Which drill bits for me?

[signcrafter]

I need to pick up a good set of drill bits, or maybe even two and wondering which ones would be best for my particular use. I do a lot of woodworking and construction/remodeling so need a decent set for that. But I also work with metal and even need to drill a hole in stainless steel once in a while. So I need one good set or maybe be better to get one set for wood and one set for metal? But I don't know much about what kind of drill bit to use for what, HSS, cobalt, titanium, etc. So looking for some advice on what kind of bit to use where and also good brands that sell sets. Looking to get a set, or two, that has up to 1/2" and will have the ability to drill just about anything I will run into with wood or metal. Thanks

I know drill bits has been covered a million and two times and I did read a bunch of threads on them but hoping someone can give some recommendations for my particular needs.

 

[motofool33]

i have a set of these and they are awesome for the money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201331246388?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

 

[justtools]

I have used lots of drill bits over the years. I have a few comments. Of all the drill bits I have used Viking/norseman have been the best, They are about 100 for a 29 piece set. I would buy 2 sets. One 118 and one 135 bits.. The 118 work best for wood, and the 135 works best for all types of steel. Forget about the cobalt / titanium etc. I just got done drilling 8 1/2 holes in 1/2 steel plate. Keep the speed down and use cutting oil. They cut like butter. This is my 2 cents worth. I really like the round plastic container that holds the bits over the metal index. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[justtools]

i have a set of these and they are awesome for the money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201331246388?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

I agree, These are what I have been using.

 

[66HertzClone]

I to have the Norseman bits , they have held up really well. I purchased mine from Epstein.

 

[ravenzfusion]

I like the harbor freight hex shank titanium bits. Been using them for years. I know they aren't the greatest, but if they break, they are dirt cheap to replace and easy to throw in my right angle impact driver. I just use that as a drill since its easy to chuck up.

http://www.harborfreight.com/titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-13-pc-61621.html

 

[lakota]

I see today SEARS online reg price $60 today $30.
Craftsman Professional 21 pc. Cobalt Drill Bit Set
I got them a year ago and there OK.

 

[PT Doc]

For made in USA, good value, almost unlimited options and great pricing, Viking is hard to beat.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Norsemans here as well. While we're on the topic, does anyone know where I can buy them individually? I'm missing a few from my set.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[d.mcfarland]

Get USA. Don't regret not doing it.

 

[motofool33]

Norsemans here as well. While we're on the topic, does anyone know where I can buy them individually? I'm missing a few from my set.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

EMI Supply is where i got a couple i broke

 

[zyx5432]

Another vote for Norsemans and another vote for Epsteins.

Have not worn them out yet.

 

[Mr. T]

Bad technique will dull a good bit to uselessness just a tad slower than a cheap one. That being said, buy what you can afford and learn from your mistakes. Drill bits are consumables anyhow. None last forever.

 

[BlackjackNA]

Norsemans here as well. While we're on the topic, does anyone know where I can buy them individually? I'm missing a few from my set.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Here also... Patrick for individuals?

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks guys.

So are the norseman's good for wood and metal?

If not what are the best bits for metal? Any special ones for stainless steel? And what about for general drilling in wood and drywall and what not?

 

[djjsr]

FOR WOOD, I suggest using brad point bits if you want a hole with clean edges. I got a set from Rockler that goes up to 1/2" and I'm pretty happy with them. For larger holes, up to 2 1/2" or so, Forstner bits do a good job.

Brad point
View media item 52643

Forstner
View media item 53480

 

[signcrafter]

I have a decent set of forstner bits for wood. I guess when I said wood I meant more for remodeling around the house and not so much fine wood working. Things like installing cabinets, drilling into walls to hang things, etc. So need to be able to drill into studs, drywall, plaster, etc.

 

[jeffmoss26]

HJE sells them individually.

 

[uart]

Thanks guys.

So are the norseman's good for wood and metal?

If not what are the best bits for metal? Any special ones for stainless steel? And what about for general drilling in wood and drywall and what not?

Yes the Norseman bits linked above would be ideal for metal, and for sure will be fine for occasionally drilling stainless.

Some people prefer to have a second set of drills for wood, but certainly anything that will drill metal will also drill wood and drywall etc. Drill bits optimized for drilling harder steels might have a shallower relief angle and cut wood a little less aggressively than the general purpose bits, but it really depends on exactly how they are sharpened. I've got a cheap set of general purpose drills that I use for wood and they're sharpened a bit more aggressively (larger relief angle) than my better quality metal bits.

The 135 degree split point ones do work better on harder steel, but a lot of people still prefer regular sharpened 118 degree point types for the simple reason that (with a bit of practice) they can easily be resharpened on a regular bench grinder.

 

[Theruse]

Does anyone know where I can find good metric bits?

 

[uart]

Does anyone know where I can find good metric bits?

This is a good question. Here in Australia we're metric, so most places sell primarily metric sets, however imperial (inch) sets and sizes are still readily available at most stores.

Just taking a quick look a few places commonly mentioned here (Harry Epstein and Harbor Freight, eh sorry about putting them both in the same sentence ) I don't see any metric sets on offer. So I'm just wondering what's the availability of metric set generally like in the US?

 

[uart]

Another thing I was wondering about the merits of owning a metric (0.5mm) vs an imperial (1/64 inch) drill bit set. TBH for most stuff I do it hardly makes much difference, because if it's a clearance hole then I get something close enough either way, and if it's a tap drill size then there's no guaranties that you'll have exactly the right size in either set. (You generally need letter/number drill to always have the best size for tapping anyway).

I can't think exactly where, but know I've heard people say stuff like "that drill set is no good to me because we use metric here" (referring to an imperial set). So I'm not sure if it's just me or if others feel the same way. But yeah, most of the time it hardly makes much difference to me either way.