Twist drill bits recommendations

[neophyte]

left hand bits are used in drill spindles that spin backwards. (the machines that bore shelf pins, for instance, have a set of spindles connected by gears, so every other spindle is backwards. there are other similar uses)

Some people claim you can use them to make a bolt walk out of a hole. I've never seen it happen....

I think the trick with extracting bolts with a left hand drill bit, is that you use the left hand bit when drilling a hole for a bolt/screw extractor, with the chance that the left hand drill rotation may help loosen the bolt while drilling, and then follow up with the extractor.
The left hand rotation while also not cause the bolt to get tighter, increasing the problem, if the drill bit jams.

 

[Montana Brand Tools]

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Happy Holidays from Montana Brand!
We are made in America.

 

[Montana Brand Tools]

MAKE IT A MADE IN THE USA HOLIDAY!

Hey Garage Journal members! This is David Tyler with Rocky Mountain Twist/Montana Brand Tools. I’m extending our Cyber Monday buy one, get one 50% off to everyone!

Visit montanabrandtools.com and purchase any item at regular price and get an additional item of equal or lesser value 50% off! Enter promo code USAMADEBOGO at checkout to get the discount! Sale expires 12/3/23.

https://www.montanabrandtools.com/

Happy Holidays from Montana Brand!
We are made in America.

 

[KnurledNut]

Some people claim you can use them to make a bolt walk out of a hole. I've never seen it happen....

I’ve done it.

 

[MongoTA]

I have a collection of Cleveland (a fair number), Chicago Latrobe (a few), Viking/Norseman (quite a few) and Precision twist (a couple of complete sets plus a few more).

Out of those, PT are my go-to. They cut well but they are what I have the most of. V-N are quite good, I also use them a lot. Nothing wrong with the other two; Chicago Latrobe and Cleveland, but if I have to modify a bit I modify one of those.

I sharpen them all myself, they take a new edge well.

 

[Bubba Fett]

There is also Drill America. I used them at work for a while until someone stole them.