Bent drill bits?
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
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From: Trumbull Ct.
Bent drill bits?
today i was finishing work on my custom bed for the 79 150...basically drilling all the holes for the mounting hardware. i was using a dewalt 1/2" pilot point bit that not to mention was $15 but well worth it. finally just as i punched through the steel the bit "caught" in the hole and gave me a good spin. its happened before so it wasnt to big of a deal. i then proceded to pull the bit from the hole and low and behold it was friggen bent. well this had me steaming seeing as it was $15 and i was on the second to last hole. so in my fury i headed down to HD to get a new one. i did so and got home and started drilling the last hole. well something "caught" again and broke the pilot point off the end of the brand new bit. so i figred o well let me go sharpen it. stuck it in the drill doctor and it was good as new. i finally go to drill the hole all the way through and bam it gets caught and i got spun ... again. and it bent ... again. well im more than mad. so my question is has this ever happened to anyone and do you think if i email my story to dewalts customer service i will get anything in return or is it a waste of time?
PS i know it was super long...
thanx
-aj
PS i know it was super long...
thanx
-aj
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 455
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From: Alaska
I don't see how I could hold HD or anyone else resonsible for a bent/broken bit unless I was able to show there was a defect in it.
From your description of events, I can't see defect in materials or workmanship.
Most of us have had broken bits at one time or another and I have even caused injury to myself, but it has never occured to me to hold the manufacturer or merchandiser responsible for my misuse of equipment.
From your description of events, I can't see defect in materials or workmanship.
Most of us have had broken bits at one time or another and I have even caused injury to myself, but it has never occured to me to hold the manufacturer or merchandiser responsible for my misuse of equipment.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
this is a common issue. dewalt has gone down hill since BD bought them. i use vermont american bits, i have bent my sahre of cheap bits. the vermont bits are the same price as the dewalts. i have also had great luck with skil bits and craftsman cobalt bits.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 236
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From: Southwest Montana
In machinist terms what you need to do is let the bit "spark out" before punching the hole all the way through. In other words if you drill all the way through as fast as the bit can go it will raise two sizable pieces of metal it the bottom of the hole as it passes through. It is probably these that caught your bit. As you near the bottom or other side of the hole the sound of the drill changes considerably. At this point lessen the pressure on the drill and the bit will "spark out" and make the breakthrough metal very thin before actually going through it. Then there is nothing to catch the bit.
Just somethin to try.
I hate gettin caught in the drill like that, especially when someone else sees it.
Ken
Just somethin to try.
I hate gettin caught in the drill like that, especially when someone else sees it.
Ken
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 376
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havent ever seen drill bits BEND....they always break off when they get caught on something...a drill is supposed to be hard & brittle.....wonder what your bits were made of...???.....since they bent ....must be defective....why NOT ask dewalt?...cause nothing ventured...nothing gained
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
the cheap bits do bend. i have a nice assorted set of B&D bits that are S shaped. also my new milwaukee v28 drill is brutal on them. 600 INCH pounds of force, it just totals them.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Cheap bits also shatter. The heat treatment is the harde$t part of manufacturing. No matter what the quality of the bit, -if the bit suddenly digs into more material after it breaks thru any bit will be destroyed and there is a big possibility with powerful drill motors that the operator will take a ride. Throw that bit away after it bends and buy another one. Control over the drilling operation is of primary importance to prevent sudden loading of the bit and motor. Do not use excessive force when drilling and learn to feel what the bit is doing.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,881
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Wow. That's a new one. I've never seen a 1/2" drill bit "bend"???!!! I have had countless tiny bits bend due to my error. I agree with using Vermont American bits. I use those and Craftsman and am generally happy. As you are drilling these 1/2" holes are you working your way up to 1/2" using smaller pilot holes? or just punching through with that 1/2" bit?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
How hot was the drill bit to have it bend instead of break? I have never broken a drill bit over 1/8 of an inch, though I suppose if you did catch it on the bottom of the hole and had a good grip a cheaper bit could bend. I would be more inclined to think the drill would stall, take you for a ride, or the bit would snap. I have never seen one bend.
Rub my Belly
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: Lawrence, KS
I've had that happen also when I was drilling holes in the frame for my tow hooks. Those half inch bits aren't cheap! Looks like titanicf150 has the best advice.
Those drill doctors are awesome. I love mine.
Those drill doctors are awesome. I love mine.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
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From: Trumbull Ct.
thanx for all the replies fellas. to answer a few questions... i was not hitting anything as i went through the hole. the holes are in my frame rail and i can clearly see what is on the other side ..which is nothing but air. also the bits weren't really getting hot at least not hot enough to bend ( i was using cutting oil the whole time)...i just figure for $15 a 1/2" bit shouldnt be bending. but i think i'll go ahead and send them an email just to see what they say (cant hurt)... but definately gonna take the advice with using the vermont american instead of the dewalt. if i get anything back from dewalt i'll let you guys know.
thanx again
-aj
thanx again
-aj
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,097
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From: Home, at last!
Two things happened here, one: you used a pilot point bit. This aids in the "spark out" Tintanic mentioned. Always slow down as you are starting to break through. With experience you can feel this and here it. I have bent many bits by going to fast at the end.