which drill bit set that you know it is good??

[Deafautotech]

i wonder which one that are good drill bits to work on heavy metal?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ies&subcat=Drill+Bits&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

or

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ies&subcat=Drill+Bits&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

any inputs???

 

[ericthewrench]

From what I see the only difference between them is cobalt or titanium. I have both and do not notice any difference in cutting ability. For steel you want to get 135 degree points, not 118 degree. Make sure thats what they have, if not look for something that does.

 

[chad s]

I dont know where those bits are sourced from, but I would go with something else if it were me. Precision Twist, Chicago Latrobe, Cleveland Twist, Champion Cutting Tool all make great drill bits that will cut very well and last a long time if you treat them well. With those companies, you know what you are getting. Unless you can trace the Cman bits lineage to a good cutting tool company, Id pass.

 

[dink]

I only recommend US made bits and most likely those are not

 

[wilbilt]

I believe Champions are still US-made. I have been using them for many years with complete satisfaction.

 

[chad s]

I believe Champions are still US-made. I have been using them for many years with complete satisfaction.

Champion absolutely are, I think Dink was commenting on the Craftsmans probably not being US made. I have several sets of Champions, and they have been excellant.

A 29 piece 1/16-1/2 Champion black oxide 135 split point Jobber set in a metal index will run around $110. In the round plastic tube index, around $85.

I also have a set of the Champion Brute series (black and gold series) mechanics length drills, and they do seem to drill a slight bit nicer than the black oxide, but the main plus is that the Mechanics length bits are 15% shorter, and they have flats ground on the shank from the 3/16th-1/2 bits, which definately helps when using handheld drills. In my opinion, for most automotive use, and for any metal drilling for that matter, when using a hand drill, Jobber length are longer than you need. I use the Jobber lengths mostly on the drill press.

 

[Deafautotech]

i dont use drill bits a lot. i only need good quality drill bits so i can drill holes on jeep wranglers to install the soft top as some of customers want switch between soft top and hard top.....

 

[Abe]

Whatever brand you get skip on the cheesy, yellow titanium coated ones and go straight for the cobalt bits. 5 years after you buy them you'll be thinking "Damn I'm glad I spent the money on these".

Abe

 

[chad s]

Has anyone heard of/used Noresman drill bits? I bought a set at Carlisle last week (I am a drill bit junky, you can never have enough good ones!). They have the same gold/black finnish as the Champion Brutes. They will drill through spring steel, hardened steel (i.e. drill through tools!). My first test was in the drill press drilling a 3/8" hole through an old craftsman wrench that was laying around. It went through like butter! I just walked in from the garage after drilling through the head of a bolt who's nut was rusted on badly, and totaly rounded by a previouse owner/tech/whoever. Nothing would work to grip the nut, so I clamped it with a pair of vise dripes, and drilled through the head of the bolt with the Noresman bit (the same one that I sent through a wrench a few times the other night). I must say I am really impressed. It went through like butter and after inspecting the drill tip, you'd barely notice it was ever used.

Harry Epstein sells the 29 piece mechanics length set for $73 (which is less than I paid)
http://www.harryepstein.com/highspeeddrillbits.htm

Part number SPM-29

 

[dink]

Yea I pretty much ment ANY USA brand....I have yet to see a US made bit that is worse quality then a Chinese or Taiwan bit....and I look at bits all day long

 

[Vicegrip]

Hanson are worse than many imported name brand bits IMO. Brittle cutting edges and they snap very easily. Their taps are the worst by far too.

I know this is counter to the general thought on this board about import tools and I mean no offense but IMO if you are just poking holes in car frames you could get a standard name brand 29 bit set from a Home depot type place such as Dewalt or Milwaukee for 1/4 the price. Get 2 sets and have a back up set of you break a bit during a job and you are set up for a fraction of the price of the $115 US bit set and have doubles.
I have a cheapo $40 115 bit set from HF that is still going strong after 4 years, two+ car builds and countless things made. Machine tool or mold and tool maker quality they are not and if i was worried about a bit size to the .0001 they are not it ether but if I am in need of a #7 for a 1/4- 20 tap or to drill 20 3/8 holes through 2 inches of steel with the drill press they work fine. I did just that with the 3/8 bit in one day and the bit took it and was still producing nice double curls on hole #20. After 4 or 5 years if they are getting a bit worn and I have trashed the 4 or 5 Go To size bits I get a new set for $40. A 29 bit set and some extra 1/8" bits for pop rivets and you are good to go.

As much as anything how you use the bit is important, rpm, pressure/feed rate and lubricant are key.

 

[chad s]

i wonder which one that are good drill bits to work on heavy metal?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ies&subcat=Drill+Bits&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

or

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ies&subcat=Drill+Bits&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

any inputs???

I was just at sears. The $100 cobalt set states that it is made in the USA on the packaging. The titanium HSS set says "sourced from USA and China", and the drill index says on it "MADE IN CHINA", so Im asuming the Bits are the USA sourced part.

I still would pass. There is still no way to know what USA manufacturer makes these, and for the price, get something thats known to be good. You can get a 29 piece set for $100 from Chicago latrobe, Champion, and that Norseman set I linked above is the best deal I think. I was using bits from my Norseman set a lot today, all through steel, some pretty heavy (such as the bolt I had to drill), and they performed amazingly well, and show no signs of wear. You will really like the Mechanics lengh bit, with the 3 flats ground on the shank.

 

[Jbullfrog]

You will really like the Mechanics lengh bit, with the 3 flats ground on the shank.

Why do bits have 3 flats on the shanks when chucks have 4 jaws?

 

[wilbilt]

Why do bits have 3 flats on the shanks when chucks have 4 jaws?

My drill chucks all have 3 jaws...

 

[eschoendorff]

I know this is counter to the general thought on this board about import tools and I mean no offense but IMO if you are just poking holes in car frames you could get a standard name brand 29 bit set from a Home depot type place such as Dewalt or Milwaukee for 1/4 the price. Get 2 sets and have a back up set of you break a bit during a job and you are set up for a fraction of the price of the $115 US bit set and have doubles.
I have a cheapo $40 115 bit set from HF that is still going strong after 4 years, two+ car builds and countless things made. Machine tool or mold and tool maker quality they are not and if i was worried about a bit size to the .0001 they are not it ether but if I am in need of a #7 for a 1/4- 20 tap or to drill 20 3/8 holes through 2 inches of steel with the drill press they work fine. I did just that with the 3/8 bit in one day and the bit took it and was still producing nice double curls on hole #20. After 4 or 5 years if they are getting a bit worn and I have trashed the 4 or 5 Go To size bits I get a new set for $40. A 29 bit set and some extra 1/8" bits for pop rivets and you are good to go.

As much as anything how you use the bit is important, rpm, pressure/feed rate and lubricant are key.

Amen bro.

 

[chad s]

Why do bits have 3 flats on the shanks when chucks have 4 jaws?

I have never seen a drill witch a 4 jaw chuck! Ever.

A 4 jaw chuck is usualy something you find for a lathe, and most 4 jaw lathe chucks have an independant adjustment for each jaw.