Drill Bits

TonyC · Nov 7, 2001

After years of going to my friends shops to use their drill press I'm finally getting my own. I have been looking at drill bits and have found it to be greatly confusing. High Speed Steel, Titanium, Cobalt etc etc. And whats worse is that there is obviously a wide range in quality. I can get an indexed 115 piece Titanium set with a case anywhere for $29.95. Somehow I think these might be a dissapointment!

So what's the skinny on a good set of bits. I'll be using them for typical AG work, probably mostly steel. I'd like to have a set up to 1" as well. Any recommendations for a set I can count on to last without taking out a loan to get them?

kubmech · Nov 8, 2001

Hmmmm.. Drill bits that last. A set of decent bits up to 1" is probably going to run you 200-300 bucks for high speed steel.
I prefer the split tips. As far as a brand, that's kind of tough to say my set is snap on which is pretty pricey but I don't have to run to the store every time I need to replace one. They seem to hold up pretty good.

Egon · Nov 8, 2001

Drill bits that last:
Maybe just get a cheap set and then when you really need to do some heavy drilling go buy the good bit thats required. Otherwise take out a loan.
Egon

TonyC · Nov 8, 2001

Well thanks to all for the input and advice. I am begining to see that what I want would cost more than I want to pay. I think I'll go with Egon's advice.

HR_Mutt · Nov 9, 2001

TonyC
Congrat's on getting your own drill press. I'd not complain if I had a set of those brand new Titanium drill bits for $30. Have you checked out harborfreight.com for the larger ones? They have a 13pc set to 1" in case, M2 steel for $44.99. They're not bad, very usable in fact.
regards
Mutt

Egon · Nov 9, 2001

Tony:
I erred in my previous note. I should have said inexpensive bits as the real cheap ones are best left in the store. After some use you will find the ones that are most often used. Replace these with a quality product.
Egon

TonyC · Nov 9, 2001

That's the way I took it anyway. I bought cheap bits many years ago...they don't even cut good once. I'll invest about $100 and as you said replace the popular sizes with good ones. Maybe eventually I'll have a top notch set!

Anonymous Poster · Nov 9, 2001

Cobalt bits are outstanding. Unfortunately they are expensive.

Does anybody know of a good and inexpensive drill bit set (not cobalt) to make up the sizes that I do not have? Up to 1/2 inch? Up to 1 inch?

therrien · Nov 22, 2001

I am a machinist for a college and buy qaulity drill bits for myself ( ie. index with fractional, number and letter drills about $ 400.00 ) For student use it is a very different approach. I purchased a set from Anco? or Nanco for about $50.00 that surprized the h#*l out of me. The set was up to 1/2", 0 to 60, A thru Z, 135 degree split point coated drills made in India. They have performed fantastically. Now when a bit is worn I replace it with a qaulity bit with out having a high initial cost. Using cutting oil and multiple bits when drilling larger holes, will allow this set as original last a very long time.
If College students don't destoy them out of the gate, they can't be that bad.( the drill bits)

Doug T B1700 TLB

GlennT · Nov 22, 2001

This is not a direct response, but it might be helpful. I'm frugal (read stingy) about some things and I really hate to pay big bucks for things like drill bits. I have found through several decades of frugalness that if I always start with a small bit and work up through progressively larger ones (1/16, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, etc.) that I can use cheap large bits and make them last. Also, it takes some of the stress off of my drill and I am able to use a WalMart Black & Decker drill for several years before it dies. Maybe this is just common sense and everybody knows this; if so I apologize for wasting your time. However, it's something that worked well for me. Obviously this takes more time and requires patience.