it never pays to buy cheap tools

[Hilltopmasonry]

Especially with something like drill bits... they are a consumable. I keep an extra set or two on hand because **** happens.

Yea especially real small ones... The expensive ones break just as fast is the cheap ones



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[eschoendorff]

Inexpensive tools are sometimes an incovenience. The whole “never buy cheap tools thing” is TOTALLY overblown.

Especially with something like drill bits... they are a consumable. I keep an extra set or two on hand because **** happens.

Yup

Yea especially real small ones... The expensive ones break just as fast is the cheap ones



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And yup.

 

[pstemari]

Unfortunately even name brands are coming from dubious offshore suppliers these days (Precision Twist, I'm talking about you).

That said, stalking Amazon for C-L, Cleveland, Norseman, Morse, etc often works. Drill America is also an option: their entry-level line is imported, but there better quality line is made in USA.

Camelcamelcamel is your friend.

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[dogdog]

what ever happened to people sharpening their bits ?

 

[sreeb]

BLAME THE VICTIM MODE=ON
How fast were you spinning that bit? Steel should be drilled with high pressure and low speed. Did you use lubricant? Steel should always be drilled with some kind of oil.
BLAME THE VICTIM MODE=OFF

..but there are some really, really awful bits out there. I had some made of such soft steel they would bend before breaking - like 90 degrees!
I also have a Chinese set that looks remarkably similar to yours and was really cheap (20 years ago), but works well even on mild steel.

I have a similar set of similar age. Used in a bridgeport clone with good control over speed and a rigid setup, they work well.

 

[Bill C]

Get a "CAR" reamer, some places might call them "bridge" reamer or "mechanics" reamer, They are designed to do just what you are doing....
Put them in your 1/2 in. drill motor and go to work.....

LynnW

This! ^^^^^
I keep a couple sizes of car/bridge reamers in my tool box. They work great for opening up holes in steel... also come in handy when two holes are misaligned when assembling something.

Here is a nice video explaining their use.:

 

[6PTsocket]

what ever happened to people sharpening their bits ?

I have an old General sharpener and it worked. I have not used it in a long time. I think it only went to 1/2.

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[toplessHO]

I hand a pile of bits to my son,to use the drill doctor,he does a great job with it.

 

[NORDFORD]

This is the best way to ruin bits. That’s why the make reamers. No matter how careful you are or how good you think you are, you are never properly centered when using the larger bit to enlarge a smaller hole by hand. If you’re drill a brand new hole, but quality bits and there is no need to step drill at all. Speed and feed are the most common mistakes when drilling steel

 

[anndel]

what ever happened to people sharpening their bits ?

I do! I love my Drill Doctor!

 

[6PTsocket]

This is the best way to ruin bits. That’s why the make reamers. No matter how careful you are or how good you think you are, you are never properly centered when using the larger bit to enlarge a smaller hole by hand. If you’re drill a brand new hole, but quality bits and there is no need to step drill at all. Speed and feed are the most common mistakes when drilling steel

The hole had a 3/4" recess shoulder at the top of the hole. My DOM tubing home made drill bushing cemented in an oak board and clampped on, assured that the bit could only go centered and straight. With enough effort to jig it properly, I got those holes enlarged just fine. The tubing was a thou. or two undersized and I drilled it first. THAT was tough going.I thought the bit would shave that little amount right out but it was slow going.

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[Ballarin]

That's for sure cheap tools quickly fail and break it is better to overpay but to buy a quality tool. I had a history of buying Chinese bits, it was my most worthless waste. For reference the drill was blunt and did not pass 2 cm into the tree and the bits were cut off on the first screw. The photo shows. After this incident I do not save money here is a good overview of drills https://drilling-it.com/best-drill-bits-for-stainless-steel-buyers-guide/ on which I rely when choosing.