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Mohawk Dave

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top notch.

There was a thread on here recently where Viking has china or taiwan stuff out there, so always due proper research to make sure the P/N is USA or whatever you are looking for....
 

vssjim

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The Norsemsn magnum black and gold moly bits are some of the best I have ever used and just ordered some more from HJE
 

GTA Matt

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I bought a set a few years ago based off of advice from here. Absolutely the best, longest lasting drill bits I've ever used.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
OP
M

MTNSleder

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top notch.

There was a thread on here recently where Viking has china or taiwan stuff out there, so always due proper research to make sure the P/N is USA or whatever you are looking for....

How do i check if these are USA? i can still cancel the order if these are chinesium junk..
 

GRB

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They are the exact opposite of "Chinese Junk". They are made in Milwaukee. There is NOTHING from Norseman made in China. I assume the poster is confused by Northland brand that is the Chinese brand from Minnesota Drill/Triumph. That is the other Milwaukee drill manufacturer that make excellent drills but also has a Chinese brand. It IS consusing.

The Amazon listing is confusing with terms like "Norseman by Viking" and "Mechanical" instead of Mechanics Length. BUT those are great drills. I prefer the Norseman Mechanic's Length Super Premium for general use in hand drilling applications. They have three flats so you don't have to worry about slippage when not using drilling machines with multi-hundred dollar chucks. They are less brittle than Cobalt and shorter than Jobber Length so you would have to work hard to break one. The split point and thin web will let you drill work hardening steel and you can start them without a center punch. I've had people tell me I was stupid using these drills to drill directly into a round steel piece without a pilot hole, without a center punch and then watch their shocked expression when it just works.
That listing is for a plastic case set so perfect for hauling around with mobile tools. Their CN drill set is a bit better and Jobber Length with three flats. Possibly better for some uses at double the price. Triumph has some sets with the same material as the set you bought with Jobber Length and three flats where Norseman makes Jobber length without three flats except the CN drills.
For general use when drilling with a portable drill in many different metals, you pretty much have the ideal drill. I like them so much I bought a Huot dispenser full of them from HJE.
 
Last edited:
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MTNSleder

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The Amazon listing is confusing with terms like "Norseman by Viking" and "Mechanical" instead of Mechanics Length. BUT those are great drills. I prefer the Norseman Mechanic's Length Super Premium for general use in hand drilling applications. They have three flats so you don't have to worry about slippage when not using drilling machines with multi-hundred dollar chucks. They are less brittle than Cobalt and shorter than Jobber Length so you would have to work hard to break one.
That listing is for a plastic case set so perfect for hauling around with mobile tools. Their CN drill set is a bit better and Jobber Length with three flats. Possibly better for some uses at double the price. Triumph has some sets with the same material as the set you bought with Jobber Length and three flats where Norseman makes Jobber length without three flats except the CN drills.
For general use when drilling with a portable drill in many different metals, you pretty much have the ideal drill. I like them so much I bought a Huot dispenser full of them from HJE.

thanks i thought they were the shorter ones.

mainly planing on using these in a hand drill and sometimes a drill press when i need.
 

LXCam

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If that's the same set that Epstein sold last year its complete FN junk. I'd have been better off using a one dollar bill to throw a 100 bucks worth of blow up my nose.

Pissed, oh you bet!!


I've been a major fan of Norseman forever and have a couple older sets. This set here is not even remotely close in quality. Oh you'll get one hole out of them. But go back to back in mild steel and the edge is history. The first time it happened I figured it was a fluke. But it's happened to 6 of the bits. You can't even let the least little bit of heat get in them or they take a instant dump. I'm so bent about this one purchase I'll never buy another set from them again.

IMG_4406.jpg
 

Jim C.

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A few years ago I bought a Norseman 1 - 60 set, and then an A - Z set. Both sets came with Huot indexes. They were a little expensive, but I think both sets are great and I have no regrets.

Jim C.
 

racinfarmer

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Minnesota/Utah
They are the exact opposite of "Chinese Junk". They are made in Milwaukee. There is NOTHING from Norseman made in China. I assume the poster is confused by Northland brand that is the Chinese brand from Minnesota Drill/Triumph. That is the other Milwaukee drill manufacturer that make excellent drills but also has a Chinese brand. It IS consusing.

The Amazon listing is confusing with terms like "Norseman by Viking" and "Mechanical" instead of Mechanics Length. BUT those are great drills. I prefer the Norseman Mechanic's Length Super Premium for general use in hand drilling applications. They have three flats so you don't have to worry about slippage when not using drilling machines with multi-hundred dollar chucks. They are less brittle than Cobalt and shorter than Jobber Length so you would have to work hard to break one. The split point and thin web will let you drill work hardening steel and you can start them without a center punch. I've had people tell me I was stupid using these drills to drill directly into a round steel piece without a pilot hole, without a center punch and then watch their shocked expression when it just works.
That listing is for a plastic case set so perfect for hauling around with mobile tools. Their CN drill set is a bit better and Jobber Length with three flats. Possibly better for some uses at double the price. Triumph has some sets with the same material as the set you bought with Jobber Length and three flats where Norseman makes Jobber length without three flats except the CN drills.
For general use when drilling with a portable drill in many different metals, you pretty much have the ideal drill. I like them so much I bought a Huot dispenser full of them from HJE.

I think Norseman is made in St. Paul, Minnesota across 52 from St. Paul Downtown airport.
 

GRB

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Well I hope I didn't confuse some people by editing my original post while three people were posting. I have not tried the CN tech but have been so impressed with anything from Norseman that I assume they are excellent.
I do use these Mechanic's Length Magnum Super Premium bits in several different business along with owning a machine shop that makes super precision tools. I'm impressed with them.
If someone is NOT, then I can tell you that both HJE and Norseman stand behind their products. Probably spent $100k with HJE over 40 years and always been happy.
 
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MTNSleder

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They are the exact opposite of "Chinese Junk". They are made in Milwaukee. There is NOTHING from Norseman made in China. I assume the poster is confused by Northland brand that is the Chinese brand from Minnesota Drill/Triumph. That is the other Milwaukee drill manufacturer that make excellent drills but also has a Chinese brand. It IS consusing.

Thanks!
 
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MTNSleder

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Here's a nice 29 piece drill index to go with them. :)

https://store.snapon.com/Mechanic-0...h-3-Flat-Shank-Drill-Index-Metal-P641598.aspx

B129C.jpg

now everyone will know i buy the best when they see snap on :)
 
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Jazz1

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Jan 3, 2016
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Thunder Bay On.
I got Norseman stainless drill bits at KMS tools in Kelowna. They are excellent bits. I only purchased a couple as I was not familiar with the brand.
 

BDT/NWMN

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Jan 22, 2012
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Erskine, Mn
The Norseman facility is located at:
355 State Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Check out the Norseman website, and download their catalog of USA produced drill bits.
If there are questions about drill bits, this is a good place to look for answers.

www.norsemandrill.com
 
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WittHay

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Surrey, BC Canada
now everyone will know i buy the best when they see snap on :)

That Snap-on drill bit index is actually made in Germany. I have one and yeah the quality is pretty good.

The Norseman that gets sold through KMS tool up here is a little confusing. Most of their open stock is USA made Cle-Line even though they advertise Norseman. I like the regular old black oxide Cle-Line sold through Acklands-Grainger.

For the cordless Milwaukees I buy open stock 3 sided bits as needed in a brand called Jet from my parts supplier. The chuckless drills chew up regular drill bits fast
 

Mohawk Dave

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Messages
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top notch.

There was a thread on here recently where Viking has china or taiwan stuff out there, so always due proper research to make sure the P/N is USA or whatever you are looking for....

They are the exact opposite of "Chinese Junk". They are made in Milwaukee. There is NOTHING from Norseman made in China. I assume the poster is confused by Northland brand that is the Chinese brand from Minnesota Drill/Triumph. That is the other Milwaukee drill manufacturer that make excellent drills but also has a Chinese brand. It IS consusing.

SNIP.....

As stated, Viking, parent/sister/something company of Norseman.

I'll just leave this here. :beer:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387455
.
.
.
 

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GRB

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Mohawk Dave,
Thanks for that. That is interesting.

I'm not sure what the connection is between Viking and Norseman but they have the same address and much of the same products. A quick search show Norseman to be a trademark of Viking Drill & Tool, Inc.

I've bought lots of Norseman stuff and all is US high quality. Lots of companies sell under multiple brand names. I wonder if Norseman is only US made stuff and Viking sells some non-US?

When you look at Viking's Catalog Hi-Carbon Steel Taps & Dies, it says "Select sizes may be imported". Nothing like that in HSS Taps & Dies or in Drills.

I was assuming that Norseman was being confused with Northland, which is the lower end line, mostly/all non-US, from Minnesota Drill.
 

alexb2000

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Feb 7, 2010
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Fort Worth, TX
One comment I would add..

If you are planning to do normal mechanic/household work make sure and get the bits with the 3 flat sides on the shank. It seems EVERY cordless drill from Snap-On to Harbor Freight I've tried will spin the chuck and burr up drill bits. I hate that and I've tried upgrading chucks, but it still happens. Easier to just buy the right bits.
 

Luciferi

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4 FN 27

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How do i check if these are USA? i can still cancel the order if these are chinesium junk..

I can tell you this: They are a proud USA Manufacturer right here in St Paul, MN as a few others have pointed out.

I have toured their plant. It is awesome.

I had dinner with the CEO last Saturday night in Stillwater. He is the FIL to one of my best buddies. He and the company are totally committed to excellence within their organization.

He gave me one of their Cobalt HD 135° Split Point 115 pcs Ti Ni Sets for installing his Snow Blower on his Compact Tractor.

I love their Bits. I have a couple of sets now.
 

zmotorsports

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Norseman is top notch all the way. I have a set that I got through my Lawson dealer many, many years ago and they are still going strong. Granted a few have been replaced over the years but a very small percentage and nothing to complain about by the amount of use those particular ones have seen.
 

Vise_Squad

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I just had a friendly chat with a young lady at Norseman. I was curious if "Norseman-Viking" was really Norseman or a copy-cat. Nice to call a company where someone actually picks up the phone promptly. She said call back and talk to one of the technical guys if I want details on the grades of the different lines or where they are made - it was nearly five and they were gone for the day. The company is an amalgamation of three tool makers apparently and there is some overlap in products and designations, probably for distribution reasons.

Canadian agents include KMS Tools, Grainger (if taxpayers get the tab LOL), and some smaller regional outfits. I suggested they investigate Princess Auto as a retailer.
 

neophyte

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Pennsylvannia
The Norseman set in the opening post shows a plastic container that's not really an index; hence, the point of my recommendation.
Sorry, I know this is an old post.
The plastic container in the OP’s post is made by Huot, or at least a standard item offered by Huot.
I presume it must be more durable, or more convenient for certain users, because Huot has continued to make that plastic container for a couple decades or longer.
The street price is around the same as a normal Huot metsl index.

This drill bit index is made by aGerman company called “Drilbox”
There used to be dimilar indexes called “Automatic Drill Indexes”.
I think these ADI were made in the USA.
The ADIs looked closer to a square top Huot index, but with the drill bit shelves unfolding when you opened the case, like the German made Drilbox indexes.
Pictured is the top quality index from Drilbox.
Drilbox also makes a couple other quality levels, which are found in Drill bit indexes from brands like Dewal, and the lower cost drill bit brands like Hitachi.
I don’t know whether Drilbox even sells the indexes separately in the USA, although brands like Triumph, Precision Twist, Century, Snap-On, and Milwaukee (back when the bits were US made) used to come in the Drilbox indexes, and some of the bit manufacturers sold the indexes separately.
More recently, more US bit manufacturers seem to be using Huot.
The Huot indexes are a bit more compact, and have bit sizes impressed into the index.
Drilbox indexes are a bit more convenient, and the lack of the angled top and pinty corned is slightly nicer.
Drilbox also makes nice metal indexes for insert driver bits, but I’ve never seen the boxes for sale other than with bit sets.
This is the Drilbox website.

 

Wamsutta

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Sorry, I know this is an old post.
The plastic container in the OP’s post is made by Huot, or at least a standard item offered by Huot.
I presume it must be more durable, or more convenient for certain users, because Huot has continued to make that plastic container for a couple decades or longer.
The street price is around the same as a normal Huot metsl index.


This drill bit index is made by aGerman company called “Drilbox”
There used to be dimilar indexes called “Automatic Drill Indexes”.
I think these ADI were made in the USA.
The ADIs looked closer to a square top Huot index, but with the drill bit shelves unfolding when you opened the case, like the German made Drilbox indexes.
Pictured is the top quality index from Drilbox.
Drilbox also makes a couple other quality levels, which are found in Drill bit indexes from brands like Dewal, and the lower cost drill bit brands like Hitachi.
I don’t know whether Drilbox even sells the indexes separately in the USA, although brands like Triumph, Precision Twist, Century, Snap-On, and Milwaukee (back when the bits were US made) used to come in the Drilbox indexes, and some of the bit manufacturers sold the indexes separately.
More recently, more US bit manufacturers seem to be using Huot.
The Huot indexes are a bit more compact, and have bit sizes impressed into the index.
Drilbox indexes are a bit more convenient, and the lack of the angled top and pinty corned is slightly nicer.
Drilbox also makes nice metal indexes for insert driver bits, but I’ve never seen the boxes for sale other than with bit sets.
This is the Drilbox website.

Thanks for the link! :)
 
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