit of extra looseness for movement, or tightness for a firm fit.
Items made to “metric” tolerances, should be pretty close to the correct metric size, but might be just a bit big or small.
A .1 or .2 mm difference might be just right to correct the issues, whereas .5 mm would be too large.

 

[Beerhippie]

In that case, I'd start with a fractional set by 64's. The only time I use a number or letter bit, is when I'm going to follow up by reaming or tapping. The vast majority of my letter and number bits never get used.

My main drill bit index is filled with 1/64" fractionals from 1/16 to 1/2". Other bits I buy as I need them. For tapping, I buy the bit and tap together and keep then together. I love the idea of that Huot bit/tap box above. I just use an old fishing tackle box with the little trays in the duplex drawers.

 

[Steve_P]

I will echo much of the above. Get a good set of bits in 1/64th increments up to 1/2". If you want a number set, add that. Then add singles of the typical metric coarse tap sizes if it's not close enough for your taste to an existing fractional or number bit. For home use, if the bit is off .005" from the spec hole size, that is fine for me. Going with the above, I have a fractional set, number set, and only have ~5 dedicated metric bits. If you go this route, you'll end up with half the bits and still be able to do what you need in a home shop.

 

[bornbadbob]

I may have given the wrong impression in the beginning post, i ideally need A fractional set to start then numbers and metric is the lowest the list. I don’t do anything special, I just want to have the right drill if I need it.

 

[drokihazan]

In that case, I'd start with a fractional set by 64's. The only time I use a number or letter bit, is when I'm going to follow up by reaming or tapping. The vast majority of my letter and number bits never get used.

Really? I have a set of Norseman jobber length cobalt #1-60 and they're some of my favorite drills.

 

[pcrov]

I may have given the wrong impression in the beginning post, i ideally need A fractional set to start then numbers and metric is the lowest the list. I don’t do anything special, I just want to have the right drill if I need it.

For wire gauge I have this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQKXS98?tag=atomicindus08-20. I've seen indexes alone that cost more, it may as well come full of bits. So far they've made holes too, so bonus. I don't know where I got my fractionals or their index. Probably a hand-me-down. Letters I buy with the tap I need them for as I need them. No index, those sets just accumulate in a box. Smaller taps are cheap enough I buy in triple sets of taper/plug/bottom. I still don't know what a plug tap is for. Backup for whichever breaks I guess. Eventually I'll print something to organize it all.

Stick with high speed steel and you'll be fine.

Oh, and tap magic. Always use tap magic. "Use more lube" is universally the best advice out there.

 

[willf650]

I have about 5 indexes and unfortunately I don't think any are complete at this point.

I have Clee line, Hanson and random manufacturer composed sets. The Hanson's are nothing special but they may have differing grades. The Hanson's are made in America but they are also about 25 years old.

I honestly like the DeWalt gold sets at Hoe Depot. They are relatively inexpensive and I buy them when they are on sale to make up the missing pieces of my other sets. They have small sets of common sizes I tend to use cheap as spares/fill ins. They also have a full fractional set as well. They seem to work well enough and are readily available.

 

[bornbadbob]

For wire gauge I have this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQKXS98?tag=atomicindus08-20. I've seen indexes alone that cost more, it may as well come full of bits. So far they've made holes too, so bonus. I don't know where I got my fractionals or their index. Probably a hand-me-down. Letters I buy with the tap I need them for as I need them. No index, those sets just accumulate in a box. Smaller taps are cheap enough I buy in triple sets of taper/plug/bottom. I still don't know what a plug tap is for. Backup for whichever breaks I guess. Eventually I'll print something to organize it all.

Stick with high speed steel and you'll be fine.

Oh, and tap magic. Always use tap magic. "Use more lube" is universally the best advice out there.

I agree number drills hardly get used and certainly not all of the in an index, at least I have not found a use for all. I like your idea of only getting the ones that match whatever taps you need. I will likely do the same and find a spot for them somewhere together. I too, have never known the correct usage for a plug tap but I was only a mechanic in the trade for 40 years so I guess I didn’t see everything.

 

[KnurledNut]

I agree number drills hardly get used and certainly not all of the in an index, at least I have not found a use for all. I like your idea of only getting the ones that match whatever taps you need. I will likely do the same and find a spot for them somewhere together. I too, have never known the correct usage for a plug tap but I was only a mechanic in the trade for 40 years so I guess I didn’t see everything.

I went with Viking for my metric tap/drill set.
Not cheap, but less expensive than cheap ones, if you know what I mean.

 

[Beerhippie]

^Yeah, that would be handy, if planning ahead is part of your idiom.