Quality drill bits for mild steel?

[bcoke]

What I need is some advice on a good drill bit set for drilling metal [think auto restoration] drilling out rivets frozen bolts etc. For sheet metal etc.....needs to last and work on all ferrous metals.......brand? suppliers? cost is always a consideration..... thanks broke

 

[Dave455]

just because you are doing auto work doesn't mean that you have to buy your drill bits where you get your auto parts.

Best bet is to get a set from a metal cutting specialist such as MSC. Sadly, the more you pay the better you get, so avoid the cheapest! MSC usually offer several grades so buy one of the better ones and you will be fine!

In the U.K. they offer German made Guhring drills which are superb, and also Dormer. Dormer used to be good, now they are ****.

Most other British, German or U.S. made drill bits seem decent. Eastern european ones are generally mid range, and anything from further east best avoided, except Japanese!

 

[fsae0607]

If you want to stay cheap, harbor freight's step drills are great for sheet metal. Also, their 115 piece high speed steel set is good and works for me, IF, you have a drill doctor and are able to re-sharpen and custom make drill angles for your material.

This works for me and as long as you use ample cutting fluid, they hold their sharpness.

 

[royesses]

The Harbor Freight 115 piece cobalt drill set is a great buy. Use a 20% off coupon. The first thing I did when I got them was drill a series of 1/16" holes in 1/8" 304 stainless steel rods for a project. They cut it like it was made of butter. They have all been sharp and straight. They are now my goto drills.
25% off through 12/20/15

 

[d.mcfarland]

Hell if you're going to basically abuse them, just get cheap ones and don't worry about the damage done. None of them have warranties anyways.

 

[danielbuck]

Get a drill dorctor, that will give you years of use out of a single set of bits.


In the past I've liked the dewalt pilot-tipped drill bits, they seem to cut through mild steel real good. But as far as I know, you can't sharpen them, so in the past few years I've since started using regular drill bits from McMaster.

I like to keep my bits organized by size, and have at least 2 or 3 of each size (I keep every size in 1/64ths from 1/8 to 1/2, and then only the sizes I use regularly from 1/2 to 3/4). Once one bit gets dull or breaks, I throw it in my "Sharpen Me!" bin, and every now and then I whip out the drill doctor and sharpen a bunch of them and then put them back in the drawer where they belong, ready to use again.

I like that system, I always have fresh drill bits even after breaking or dulling one, without having to stop what I'm doing and sharpen that bit just to finish the project.

Bits that I use alot (1/4" and 3/8" for instance) I keep 5-6 new or freshly sharpened bits ready to go.



Using a center punch, then a center drill, and THEN the actual drill bit, and a drill press (when ever you can) will make things easier too. Anytime I break a drill bit, it's usually when I'm using the hand drill, or when using way to slow of a speed and pressure on the drill press for a small bit.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I bought an index full of Triumph drills years ago and have been happy with their performance.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have done tool and die work as well as general machining for 27 years, and do perfectly fine with polished flute import drills from MSC. On the screw machines, we use guhring. I have seen through the years that it is often the operator, not the drill.

 

[Ign]

No drill bit will "last". Quality HSS is your best bet for performance, value and cost. Mostly you have to learn to sharpen. Seriously. You have to do laundry. You have to change your oil (far less frequently than most think). You have to replenish the groceries. You have to service your brakes, and put gas in the tank. And if you use drill bits, you have to sharpen them. It's just the way of the world, no bit will hold an edge forever.

use-enco.com -- Hot Deals thumbnail -- "cutting tools"

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Norseman

 

[TerryH]

Norseman

+1 on the Norseman sets. I have 2 and they are awesome.

 

[kblee27]

Would you buy the most expensive bit sets like Norseman or the cheap HF bit sets + Drill Doctor ?

I assume with the "best" drill bits, you still have to sharpen it, unless you feel like throwing them away when blunt.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Norseman bits are pretty cheap and made in the USA. Quality also!

 

[uart]

Would you buy the most expensive bit sets like Norseman or the cheap HF bit sets + Drill Doctor ?

I assume with the "best" drill bits, you still have to sharpen it, unless you feel like throwing them away when blunt.

The problem is that you need a certain minimum quality level before drill bits are any use at all, regardless of how often you can sharpen them. Really cheap stuff is often either too soft or too brittle. If too soft they wont cut harder metals, and might even bend under load. Too brittle and you'll get excess breakage and lots of headaches.

 

[Hondarancher4435]

I've had good luck with the HF bits their disposable when the wear out take a $10 coupon and get a new set

 

[jonjon1]

for $25 these are a good buy, reverse rotation (I prefer for auto use) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BMJX8C/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I have a few sets, they work well...

I actually drilled 16 holes through 1/2" steel today (5/16) on a compressor I am putting together, I mounted casters on its feet, and ingersoll rand uses 1/2" steel for feet, lol, not sure whos idea that was, but it was a solid HOUR of drilling, lol..

 

[Jmonnty]

Triumph drills are excellent, most sizes come 6 or 12 in plastic tubes.
Champion drills are also great, they come packed 12 to an envelope.
Both brands are USA made.

I work on 20-14 gauge material all day so I use screw machine length bits in my most common sizes, you can use lots of pressure and not bend or break them, as often.

Tannerbolt.com sells champion and ships same day but they come from NYC.

 

[neonlazer]

+1 on the Norseman sets. I have 2 and they are awesome.

Once you buy one, you buy 2, then...3..then..

 

[anndel]

I have a set of US Made Montana brand drill bits and they seem to hold up to the abuse I've given them.

http://www.montanabrandtools.com/

 

[justanengineer]

Ive bought drills in decently sized lots from local auctions, fleas, and yard sales, need to stop actually as I have a significant collection. Personally I find the modern metallurgy isnt half what it used to be and when you get into the cheap sets made from recycled Hondas it gets really bad. I'd suggest buying an old Huot/General/other common old stamped steel index or two mostly-full of used bits for <$5 locally and learning to sharpen them, if you need a missing size then call up Enco or McMaster to refill individually.

 

[Packard V8]

drilling metal [think auto restoration] drilling out rivets frozen bolts etc. For sheet metal etc.....

That's actually some of the most likely to eat drills; most of it is by hand, often in air drill, into welds.

I have seen through the years that it is often the operator, not the drill.

Agree, if one breaks a drill using a press, it's usually operator error. In a hand drill, it's just going to happen.

jack vines

 

[motofool33]

love my norsemans super magnums, 90$ for full set of the round case

 

[bagged89s10]

Get a drill dorctor, that will give you years of use out of a single set of bits.


In the past I've liked the dewalt pilot-tipped drill bits, they seem to cut through mild steel real good. But as far as I know, you can't sharpen them, so in the past few years I've since started using regular drill bits from McMaster.

I like to keep my bits organized by size, and have at least 2 or 3 of each size (I keep every size in 1/64ths from 1/8 to 1/2, and then only the sizes I use regularly from 1/2 to 3/4). Once one bit gets dull or breaks, I throw it in my "Sharpen Me!" bin, and every now and then I whip out the drill doctor and sharpen a bunch of them and then put them back in the drawer where they belong, ready to use again.

I like that system, I always have fresh drill bits even after breaking or dulling one, without having to stop what I'm doing and sharpen that bit just to finish the project.

Bits that I use alot (1/4" and 3/8" for instance) I keep 5-6 new or freshly sharpened bits ready to go.



Using a center punch, then a center drill, and THEN the actual drill bit, and a drill press (when ever you can) will make things easier too. Anytime I break a drill bit, it's usually when I'm using the hand drill, or when using way to slow of a speed and pressure on the drill press for a small bit.

How do you keep all your bits organized. I just recently picked up a bunch of drill bits and only have one index to organize them in. Trying to find a good way to organize all the multiples I have now.

 

[jrobb316]

This is laughable. First of all if you want a quality bit set thats not going to break the bank, get a set of norsemans. Less than $100. HF drill bits? Really? The only people recommending that **** must have never had to drill anything in their life and sure didn't have to do it when your job depended on it. If you want to be a cheap ***, as least go to a big box store and pick up some dewalts or something.

 

[jrobb316]

How do you keep all your bits organized. I just recently picked up a bunch of drill bits and only have one index to organize them in. Trying to find a good way to organize all the multiples I have now.

http://www.zoro.com/huot-drill-disp...gclid=CICtl9T268kCFdgWgQod_PYGiQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[TerryH]

Once you buy one, you buy 2, then...3..then..

I used to be a tournament fisherman. Still can't buy one of anything.

 

[bagged89s10]

http://www.zoro.com/huot-drill-disp...gclid=CICtl9T268kCFdgWgQod_PYGiQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

That might just be perfect. Thanks jrobb!

 

[jrobb316]

That might just be perfect. Thanks jrobb!

Thats what we use at work, i'll probably get one too since I didn't know they were only $65.

 

[Zapp Branigan]

This is laughable. First of all if you want a quality bit set thats not going to break the bank, get a set of norsemans. Less than $100. HF drill bits? Really? The only people recommending that **** must have never had to drill anything in their life and sure didn't have to do it when your job depended on it. If you want to be a cheap ***, as least go to a big box store and pick up some dewalts or something.[/QUOTE


You know, it's one thing to doubt that they are good, it's quite another to outright insult folks when you don't know what you are talking about. So how do you know they are ****? You obviously wouldn't be caught dead with them, so let me venture to guess here. A friend of yours had them and ruined everything he ever touched with them. Probably lost his job because they failed to drill a hole in balsa wood. Maybe ten years ago that was true, but the cobalt set that was recommended above is a very good deal for an inexpensive set of bits that actually do work well.

I have a set of the HF cobalt bits and have used the **** out of them on everything from cast iron to 300/400 stainless and they hold up very well, sharpen easily, and cut great. I have no problems recommending them to my co-workers and friends. I use them professionally and personally and have no complaints other than the box is a little crappy. I don't remember ever seeing a 115 piece set of numbered, lettered, and fractional Norseman bits for 99 bucks either. Last set of those I bought was $280. JMO!

 

[royesses]

This is laughable. First of all if you want a quality bit set thats not going to break the bank, get a set of norsemans. Less than $100. HF drill bits? Really? The only people recommending that **** must have never had to drill anything in their life and sure didn't have to do it when your job depended on it. If you want to be a cheap ***, as least go to a big box store and pick up some dewalts or something.[/QUOTE


You know, it's one thing to doubt that they are good, it's quite another to outright insult folks when you don't know what you are talking about. So how do you know they are ****? You obviously wouldn't be caught dead with them, so let me venture to guess here. A friend of yours had them and ruined everything he ever touched with them. Probably lost his job because they failed to drill a hole in balsa wood. Maybe ten years ago that was true, but the cobalt set that was recommended above is a very good deal for an inexpensive set of bits that actually do work well.

I have a set of the HF cobalt bits and have used the **** out of them on everything from cast iron to 300/400 stainless and they hold up very well, sharpen easily, and cut great. I have no problems recommending them to my co-workers and friends. I use them professionally and personally and have no complaints other than the box is a little crappy. I don't remember ever seeing a 115 piece set of numbered, lettered, and fractional Norseman bits for 99 bucks either. Last set of those I bought was $280. JMO!

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