 george88gta
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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05-09-12 06:47 PM - Post#2224312
Need some suggestions on drill bits. Planned use is on the cars (sheet metal, frames, etc.). Looks like the cobalt bits would be the best all around choice. Anyone have experience with these bits? Is there a better choice?
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Blu 67
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Loc: Oshawa, Ontario Canada
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05-09-12 08:28 PM - Post#2224354
In response to george88gta
I had a lot of stainless steel to drill and used Cobalt 1/4/, 3/8 and 1/2 inch bits. I also bought myself a Drill Doctor unit and have used it a few times. Not fully proficient with it yet.
Cliff
67 Impala 2 Dr Hrdtp, 283, cam, intake, ceramic headers, 3 speed auto. Daily driver in the summer. Sitting on a 68 station wagon frame. Owned for 34 years.
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bobb
Super Senior Member
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05-09-12 10:57 PM - Post#2224380
In response to george88gta
i like high speed steel bits. the stepped type bits work very well on sheet metal. i like the ones with the longer steps. try not to get the chineep kind, they dont last and are not worth the trip to the store to get.
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 DavidTX
"5th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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05-10-12 06:13 AM - Post#2224415
In response to bobb
I worked in aircraft maintenance for many years and have seen many cases of proper and inproper use of tools. When it comes to drill bits the main reason they are ruined is because the mechanic both drills too fast and doesn't apply enough pressure. That will cause the drill bit to overheat, loose their temper and dull the tip. Using a drill press can reduce the problem tremendously.
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 grumpyvette
Senior Chevytalk Moderator -- Performance Subject Matter Expert --
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05-10-12 06:13 AM - Post#2224416
In response to bobb
http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?...
http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?...
http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?...
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Edited by grumpyvette on 05-10-12 06:15 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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george88gta
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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Loc: new york
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05-10-12 12:20 PM - Post#2224506
In response to grumpyvette
OK, I think I get it. If they are offering a 150 piece set for $29.95, they are junk (or at least only suitable for thinner/softer metals or wood/plastic). Cobalt seems to be the choise and I havent used a step or uni-bit drill for the thinner metals, so I will give that a try. Looks like I should invest in a drilldoctor as well. Anyone know if Dewalt and Irwin are U.S. mfg'd? I think Milwaukee is still made here.
Edited by george88gta on 05-10-12 12:22 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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 Pistol
"11th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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05-10-12 05:52 PM - Post#2224599
In response to george88gta
http://www.mytoolstore.com/triumph/ttdindex.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-IRWIN-10234CB-C OBALT-UNI...
Pete
Awl speeling misteaks r myn
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Rick_L
Honored Member
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05-10-12 06:09 PM - Post#2224603
In response to Pistol
Even the import guys offer higher quality bits than their price leader stuff.
I have a 114 piece high speed steel imported drill bit index set (fractions, letters, and numbers) that I bought from a local Enco-like place about 20 years ago. I've replaced the 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" bits many times, as well as selected others, but I still have a useful bit in every hole of the index.
Go to use-enco.com and look at what they have. There's imported and domestic drill bits in high speed steel, titanium oxide coated, cobalt, and even carbide.
The advice about speeds and pressure is very appropriate. The other thing you can do, especially with a drill press or milling machine, is to use coolant or lubricant.
Point is, you don't have to break the bank to get stuff good enough to use. If you use it profressionally every day, then that's another level.
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george88gta
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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Loc: new york
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05-11-12 09:00 AM - Post#2224816
In response to Rick_L
Thanks, Rick. I have dealt with Enco before. Always had good luck with their tools. I will check out their website.
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C10 Sleeper
Valued Contributor
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Loc: Redding Ca
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05-11-12 07:28 PM - Post#2224991
In response to george88gta
I have a set of Ryobi HSS bits that were reasonably priced a few years ago. I use them in my drill press 98% of the time and have only had problems with the really small bits. The broken ones were totally 100% my fault from trying to exceed the intended limits. They came in a nice locking case and have 2 bits in some of the most common sizes. I only bought them because I had a gift card with the right amount of money left on it. I didn't have high expectations but was surprised how durable they are and wouldn't hesitate to buy another set if I needed them.
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someotherguy
Moderator
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05-12-12 05:18 AM - Post#2225074
In response to george88gta
OK, I think I get it. If they are offering a 150 piece set for $29.95, they are junk (or at least only suitable for thinner/softer metals or wood/plastic). Cobalt seems to be the choise and I havent used a step or uni-bit drill for the thinner metals, so I will give that a try. Looks like I should invest in a drilldoctor as well. Anyone know if Dewalt and Irwin are U.S. mfg'd? I think Milwaukee is still made here.
What was made in the U.S. even a year ago isn't a good bet it still is today. Irwin shipped a lot (all?) of their manufacturing to china - Vise Grips, in particular.
I've got a set of DeWalt self-centering bits that I bought probably 10 years ago, they've been decent, but I doubt the ones you buy today would be the same quality as everyone seems to be racing to find the best profit margin. Oh, and the self-centering bits are pretty difficult to sharpen due to the design of the tip.
Richard
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Duke
"10th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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05-12-12 05:18 AM - Post#2225075
In response to george88gta
These seem to be popular:
DEWALT DW1969 29 Piece Pilot Point Twist Drill Bit Assortment with Metal Index
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someotherguy
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05-12-12 05:22 AM - Post#2225077
In response to Duke
"The Point" are exactly the ones I'm talking about that are difficult to sharpen, at least traditional style on a grinder. Dunno if the Drill Doctor thing can do them or not.
Richard
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Rick_L
Honored Member
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Loc: Katy, Tx, USA
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05-13-12 07:08 PM - Post#2225615
In response to someotherguy
I don't think you can sharpen those with a drill doctor or simple home shop means. If you do, they will become a "normal" drill bit.
If you feel the need for those, and I find them handy in the small sizes for sheet metal, just buy replacements individually. For myself, they are only useful in the the 1/8" and 3/16" sizes, the rest are unnecessary. Use the 1/8" or 3/16" for pilot holes, and a plain drill bit or a step bit to get the size you need.
Drilling with a small bit to start and then progressively bigger is a smart thing to do anyway.
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 jeffs55
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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05-24-12 01:26 PM - Post#2229345
In response to Rick_L
Those are also good if you need a flat bottomed hole.
For what, I don't know, woodworking, I guess.
Those points are easy to snap off in metal, if you're not careful.
Get a good step drill (or two) as bobb mentioned.
One may cost as much as a set of twist drills, but you get a good many sizes in one.
They are the cat's meow for sheet metal.
Don't know why I put off getting some for so long.
I use a sharpie to mark the size where I want to stop and zip, zip, zip, you have a nice round, fairly clean and "to size" hole.
You can start of with a fast RPM but slow down as you get bigger.
On any twist drills you buy, check the cutting edge.
Make sure the relief (the area behind the cutting edge) slopes down and away from the cutting edge.
I've gotten supposedly quality drill bits that had the relief actually higher than the cutting edge. 
Check yard sales, estate sales too.
I've gotten a mess of drill sets for cheap that way.
Jeff
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
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awsum55
Senior Member
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05-25-12 12:18 AM - Post#2229533
In response to jeffs55
The Drill Doctor does do "Split Point" bits , there is a special jig that does that after you sharpen the bit in the regular jig.
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HAL_396
Member
Posts: 2710
Loc: Austin, TX
Reg: 11-16-06
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05-26-12 03:03 AM - Post#2229892
In response to jeffs55
Jeff, Who sells "good step bits" like the one you posted above?
1955 Chevy Custom
1966 Biscayne
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someotherguy
Moderator
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Age: 43
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05-26-12 05:19 AM - Post#2229914
In response to HAL_396
I've been pretty happy with my Irwin step bits, though I bought them a few years ago. Not sure if they've since outsourced those to china along with Vise Grips. 
Beware that good step bits are pricey...but worth it.
Richard
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Pistol
"11th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3558
Age: 66
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05-26-12 06:26 AM - Post#2229937
In response to george88gta
I bought some step drills a while back from this vendor and knock on wood they have been working great, I use them a lot http://stores.ebay.com/Cripe-Distributing/_i .html?...
Pete
Awl speeling misteaks r myn
57 BelAir 2DRHT My-Pics |
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jeffs55
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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05-28-12 05:23 PM - Post#2230883
In response to Pistol
Ace hardware, Northern Tool, Lowes and maybe Home Depot. Check your local hardware stores as well.
If you look at it like buying a set of drills, it's not that expensive.
Jeff
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
32 3 Window Coupe project
1996 Silverado short bed extended cab
I actually own 2 Chevys now!
My Pics
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HAL_396
Member
Posts: 2710
Loc: Austin, TX
Reg: 11-16-06
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05-28-12 07:54 PM - Post#2230938
In response to jeffs55
Thanks Jeff! 
1955 Chevy Custom
1966 Biscayne
1966 Caprice Drag Car Inwork
1966 Caprice parts car
2004 Silverado
2007 Impala LS
2009 G5 |
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george88gta
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1676
Loc: new york
Reg: 04-23-03
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06-07-12 04:50 AM - Post#2234286
In response to HAL_396
Some updated info. Was in Home Depot the other day and I was "flush", my govmint check came in. So I wandered thru the tool area to find a way to spend my money. Purchased two step bits. They are Irwin. Package states "made in the US with imported components". Since I already have a set of the Dewalt bits, with the starter point, I looked for another style of cobalt bits. Settled on a set of Rigid bits with the angled tip. No indication as to location of manufacture. Next, I will start a search for a good price on a Drill Doctor.
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454contractor
Forum Newbie
Posts: 17
Reg: 01-21-11
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07-17-12 06:41 PM - Post#2249246
In response to george88gta
Klein makes really good step drills. Up to 1 1/8 Inch. Great pliers and screwdrivers as well.
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