quick-change drill bit sets?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 544
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From: Cupertino, CA
quick-change drill bit sets?
Hi, all -
I've decided that I need to invest in a set of quick-change drill bits (the ones with hex shanks). I'd like to find a set of at least ~20 drill bits, with or without all of the various screwdriver attachments included. Does anyone know of a source? I'd like for them to be good quality as well.
Thanks for any leads...
mz
I've decided that I need to invest in a set of quick-change drill bits (the ones with hex shanks). I'd like to find a set of at least ~20 drill bits, with or without all of the various screwdriver attachments included. Does anyone know of a source? I'd like for them to be good quality as well.
Thanks for any leads...
mz
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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I have bought a couple of sets from Home Depot. The ones where the drill bits were cast in some sort of zinc or aluminum hex material did not work and twisted right out. The set I got that had the drill bits brazed onto steel hex stock worked great.
I do not use them very often tho. I have a professional grade auto-lock chuck on my cordless drill motor that is fast to operate.
I do not use them very often tho. I have a professional grade auto-lock chuck on my cordless drill motor that is fast to operate.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 544
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From: Cupertino, CA
Do you remember the mfg./brand of the set you liked?
I too have an auto chuck, and it's pretty fast, but there are times when I need to move back and forth between two or three bit sizes, and the quick-change feature would be nice for that.
Ideally, I'd like to get a set that goes up to 1/2" but that might not exist; the quick-changes seem to be much more common in the smaller sizes.
I went to Home Despot today to take a look. The tools guy told me that they're not that good because the hex shank isn't as solid a surface to grip for the chuck as a round shank. I decided that I've been giving him too much credit as a tools authority.
I too have an auto chuck, and it's pretty fast, but there are times when I need to move back and forth between two or three bit sizes, and the quick-change feature would be nice for that.
Ideally, I'd like to get a set that goes up to 1/2" but that might not exist; the quick-changes seem to be much more common in the smaller sizes.
I went to Home Despot today to take a look. The tools guy told me that they're not that good because the hex shank isn't as solid a surface to grip for the chuck as a round shank. I decided that I've been giving him too much credit as a tools authority.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 76
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From: Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by mzimmers
I went to Home Despot today to take a look. The tools guy told me that they're not that good because the hex shank isn't as solid a surface to grip for the chuck as a round shank. I decided that I've been giving him too much credit as a tools authority.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Your chuck will hold a hex shank much better than a round shank.
However that being said, I don't particularly like the quick-change setup only because the bits generally don't fit tight enough into the adapter that goes into the drill press or hand drill, therefore you can get some wobbling and holes that can be slightly oversized or worse - not as round as you'd like them.
Chucking the hex-shank bits into the drill solves the problem entirely, but you lose the quick change feature.
I have two drill presses, and two hand drills. The big, floor standing drill press still has a chuck that requires a key to loosen/tighten, however I changed the chucks on both hand drills and the benchtop drill press to the quicker, tool free hand-tighten chuck. I find that to be a fast way of removing and installing bits of any kind.
However that being said, I don't particularly like the quick-change setup only because the bits generally don't fit tight enough into the adapter that goes into the drill press or hand drill, therefore you can get some wobbling and holes that can be slightly oversized or worse - not as round as you'd like them.
Chucking the hex-shank bits into the drill solves the problem entirely, but you lose the quick change feature.
I have two drill presses, and two hand drills. The big, floor standing drill press still has a chuck that requires a key to loosen/tighten, however I changed the chucks on both hand drills and the benchtop drill press to the quicker, tool free hand-tighten chuck. I find that to be a fast way of removing and installing bits of any kind.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,479
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Any major brand of keyless chuck should be good, there`s always warranty as well. I really like the keyless chuck as it can hold the drill bit much better. 
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Vermont American and Jacob's are the two brands I generally use, because they are available at home depot and/or Lowes.
The jacob chucks are more espensive, but I've yet to have one bind.
The jacob chucks are more espensive, but I've yet to have one bind.
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