Recommend a good quality large size drill bit set

[BigBlue1]

Rob, one thing that hasn't come up in this discussion

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00820M9LS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_bia_widget_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

price has gone up since I bought mine, still worth it if you need to "field drill" holes bigger than about 3/8" - can be used (a bit carefully) in a hand drill. I did manage to break the 5/16" cutter trying to drill 1-1/2" EMT, but individual cutters are also available. also, there are more expensive sets that go larger. Cutting depth is 1/2" or less.

Maybe something to consider til that lottery ticket works :licking: ... Steve

Thanks. That's pretty much what the RotoCut set is. I think they are essentially the same type of tools. I will consider a set if I can find a sale or when I save up and feel like splurging.

Rob

 

[woodlandfarms]

If you are coved bored there are some plans floating around where you gut a treadmill and put that variable speed high torque motor on your drill press.

 

[Big Barn]

Rob, one thing that hasn't come up in this discussion

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00820M9LS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_bia_widget_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

price has gone up since I bought mine, still worth it if you need to "field drill" holes bigger than about 3/8" - can be used (a bit carefully) in a hand drill. I did manage to break the 5/16" cutter trying to drill 1-1/2" EMT, but individual cutters are also available. also, there are more expensive sets that go larger. Cutting depth is 1/2" or less.

Maybe something to consider til that lottery ticket works :licking: ... Steve

If and when any of you purchase sets similar to this I would highly recommend buying EXTRA arbors so that each individual cutter has its own, installed and ready to go.

The cutters are sharp and changing arbors carefully is time consuming

 

[BukitCase]

Good call Terry; most of the time when I use the small kit it's for a single hole size, but you're right about difficulty of changing. I just ordered a second arbor for mine, thanks for the "prod" :laughing: ... Steve

 

[chriswheeler]

Don't know if they are still in business, New York Twist drill Co. offered a good quality set at a great price. Union drill and Greenfield are pricey, but of the best quality. A few other good made in USA Co. but you get the quality you pay for. Best bang for the buck ended up being New York Twist. I guess I need to look them up and see if they are still in business. Larger than 1/2" yes, but until you get into a #5 Morse taper shank it's still small. 4" spade drill in a radial drill press takes some hp to drive it. But it is expensive and can't be found at a ace hardware store
Chris

 

[dstig1]

This video is a very good one on how to sharpen by hand. I find it works pretty well for larger bits, but I can't pull it off on smaller ones. I'd guess my cutoff is around 3/8" give or take. I also have a drill doctor but am not terribly thrilled with it. The hand method seems to turn out a better edge, if you can do it. i do wish he was better focused with the camera, but it still works.

 

[Bigb56]

I have the Rouge Fab speed reducer kit on my old 15" Rockwell and I can bring the speed down to about 100 RPM. I am quite pleased with it, and of course the torque is also multiplied. I am planning to copy this one next for another press Cardinal Machine Co. | Cardinal Tool Co. - Publication Reprints - Number 18 Slo-Drive | VintageMachinery.org , it looks pretty easy to replicate, all the parts can be store bought and the plate easily made.

 

[Bigb56]

What is the preferred angle on bits for mild steel? I have some older sets that are 118 degrees and some newer ones at 135 degrees with split points. I've tried both and it's hard to tell the difference. Last week I sharpened a 3/8" at 118 degrees with the drill doctor and it punched right through my work better than a new bit, this week I did another one at 135 with a split point and it came out very well too. It was an older Milwaukee bit that was 118 but I re ground it to 135.

 

[bigtiller]

I tend to use 135 in the drill press and 118 in a hand motor.

Or sometimes 135 for metal and 118 for wood. 118 won't blow out the back as easily as 135.

 

[dstig1]

118 is the standard point. 135 is intended for harder materials like Stainless or tool steels, I am told. But I don't know why it would help more on hard stuff...