Decent Quality Drill bits?

[BigguyZ]

OK, I had once thought that the cheap drill bits found at Harbor Freight couldn't be all that bad. However, in recently drilling some blanks for pens, I found that the bits from the 115 piece bit set I bought have significant runout. Given that I want an accurate hole so there is a minimal gap between the blank and tube, I figure it might be worth it to invest in a better set.

I'm still cost concious, but I'm wondering were you can get a quality set of bits. The 115 piece set I had did provide a good range of sizes. Another one of those and a metric set would have me all set.

Anyone have any good sources?

Thanks,
Travis

[LCHIEN]

I tried to buy a metric set of bits last times I was in Europe... but I didn't hang around the hardware store kinds of areas and Norway is not a good place to buy anything anyway...

[Whaler]

Take a look here www.mcmaster.com/ type drill bits in the search box.
I have also bought the metric bits that I need from Woodcraft and have been happy with them.

[BigguyZ]

Take a look here www.mcmaster.com/ type drill bits in the search box.
I have also bought the metric bits that I need from Woodcraft and have been happy with them.

Wow- that's quite a big jump from what I paid at HF (though that's no surprise). I'm stating to wonder now if the economy of quality would make it better to buy bits one at a time... Then again, those bits can run $10 a piece when bought individually....

[Tom Slick]

www.mscdirect.com and www.use-enco.com will run sales on their drill bits. a "cheap" full set of bits, lettered, numbered, and fractional, should run about $80-100.

[Uncle Cracker]

WC has a 170-piece brad point package (19 different sizes, 5-10 pieces each) on sale for $29.99. Online sales is sold out, but you might still be able to get it at your local brick/mortar. Can't speak to the quality, myself, but it has certainly been a popular item for them.

[Slik Geek]

I've purchased some drill bits from Mcmaster. I found the quality to be noticeably better compared to cheap imported ones, not just quality of the hole but also the speed of cutting. I've never been disappointed by a drill bit manufactured in the U.S. or Germany - but have seen junk from you-know-where.

Unfortunately, there has been tremendous pricing pressure discouraging manufacturing of drill bits in the U.S., so finding bits made in the U.S.A. is getting tough.

I have some Hansen bits purchased about 10 years ago that were made in the U.S. and they are exceptional - but now the same set is imported. I spoke with a guy at the company. They claim that they are "made to the same standards" as before. I'm not so certain, from personal experience in other industries. If you have watched the news in recent months, you know how poorly this particular country complies with "standards".

[LCHIEN]

To the OP - are you talking about brad point bits or conventional bits?

I would have to say that the conventional bits I got from HF have been OK, runout in a drill bit can mean several things... either oval bit, or a bent bit in these cases.

Now I bought several 29-pc sets of brad point bits from HF and have been less than totally satisfied... the problem with them has not been oval or bent but that some of the points have been applied off center. when you look at the spinning bit it appears that the point is moving side to side and you see the limits. A well centered bit appears to have one point as it spins. Putting an severely offcenter point into a piece of unsecured wood (held by hand) may result in the wood vibrating back and forth at the bit rotational speed. Unfortunately a signifiicant number of the HF brad point bits were this way. I don't know if the bits have the brad point applied as a manual operation or what, they just did not have good quality control.

I assume you could call an offcentered brad point bit, a bit with runout... it doesn't measure the same way (measureing the horizontal deviation or displacement of the side of the bit as you rotate it) but it does act the same way.

I got a set of Lee Valley brad point bits and they have been much better. And they also cost a lot more.

[big tim]

Several weeks ago I bit the bullet and bought the complete set of 28 lipped brad-point drill set from Lee Valley A lot of money but boy, does it ever make a difference working with those bits. Not only does the bit not wander when you start to drill but do they ever make a nice clean hole.
Money well spent.

Tim

[Knottscott]

My HF drill bits weren't so hot either....they dull pretty quickly and break easily....both the 115 pc set and the smaller TiN set with hex shank. Never noticed any runout though. My B&D set seemed ok...I'm not sure I've ever owned a really good set.

[BigguyZ]

Well, I've been drilling pen blanks on my lathe, so I'm not all that concerned about having brad point bits. In fact, for some reason my 10 mm brad point bit (not the HF set I got) cut with much more difficulty than the split point HF bits.

The HF bits seems to cut pretty well, but I notced that there's the runout, and the blanks don't seem to be drilled a consistent size...

[LCHIEN]

Are you 100% sure that the runout is your drill bits? Do they wobble when you roll them on a very flat surface (jointer table)?

Maybe the runout is your drill press or chuck. Older, worn or cheap chucks can contribute significantly to runout. The three jaws can have slop. When you think you have runout, try reseating the chuck. I always tighten two or three sides of the chuck. Seems to center better.

[BigguyZ]

Loring,

I'll double check the bits tonight ans let you know what I find.

[Stytooner]

I have been satisfied with the bits from HF. They are noticeable not as good as the ones I get from Mcmaster, but they do the job. I find I keep one cheap bit set for all odd ball sizes. This set was either Grizzly or HF. Don't recall. As the bits break or wear, I order USA bits to replace. This means the ones I use most often are USA made. I am still coming out ahead in the long run I think.
I also order specialty bit from McMaster. A good drill bit for aluminum isn't necessarily good for steel and vice versa. Same for wood.
I think the HF bit sets are well worth the price, however I know quality varies. I may have just grabbed an above average set.