drill sets - 32nds or 64ths

[rossn]

I'm looking to buy a new set of drills for general shop use with my drill press. Mostly for use with mild steel.

Do you all find you use the incremental sizes if you buy a larger set in 1/64" increments, or find the 1/32" increments to generally be sufficient?

I'm looking at the norseman sets.

 

[astroracer]

It all depends on what you are doing... nothing definitive, I know but you are the only one that can answer that question as we don't know what kind if stuff you are working on.
I would suggest going with a modest set to begin with and just add individual drills as you find you need them.
I have every thing from numbered pin drills to 1" and bigger, it just depends what I am working on.
Mark

 

[The Cobbler]

yup. for random hole drilling, the 32nds set is probably fine. for tapping, precision holes , etc, you need 64ths, number, letter, and even metric drills .

 

[rossn]

Yeah, I realize it is subjective, but knowing activities that would use the more granular sizes, such as tapping help out. I don't have any projects planned that would need that precision, but also want to make sure it's not a foolish thing to buy a smaller set.

I'm thinking 2 sets, and maybe one (135 mechanic's length) I buy in 64ths, and the other (118 jobber) in 32nds.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

yup. for random hole drilling, the 32nds set is probably fine. for tapping, precision holes , etc, you need 64ths, number, letter, and even metric drills .

99% of uses the average person needs drill bits for, a /32 set is plenty. /64 lets you cheat a little vs buying a letter drill bit set, as you can sacrifice a little thread depth if you're clamping force is well below the standard provided by the fastener or accept a more aggressive cut when tapping in softer materials like aluminum.

Cutting fluid, speeds/feeds, chips tell the story, etc. Grab a digital micrometer for quick conversions of letter/number, more often than not for the basic stuff we all do, you can forgo those more specialty sets and just cheat with a /64 set.

What is your intended use?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Yeah, I realize it is subjective, but knowing activities that would use the more granular sizes, such as tapping help out. I don't have any projects planned that would need that precision, but also want to make sure it's not a foolish thing to buy a smaller set.

I'm thinking 2 sets, and maybe one (135 mechanic's length) I buy in 64ths, and the other (118 jobber) in 32nds.

If you're primarily using metal, just go 135. 118 is for soft stuff, and frankly anything I'd cut that I'd prefer a 118 tip on can likely be cut with a $25 set from a home store. Wood and plastic you can cut with most anything, aluminum cuts fine with 135 if you center punch when free drilling. In a drill press it shouldn't matter nearly as much as there's very little walk in the plunge vs a hand drill.


When in doubt, buy the bigger set. Then replace what you use regularly with 10pk orders of specific sizes you go through.

 

[oldwino]

I have a couple of sets of quality bits in 32nd increments. I have number bits in the sizes I need for tapping. Never had the need fot 64th

 

[dogdog]

drills never make perfect holes, that is what reamers are for so I think 64th is way too much, unless you are a machinist of sort.

 

[BTL-A4]

Get a full set (A-Z, wire gauges, 1/16"-1/2" by 64ths, and add metric at some point). You'll find you'll use them if you have them.

Yeah, for woodworking, 32nds is plenty good enough. But, if you are drilling metal, you might need a tighter fit for something, and a 64th is about 0.016", which is rather sloppy. I have a set of Triumph Twist drill bits I got at a local tool place for less than $300. So far they cut well and have held up.

 

[coljar]

For my use, I need 64ths frequently, but not knowing what all you are doing, I can't say that would be good for you.

 

[rossn]

Hi All, thanks for the insight and the practical uses of the 1/64 bits, as I wasn't aware. The set that is 1/64 doesn't cost enough to bypass it, knowing I might find some uses in the future.

 

[HenryAZ]

Drilling for tapping, 64ths will get you closer to the ideal drill size.

 

[lardy1]

Why buy what you'll likely never use? I would follow the advice of buying modest and add as needed.

 

[BillK]

I have a big Craftsman set that is probably 35 years old. It has Numbered and fractional. If I was starting from scratch I would probably buy the same thing again. I just replace bits as I ruin them. I get the replacements from McMaster Carr. One think I will say is dont cheap out. You definitely get what you pay for.

This set is pretty much what I have:

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/73285397

 

[dr_clyde]

I keep full indexes of fractional, letter, wire gage, and metric with as many sizes as possible.

You never know what size hole a project is going to need, and even good drills are relatively cheap.

For my common sizes, I buy full packs of each size drill and keep them in a drill dispenser cabinet.

For the lesser used stuff, just a single in an index is enough.

 

[rsanter]

1/32 is for the tool bag and the hand drill

For the drill press odds are you will need the 1/64th at some point so might as well just get that.

Reality is that you should have dedicated drill press drill bits and using bits in a hand drill is actually harder on them. If you want more accuracy then the drill press gets a dedicated set.

In my shop I have drill bits that only ever get used in the mill. They then get handed down to the drill press, then they go to the general abuse category in the toolbox to use with the cordless drill

 

[bwringer]

As noted above, 1/64" increments are useful for tapping in metal, and also good for fine-tuning the fit of something.

That said, you could just have a very basic set for daily use, and buy the bits you need for tapping separately. Odds are you're only working with a fairly consistent few sizes.

I'll also add that if you're working with any type of machinery much, a small assortment of left-handed drill bits is absolute magic for dealing with broken fasteners. 100% essential for work with vintage motorcycles, tractors, etc.

 

[Dave455]

I find that I do use the 1/64’s, even in ‘general’ use, but it does depend on the size of the drill.

Below, say, 3/16, I use the smaller increments a lot. In the larger sizes, much less so.

How about a set up to 1/4 inch in 1/64’s, and a set up to 1/2 inch in 1/32’s. It’s the big drills that cost, but the small ones that always seem to get most wear!

 

[Packard V8]

Agree, it's an individual thing. A homeowner/hobby shop can get by with 32nds. Because I do machine work and fabrication, too many is not enough. On a given project, the 64ths, letter, number and metric may be called upon and when holes between 1/2" and 3/4" are needed, the MT2 set.

jack vines

 

[matt_i]

If you want to tap a garden variety 1/4-20 hole/internal thread, a #7 = .201" is design-intent for 75% threads.

A bazillion were probably pilot drilled with a 13/64" = .203"

If you only have 1/32" increments what do you use? The .016" tighter or .016" looser? I'm not even sure which one I'd pick yet....

I have a portable set with 1/32" increments but its for taking to places to hang pictures. In my shop which is geared towards machining I run the 115pc set x 118 deg points. C-L or Precision Twist.

 

[WAS Jr]

As Rsanter said, get a good set for the drill press and never use them in a hand drill. You will likely lose them or grow old and die before you wear them out. I have a dedicated set for both the drill press and milling machine too.
Bill S

 

[akalian]

I've got a set of numbered, letters, and fractional bits. I don't use it very often, but it comes in handy from time to time.

Just today, I wanted to tap an 8-32 thread. Specs call for a #29 drill. It was in copper so I went a bit smaller to a #30.

Yea, I know somewhat ****, but Starrett made the chart so somebody must need that information.

In addition to the fraction/letter/number set, I have a regular 1/64" beater drill index I use for everyday work. I only use the larger set for those occasions that require the special drill bits.

.

 

[MushCreek]

As a retired tool maker with a home shop, I can't imagine having anything less than the typical 115 piece set. Above 1/2", I go by 1/32s. I have one drill index at the mill, and another at the lathe, plus lots of spares. In the machine tools, I use 135 degree split point cobalt drills. For hand drilling, I use regular high speed 118 degree points. All that being said, the average homeowner doesn't need all that. As soon as you get into machining, though, with accurate fits and tapping holes, you need them all.

 

[californiaHank]

I agree with buying at a 'complete set' (115 bits) right at the start. It gives you ability to drill holes for tapping or clearance for almost any inch or metric fastener you're likely to run into, and it's much cheaper to buy a full set than to buy a partial set and later add missing sizes as you need them.

I started with 118 degree standard point HSS bits, and drill everything from word to mild steel with them. When I needed to do a bunch of work with stainless steel, I added 135 degree split point cobalt drills.

Noseman drills are first rate, but if you're on a tight budget, even Harbor Freight drills cut fine and last a reasonably long time if you watch your 'feeds and speeds' and use cutting fluid. IMHO, it's better to have an adequate bit of the right size and type in an economy brand than to have a premium set of drills that's missing the size you need.

 

[Bert_]

Could do 90% of it with 5 drill bits, 1/2 3/8 5/16 1/4 and maybe 1/8 or 3/16.

The rest depends on what you're doing but won't get nearly as much use.

 

[dkroth]

I have several sets, all in 64ths*, for auto and homeowner use. When you're drilling small holes even a 64th jump an be a lot. For instance, the jump between 5/64 and 3/32 is a 20% increase.

* I have a numbered set that I don't think I've ever used.






.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Could do 90% of it with 5 drill bits, 1/2 3/8 5/16 1/4 and maybe 1/8 or 3/16.

Throw a 1/16 and a 7/16 in there and that is a nice set !

 

[theoldwizard1]

So why do most drill manufacturers not specify what actual metal is used in the drill. Sure they will tell you the grind angel and the coating, but rarely do the tell you the actually metal.

I think something like M2 is most common and what most companies call "high speed steel". M7 should be a bit more durable. M42 is what is generally referred to as "cobalt"

 

[PelicanPines]

I guess I have too many...

2 x 32 sets, 1 is cobalt
2 x 64 sets, 1 is cobalt
1 set of annular...
1 set of numbers
A dozen tap specific letters
Complete metric set
Complete left handed
A crate of hole saws
Half a dozen diamond hole saws
50ish paddle bits
Complete set of tapers, snappy
Untold number of disposable bits if needed.
Oh and the LONG ones too...

 

[Tallpilot]

So why do most drill manufacturers not specify what actual metal is used in the drill. Sure they will tell you the grind angel and the coating, but rarely do the tell you the actually metal.

I think something like M2 is most common and what most companies call "high speed steel". M7 should be a bit more durable. M42 is what is generally referred to as "cobalt"

True. Norseman does.

https://bowerstool.com/norseman-118...-m7-drill-bit-set-1-13mm-made-in-usa-sp-118m/

I just wished they made that metric set in mechanic's length.

For anything but metal it probably doesn't matter. Whatever your local store has will be fine.

I think the OP will be very happy with Norseman.