Looking for hex shank drill bits! A big set that is good!

[heffneil]

I recently bought a set of hex shank drill bits found here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DD5A5/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Total garbage. I drilled two pieces of wood and the hex shank disconnected from the drill bit. I am a big fan of my makita drill which only has a hex shank. I really don't want to get a chuck for it so I am trying to find a nice big american made set if possible. All of the Dewalt sets I have seen are 5 pieces which is pretty worthless. I found this:

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/ryobi-17-pc-tin-drill-bit-set-speedload

But I don't think this is any better quality and still on the smaller side of variety.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Neil

 

[alex71]

The set harbor freight sells (up to 1/4") goes on sale all the time and is pretty good for what it is... better than craftsman, anyway. I've never had one separate, but I have broken some of the smaller ones, but that's to be expected. They also sell hex-shank step drills which are pretty decent.

I don't think anyone really makes truly high-quality hex-shank drill bits because of the slop inherent in hex shanks. They sure are handy when you need a quick hole though, aren't they.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I'll be wathching this thread, as I was wondering the same thing. The first time I used one of my Mibro bits, the bit came out of the hex part.

 

[billymade]

Beware of the Craftsman sets; the shanks tend to shear off... customers came in often with broken shanks; they are not lifetime either, BTW. The shanks seem to be pot metal or at least something that isn't very strong; they seem to be for quick changing convenience. I don't think they are made for heavy usage but there must be better quality versions out there... also, customers had problems with the bits spinning in the shank as well!

 

[alex71]

here's the set I was referring to. On sale all the time for $5. Really, surprisingly good.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1800

 

[nate379]

On my bigger drills (9/16" to 2") I had my brother machine the end with 3 flats. He does it to all his as well.

 

[DHCrocks]

I have that Ryobi set but never really put it to hard use yet. I used it a couple of times and it worked ok in sheet metal and plywoood. They don't seem to be very high quality but it got the job done.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Snappy drill bits, available lots of places.


http://www.snappytools.com/

 

[mrb]

ill have american made hex shank drill bits available in about a week.....sit tight

 

[Kevin54]

Snappy / $24.95 / http://www.tools-plus.com/snappy-40020.html

 

[-B-]

It is doubtful you find any high quality 1/4" sharked drill bits, you can get high quality three square drill bits though. ( three flats)

 

[Major Ramifications]

ill have american made hex shank drill bits available in about a week.....sit tight

I am sitting as tightly as I can. Let us know.

 

[heffneil]

The alternative is to buy a "mini drill" like the ridgid 10 or 12 volt (I forget) with the drill chuck. I really like the convenience of the hex shank for driving screws and bolts with my power adapters. I didn't want to have another whole host of batteries and chargers for drilling. But I do love some tools!

Neil

 

[mrb]

Ok, I can actually get ahold of these sooner than I thought. I will put together some special GJ member pricing. They are titanium coated, made in USA, precision cnc ground, not rolled like the cheapo imports. Available in fractional sizes from 1/16 to 1/2. 7/64 and up are 135deg split point.

 

[mrb]

The alternative is to buy a "mini drill" like the ridgid 10 or 12 volt (I forget) with the drill chuck. I really like the convenience of the hex shank for driving screws and bolts with my power adapters. I didn't want to have another whole host of batteries and chargers for drilling. But I do love some tools!

Neil

I have a couple of those ridgid 12v drills with chuck. I find myself using them more than my 18v stuff.

 

[heffneil]

Did you already do you screw driver order too? I never got in on that.

PM me with pricing for every size between the smallest and the largest. I think it would be something like 29 pieces right? Fortunately I have one of the most expensive holders for that set

Thanks,

Neil

 

[mrb]

Here is a list of available sizes on these bits
1/16
5/64
3/32
7/64
1/8
5/32
3/16
7/32
1/4
5/16
3/8
7/16
1/2

The screwdriver order is already in, I to fix my sig. I will be placing another order with PR soon, ill extend the offer for anyone who missed it then.

 

[krehmkej]

MRB, those sound really great. Presume they have the locking groove in them?

 

[heffneil]

MRB, thanks the original (read crappy) set was 1/64" increments. I don't really need it that precise for messing around with. Can you PM me or post a price for all of them?

Thanks!

Neil

 

[mrb]

yes they have locking groove.

Here is what I think I should do with these. I have not used these bits, or even seen them in person. From the info I received from the manufacturer, they seem great, but I dont want to sell something I havent used myself.

I am going to order (i already emailed the order in) a few sample pieces of a couple sizes. I want to see these myself, and I can mail one to a couple of you to check out. While it will take a little longer, i think this is a good route to go so I dont get stuck with a ton of drill bits that arent any good, and no one buys something theyre not happy with.

 

[heffneil]

If the price is right I will just take one of each. I mean I already wasted money on a different set, whats a little more

Thanks!

Neil

 

[krehmkej]

yes they have locking groove.

Here is what I think I should do with these. I have not used these bits, or even seen them in person. From the info I received from the manufacturer, they seem great, but I dont want to sell something I havent used myself.

I am going to order (i already emailed the order in) a few sample pieces of a couple sizes. I want to see these myself, and I can mail one to a couple of you to check out. While it will take a little longer, i think this is a good route to go so I dont get stuck with a ton of drill bits that arent any good, and no one buys something theyre not happy with.

Thanks for the update..

Sounds great. Would be nice to see if the -small- ones will stay put in their bases in normal uses, something the Sears ones will NOT do!

 

[mrb]

ok, these sample drills are ordered, i should see them middle of the week. I will post pics, and if you guys that wanted these want me to mail you a sample bit I can do so. I still need to post the prices, ill try to do it today.

 

[mrb]

I got some of the hex shank drill bits in today, pics are below. Remember these are made in USA. They look like theyre really good. The bits are CNC ground not rolled like most hex shank drills out there, and are very sharp. I still need to post prices, ill do it tonight -i keep getting busy and forgetting to do it. Off the top of my head, the full set of sizes I listed previously is going to run about $54.

If anyone is planning to buy the full set and wants a sample to confirm the quality, I have a couple I could mail out.

There was mention about other hex shank bits falling apart. Does the bit come out of the hex part? Should I do some destructive testing on one? I was thinking clamp the hex part in a vise and twist the drill bit to failure with some channellocks.

 

[heffneil]

I don't think that is a bad idea putting the drill portion in a vise and twisting the hex end with a drill. Do you know how these two metals are attached? Otherwise drilling in to some metal and wood at lost high torque speeds might be useful too. I think one of the problems with the set I bought was that the bits themselves were probably dull making the drilling portion having more friction on the bit. Just a thought.

 

[mrb]

I don't think that is a bad idea putting the drill portion in a vise and twisting the hex end with a drill. Do you know how these two metals are attached? Otherwise drilling in to some metal and wood at lost high torque speeds might be useful too. I think one of the problems with the set I bought was that the bits themselves were probably dull making the drilling portion having more friction on the bit. Just a thought.

Ok, ill test it that way. The manufacturer talks about some proprietary process for casting the hex part. I want to see how the drill bit is keyed to keep it from spinning in the hex part.

Dull isnt a problem with these, they are very sharp.

 

[mrb]

Ok I tested a 3/16 bit. I used a ryobi 18v cordless, new battery. I drilled 8 holes through 1/8 CR steel, no lube and pushed as hard as I could. The bit tore right through the steel, then through two layers of 1/8 aluminum, then sideways all the way through a 1/2in grade 5 nut, and the tip was still sharp.

I replaced the battery with a fresh one, and clamped the drill portion in a bench vise. I had the drill rest against the edge of the bench as a stop so I wasnt holding the drill and flexing the bit. On high gear it stalled the drill. On low gear the bit would slip in the jaws of the vise and throw sparks. I got the vise as tight as I could, tried again and the bit snapped.

The connection to the hex part did not fail. I would have to say these are good bits.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Wow, those are good bits.
To clarify, how many bits can we get for $54? Is that EVERY fractional size from 1/16"-1/2"? That sounds like a real bargain.

 

[mrb]

Wow, those are good bits.
To clarify, how many bits can we get for $54? Is that EVERY fractional size from 1/16"-1/2"? That sounds like a real bargain.

not every fractional size, here is the list of sizes. Im going to start another thread with prices and details for the deal, keep an eye out for it this afternoon. Theyre individual bits, not in a set so you can save quite a bit of $ by leaving out the three largest ones.
1/16
5/64
3/32
7/64
1/8
5/32
3/16
7/32
1/4
5/16
3/8
7/16
1/2

 

[mrb]

Ok, prices here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38750