Drill Bit Sets

[rScotty]

It's time to buy new metal cutting drill bits. Probably ought to get a set of fractionals, numbers, and letters to half inch.
Who makes the best drill bits? Best price? Best durability?

rScotty

 

[sea2summit]

Project farm on YouTube is where I’d start researching. Good luck.

 

[Roadworthy]

The longest lasting bits will be made with a cobalt blend. They are expensive but can be sharpened. They will NOT have the best price but you get what you pay for. You can try a web search on best drill bits for steel or something like that, or talk to a machinist.

 

[rgr33]

After many years of using Dewalt, craftsman, Ryobi etc, last year I finally sprung for a set of Norseman bits.
Haven’t really put them to a serious test, but so far they seem to be a definite step up from big box drill bits.

I am frustratingly hit and miss when it comes to sharpening bits, so that part remains to be seen.

 

[TractorGuy]

I bought a small set of Milwaukee Cobalt bits a while back. I haven't used them a lot yet but the other day I used the 5/16" to enlarge some 3/16" holes in a high speed steel saw blade. I ran the drill very slow sos not to overheat the bit and it gnawed right through.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[ptsg]

I saw a set of drill bits on Abom79 Youtube channel the other day and I found that to be a very cool concept. The tip of the drill is ground like a step drill, which should reduce the force needed to push the drill through the material. It's a great fit for hand drills.

Here is the link. It's made in USA by the way, or so they claim. The only downside I see is that it can't be easily ground like the conventional drill bits.

VORTEX–POINT™ Mechanics Length — Norseman™ Drill and Tool

VORTEX–POINT™ - Unique tip geometry reduces heat generation and increasing tool life.

www.norsemandrill.com

 

[crazyal]

We use Irwin Cobalt bits at work for drilling stainless and harden steel. I was impressed enough so I bought a set of them for my shop. I don't know how good the "Harbor Freight" Chineseum cobalt drill bits are but I think any name brand ones are worth the investment.

 

[big bubba]

you'll get plenty of good leads here on new ones. all i can say is what not to get: Harbor Freight
i get a lot from them, but never a cutting edge.

 

[Doughknob]

We use Irwin Cobalt bits at work for drilling stainless and harden steel. I was impressed enough so I bought a set of them for my shop. I don't know how good the "Harbor Freight" Chineseum cobalt drill bits are but I think any name brand ones are worth the investment.

I'll second the goodness of Irwin cobalt bits!