bagsanthony
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2010
- Messages
- 364
Looking to get some good drill bits for auto mechanic use.... What are you guys using HSS or Cobalt? 
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HSS or Cobalt drill bits?
- Thread starter bagsanthony
- Start date
Outlawmws
Well-known member
This was just done to death (Probably not for the first time) in the past week. Search is your friend...
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117954&highlight=HHS+cobalt
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117954&highlight=HHS+cobalt
filtered
Well-known member
Funny part is that thread wasn't even about HSS bits. But yes even seems to agree HSS is the way to go....except me. I'm still not sold on HSS over cobalt or moly. It could be just using junk HSS bits has tainted my view on them.
My suggestion, go buy one of each in the same common size you plan on using frequently and decide for yourself. That's what i'm going to do.
My suggestion, go buy one of each in the same common size you plan on using frequently and decide for yourself. That's what i'm going to do.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
Good HSS. You can sharpen them over and over and for the materials you will be drilling, invest in a good set. Some of the better HSS bits today are coming from Brazil. If you order them from Matco, you won't be dissapointed. The last set I saw on the truck were all US, British and Brazilian made. Also look into buying them from a Machine tool supplier. They will have Cleveland and other top brands. COO, is key on these bits
modo
Member
HSS are cheaper-but who wants to sharpen drill bits.if you want to bother sharpening all the time you may as well go cheaper still and just buy jobber drill bits. --not me.Cobalt every time!!!
modo
modo
diesel research
Well-known member
HSS are cheaper-but who wants to sharpen drill bits.if you want to bother sharpening all the time you may as well go cheaper still and just buy jobber drill bits. --not me.Cobalt every time!!!
modo
It seems you might not know what "jobber" means...
Jobber is a length. It means "normal" length bit. Its not a brand, price level, country of origin, material, or specific spiral/point geometry. Just garden variety length.
Therefore you coluld have highest quality cobalt M42 or carbide or M2 and it be "jobber".
kc-steve
Well-known member
Maybe it's just me, but I prefer a low-cost bit and then use a cutting oil at low speeds to prevent overheating and dulling the bit.
Steve
Steve
rlitman
Well-known member
HSS requires being heated to a dull red before it loses its temper. Cobalt holds its temper to even higher temperatures.
Unless you're drilling in stainless, or doing boring more than three times deeper than the diameter, you will not know the difference between quality HSS or quality Cobalt.
Unless you're drilling in stainless, or doing boring more than three times deeper than the diameter, you will not know the difference between quality HSS or quality Cobalt.
For the majority of drilling out old fasteners or the like on cars I go through a lot of 1/8" bits. I have 4 or 5 indexes full of every size but 1/8". I should just buy a bulk of that size. I never use my drill dr even though I should, it just seems like a job in itself.