Good drill bits?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 244
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Good drill bits?
I was over at my folks house working on my boat trailer when I discovered my father's drill bit supply is all but gone. When asked, he said "I guess me and my son have lost them over the years." 
So I guess I am "partly" to blame.
So, how 'bout a new set. I've seen sets in Harbor Freight and Northern Tool. You know the ones that have every size imagineable and consist of 100 pieces of "pure titanium drilling excellence".
Anyone got any experience with these sets? I would get a drill doctor but there aren't any bits to sharpen.
So I guess I am "partly" to blame.
So, how 'bout a new set. I've seen sets in Harbor Freight and Northern Tool. You know the ones that have every size imagineable and consist of 100 pieces of "pure titanium drilling excellence".
Anyone got any experience with these sets? I would get a drill doctor but there aren't any bits to sharpen.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
You get what you pay for...
They will do the job, but look around for a higher quality set of bits if you want them to last. Try Hanson, Irwin or Vermont American. Most of these companys have lifetime guarantees if you ever snap one off. Cobalt drill bits will keep their edge considerably longer. Later.
They will do the job, but look around for a higher quality set of bits if you want them to last. Try Hanson, Irwin or Vermont American. Most of these companys have lifetime guarantees if you ever snap one off. Cobalt drill bits will keep their edge considerably longer. Later.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> Anyone got any experience with these sets
Yes, I got a set from northerntools.com for $80. It was good for what it is, though I would not expect to whiz through grade 8 bolts with ease. It gets the job done on most jobs and does okay in mild steel. My biggest thing is the points walk too easy so you have to drill or punch a hole on the bigger bits AND the base of the drill bit is so soft, they get marks around them from the chuck so you have to fit the bit back into the case upside down.
Buy the set by Drivemaster that they sell at Autozone if you drill plastic (Hondas?) or wood. Whatever you do, do not use them on metal. Might make a nice set to lend out to friends to make sure they never come back to borrow your good tools
Whenever I need to drill a quick hole in mortar and do not have the right concrete bit I reach for a drivemaster bit ...
Yes, I got a set from northerntools.com for $80. It was good for what it is, though I would not expect to whiz through grade 8 bolts with ease. It gets the job done on most jobs and does okay in mild steel. My biggest thing is the points walk too easy so you have to drill or punch a hole on the bigger bits AND the base of the drill bit is so soft, they get marks around them from the chuck so you have to fit the bit back into the case upside down.
Buy the set by Drivemaster that they sell at Autozone if you drill plastic (Hondas?) or wood. Whatever you do, do not use them on metal. Might make a nice set to lend out to friends to make sure they never come back to borrow your good tools
Whenever I need to drill a quick hole in mortar and do not have the right concrete bit I reach for a drivemaster bit ...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 188
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From: Ogden UT
high speed steel, the real shiney silver ones are for metal and plastic
Black oxide, black finish are for some mild steel and wood/plastic
titanium, tan finish are good for steel not the best, but a very good all around bit.
Cobalt, dull silver finish are exellent for all metals but at there very high price I would not use for wood
Black oxide, black finish are for some mild steel and wood/plastic
titanium, tan finish are good for steel not the best, but a very good all around bit.
Cobalt, dull silver finish are exellent for all metals but at there very high price I would not use for wood
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
Dewalt makes a nice set with a pilot point to keep them from walking rebocardo, check em out. Their not priced to badly at home depot for the small set, around 30 bucks. I believe they have them in cobalt and HSS.
Also recbocardo, on those burrs your getting on the bottom of your drill bits, go ahead and file those smooth so you can put them back in the box. Making sure your chuck is tight should help eliminate those burrs.
Also recbocardo, on those burrs your getting on the bottom of your drill bits, go ahead and file those smooth so you can put them back in the box. Making sure your chuck is tight should help eliminate those burrs.
Last edited by 94F150-408; Apr 21, 2004 at 08:01 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
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From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
Originally Posted by 85BigBlock
high speed steel, the real shiney silver ones are for metal and plastic
Black oxide, black finish are for some mild steel and wood/plastic
titanium, tan finish are good for steel not the best, but a very good all around bit.
Cobalt, dull silver finish are exellent for all metals but at there very high price I would not use for wood
Black oxide, black finish are for some mild steel and wood/plastic
titanium, tan finish are good for steel not the best, but a very good all around bit.
Cobalt, dull silver finish are exellent for all metals but at there very high price I would not use for wood
Titanium Nitride coated bits lose their advantage after you sharpen them. They are also more likely to snap than HSS bits if they snag in a hole and your reaction ends up bending the bit sideways.
Cobalt bits are great for high performance drilling. They cut great and stay sharp a long time. But they are even more prone to snapping if they snag. It hurts the wallet when one goes *ping*.
I have a selection of all three. I prefer HSS for use with a power drill if the material to be drilled is soft enough. I try to reserve the cobalt bits for the drill press.
YMMV.
Cheers,
Eric
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 342
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From: British Columbia
In-law brought home some pure Carbide bits from the factory he works at. I wish i could afford a full set of those
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by eehoepp
Cobalt bits are great for high performance drilling. They cut great and stay sharp a long time. But they are even more prone to snapping if they snag. It hurts the wallet when one goes *ping*.
Buy Ace Hanson Cobalt drill bits...lifetime warranty. If you break one off, just take in the pieces for a new replacement, no charge.
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