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How to keep drill bits from "biting" so hard?

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tearlessj

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Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
49
Hello,

This maybe a very beginner question but I was hoping you guys could give me some advice.

I bought a set of 1/2" to 3/4" drill bits to drill out some handlebar ends and various projects around the house. Everytime I try to use them with my hand drill it catches and yanks the drill out of my hand. The only way I've found to combat this is to use a lot of speed and slow feed. Even then, I still get hooked up sometimes.

Is there a way to re sharpen these or something to make them friendlier to use with my hand drill?
 
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moriboy

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Oregon
Use unibits when possible on thinner metal.


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Robby321

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Olympia, WA
Take a carbide sharpening stone and dull the cutting edge a bit. Did this for (retired Machinist) soft metals, brass and Aluminum...
 
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Moosefire

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Detroit
Using a drill press and a vise will help a lot. You have much more control

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rlitman

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Long Island
xkvator said:
you can lessen the rake angle...
Click to expand...

This may help, and will help with grabby materials (aluminum, brass and plastic), but I suspect that the OP's issues are more user caused.

When punching out the back of a piece, drill bits will get grabby. It's because the push up two burrs that they want to tear off at the end. The answer is to feed a little slower at the end as you're punching through, or better yet, drill into a sacrificial backer that your workpiece is firmly clamped to.
 
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Ign

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Butte Peak ND
rlitman said:
This may help, and will help with grabby materials (aluminum, brass and plastic), but I suspect that the OP's issues are more user caused.

When punching out the back of a piece, drill bits will get grabby. It's because the push up two burrs that they want to tear off at the end. The answer is to feed a little slower at the end as you're punching through, or better yet, drill into a sacrificial backer that your workpiece is firmly clamped to.
Click to expand...

Good advice here.

For drilling cast iron or plastics you can grind 'em near square or they'll self-feed/auger in, but OP's issue is different.

I also agree with the suggestion of unibits. I got a spiral flute Temo upon the PF (Project Farm) review and thus far it's been fantastic. ~10 years ago I loved the HF offerings but I haven't been able to find one that can hold an edge in a long time. Other offerings like Milwaukee or even Irwin seem marginally better for a LOT more $$. But I'll typically only use unibits in materials >1/8"
 
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tarbellb

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Apr 17, 2011
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5,734
Location
Oregon
Lots of good advice, to add and repeat:

Use step bits for thin materials

Use a sacrificial backer board

Use graduated sizes to grow diameter

Use a drill press or vise to hold object

Good luck
 
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xela456

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May 22, 2014
Messages
344
rlitman said:
Oh yeah, totally! Step bits are the only way I can get reliably round holes in sheet metal. Twist drills give you a trilobular shape.
Click to expand...

Put a piece of cloth between your drill and the sheet metal. It give you a nice round hole. Don't know why but it works
 
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Ign

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PelicanPines said:
Didn't think I needed to include that disclaimer... don't do these in a hand held drill... there.
Click to expand...

tearlessj said:
Hello,

This maybe a very beginner question but I was hoping you guys could give me some advice.

I bought a set of 1/2" to 3/4" drill bits to drill out some handlebar ends and various projects around the house. Everytime I try to use them with my hand drill it catches and yanks the drill out of my hand. The only way I've found to combat this is to use a lot of speed and slow feed. Even then, I still get hooked up sometimes.

Is there a way to re sharpen these or something to make them friendlier to use with my hand drill?
Click to expand...

Burrito?
 
S

seber

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May 31, 2016
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Deep East Tx.
Drilling out the ends sounds like you are trying to enlarge the opening in the end of a pipe. If that is what you are attempting, then you have the wrong tool. You want a reamer.
 
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PCustoms

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Jul 23, 2011
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Location
VT
seber said:
Drilling out the ends sounds like you are trying to enlarge the opening in the end of a pipe. If that is what you are attempting, then you have the wrong tool. You want a reamer.
Click to expand...

I'm glad someone read the OP.....

It's grabbing because he is trying to increase the ID on thin wall handlebars and only taking a tiny cut.

Reamer or hone is the proper tool!
 
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Farmall450

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Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,354
Location
Marengo, Illinois
rlitman said:
This may help, and will help with grabby materials (aluminum, brass and plastic), but I suspect that the OP's issues are more user caused.

When punching out the back of a piece, drill bits will get grabby. It's because the push up two burrs that they want to tear off at the end. The answer is to feed a little slower at the end as you're punching through, or better yet, drill into a sacrificial backer that your workpiece is firmly clamped to.
Click to expand...

This, plus poke a small hole then use a unibit. Even the cheap ones work well (and the $$$ ones work REALLY well).
 
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