drill bits

[pondy]

hi, wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction, looking go buy a set of drill bits, from around 2-12mm or so for drilling steel etc on a pillar drill. not looking to spend a fortune but dont want anything cheap that will need to be sharpened all the time. am a mechanic by trade so some times need to drill broken bolts etc and the company ones are pants so will be used for this also
sam

 

[gordon stephenson]

I prefer to have drills made by one of the long time drill makers.

Presto
Dormer, etc
When they say high speed steel (HSS) you can believe it, lots of cheap drills are exactly that, I'm sure some of the cheapo's are only made from case hardened play-doh.
If you have a few bob, treat your self to a set of cobalt drill bits too.

 

[knoba]

Same as Gordon... Dormer, Snap-on, HSS, cobalt, left-handers, etc.

...but, I also have a set of Bosch (TiN coated - the gold one's) too, that I use for quickness / odd-jobbing. I rate them quite highly (shame about their hole-saws & jigsaw blades). I do expect to touch-up my HSS bits when they dull.

 

[pondy]

looked on ebay and found these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Irwin-Cobalt-...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item20aac72424

a guy at work has the same set, used them a few times and they worked great, he got them from a mac dealer but they are no longer avalible from him, and are the only set on ebay

 

[knoba]

If we're talking small sized bits (pilots, etc.), for MS, I'd prefer HSS over cobalt. HSS is a little more flexible. The last thing you want is a 3mm cobalt bit snapped in the centre of ...whatever.

HSS pilots are cheap & easy to replace.

 

[gordon stephenson]

What ever you decide upon, look after them, no excessive cutting pressures and lubricant when necessary. touch the cutting edge up when needed, most of all DON'T lend then out.

 

[Paul90]

Dormer A002 are my favourites.

Not stupidly expensive if you buy them from somewhere sensible but very good quality jack of all trades bit. Often drill stainless and high tensile bolts with mine. Just keep the speed down, plenty of lube and keep it cutting not rubbing


Paul

 

[madkayaker]

i quite like the bosch multi bits especially good for site work. use dormer at work

 

[Shox Dr]

If you have a few bob, treat your self to a set of cobalt drill bits too.

machine mart sell a set. had a set for years. Good drills, that keep their edge and cheap too

 

[NeilH]

another vote here for the cobalt.

i wouldnt worry if the budget doesnt stretch. cobalt get blunt too.

buy the best you can afford.

 

[beetlejac]

There is a fella at our local car boot sells box's of dormer drills up to 8mm is £6 and 8-12mm is £10 l got a load off him over the years,there's no much lm good at but sharpening drills is one of the things lm the best at,haha drill sharpener in Anderson Strathclyde 5 years on the trot hahah.
The fella at the booty sells taps and dies as well,sherwood and presto and there all realy cheap too.

 

[PhillipM]

Guhring do a very nice set of HSS in 1-13mm with a very nice jobber grind, 201 series, you can have then TiN coated or polished too if you don't mind buying individually.
They also do a cobalt set, but beware, as with most cobalt drills they have a thicker, stiffer web, so actually slow down jobs that don't need the extra heat/wear resistance it offers.

 

[brightspark]

Guhring do a very nice set of HSS in 1-13mm with a very nice jobber grind, 201 series, you can have then TiN coated or polished too if you don't mind buying individually.
They also do a cobalt set, but beware, as with most cobalt drills they have a thicker, stiffer web, so actually slow down jobs that don't need the extra heat/wear resistance it offers.

ihave 2 metric sets of them 2 metric sherwood .2 sets of dormer imperial and set of number drills and letter drills by dormer. bought when offers are on and autojumbles

 

[PhillipM]

I've a lovely set of their carbide stubs but they're not much use in a hand drill

 

[Wolfy Wolf]

I bought a bench grinder and use any old hss bits, then re sharpen whe needed on the old grinder

AL

 

[Bsmith]

I saw sets on offer at B & Q on my way out of the store one day, 1mm - 6mm @ £1. Thought I cant loose at this price and got a set, hell, they wont even drill plastic. The pack is of course sealed until you buy, cant examine in the store, but they do look good.

 

[mantakev]

I used to buy cheap hss and time and time again the frustration of them never working got the better of me, so i bought a large presto selection in a case and they have been going years now. Sometimes i have to touch them up on the grinder to re -sharpen but that's easy enough.
Ebay for Dormer, Presto, Sherwood hss over a time builds up drills for very little money.
The best/worst hss drill bits i have ever had came with no name in a metal case, put them in my drill, started drilling and they unwound themselves flat