To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

USA made drill bits

M

mrb

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,734
So after the demise (sale to china) of Cleveland Twist Drill, Greenfield, Chicago - Latrobe, etc and the fact that the only place near me which used to sell a full line of drill bits (OSH) switching to some house branded junk chinese bits at high prices, I set out to source some USA made drill bits.

A factory rep I work with turned me on to Alfa Tools (who he happens to rep). I was pretty excited to finally have access to American made drill bits, and promptly set up a distributor account and placed a small sample order. (I was impressed with this process, they actually shipped the same day they confirmed the order)

I havent drilled a hole with one yet, but the quality appears to be very good. They have a full line of everything, including cobalt and carbide drills, screw machine length (stubby) drills, silver & deming drills, aircraft drills, etc. They also make taps and dies. All made in the USA. The pricing is reasonable as well, for example the 6/32 tap and drill set on the card lists for $3.33.

Another bonus was they appear to use Huot indexes for their metal case drill sets.

Im thinking about maybe buying a bunch of stuff and offering it here, if I did that what sort of items should I get?

13pc screw machine length (stubby) set.
IMG_0928-1200.jpg

IMG_0929-1200.jpg

IMG_0930-1200.jpg

IMG_0931-1200.jpg


21pc Dial A Drill set (I love this thing -looks like its 30 years old (and Alfa people, if you are reading that is a GOOD thing. Do. Not. Change. A. Thing.))
IMG_0932-1200.jpg

IMG_0933-1200.jpg

IMG_0934-1200.jpg


Loose drill bit
IMG_0936-1200.jpg


1/4in bright bit on card
IMG_0937-1200.jpg


8/32 Tap + #29 drill on card
IMG_0938-1200.jpg
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
G

Griff93

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2009
Messages
1,121
Location
Huntsville, AL
I have a set of the 1/16-1/2 screw machine drills of theirs and have been very pleased with them. There's really no comparison between their bits and the china ones. Man I just hope they can hang on. The thing that kills me about all this sell out to china BS is the prices aren't dropping and the other US made brands are sometimes cheaper.
 
J

jteck75

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
294
Location
Benton Ky.
I've got a set of the Alfa drills in my shop,they are good solid drills. Highly recommended.
 
Z

Zrexxer

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
5,058
Location
Pflugerville, TX
mrb said:
Im thinking about maybe buying a bunch of stuff and offering it here, if I did that what sort of items should I get?
Click to expand...
Definitely the Dial-A-Drill, at least.

american lockpicker said:
Can't remember the name but its a blue package and says USA on the front. In a few days I'll head to the hardware store and find out.
Click to expand...
Why would bits made in Denmark say USA on the front?:headscrat
 
D

dede2897234

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
1,716
Location
Northern, Ohio
mrb,

I would be interested in purchasing the following Alfa Tools fractional, cobalt screw machine drills: 17/64, 9/32, 19/64, 5/16, 21/64, 11/32, 23/64, and 3/8. Would you mind getting me a price quote for each of the above drills?


Thanks,

Dave
 
OP
M

mrb

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,734
bushhawg73 said:
I also like the dial a drill, I would like to know the price MR B.
Click to expand...


list on that 21pc heavy duty dial a drill was $50something I believe. big discount for GJ members of course. sometime around the end of next week im going to order another pile of stuff, planning to get some things and put them in the FS section here.
 
B

bushhawg73

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
722
Location
Columbia, Missouri
mrb said:
list on that 21pc heavy duty dial a drill was $50something I believe. big discount for GJ members of course. sometime around the end of next week im going to order another pile of stuff, planning to get some things and put them in the FS section here.
Click to expand...
I will keep my eye out, thanks.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
M

mrb

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,734
ImportTuner said:
Not their large Cobalt set .. cuts through steel, stainless steel, etc like it's going through butter .. :)
Click to expand...


hmm, ive never owned any cobalt bits. I think i need to. (the carbide bits look interesting as well, but out of my budget)
 
V

Vinko

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
5,829
Location
Los Angeles
mrb said:
So after the demise (sale to china) of Cleveland Twist Drill, Greenfield, Chicago - Latrobe, etc and the fact that the only place near me which used to sell a full line of drill bits (OSH) switching to some house branded junk chinese bits at high prices, I set out to source some USA made drill bits.
Click to expand...

I bought some drill bits last week from MSC. Chicago-Latrobe. Some of them had USA on them, some didn't. Their "made in usa" house brand, more expensive than the CL, turned out to be Greenfield, and labeled made in the USA.

mrb said:
Im thinking about maybe buying a bunch of stuff and offering it here
Click to expand...

I'd be happy to endorse such a venture, just as soon as you send me the rest of my order from nearly 6 months ago.
 
OP
M

mrb

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,734
Vinko said:
I bought some drill bits last week from MSC. Chicago-Latrobe. Some of them had USA on them, some didn't. Their "made in usa" house brand, more expensive than the CL, turned out to be Greenfield, and labeled made in the USA.



I'd be happy to endorse such a venture, just as soon as you send me the rest of my order from nearly 6 months ago.
Click to expand...


ah geeze. i keep forgetting to send your plugs. i have them sitting on the shelf, ill make sure i send them tomorrow (fri 12/10)
 
C

cashishift

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
1,254
Location
Omaha, NE
i wonder if there is any place that sells the alfa dial a bit deal.. i'd be interested in something like that.
 
C

Coach James

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 24, 2005
Messages
8,933
Location
Sandhills of North Carolina
ARTU-USA's main office is down the street from my gym. I actually looked for it as I wondered if they sold bits out of their factory. Then I realized it wasn't a factory, just a distribution office and the bits are made overseas.


Coach
 
A

Adam McLaughlin

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
1,843
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
I am a big fan of Morse stuff personally, especially since the local steel shop sell the complete line including letter sizes and such up to 2". They even stock counter sinks and taps too.

Adam
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom