info on drill bits

[dolfans]

I am planning on getting some new drill bits from Lowes in a few weeks. I do not know anything about them and hoping you guys can help me. I have looked online and in the store. I will use them mostly for wood and maybe once in awhile metal. I do not want to pay more than $25.00 thanks

 

[Alchymist]

Mostly depends on what you are drilling. Most of the cheaper drills will work ok in wood. Metal requires a somewhat better drill. As to wood, they come in various styles - regular twist drills, forstner bits, spade bits, etc. If you are looking to drill precision smooth holes in wood, forstner bits. Cheap bits for rough holes in wood - spade bits, cheaper than forstners. Anything larger in 1/2" in wood probably a spade will be cheapest. If only occasionally drilling in metal, buy a set of bits with wood in mind, and only buy a specific size single twist drill bit as needed for metal. $25 is not going to buy a lot of drill.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The best Lowes has under $25 would be the pilot point dewalts probably.

 

[that one guy]

I like my dewalt kit. I've used the bits in wood, metal and concrete. The 1/2 is pretty burnt from excessive RPM drilling into a Volkswagen cylinder head, but if you only use the bits in wood they will last a long time. I think the kit was around $25, not bad considering a single 1/2" but is almost half that cost.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ez-duzit]

I really like the pilot point bits. But hard to sharpen.

 

[RedRabbit]

I had the same question. The answer that was reached was the 21 piece Bosch set. It's made in the USA.

 

[ez-duzit]

For $20 the Bosch set will be hard to beat. I've had great service from my Bosch power tools and saber saw blades.

 

[dolfans]

What is the difference with drill drive,titanium bit,black oxide twist,etc and thanks

 

[ez-duzit]

Black oxide is an excellent traditional coating. Titanium might do a better job of keeping soft metal chips from sticking. But you can lube the bit. Get plain shanks for standard 1/2" chuck. Unless you only have a 3/8"; then get reduced shanks.

The Bosch set, I now see, only goes to 3/8", anyway.

 

[Twisted Sid]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_11870-353-98029___?productId=1205919
I bought these a few weeks ago and have used them a few times. Not the best bits out there but for under $20, they work pretty good.

 

[dolfans]

Is the material(black oxide for example) makes them a better cut or is it a stronger bit as in not breaking?

 

[niget2002]

I love my Bosch set. They're my go to set for any home repairs. I've broken a few and will be buying some replacements soon. They work great on wood and I've used them on light metal with cutting fluid.

 

[ez-duzit]

Black oxide is only a very thin coating. Doesn't affect the strength.

Avoid the imports.

 

[oldldh]

This is a little out of your "I only want to spend---" range...

But...

I've found that you definitely get what you pay for in the drill bits area...

This set will poke holes in just about anything, except masonry...

Worth it, they are...

 

[strength_and_power]

I would probably spend the money on 2 or 3 of each individual size bits you will be using. Usually the next size up in a kit is used because the preferred size is either broken or dull

 

[ez-duzit]

Buying bits individually is so much more expensive than buying a set.

 

[rice rocket]

Lowes had a Hitachi set for a while, I haven't seen them recently in the store I visit though.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_437622-67702-728078G_0__?productId=4219760


The bits are very nice, way sharper out of the box than any big box set I've come across. Haven't used them enough to give a good longevity report, but at the price, I couldn't ask for more. I wish I bought another when I saw them.

Other than that, I have a smaller Bosch 15 pc set that's nice, I beat the **** out of them and they continue to work fine. Bosch makes pretty high quality consumables in general (drill bits, multi-tool blades, etc etc).

 

[LordPsychon]

Even the Skil Gold Ferrous aren't bad, often they're on sale at $20 around Father's Day. They won't handle metal though but for occasional metal drilling get a #1 Step Drill Bit - both Irwin and Milwaukee versions are made in the USA.

 

[406]

I have the DeWalt pilot point bits, great bits on wood, but if you use them primarily on metal, Id get a traditional bit. I have sharpened one so far and just basically had to "grind off" the pilot point. I noticed the bits are quite soft too when sharpening.

 

[crbnfbr]

Lowes had a Hitachi set for a while, I haven't seen them recently in the store I visit though.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_437622-67702-728078G_0__?productId=4219760


The bits are very nice, way sharper out of the box than any big box set I've come across. Haven't used them enough to give a good longevity report, but at the price, I couldn't ask for more. I wish I bought another when I saw them.

Other than that, I have a smaller Bosch 15 pc set that's nice, I beat the **** out of them and they continue to work fine. Bosch makes pretty high quality consumables in general (drill bits, multi-tool blades, etc etc).

I bought the same set a while back also. I've only used them on wood so I can't comment on how they handle metal. I also wish I would have grabbed another set, definitely better than similarly priced HF bits.