Drill bits

[johnr]

What bits do you guys use. Seems lately the cheap bits I have been buying either dull quick or bust off.

Weekend projects, nothing serious needed for major projects.

 

[Prairie Doggin']

What bits do you guys use. Seems lately the cheap bits I have been buying either dull quick or bust off.

Weekend projects, nothing serious needed for major projects.

I end up buying the cheap crap. Huge plastic case with multiples of each bit. Then, I bust/dull them and smile.

 

[NodakBob]

Dewalt for most stuff under 1/2”

 

[wslayer]

Spend a little more and get a set from Napa, highly recommend. I also purchased a Drill Dr for sharpening.

 

[risingsun]

What bits do you guys use. Seems lately the cheap bits I have been buying either dull quick or bust off.

Weekend projects, nothing serious needed for major projects.

Push the button back the other way. Your drilling in reverse!!!!!!!

 

[KDM]

For wood bits, the cheapies seem to work just fine. For drilling metal, I ask my local machinist what he recommends. Brands change, but I figure when a man's bills are paid using certain tools, I tend to look more closely at those tools.

 

[Fester]

For wood bits, the cheapies seem to work just fine. For drilling metal, I ask my local machinist what he recommends. Brands change, but I figure when a man's bills are paid using certain tools, I tend to look more closely at those tools.

Do you have a ton of snapon tools?

 

[KDM]

Do you have a ton of snapon tools?

Only by accident.

 

[1lessdog]

When drilling into metal I use Center Drill 99% of the time and never break them. They seem to last a long time. If going thru real thick stuff then I start with a Center Drill then put in a Cobalt Drill bit and finish up.

 

[NDbowman]

Bosch cobalt bits are what I use. Used to be $16 bucks a set, now closer to $40. Work really well on steel. I had a fencing project where I used drill stem for posts and wanted to hang 3/4" sucker rod but didn't want to weld the clips to hang the sucker rod in case I had to take it all down. So I bought 4 bosch cobalt bits the size I needed and started drill holes in the drill stem posts. 8 holes per post with a milwaukee m18 drill. I was curious how many holes I'd get before I dulled the bit. I didn't use oil or cutting fluid, didn't drill slow, went as fast as the drill would go and would just stop a few seconds to let bit cool a bit before drilling again. Never did dull a bit, got well over 100 holes, I'd snap a bit long before I dulled them. I think I was on my third bit when I finished and still use that bit.
The only thing that will dull them is just drilling high speed without stopping to cool it, it'll just burn the tip off in no time. The other thing I drilled a hole in that dulled a bit was an old piece of angle iron from a bed frame. I expected it to be cheap soft steel, It wasn't, it was some super hard stuff that I couldn't believe, harder than drill stem thats for sure.

Amazon product

 

[1lessdog]

Bosch cobalt bits are what I use. Used to be $16 bucks a set, now closer to $40. Work really well on steel. I had a fencing project where I used drill stem for posts and wanted to hang 3/4" sucker rod but didn't want to weld the clips to hang the sucker rod in case I had to take it all down. So I bought 4 bosch cobalt bits the size I needed and started drill holes in the drill stem posts. 8 holes per post with a milwaukee m18 drill. I was curious how many holes I'd get before I dulled the bit. I didn't use oil or cutting fluid, didn't drill slow, went as fast as the drill would go and would just stop a few seconds to let bit cool a bit before drilling again. Never did dull a bit, got well over 100 holes, I'd snap a bit long before I dulled them. I think I was on my third bit when I finished and still use that bit.
The only thing that will dull them is just drilling high speed without stopping to cool it, it'll just burn the tip off in no time. The other thing I drilled a hole in that dulled a bit was an old piece of angle iron from a bed frame. I expected it to be cheap soft steel, It wasn't, it was some super hard stuff that I couldn't believe, harder than drill stem thats for sure.

Amazon product

What size hole are you drilling by hand?

 

[NDbowman]

small, 1/4". I used some self tappers to fasten the clips to the post. Its easier to pre drill a small hole for the self tapper.

 

[Skeeter]

These are very good for the price. I’ve had a set for many years with a lot of use and still going strong. The trick is to use a good quality cutting oil. Don’t just put your bit in your drill, throw all your lard on it and hold the trigger wide open. Slower speed and even steady pressure. A good sharp bit with throw small shavings and not a steady curl of metal. Too fast and too hard will burn the tip and then you might as well use to clean your ass crack because it’s shot after that.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

I bought a full set many many years ago at the Winter Show in Valley City.
The gentleman had a display and demonstration right where you came into the big quonset. I know that had to be around 25-30 years ago and still going strong with that set. It was spendy but they have been used and abused and still going.

 

[riverview]

at macs in the cheap tool rack i bought a set of uni bits, cone shaped stepped bits. best bits ever all of a sudden they have been used for 6 years and still drill. they have drilled a lot of stainless steel.

 

[Davy Crockett]

at macs in the cheap tool rack i bought a set of uni bits, cone shaped stepped bits. best bits ever all of a sudden they have been used for 6 years and still drill. they have drilled a lot of stainless steel.

I picked up one up at the boat store for under $5 , it sure comes in handy on thin metals. I should have bought two for that price.

 

[Callem'In]

I used Milwaukee shockwave bits and still do. I finally upgraded to the Viking Noresman vortex bits and they are out performing everything else I have used. I use them in an automotive shop and they get quite a bit of use. Plus, lifetime warranty no questions asked.

 

[NDbowman]

at macs in the cheap tool rack i bought a set of uni bits, cone shaped stepped bits. best bits ever all of a sudden they have been used for 6 years and still drill. they have drilled a lot of stainless steel.

stainless is some hard stuff, those bits have to be good.

 

[Fester]

Boeing drill bits..havent found anything better.

 

[lunkerslayer]

These are very good for the price. I’ve had a set for many years with a lot of use and still going strong. The trick is to use a good quality cutting oil. Don’t just put your bit in your drill, throw all your lard on it and hold the trigger wide open. Slower speed and even steady pressure. A good sharp bit with throw small shavings and not a steady curl of metal. Too fast and too hard will burn the tip and then you might as well use to clean your ass crack because it’s shot after that.

Yep i agree crazy for the initial price but they cut very well, i never use these in a drill. Most people actually drill in the highest setting, the drill rotates the bit too fast and heats up the drill bits causing them to prematurelydull faster. Drill bits are meant to trun slow in a vertical down force, when you use a drill especially when you are forcing the bit down you are actually or most likely drilling at an angle which is also hard on the bit. To properly use a drill bit when you are drilling through steal use cutting oil and a drill press. If you need to drill horizontal again the slowest setting and cutting oil. Your bits will last much longer