Rotary File bits. What's best?

[Trollhole]

Have a die grinder. Have been using a couple of bits from northern. Problem is they suck.

Who makes a good quality bit that isn't over the top as far as price? Also I've heard of people using tungsten Carbide grinding bits. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[RavenTai]

what sucks about the ones you are using? are they dulling to fast? what material are you using them on and what job?

tungsten carbide is great, does not qualify as affordable though

 

[3DAMAN!]

Try MSC ,J&L ,Travers, Enco, Rutland and other machine shop suppliers. They all send out catalogs every month. And they all have good web sites. There are about 10 different styles and cutting patterns for the teeth and flutes of a rotory cutter or burr( as some of the old heads call them), kinda like normal files. You need to be sure your using the right cutting pattern for your needs.
Some of the burrs I use ,I have had for a number of years!
Stay away from the cheap stuff. You get what you pay for!
A carbide burr will last a long time if use correctly, but it is pricey.
Interstate and Kennametal are the best ! Enco and Rutland also carry some cheaper imports but like I stated, you get what you pay for!
Good luck,

 

[Trollhole]

Using them on steel. They were Northern tool brands. They were cheap and they sucked. I'd like to buy something that will last and is not overpriced.

 

[latenitecustoms]

Check out McMaster-Carr you can get them with a variety of cuts from standard spiral to more aggressive. We've used them on stainless for years without problems.

 

[MOfj40]

Try MSC ,J&L........

MSC recently bought and absorbed J&L. They will likely be cheaper than McMaster or Grainger.

Carbide is the way to go. They aren't cheap, but are exponentially better than a HSS burr.

Northern tool sucks in general. I know a lot of people love them, but their products are second/third tier quality and their prices can be easily beaten if you look around.

 

[3DAMAN!]

MSC recently bought and absorbed J&L.



Didn't know that.
May be thats why we haven't gotten as many catalogs in the mail recently...............

 

[Tools R Us]

MSC also owns Enco.

 

[TURNMEOVER]

I have been using a snap on bit for years. And yes it was pricey at around 85.00 ea but they cut fast and last for ever.