I tried to search for this topic, and didn’t find anything, so sorry if I missed it. Just wondering, what does the forum consider the best of drill bits? For durability, sharpness? I have bad luck just buying them from local retail stores. Want to buy a really good set for hubby on his birthday next month. Thanks!

UPDATE: Chose a set of Viking Norseman, 66820 ultra dex spm 29 mechanical set. Haven’t used yet, as it’s his present, lol. But they look really nice.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: m1009,

Following..
I just broke two yesterday.

My suggestion is a Drill Doctor bit sharpener.

I bought a set of Rigid about 18 months ago. None have been broken and all have remained sharp. I did decide to never drill metal without lubricant. Seems to have really helped. Not sure if it's Rigid or using them properly?

Get him a set and also a sharpener. They just don't stay sharp forever. Good steel bits can be sharpened multiple times. The power sharpeners can be had for not too much.

My prediction:

quote:

Originally posted by m1009:
I tried to search for this topic, and didn’t find anything, so sorry if I missed it. Just wondering, what does the forum consider the best of drill bits? For durability, sharpness? I have bad luck just buying them from local retail stores. Want to buy a really good set for hubby on his birthday next month. Thanks!

What is the primary material that he's drilling holes in?

For the last several years I've been buying vintage NOS or old stock US made HSS bit sets for cheap and using those for wood, aluminum, brass and thin steel. The imported bits at the box stores generally leave me underwhelmed.

Chicago-Latrobe, and Cleveland are good brands. You'll probably need to order from McMaster-Carr or MSC Supply or another industrial supply house.

Guhring too but doubtful they can be bought in sets. They are a bit expensive for hobby and craft.

Norseman produces high-quality bits in the USA. There are many options for material and coatings depending on your needs.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
My prediction:

Yes, today I just dumped $400 on Amazon from SIGforum suggestions.

From around 1995 - 2005 most of the big names in drill bits in the US stopped making them in the US. The ones left import them with their name on them. They are NOT very desirable these days.

Look for drills Made in Japan, they are the best but not as easy for the average joe to get. EX Gold, Nachi, OSG, Tosanachine Co., Mitsubishi drills.

Generally drills from China and India suck bad unless they were made at a plant built for a Japanese outfit.

You will most likely be after straight shank jobber length drills. Cobalt drills are generally more desirable than HSS. I would stay away from carbide drills unless you got a special purpose.

slightly off topic but what to do with a bucket of old drill bits? all kinds, all sizes and conditions. Took them from family of an In-law to dispose of, cleaning out a garage. I was thinking I could use in some arts/crafty type thing but can't think of a way to use them.

 
Champion is another very good brand.

quote:

Originally posted by Budlum:
Norseman produces high-quality bits in the USA. There are many options for material and coatings depending on your needs.

Unless you need the absolute best. I would vote Norseman as well, about $120 for a set if I recall. I have a set of "screw machine" bits, stubby in length for use in my knee mill. I would just buy the cheap dewalt/Milwaukee sets for use in a hand drill however.

One had pretty good luck with the drill bits I've purchased from Drill Hog on ebay. They seem to hold up better than the box store brands.

Viking drills, or Precision drills both companies make quality drill bits.

While possibly not the best ones out. I really like the Bosch concrete bits for concrete. I like the good Dewalt bits for everything else.

quote:

Originally posted by FloydNC:
slightly off topic but what to do with a bucket of old drill bits? all kinds, all sizes and conditions. Took them from family of an In-law to dispose of, cleaning out a garage. I was thinking I could use in some arts/crafty type thing but can't think of a way to use them.

In the shops that I worked over the years, the trend has been that any drill under 1/8" (3mm) would be recycled metal. Not worth sharpening since they are lower cost to buy than the resharpening cost. If you want to invest in a drill doctor, they work fine for home use. Otherwise, seek out a maching shop who can help you either sharpen on site, or send out.

As for the original poster's question, there are other considerations. If you are using drill bits in mostly aluminum, then consider TIN coated versions. If he does a lot of sheet metal drilling, consider drills with a 140 degree tip. General purpose drills are 118 degree tip. If he drills into thicker steel materials, consider a split point tip. These have extra facets cut to thin the web at the tip. Less pressure to drill with this type.
If he is drilling deeper holes, such as in metal on a lathe, consider parabolic drills. The flutes are of a different shape, leaving the web thicker. Meaning these types are stiffer and won't wonder as much as standard general purpose drills. These options may lead you towards more expensive drills. The idea is to find something that matches what task he does the most.

If he does a variety of work, a larger drill kit with inch fractions, numbered drills, and letter drills could cover a lot of sizes, but are quite costly. If he only works in metric, a metric only kit could be less to buy.
To keep your costs lower, you could buy a specific smaller kits, one at a time over various gift times.

The answer depends on what you want to drill, but if it’s wood, a set I bought years ago from Lee Valley has (and continues to) provided excellent service. It’s these: HSS Lipped Brad-Point drills. Only work in wood and are primarily for precise hole drilling (IOW, you wouldn’t use them for drilling through 2x4’s to run Romex, etc.).