Another drill bit question - sorry

[marc.w]

I've read the previous posts on here about drill bits but I'm still unsure what would be the best drill bits to use for a job I have at the moment.

I need to drill quite a few holes in some 40 x 40 x 5mm angle The diameter of the holes is 12.5mm. I have a load of drill bits here but they have been well abused so it's time to invest in some new ones. What type/brand of drill bits would you recommend? oh, and what would be the best size pilot hole to start with? I will be using a hand drill to start with, I'm on the lookout for a reasonable priced bench/pillar drill. Thanks.

 

[piman]

Hello Marc,

12.5mm with a hand drill? or do you mean a portable drill? I normally use a 1/4" drill as a pilot. Drilling that size with a power hand drill can be tricky, as the drill tends to grab as it breaks through and twists in your hand, it can be painful.
You want HSS drills Dormer being one well know good brand. If you do a lot of drilling, invest in a bench grinder and learn how to resharpen your drills.

Alec

 

[marc.w]

Hello Marc,

12.5mm with a hand drill? or do you mean a portable drill? I normally use a 1/4" drill as a pilot. Drilling that size with a power hand drill can be tricky, as the drill tends to grab as it breaks through and twists in your hand, it can be painful.
You want HSS drills Dormer being one well know good brand. If you do a lot of drilling, invest in a bench grinder and learn how to resharpen your drills.

Alec

Thanks Alec.

Yeah I meant a portable drill lol. I was taught how to sharpen drills many moons ago when I was doing an NVQ in welding, I'm not sure now if I ever mastered that lesson :-(

I was thinking about getting one of those power drill press stands until I find a pillar drill, perhaps that maybe better than doing it by hand? They seem cheap enough :-)

 

[gordon stephenson]

If the drill bits you have at the moment are a decent quality but blunt/chipped etc,I would be studying how to regrind my existing bits, Quite simple after a little practice and will save you ton of money.

 

[MattF]

I was thinking about getting one of those power drill press stands until I find a pillar drill, perhaps that maybe better than doing it by hand? They seem cheap enough :-)

The usual fare isn't very sturdy though. The other problerm with drilling holes that size with a hand drill is that you tend to end up with a slightly mis-shapen hole. Getting some sort of bench press on it would definitely improve the final quality of the holes.

Presto is another good make of drill bit.