Looking for GOOD drill bits

[knorrena]

I used to be able to get good drill bits. For me a good bit stays sharp for a reasonable time and have a good cut rate. I have observed lately that the new bits I buy suck. The get dull often before finishing the hole and take forever to cut through.

For example, I recently had to drill out a busted bolt on the frame of my 80 series. The bolt that broke is one that holds the trailer hitch. It took three bits (each the same size, but different brands) and a crap load of swearing. Then I got lucky and found one of my old bits. No problems with the old bit.

So where can I find good bits?

Karl

 

[rusty_tlc]

Where do you buy them now?
The Home store?
If so look for a machinist supply place where you live.
A quick google search shows about 4 pages of results.
You want a place that sells to local machine shops.

 

[e9999]

cobalt and a Drill Doctor helps some...

 

[2mbb]

x2 on the drill doctor. However, lately I'm having a hard time finding bits that don't have some sort of bullet point on them, and I'm not sure how to sharpen those with the doctor.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

UniBit all the way for steel!

Regards,

Alan

 

[e9999]

I believe the cobalt steel bits have to be sharpened with a split point.

 

[knorrena]

I am embarrassed to admit that I have been buying bits at Home Depot. Dewalt bits suck, as do Bosch bits, though the Bosch bits do hold up better. I have not tried Milwaukee bits.

I have a couple of unibits. They kick ass.

 

[MOfj40]

Cleveland, Precision Twist, Chicago Latrobe (all cobalt, 135 degree split point) are what I buy for my shop. One bit will last a good while if one of the Production monkeys get a hold of it. It will last for many, many holes through stainless steel if myself or one of my Maint Techs are using it. Definitely worth the price premium.

 

[craptabulous]

for a good set of bits dont freak out when you see the price tag of 400-500$

barnes distrubution , bowman bits . anything from barnes is top notch .

had good results with cle-line from acklands , a bit cheaper then the bowmans .

 

[rusty_tlc]

I am embarrassed to admit that I have been buying bits at Home Depot. Dewalt bits suck, as do Bosch bits, though the Bosch bits do hold up better. I have not tried Milwaukee bits.

.....

I wouldn't be surprised if they all came from the same province in China and were just re-labeled for each Mfg.

 

[Ol'40]

I wouldn't be surprised if they all came from the same province in China and were just re-labeled for each Mfg.

Yeah, we have the same problem here in Aus, cheap crap from china...

 

[LukeZero]

Cleveland Twist Drill. Everything else is inferior.









Not that inferior is a bad thing. It's always a trade-off between price and quality. Get the best you can afford.


Oh, and the better Drill Doctors will do a 135* split point. I've had the same set of drill bits for better than 10 years. I'll only replace as I break one or have sharpened it down to a nub.

 

[Rambrush]

McMaster Carr used to stock quite a selection as well.

 

[Pin_Head]

What the heck are you drilling? Hardened steel?

I have trouble finding bad drill bits. Even cheap ones will drill mild steel with no problem.

 

[e9999]

Cleveland Twist Drill. Everything else is inferior.









Not that inferior is a bad thing. It's always a trade-off between price and quality. Get the best you can afford.


Oh, and the better Drill Doctors will do a 135* split point. I've had the same set of drill bits for better than 10 years. I'll only replace as I break one or have sharpened it down to a nub.

yup, been doing well with my Drill Doctor too. Not that I have used it much though, but it's fun.
Have you had to change the diamond wheel yet? If so, after how many sharpenings roughly you think?

 

[LukeZero]

yup, been doing well with my Drill Doctor too. Not that I have used it much though, but it's fun.
Have you had to change the diamond wheel yet? If so, after how many sharpenings roughly you think?

I've flipped it over a couple of times to get onto the "backside" of the grit. I don't know if it really makes a difference or not. I've swapped it once, and it's getting time to do it again.

Total # of sharpenings ~ 150ish. I don't push the bit into the grinding wheel as hard as I can, just enough to make a good spark and let it slowly cut.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

What the heck are you drilling? Hardened steel?

I have trouble finding bad drill bits. Even cheap ones will drill mild steel with no problem.

This. I find that correct technique along with a decent grind and darn near any bit will work. Just drilled 200 1/8" diameter holes 5/8" deep with one made in China bit from the local farm supply store. And that was with the factory drill point. Regrind your dull bits with a Drill Doctor or similar and try again. I've seen plenty of bits that are not ground very well right out of the package.

Otherwise the made in USA brands mentioned above work well. Nachi is another good drill manufacturer; IIRC out of Japan. MSC, McMaster-Carr, Enco, J&L, Fastenal and many other places will sell you good drill bits.

Nick

 

[e9999]

you can tell the real men in the shop by their ability to grind some bits real sharp with a regular wheel grinder... it's all in the wrist action as they say...


I tried a couple of times. Sadly, I must be only a half real man cuz they looked like they were half-assed sharp. OK, not really, but still. (Beware the table leg cutting syndrome...)

 

[e9999]

I've flipped it over a couple of times to get onto the "backside" of the grit. I don't know if it really makes a difference or not. I've swapped it once, and it's getting time to do it again.

Total # of sharpenings ~ 150ish. I don't push the bit into the grinding wheel as hard as I can, just enough to make a good spark and let it slowly cut.

that's pretty good. At the price of good bits, it does not take too long to get even. Plus you don't have to worry about losing your only bit of the right size in the middle of a job and having to stop everything to go to the store...

I've only done maybe a dozen sharpenings with mine and it takes some practice but I was able to resurrect some old and even broken bits.

 

[craptabulous]

try using cutting oil when you drill any bit will last about 100x longer and cut better .