Irwin Unibit Sale

[Stuey]

I found a few sizes of Unibits on sale at Amazon.

1/4 to 3/4" nitrile coated bit for $22.32
1/8 to 1/2" bit for $13.95

These aren't the sizes I was looking for, but hopefully someone will find the info useful. I bought these and other sizes a few months ago, and they were still USA made.

 

[bchee]

Dumb question - is this something you can get by with a cheap version, like the HF version, 3 sizes for $8. I'm guessing the answer is no, but maybe some have had success with the cheaper unibits.

 

[eschoendorff]

Dumb question - is this something you can get by with a cheap version, like the HF version, 3 sizes for $8. I'm guessing the answer is no, but maybe some have had success with the cheaper unibits.

Actually, the answer is yes. In this case, the HF version works just as well as the Irwin. I actually have 3 or 4 sets of the HF ones and they work just fine. Great in fact. Buy them when they are on sale for $10...

 

[nissan_crawler]

Actually, the answer is yes. In this case, the HF version works just as well as the Irwin. I actually have 3 or 4 sets of the HF ones and they work just fine. Great in fact. Buy them when they are on sale for $10...

Bingo! I have drilled holes in frame rails and plate left and right with my HF unibits...no complaints at all. I figured I would snap every flute off the first shot, but gave them a try for $10. I promptly bought a set for work, and another for the house. 5 years later, I'm still on my original at work, and I have never touched the backup set at the house yet.

 

[Stuey]

I've used knock-offs before and hated them. I drill sheet alum, acrylic, and polycarbonate among other materials, and the cheapos always do a nasty job to the plastics. Unibits provided a MUCH cleaner hole. I guess the quality of the bits isn't important unless the material is relatively fragile?

 

[bchee]

That's awesome to know. The Drill Master brand is always cheap or on sale.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91616

 

[TKmech]

Ive had pretty good experiences with the harbor frieght ones at my work, and i usually use em to drill aluminum fuel tanks, trailer crossmembers, truck floors, etc. Ive only had one tip actually break and that was my fault for dropping my drill right on the bit.

 

[Theo]

Can someone provide a quick rundown of the advantages of a unibit?

Say you have to drill a 9/16 hole in a 1/8 plate.

You have a 9/16 twist drill and a 9/16 unibit.

Which one do you use?

 

[speed bump]

Can someone provide a quick rundown of the advantages of a unibit?

Say you have to drill a 9/16 hole in a 1/8 plate.

You have a 9/16 twist drill and a 9/16 unibit.

Which one do you use?

Depends on what I am drilling. If its something thin then I would use the unibit becuase in my experiance they chew up the material less and leave cleaner, more round holes. If I was drilling through anything much thicker than an 3/16" I would go to a twist drill.

 

[ImportTuner]

I also bought the HF unibit based on advice from members of this forum. I beat the hell out of it drilling into various metal frames and the bit is still as sharp as when I got it. A big thumbs up for this HF product ..

 

[ratchet_gear]

I have always looked at these at HF and never bought them because I thought they would never hold up. I guess this is something else you guys have convinced me to buy.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I've used knock-offs before and hated them. I drill sheet alum, acrylic, and polycarbonate among other materials, and the cheapos always do a nasty job to the plastics. Unibits provided a MUCH cleaner hole. I guess the quality of the bits isn't important unless the material is relatively fragile?

I drill aluminum, stainless, titanium, and plexiglass (aircraft windows, no less), and the HF ones work just fine.

 

[eschoendorff]

Depends on what I am drilling. If its something thin then I would use the unibit becuase in my experiance they chew up the material less and leave cleaner, more round holes. If I was drilling through anything much thicker than an 3/16" I would go to a twist drill.

What he said.

Also, Stuey: your problems drilling in fragile material could also be an effect of your drill speed rather than the bit....

 

[Stuey]

What he said.

Also, Stuey: your problems drilling in fragile material could also be an effect of your drill speed rather than the bit....

Hmm, I guess it could be my speed, or just the quality of plastics.

 

[bchee]

I drill aluminum, stainless, titanium, and plexiglass (aircraft windows, no less), and the HF ones work just fine.

titanium?? you serious?

 

[bchee]

I have always looked at these at HF and never bought them because I thought they would never hold up. I guess this is something else you guys have convinced me to buy.

me too, I think

 

[Coach James]

+1 on the HF bits. Got a set a year ago and they have been A+.

Coach

 

[Brad54]

Damn...I'd have NEVER guessed the HF unibits were worth a damn! I'm THRILLED to learn you guys recommend them!!!
I've ignored them in the past, and have always looked longingly at the more expensive name brand ones at Home Depot etc.
Looks like I'll be adding a set to my tool box in the very near future.

-Brad

 

[jcs_in_ky]

Looks like the real Unibits will soon be made in China too. They are moving all their production out of the U.S. soon.

 

[nissan_crawler]

titanium?? you serious?

Yes, quite serious.

 

[bchee]

Actually, the answer is yes. In this case, the HF version works just as well as the Irwin. I actually have 3 or 4 sets of the HF ones and they work just fine. Great in fact. Buy them when they are on sale for $10...

Bingo! I have drilled holes in frame rails and plate left and right with my HF unibits...no complaints at all. I figured I would snap every flute off the first shot, but gave them a try for $10. I promptly bought a set for work, and another for the house. 5 years later, I'm still on my original at work, and I have never touched the backup set at the house yet.

Ive had pretty good experiences with the harbor frieght ones at my work, and i usually use em to drill aluminum fuel tanks, trailer crossmembers, truck floors, etc. Ive only had one tip actually break and that was my fault for dropping my drill right on the bit.

I also bought the HF unibit based on advice from members of this forum. I beat the hell out of it drilling into various metal frames and the bit is still as sharp as when I got it. A big thumbs up for this HF product ..

I was going to get some of these. I just wanted to make sure you guys were referring to the Drill Master brand. I haven't seen a HF brand unibit, like Pittsburgh. Thanks

 

[nissan_crawler]

I was going to get some of these. I just wanted to make sure you guys were referring to the Drill Master brand. I haven't seen a HF brand unibit, like Pittsburgh. Thanks

Roger that.