Drill bits quality these days....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Drill bits quality these days....
I just installed the th400 this week and all went well,with one small detail. One of the dust cover mounting holes had a bolt broken off in it. I didn't notice it prior to installing the trans,and luckily it's one of the bottom holes,fairly easy to get to. I managed to drill out the bolt with a fresh 1/8" bit and as luck would have it,every bit I own wouldn't cut butter. So I went to Sears and got a few Colbalt bits to finish up the job.
Seems when I was a kid my dad baught a set of bits and they lasted for years,but I've been through at least three full sets in only a few years,just using at home for little projects. I burnt up a full set just hanging new garage doors last fall. Is the quality going down or am I just missing something here.
I did update my website with some of the trans install pics if you're interested.
Seems when I was a kid my dad baught a set of bits and they lasted for years,but I've been through at least three full sets in only a few years,just using at home for little projects. I burnt up a full set just hanging new garage doors last fall. Is the quality going down or am I just missing something here.
I did update my website with some of the trans install pics if you're interested.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Tell me about it....the WORST bits on the market are by DeWalt.....
I will NEVER buy another bit with that name on it....
the best bits that I ever owned are by HOUT...something like that...and of course are not commonly found anymore....junk has taken over completely...
I USED to keep my numbered bits set painted GOLD and the fractional set painted WHITE for easy reference.....
there are SO many missing teeth over 30 years now, I just make do...because I can't find decent bits....I tossed the last set of DeWalts in the garbage, where they belonged....
I will NEVER buy another bit with that name on it....
the best bits that I ever owned are by HOUT...something like that...and of course are not commonly found anymore....junk has taken over completely...
I USED to keep my numbered bits set painted GOLD and the fractional set painted WHITE for easy reference.....
there are SO many missing teeth over 30 years now, I just make do...because I can't find decent bits....I tossed the last set of DeWalts in the garbage, where they belonged....
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Henrietta New York
Interesting question,,,
For any drill bit to last, it is most important that the user understand the material type they are drilling & the diameter of the drill bit they need for the job. A rule of thumb on drill bit diameters is the smaller the dril bit the faster the speed needs to be on the drill. There are charts out there that suggest the required speeds. Using a good coolant when drilling is essential. TIP.. When drilling large dia. holes for example, drill speeds need to be very slow. Paper towels covered with crisco cooking grease placed between the drill bit and work pc. work very well. Very slow speeds and slow feed rates give nice results. For safety reasons, allways have a stop placed to prevent the pc. being drilled from spinning. I personally purchase drill bits from HF. due to cheap prices. They can last along time.
For any drill bit to last, it is most important that the user understand the material type they are drilling & the diameter of the drill bit they need for the job. A rule of thumb on drill bit diameters is the smaller the dril bit the faster the speed needs to be on the drill. There are charts out there that suggest the required speeds. Using a good coolant when drilling is essential. TIP.. When drilling large dia. holes for example, drill speeds need to be very slow. Paper towels covered with crisco cooking grease placed between the drill bit and work pc. work very well. Very slow speeds and slow feed rates give nice results. For safety reasons, allways have a stop placed to prevent the pc. being drilled from spinning. I personally purchase drill bits from HF. due to cheap prices. They can last along time.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Drill bits are like most other tools out there. There is junk and there is very good bits. Most of the very good bits you cannot find in HD or Sears or something like that. You have to go to an industrial dist. of tools. I deal with these guys on a daily basis because that is who sells our blades. They are not cheap but they are good bits. Just because they say cobalt does not mean they are good. They can have varying amounts of cobalt.
What is said above is true on how to use them properly. This will extend the life of any drill bit. Most people chuck them in a drill and pull the trigger full on and push. Not good on a lot of hardened steels. Now lets talk about steel. The steel and bolts that are used now are far better than the steel that was used years ago. I'm talking quality bolts here not the imported junk.
Use the right type of drill bit at the right speed and feed if you can control that and the bit will do its job.
What is said above is true on how to use them properly. This will extend the life of any drill bit. Most people chuck them in a drill and pull the trigger full on and push. Not good on a lot of hardened steels. Now lets talk about steel. The steel and bolts that are used now are far better than the steel that was used years ago. I'm talking quality bolts here not the imported junk.
Use the right type of drill bit at the right speed and feed if you can control that and the bit will do its job.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Foxfield, Co
I use to go through lots and lots of bits, then one year for christmas I was given a Drill Dr. and havent purchased a new bit since ( not counting a few small ones that I broke off). I agree bits don't last nearly as long as they use to but noe I just keep resharpening them. I can sharpen most bits to cut better than new.
Greg
Greg
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
my experience with Craftsman bits is that the cheap black onyx finish bits are the softest and best at cutting. All the fancy gold, or pointed gimmicks didn't last. I blow through the black ones, and look for the sale sets.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo New York
I own a driving school and install the dual control brakes in all of our cars. It involves drilling through the sheet metal floors. I agree that finding good drill bits is nearly impossible. I have tried many different name brands and all them are crap. If they don't break they are dull in no time at all.
Chris
Chris
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Manitowoc Wisconsin
Ok I guess here is my .02 cents on drill bits or any cutting tools for that matter. As mentioned above you get what you pay for. I only use Cleveland twist drills in my machine shop and I drill a lot of different metals with them from cold rolled to 4140 pre-hard steal, to stainless. The tin coated drills are ok on certain applications like the cobalt are. Cobalt drills are mostly used to drill out hard materials like broken studs, broken taps, bolts, pins, etc. I would not use a good set of cobalt for everyday drilling purpose. Tin or chromium coated drills are used for multiple holes drilling of the same size these drills work well when they get hot, use minimum coolant on these drills for that reason when they get hot the coolant will distemper the coating making the drill worthless. I have one full set of cleveland cobalt drills that I paid $500.00 for it, but I am in the drilling per say business and can't afford to use Harborfreight drill bits. The last thing I suggest is grind your bits to the proper angle to give you a clean hole. Standard drill angle is 118 degrees. A drill doctor does a fantastic job on this. Hope this help.
Claude
Claude
