Drill Bit Talk & Tips

[89Suburban]

How many of you's hate drilling, especially with old beat up bits? Some new ones even suck. What types do you prefer and how do you keep them working good?

I like those tips that have the groove in them, they seem to cut good.

 

[davbell22602]

Dewalt drill bits with the pilots on them are on wood. I like metal drill bits made by craftsman that drill through hard metal. I dont think craftsman makes them anymore. There in a red metal box and I paid 60 bucks for them long time ago.

 

[89Suburban]

Dewalt drill bits with the pilots on them are on wood. I like metal drill bits made by craftsman that drill through hard metal. I dont think craftsman makes them anymore. There in a red metal box and I paid 60 bucks for them long time ago.

I just have a bunch of mixed brands thrown in a plastic cup.

 

[HotRodPC]

I know this much. Avoid Harbor Freight Bits. Most of them are very weak. And I don't mean to snap from hard pressure. I kid you know, I have been using them before, and when they get hot, they will bend right over. Its actually quite funny looking. Then after they cool, they won't bend back and if you try, they'll snap then. So bottom line, the HF bits I have tried, do not stand up to heavy duty drilling and heat. Thin sheet metal, you're OK, probably wood too, but don't think you'll get a hole drilled thru a frame or a bracket. Its not gonna happen.

 

[crazy4offroad]

I like the DeWalt Pilot Point bits too, they do pretty good on steel as well. I have one of those plastic coffee cans full of random drill bits I've acquired over the years, I always go for those first before using my good stuff.

 

[89Suburban]

I have been Googling the Dewalt bits to see what you guys are talking about, they look good, and I like the non slip shank on them too.

 

[skysurfer]

I collect driil sets the way Retro collects sockets. The best set that I have for the tough jobs are made by Rodman.

http://www.rodmanandcoinc.com/rodmanandcoinc.com/item04c5-2.html?UCIDs=1307321|1307323&PRID=1492961

I bought them at the county fair after watching the demo guy drill through concrete block, tool steel, ceramic tile, and glass all with the same bit. Company support is first rate too, I broke the 1/8" bit while trying to drill at an angle and sent the broken bit back to Rodman for replacement. I got a letter back a week later telling me they received the manilla envelope but the drill was missing. (I hadn't included a note telling them what I needed.) But based on the indentation the drill had made in the envelope they guessed (correctly) that I need a 1/8" bit and included it with the letter they sent. Great service.


To keep the rest of my drills sharp I bought a Drill Doctor 750X.

http://www.drilldoctor.com/

My Dad could sharpen a bit by hand on a grinder but I never got the hang of it. The DD is easy to use and even does split-points. I've sharpened enough bits with it to pay for itself.

 

[89Suburban]

I collect driil sets the way Retro collects sockets. The best set that I have for the tough jobs are made by Rodman.

http://www.rodmanandcoinc.com/rodmanandcoinc.com/item04c5-2.html?UCIDs=1307321|1307323&PRID=1492961

I bought them at the county fair after watching the demo guy drill through concrete block, tool steel, ceramic tile, and glass all with the same bit. Company support is first rate too, I broke the 1/8" bit while trying to drill at an angle and sent the broken bit back to Rodman for replacement. I got a letter back a week later telling me they received the manilla envelope but the drill was missing. (I hadn't included a note telling them what I needed.) But based on the indentation the drill had made in the envelope they guessed (correctly) that I need a 1/8" bit and included it with the letter they sent. Great service.
.

No ****, that good and versatile? Damn. I couldn;t imagine using the same bit for all those materials.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Looks like a hammer drill bit. Since they say it works I guess it works, but I would feel weird using a masonry bit to drill steel.

 

[skysurfer]

They drill through anything, but the key is a fast drill. I don't bother using them in a cordless drill because the rpm's are too low.

 

[89Suburban]

Is 13,000 fast enough or higher than that?

 

[bucket]

I've got a big box of drill bits I got from my brother in law, who knows where he got them. They were new though. I've put them all through hell and they have held up fine, except for a couple smaller ones. They died trying to drill steam holes into a set of SBC heads.

At work, I just have a mix of different bits. Craftsman, Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc. When I wear those out, I just sharpen them on the bench grinder. I've gotten pretty darn good at it. Only the smaller ones (like 1/8) get replaced when they wear out.

 

[89Suburban]

Steam holes?

 

[skysurfer]

Is 13,000 fast enough or higher than that?

Geez man, wth kinda drill you got? My corded Skil works

good at 2250.

 

[89Suburban]

Geez man, wth kinda drill you got? My corded Skil works

good at 2250.

No, I am sorry, I meant 1,300. That's the top speed of my Makita cordless.