Question on drill bits??

[Parttimer]

I just mounted a 1,000 lb hand crank winch to a long 2" trailer hitch extension, to be able to use it on my truck, tractor, and trailer. I went through alot of drills for just three holes in what looks like 3/8" thick steel. I know alot of them were probably no good to begin with but, when I went through the little container of drill bits from my grand father's old tool box, it went through it like butter. GrandFather is no longer around, so I can not ask him about it, he used to like to school me in these areas, he was a machinist by trade.

Any how, what drill bits do I need to purchase to use in my drill press for future projects? Thick metal like hitch recievers and such. I do not want to buy junk. Any help would be appreciated greatly.

Dave /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[shvl73]

If they were just dulling on you, try a Drill Doctor bit sharpener. You can find them at alot of stores and they work real well. The convenience of being able to re-sharpen and finish the job is worth many times the cost.

 

[Parttimer]

There must be a difference in quality amoung drill bits? I did a search and found a huge range for drill bits, Just want to know what kind people use, that use them regularly. I am willing to pay decent money "IF" it is worth it. I had alot of fun putting together my little project. Looking forward to more.

Dave

 

[Farwell]

Dave,
There are a lot if different quality bits on the market. I have never tried the titanium coated bits so don't know if they are any good. The are usually sold it sets that are real cheap.
For general use I use drill bits that have the little point on the tip, they are gold colored and I think they are sold by Black and Decker. The little point sets in the center punch mark and holds the drill in line while starting. I do not know how to sharpen the drills with the tip on them, but they work very well for me.
Always use cutting oil, it will increase the life of your drill bits and make drilling much easier.
There may be a possibility that you were trying to drill through metal that had been hardened during the process of being welded. I was a late learner on this, tried to drill a hole in my FEL that was near a weld, my drill bit sat there and did absolutely nothing. Time to drag out the cutting torch or buy a carbide bit the size I needed.
For larger hole sizes in mild steel I use what is called a slug cutter. Mounted in a magnetic drill or drill press I can drill a one inch hole in one inch material in one minute. The hole is very clean.
I am sure that others on TBN have their preferences.
Farwell

 

[cp1969]

Drills are ground and coated for specific purposes. A 118 deg point High Speed Steel bit is probably the most common and would be considered general purpose. The points can vary from flat (180 deg) to 90 degree depending upon the material to be drilled. The drill material itself can be HSS, Cobalt, or Carbide, again, depending upon material to be drilled.

The various coatings, Titanium Nitride probably being the most common, reduce power requirements and extend tool life, however, I'll take a good uncoated tool any day over a Chinese spray paint job.

Some vendors that sell good tools are Enco, Beaver, and MSC and McMaster Carr.

 

[redharley]

I'll 2nd that,good high speed steel bits for general work are easy to resharpen and not overly expensive.Colblt would be the next step up they last a little longer but once dull are harder to resharpen to orginal specs at home.Ths china coated ones as I call them are being sold in hugh boxes of muti bit sets for $40 or less You can keep a box around for that one time use as a quick fix but these Do Not last in my opinion.

 

[Parttimer]

Farwell, A cutting torch is on my list for Father's day. can't wait to play with that. What cutting oil for drilling?

CP1969, and Redharley, Thanks for the info. <font color="blue"> </font> I will check these venders out. Sounds like uncoated drills is the way to go for what i want, and to remember how to sharpen them, My Grandfather taught me how like ten years ago. Took notes somewhere. His drill did not seem to have a coating on them, my drill were the titanium coated ones. I guess junk?

Dave

 

[ronjhall]

Check around your area for a tool supply store near you. Around Southeastern Michigan I use Production Tool Supply. They stock various HSS drill bit types. The link should give you some ideas of what type to buy.
When drilling with a drill press be sure to run the drill at a slow speed. Most drill presses will not run slow enough to drill holes over 1/2" in steel. As already suggested use a cutting oil.

 

[Egon]

With drill bits you get what you pay for. Buy real good individual ones in the sizes that are most used. Saves a lot over a set that has many sizes that are never used.

Don't overheat the bits and keep them sharp.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ronjhall]

I use a product called Tap Magic Pro Tap. Click Here It can be found at most Tool Supply Stores.