Cobalt Drill Bit questions
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Tuned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 317
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From: New Jersey
Cobalt Drill Bit questions
I've used my Craftsman Cobalt tipped drill bits to bore out hardened steel rivet heads with great success, but I eventually broke or over heated some of them.
My question is who makes the best cobalt drill bits? I bought a cheapo over-sized set off ebay and they were terrible.
Is there a way to measure the Cobalt content and how much is the right amount? (I have seen some claim as high as 18% Cobalt), is that good?
Thanks in advance, Chet
My question is who makes the best cobalt drill bits? I bought a cheapo over-sized set off ebay and they were terrible.
Is there a way to measure the Cobalt content and how much is the right amount? (I have seen some claim as high as 18% Cobalt), is that good?
Thanks in advance, Chet
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 3
From: Sapulpa OK
You could buy a drill doctor and resharpen your dull bits. I don't us a droll doctor, I sharpen mine by hand on a grinding wheel. That works well but it takes years of practice to become skilled at it.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
At that point, a masonry bit might be a good idea. Run it at high speed without lubricant until it glows, and it'll burn through what you're drilling. It does not make a clean hole though, and is slow going.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 317
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From: New Jersey
Thanks Ford_Six, you've helped me sooooo much in the past with all of your tips, but I've become spoiled by these expensive cobalt coated bits for doing jobs like my front coil spring mounts and rear leaf spring mounts and they cut through rivits like butter very quickly. Im just trying to find some low cost quality replacement bits for the Craftsmen Cobalt ones I ruined.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Since I have an ACE Hardware store just a quarter mile away from me,
and I usually need to pick up a bit in a hurry, I buy Irwin brand cobalts
for my steel drilling needs. I usually buy a single specific bit for my needs.
These seem to work great. Irwin step bits also seem indestructible.
and I usually need to pick up a bit in a hurry, I buy Irwin brand cobalts
for my steel drilling needs. I usually buy a single specific bit for my needs.
These seem to work great. Irwin step bits also seem indestructible.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
My experience has been the Irwin cobalt bits tend to hold up longer than the standard hardware variety cobalt bits, pay more but at least the bit last longer than it takes to cook a 3 min. egg.
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Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southern California
I agree with the others.....Irwin (I just don't spend the time to re-sharpen my drill bits anymore)
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
I have used DeWalt and they probly hold up bout as well as the other brands. The Irwin seem to hold up better for me than some of the other brands. Bosch makes cobalt drill bits, I have not priced or tried them but been told they hold up very well.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
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If you have an acetylene or oxy-propane torch with a small heating tip (cutting torch tips work too, just don't tap the oxygen lever) you can make the "hard" rivet into a soft rivet.
You can also "wash off" rivet and bolt heads with a torch. Practice on scrap first.
You can also "wash off" rivet and bolt heads with a torch. Practice on scrap first.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I'll go slightly against the conventional wisdom here, suggesting maybe look into the Champion brand of drill bits: Champion Cutting Tool Corp. They don't call them "drill bits" though, industrial twist drills is their name of choice. 
I've used this on different grades of rivet heads, SS screw/bolt heads and they're pretty amazing for what we'd consider plain ole drill bits.
I don't sharpen mine and for the most part they don't wear out under normal conditions. I've lost, broken or damaged them which isn't a lack of quality on their part.
If cobalt coating is your preference maybe shop online a bit? Even Irwin or DeWalt stuff can be found for less than what's in the local outlets.
HTH
I've used this on different grades of rivet heads, SS screw/bolt heads and they're pretty amazing for what we'd consider plain ole drill bits.
I don't sharpen mine and for the most part they don't wear out under normal conditions. I've lost, broken or damaged them which isn't a lack of quality on their part.
If cobalt coating is your preference maybe shop online a bit? Even Irwin or DeWalt stuff can be found for less than what's in the local outlets.
HTH
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