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Quality Drill bits

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GarageGuy89

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 12, 2016
Messages
367
Location
Olalla, WA
So I have bought bits of the shelf at HD and Lowes my whole life. Even stooped as low as harbor freight drill bits. The HF bits don't seem to last past sunset or don't stay sharp. I have also not had much luck with the HD/lowes brands.

Anyone got a link for amazon/ebay deals or a good brand name to look out for? I use these bits for/in everything drill press/drill/lathe including metal & wood in my home shop. This is hobby use only.

Interested in what you guys have to say.
Thanks.
 
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quadrcr87

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Joined
Jul 5, 2013
Messages
1,036
Location
Travelers Rest, SC
Wow Woody. I think you qualify as a bit polisher! Love the organization and the care you take in maintaining the collection.

I have had good luck with my set from Norseman. USA made as well.
 
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Jason280

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
3,157
Musicinabottle said:
Irwin is good middle of the road. Use low speed and lubrication and they'll last a long time.
Click to expand...

This. Run them on a drill press at the correct speed and with lube, and you would be surprised how long even "cheap" bits last. I have a set of Hitachi bits that I've been using for years, and was so impressed that I bought two more sets.
 
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nbruno

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
213
How about a set of high end drill bits? I've gone through a ton of bits recently. I was porting a steering box and had 3 bits shatter. Then drilling a pice of 1/2" high grade steel I had 2 more bits shatter. The mid sizes seem to be the biggest issue.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
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matt_i

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Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
10,717
Location
SE Michigan
I've had good luck with Chicago-Latrobe, Triumph, Cleveland Twist Drill, Precision Twist Drill. There are other Euro and Japan brands as well which are just as good, probably many I've left out.

My personal preference is for 118 deg points as they will follow a pilot hole as opposed to the 135s which don't like to follow the pilot. Also the 118s seem to drill reasonably well when slightly dulled, the 135s are perfect when new but get the tinyiest bit dull and they seem to be instant heat and no hole. I can also wheel-sharpen a 118 to reasonable success, the 135s I can not wheel sharpen to save my own skin.

I have one set of cryo-treated bits and its really impressive how much I've abused them with hand-held drilling and they are still sharp.

If one drills with a machine such as a mill or drill press the bit life goes wayyy up.
 
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theoldwizard1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,073
Location
SE MI
akalian said:
I noticed the last time I was in Harbor Freight they they now sell Cobalt Drill bits. I have no idea as to the quality of these compared to other Cobalt bits.

Anybody had any experience with either of theses sets?
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/drill-driver-bits/cobalt-drill-bit-set-115-pc-61886.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/power...t-point-cobalt-drill-bit-set-29-pc-61885.html
Click to expand...

In general, "cobalt" bits (a.k.a. M42, about 8% Co) stay sharp longer but are more brittle.
 
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