Need good drill bits

[lowvoltinsta]

I’m a traveling low voltage technician. So, I have a 70 pound toolbox I have to haul all over our great country. That being said. I’m trying to keep my weight down.
My issue is that I’m toasting a lot of drill bits. A lot of expensive drill bits. Drilling through steel or aluminum frames. Which isn’t the major issue. It’s when the frames are filled with concrete that it ruins my bits.
I can’t seem to pull up fast enough when the bit clears the frame and it just kisses the concrete just enough to toast the tip.
Does anyone have any suggestions for bits that can survive this treatment? or should i just invest in a bit sharpener?

 

[Jswain]

I’m a traveling low voltage technician. So, I have a 70 pound toolbox I have to haul all over our great country. That being said. I’m trying to keep my weight down.
My issue is that I’m toasting a lot of drill bits. A lot of expensive drill bits. Drilling through steel or aluminum frames. Which isn’t the major issue. It’s when the frames are filled with concrete that it ruins my bits.
I can’t seem to pull up fast enough when the bit clears the frame and it just kisses the concrete just enough to toast the tip.
Does anyone have any suggestions for bits that can survive this treatment? or should i just invest in a bit sharpener?

Either a cheap set for the dirty work or a drill sharpener

 

[The Cobbler]

hitting concrete behind steel when drilling is really a cost of the job. how big a hole we talking?

 

[whateg01]

Seems to me that being able to sharpen when needed would be the best bet. You aren't going to find a drill that works well in steel and aluminum and concrete.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Rodman Drill makes a set that's suppose to drill through anything. I have the set and used it for drill holes in a hardened gear that HSS wouldn't touch. They recommend 2000 rpm minimum for the speed and don't recommend them in a cordless drill because of the lack of speed.

Multi Drill | Multipurpose Drill Bits

Rodman Multipurpose Drill Bits have been the go-to drill-bit for locksmiths, mechanics, and anyone with repair work. Give a try to our multipurpose drill bits for all your hard-steel, masonry, and tile needs.

rodmandrill.com

 

[theoldwizard1]

For lightweight, choose the most used bits ONLY. Maybe 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, etc. Carry just those sizes and carry spares !

As for damaged bits, I buy Drill Hog (Amazon or eBay). Lifetime warranty. Turn around can be 4 - 6 weeks so maybe buy the commonly used sizes 10 at a time.

 

[dnschmidt]

Rodman has a booth at every trade show I've ever been to. The bits seem like they are the real deal as one of their demonstrations is drilling through files. Worth a shot.

 

[darkzero]

Rodman Drill makes a set that's suppose to drill through anything. I have the set and used it for drill holes in a hardened gear that HSS wouldn't touch. They recommend 2000 rpm minimum for the speed and don't recommend them in a cordless drill because of the lack of speed.

Multi Drill | Multipurpose Drill Bits

Rodman Multipurpose Drill Bits have been the go-to drill-bit for locksmiths, mechanics, and anyone with repair work. Give a try to our multipurpose drill bits for all your hard-steel, masonry, and tile needs.

rodmandrill.com

I've always wondered about those. I often see demonstrations at random shows but never paid much attention to them as far as wanting to purchase. Not sure if they were all the same vendor or whatever or if any of them were Rodman but they're always the same type of drills. Appear to be brazed on carbide tips that look similar to masonry drills.

So for the sizes, do they drill on size fairly close? Just looked up Rodman, apparently they're local to me but I have never heard of them before.

 

[darkzero]

Hmm, well that explains why I've never noticed the name on a building before.

 

[American Locomotive]

Those Rodman drills appear to be brazed carbide drills. They'll probably touch concrete without a problem. You will likely need to spin them fast and push hard though.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I've always wondered about those. I often see demonstrations at random shows but never paid much attention to them as far as wanting to purchase. Not sure if they were all the same vendor or whatever or if any of them were Rodman but they're always the same type of drills. Appear to be brazed on carbide tips that look similar to masonry drills.

So for the sizes, do they drill on size fairly close? Just looked up Rodman, apparently they're local to me but I have never heard of them before.

I've only used them on extremely hard metal and the holes were slightly oversized from the heat build up. I didn't mind because the holes actually needed to be oversized anyway. I found out a carbide end mill gives the best result but it'll chew them up eventually.

I have a couple of drill bit sets from Rodman and they're good quality. I have a set of USA screw machine with round shanks that I use in my mill. I like them better than my Norseman set. Rodman Drill also has a great warranty for their drill bits.

 

[RTM]

Hmm, well that explains why I've never noticed the name on a building before.

Must be tough to squeeze all that equipment to make drills into a PO Boxes

 

[Wamsutta]

What kind of steel frames are filled with concrete?

 

[rocksnstumps]

Those Rodman drills appear to be brazed carbide drills. They'll probably touch concrete without a problem. You will likely need to spin them fast and push hard though.

I've had a set of Bad Dog bits for a number of years now. Bought them at a show and they look like carbide tips brazed on a regular twist drill. Probably very similar to the Rodman.

I thought they would be great and at the show they went through bricks, glass, and sure drill thru metal. They took the drill and slammed hard into the materials too without busting the carbide out. But I stick with a good cobalt m42 most times as they drill faster and the Bad Dogs are way oversized holes. Broke some of the smaller bits on the twist drill portion. Guess they have a life time warranty but shanks are gone AWOL just empty spots in my drill index.

As mentioned above the One Drill Bit to rule them all is not really true for good results across everything. They do work well for masonry and did use them out on some sort of tool steel that my slightly dull cobalt drill did not like.

 

[malibu101]

What kind of steel frames are filled with concrete?

Very often door frames in concrete or CMU walls