Blacksmiths drillbits

[harryb94]

Getting annoying using step drills for drilling holes for m16 and m18 bolts and other bits like that, especially on thicker plate where I end up having to drill from both sides so has anyone got any recommendations for half decent blacksmiths drill bits? I don't want to buy cheap stuff that's no good but also don't want to spend a fortune on drills that will not get used all that often

 

[Pete.]

A good source is to buy old morse taper drills and turn the shanks down in the lathe. That way you can keep the shank as large as possible and you get a good quality bit for pennies. Have to know how to sharpen a drill though.

 

[harryb94]

Perfect excuse to buy a lathe then if only I had the space!

 

[AndyStobbs]

B and Q do HSS drills to 20mm. Will fit a 1/2" chuck.
The ones I've had haven't been straight exactly but work well enough. Drilled an 18mm hole through a 70mm dia pin (not in one shot) and have used them extensively to get boring bars started in the lathe.

 

[123hotchef]

b+q are double dear I got mine froom good old toolstation not the best but not the worse not had to sharpen them yet either and they have been through 10mm steel with a hand held electric drill

 

[AndyStobbs]

10mm steel isn't really stirring stuff though. No toolstation around here and b & q actually have stuff in stock unlike the screw fix we have here.

 

[123hotchef]

bulls to screwfix i have them too, toolstation free delivery orders over a tenner and next day delivery too if ordered by 6pm

 

[addjunkie]

Order them from chromwell tools, but make sure you learn how to sharpen them, and use oil when drilling, pilot holes and work your way up

 

[Brad93]

Rotabroach. Keep any eye out for a used machine at auctions or ebay. They will buy themselves back in no time.

 

[HMB]

Rotabroach. Keep any eye out for a used machine at auctions or ebay. They will buy themselves back in no time.

What he said^^^

 

[harryb94]

I can already sharpen drills (or at least they cut better once I'm done with them which is always good ) and always use lube when drilling. I had a look at the sherwood ones on Cromwell, not cheap but then they should last I guess!! I'll have a look into the rotabroach

 

[HMB]

Worth every penny in quality of cut and time saved

 

[Kent]

Try drills UK in Hindley Wigan they stock them it might be UK drills but if you search and look at the location

I have had off them and they are ok up to 17 mm and cut n last well

Turning down more taper is a bit daft as more cost more and turning down hss isn't easy

 

[Kent]

By the way speed is important to get right and only pilot the size of the centre cross over if using a hand drill or your drill will jump around and round It's edges off

 

[brightspark]

the tapers on drills are quite soft and turn easy the drills are for nothing at autojumbles or car boot fairs

 

[ronan]

I can already sharpen drills (or at least they cut better once I'm done with them which is always good ) and always use lube when drilling. I had a look at the sherwood ones on Cromwell, not cheap but then they should last I guess!! I'll have a look into the rotabroach

I've bought a fair few sherwood mt drill bits and find them good quality and good value.

 

[harryb94]

Try drills UK in Hindley Wigan they stock them it might be UK drills but if you search and look at the location

I have had off them and they are ok up to 17 mm and cut n last well

Turning down more taper is a bit daft as more cost more and turning down hss isn't easy

Just had a look and they are a lot cheaper than the Sherwoods, I realise they're unlikely to be as good but for the money I'm willing to give them a try as long as they're not cheese grade since I don't drill a huge amount of bigger holes

 

[graffian]

When I lived in the same road as Farm Supplies, I bought a few drills there; they seemed to stock
Dormer blacksmith drills up to an inch or so. So if you have a farm supplies near ask them.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I used to receive flyers and catalogues from J and L Industrial Supplies* and they regularly had reduced shank drill sets in their special offers for reasonable money. I still have a set that I bought before I got a drill that took morse tapers.

*Now trading as MSC Direct
https://www.mscdirect.co.uk/CGI/INSRHM

 

[winchman]

In my experience if its a critical job or its going to hold you up I would just but a Dormer or Presto one, if you do a lot oh holes then I would also have some mores taper ones turned down.
I do have a bag of holes should you ever be in a hurry and need one quickly?