Drill Bits

davidbrooks

I typically get a lot of good advice on here.  This one is sort of boating related as i seem to mostly be using and breaking them on the boat.  What do you recommend for drill bits?  I have several partial sets.  DeWalt and two VERY old generic drill sets for metal.  I tend to dull the larger bits and snap the smaller ones.   In some cases i get really lucky and snap off a larger one.  I have done that inside of engine blocks before.  Don't recommend it by the way.   Do you have any brands or drill bits that are your go to bits?  Both for wood, fiberglass and metal.

Handymans342

I use the gold colored ones

Liberty44140

I buy the cheap $10-$15 set from harbor freight because I know I’ll break half the small ones within a year!

Dream_Inn

I have a really large set from Harbor Freight that has many rows of bits in a compact metal case.  I've broken my share in it, but so far have been ok with what is still in there to use.

Aqua_Aura

I generally use DeWalt. I use the gold ones for wood and the black oxide for metal. 

randy56

Dewalt, the harbor freight ones always break, Still have a few of them, and was drilling aluminum last week with a 3/16 and it broke on second hole. buy good one's once.

aero3113

Does Dewalt sell a “BIG” set? All I can find are the smaller sets with drivers.

Ian

Dream_Inn said:

I have a really large set from Harbor Freight...

I was about to head over there to get me a large set until I read the rest of the line.... 

dalek

With regard to drilling metal.
If you can get a set of stub drills, they are very much less likely to break. They are of a similar form but shorter. Stay away from anything coated or carbide. Usually if the drill dulls, it's rotating too fast, and if it breaks, it's either clogged or not going in straight. Some metals will work-harden if you rub the drill without cutting, so don't let the drill rotate in the hole without pushing. Use some lube, if you can. Anything will do.
I would not blame the drill itself too much. Where I work, with a cheap ordinary Dormer drill in a good machine, I can drill 5000+ holes in stainless without sharpening, no problem.

Dream_Inn

icoultha said:

Dream_Inn said:

I have a really large set from Harbor Freight...

I was about to head over there to get me a large set until I read the rest of the line.... 

Most of what I broke was small ones because I was not being real smart.  I really like the set I have and would buy it again.

aero3113

Harbor Freight has 3 big sets. Which is the best one? Prices have a big variation.

Titanium
https://www.harborfreight.com/titanium-m2-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-115-pc-61543.html

Cobalt
https://www.harborfreight.com/cobalt-drill-bit-set-115-pc-61886.html

High Speed Steel
https://www.harborfreight.com/high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-with-index-115-pc-61620.html

davidbrooks

I was hoping to find that there was some secret brand out there.  Looks like i am in good company though.  Welcome to the bit breaker club.  Has anyone ever tried using a bit sharpener?  Is it worth the time?  OR in the end do you just toss them and get a new one?

aero3113

I might but 2 sets from HF. Cobalt strictly for metal and the high speed steel for wood, plastic and fiberglass. Having these sets will probably last a VERY long time if used correctly.

davidbrooks

Coincidentally i keep getting emails from https://drillsandcutters.com/drill-bits/.  Has anyone ever tried their stuff before? Ratings seem to be pretty good.

Dream_Inn

Aero, I may have gone with the titanium one.  I can tell you for sure I didn't pay for the cobalt.  I thought it was the cheapest one, steel, but I'm remembering them being gold colored.  If I remember I'll take a look tonight when I get home.

I'll add that I've had the set for at least 10 years, so very happy with purchase.

aero3113

@Dream_Inn , do you think the titanium set is a good “all around” set? Instead of buying 2 sets?

Aqua_Aura

The titanium set is what I have from DeWalt and I don't like them on steel which is why I also bought the black DeWalt set. 

Dream_Inn

aero3113 said:

@Dream_Inn , do you think the titanium set is a good “all around” set? Instead of buying 2 sets?

I think so, but I can't say that I do as much drilling in steel as I do other stuff.

Aqua_Aura

Just noticed we have the titanium harbor freight set in our maintenance hangar for what it's worth 🤷🏽‍♂️. Not sure why we have a $50 drill bit set and every other tool seems to cost more than a car. 

Black_Diamond

It is really easy to over stress small drill bits with too much pressure: they flex/bend and then break. Add in keeping the bit straight with a hand drill and you break lots of them.  

raybo3

Keep in mind. You get what you pay for. Cheap money cheap product..... just say'n 

toolmaker312

Cobalt is the best for steel but it is the hardest to resharpen. It has a thick web that needs to be thinned. Cleveland or precision twist black oxide are good. I agree with the stub lenght, lube, right pressure, and pecking for cleaning out deep holes. A 1/2 inch drill should spin around 343 rpms a 1/4 is double 686 and so on. Drills for steel will cut wood but need to be pecked often. Wood drills will struggle cutting steel.

Dream_Inn

I verified what I have, it is gold colored so it is the titanium set.  The cover on it says Yukon Tools & yes it was bought at HF.