Author Topic: drill bits (Read 2186 times)

cheapbarb · « **on:** September 20, 2020, 12:39:47 PM »

I'm looking for a good drill bit set for the household. The bits we currently have are junk. I'll probably buy seperate sets for metal and wood. Does anyone here have some they really like?

StashingAway · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:55:58 PM »

For metal I have had good luck with the Milwaukee Cobalt (Red Helix) bits. They last a decent while on hard metal and are a good compromise for durability/quality. I have had aweful luck with the equivalent house brands (cough... Menards). For wood I am less picky... I just have a DeWalt set.

Papa bear · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2020, 08:15:36 PM »

The Milwaukee set has been good. I have gone through the cheapo ones too quickly, and even Ryobi breaks and dulls too fast. I haven’t used any Bosch, but anything I’ve used of theirs for “consumable” tools, like reciprocating saw blades or drivers, have been absolutely fantastic.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

lthenderson · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2020, 07:29:38 AM »

I have a DeWalt set that has been really good to me. Years ago however, I bought a no name bulk drill bit set off of Amazon that came with around 20 or 30 bits per size. They aren't near the quality but probably cheaper in the long run than constantly buying a new good set every time I broke one of the small bits in my DeWalt set. I don't use the bigger bits of the bulk set often but I do grab one of those if I know there will be a good chance of ruining the bit and reserve the one in my DeWalt set for my woodworking projects.

cdgreg · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2020, 06:15:07 PM »

I'm definitely keeping an eye on this thread. I've been wondering about the Harbor Freight Cobalt drill bits. Last month they had the 29 piece set on sale from $65 to $45. Similarly, they have a 115 piece set for $115 or $92 with coupon. Some of the positive reviews state, "cobalt is cobalt..." not sure that's truly the case but I'm definitely curious.

Dancin'Dog · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2020, 07:47:38 AM »

The 29 piece sets seem like a good assortment for me. The 115 sets seem to have more sizes than I really need.

I've found that it's nice to have the variety of sizes on hand, but if I have a project with a lot of drilling in metal I'll just be using the few common bits a lot. I buy extras of those.

StashingAway · « **Reply #6 on:** September 27, 2020, 07:09:36 PM »

Quote from: cdgreg on September 26, 2020, 06:15:07 PM

I'm definitely keeping an eye on this thread. I've been wondering about the Harbor Freight Cobalt drill bits. Last month they had the 29 piece set on sale from $65 to $45. Similarly, they have a 115 piece set for $115 or $92 with coupon. Some of the positive reviews state, "cobalt is cobalt..." not sure that's truly the case but I'm definitely curious.

I have not tried the HF ones (they do make some decent hardware), but the Cobalt ones from Menards are absolute sh*t and a far cry from the Milwaukee ones. So much so that I had to double check that I didn't grab soft wood bits or something. This was for use on drilling hard steel.

uniwelder · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2020, 06:18:18 AM »

I would recommend a cheap set from Harbor Freight or equivalent, and use the same drill bits for metal or wood, except for some wood spade bits. Most of the time, drill bits will fail in a hand drill because 1) the rpm is too high and overheats the cutting edge in metal, or 2) due to lack of control and the tip snaps when exiting the far side of the material or 3) from wobbling/buckling when putting load on a small diameter (<1/8") bit.

Unless you're drilling hard steel or stainless, cobalt won't matter and HSS should be fine. Split point tips are fantastic though (less force needed and won't dull as quick) and recommend a set like that, at least for bits less than 1/4". Anything bigger than 1/4", you should be drilling a pilot hole anyway, then enlarging to the final size.

Car Jack · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2020, 04:48:13 PM »

I do a ton of metal drilling into relatively thick steel. I make sure I first drill a smaller pilot hole and I always use oil to keep the drill bit cooler and to lubricate the end. I have a drill doctor that I use to sharpen the larger bits. I've probably used every type of bit that exists.

lutorm · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2020, 06:39:40 PM »

One discovery I made is the value of "screw machine length" drills. They're shorter than the normal "jobber" bits which means they wander less and are less likely to break. I mostly use metric drills and I've been buying mine from grainger.com.

Just Joe · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2020, 09:42:58 AM »

I bought one of those ~120 piece drill index. A cheap one. Nice metal index box.

I have several sizes I tend to abuse and break. I replace them with good quality bits and put them in the index with the cheap bits. However I have all those other sizes that rarely if ever get used and thus last forever.

Tempname23 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2020, 07:05:16 AM »

This guy does loads of tool testing, here's his testing off 12 brands of drill bits.
I think his testing methods are pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgQeSrsAXgE
Skip to 15:45 for the results.

FLBiker · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2020, 07:26:09 AM »

I got this one and I've been happy with it: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ryobi-multi-material-drill-and-drive-kit-60-piece-/1001010608

BudgetSlasher · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2020, 07:39:59 AM »

Quote from: lthenderson on September 21, 2020, 07:29:38 AM

I have a DeWalt set that has been really good to me. Years ago however, I bought a no name bulk drill bit set off of Amazon that came with around 20 or 30 bits per size. They aren't near the quality but probably cheaper in the long run than constantly buying a new good set every time I broke one of the small bits in my DeWalt set. I don't use the bigger bits of the bulk set often but I do grab one of those if I know there will be a good chance of ruining the bit and reserve the one in my DeWalt set for my woodworking projects.

I've done something similar. Years (probably closer to 10) I bought a large (300+ piece) pack at one of the Sam's/Costco/BJ's that has all several different kinds of bits. None of them are great quality, I've broken many of the small bits and I tend to reserve them for rough carpentry.

Then I buy a set of DeWalt or similar bits every ~3 years that I use for better projects. After a few years they go into general use since I'll have broken some of the smaller ones.

Leroy_tabane · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2021, 08:36:47 PM »

Use cutting fluid when you drill metal and at low speed, by low I mean so slow that you can see the tip turn and not just a blur, especially with larger holes. I say that with many years of experience. I have used other kind of oils when I didn't have the real stuff handy, even olive oil. You just have to keep the hole lubricated. Happy drilling!

ender · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2021, 08:41:47 PM »

Quote from: Tempname23 on November 02, 2020, 07:05:16 AM

This guy does loads of tool testing, here's his testing off 12 brands of drill bits.
I think his testing methods are pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgQeSrsAXgE
Skip to 15:45 for the results.

I love that just reading your description made me know who the video was made by :-)

StashingAway · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2021, 08:21:08 AM »

Quote from: ender on January 07, 2021, 08:41:47 PM

Quote from: Tempname23 on November 02, 2020, 07:05:16 AM
This guy does loads of tool testing, here's his testing off 12 brands of drill bits.
I think his testing methods are pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgQeSrsAXgE
Skip to 15:45 for the results.

I love that just reading your description made me know who the video was made by :-)

I had to do another round of drilling in metal this last week. I decided to see for myself if his conclusion that Bosch was better than Milwaukee for durability. I am glad that I did! I've found a new favorite metal bit! Where I usually managed ~75 holes for the Milwaukee bits, I got 100+ out of the Bosch ones.

I change my answer: Bosch for drilling into steel is my new go-to bit.

Dancin'Dog · « **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2021, 09:54:25 AM »

Machine shop supply stores would be the best place to purchase quality drills in bulk. They don't sell the consumer-grade brands that Lowes & HD have.

Mighty Eyebrows · « **Reply #18 on:** January 09, 2021, 07:12:12 PM »

Quote from: Tempname23 on November 02, 2020, 07:05:16 AM

This guy does loads of tool testing, here's his testing off 12 brands of drill bits.
I think his testing methods are pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgQeSrsAXgE
Skip to 15:45 for the results.

Thank-you for the video link. I have watched a lot of tool reviews but never came across "Project Farm" before. I just sat and watched about 15 of his videos - excellent!

Fishindude · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2021, 09:13:41 AM »

I've got a big set of bits in a metal index, not even sure what brand, maybe Kobalt or Irwin? It's just middle of the road stuff, nothing fancy but it does the job.
Drill bits break, so when you have an index full it's important to quickly replace a bit that breaks or you will soon find yourself with a bunch of missing bits in the sizes you use frequently.
You can order replacement bits online with free shipping and have them in a day or two, which is better than burning gas trying to find them at a hardware store.

I've learned how to sharpen my bits on a simple bench grinder, so dull bits can pretty quickly be made sharp.

News:

Author Topic: drill bits (Read 2186 times)