I need your two bits of advise

[kardar2]

Hello,

I have pretty much used Irwin drill bits from Ace hardware. I have also used dremel bits. I never used bits from scroll saw retailers. I assume they are not any better they are still very brittle. For you guys what is your take? Thanks

[LarryEA]

^{_{Cause and Effect:}  Cause: ?}     _{Effect: drill bits break}

 

  Are you using a hand drill?

  

I cannot remember the last time I broke a bit.

I use a drill press. 

I'll 'listen' to the other comments. 

Edited September 9, 2015 by LarryEA

[DWSUDEKUM]

Karl for the most part the only difference in the bits is size.  I do not know how available #70 to #59 drill bit sizes are for the Irwin branding at the Ace Hardware you shop at.  The bits carried by the scroll saw retailers such as Wooden Teddy Bear are sized to fit the blades we use however like any drill bit that is small like those are forcing ti to cut faster than it can handle, bending it while drilling, etc will break them no matter who the manufacturer is.  Personally I use Mikesworkshop.com.  the following are available - 

Size Millimeters Inches #42 2.3749 .0935 1/16" 1.5875 .0625 #55 1.321 .052 #56 1.181 .0465 #57 1.092 .043 #59 1.041 .041 #60 1.016 .040 #63 .94 .037 #64 .9144 .036 #65 .889 .035 #68 .787 .031 #70 .7112 .028 #71 .66 .026

1/2 dozen $5.00      1 dozen $8.50

 

Basically all bits are the same at this size.  So if you can get them cheaper, go for it  

 

DW

[Scrappile]

Like the gentleman said, the tiny ones will break.  That is why I buy the sizes I use the most, by the dozen.  I also buy mine from Mike's Workshop.  They are the only ones I have used, so I do not know if there are better ones of that small of size.  If you are buying Irwin, from ACE, I don't think they carry the small sizes, like #63, #65, #68, etc.  Least my ACE doesn't.  The probably only go down to 1/16".  I have not had any real problems with Irwin that I have used.  I break some, but it is usually my fault.

 

Now, I bought a little set of bits at Sears once years ago, off of a bargain table.  They were an off brand.  The first one I used was to drill a hole in some pine.  It was a 3/16" bit.  I just folded over when I started to drill, like maybe it was made of soft lead.  Got a laugh out of it as I threw the whole set in the garbage.

[kardar2]

^{_{Cause and Effect:} Cause: ?}_{Effect: drill bits break}

 

Are you using a hand drill?

 

 

I cannot remember the last time I broke a bit.

I use a drill press.

 

 

I'll 'listen' to the other comments.

I use a Dremel and a plunge router base on it works great. Just wondering if there was any difference in the bits. I did not think there was but thought I would ask any ways since I never used the scroll saw retailer bits

Edited September 9, 2015 by kardar2

[Scrolling Steve]

I think DW and Paul are spot on....My two cents worth would be to say that my experience has been that when it comes to drill bits and abrasives, you get what you pay for!

[LarryEA]

I'm not sure if there is a big difference. 

If we could determine where they are made, then we would have a better idea as to the quality.

China, USA, Germany?

[Scrappile]

I've seen a few places on the internet where they sell the tiny bits and I have wanted to give them a try.  Unfortunately, they only sell them in set and most of the set I would never use.  You break one you have to buy a set to replace it.  Not good.

[JustLarry]

I get my # sized bits from Mike's, also.  Also use Dremel with plunge router.  Used to break fairly often until I slowed down on the push and let the bit do the cutting.  Mike's are the only bits I have used in this size for 10 years now.  If you can get a good price on the bits and get good service from them then it is a sweat deal.  If you get a good price and the bits don't hold up, not so good of a deal.  I'm satisfied.  I also got one of those fold up Sears bit sets once. 

 

Larry

[amazingkevin]

I've  purchased tiny bits from Ace, very expensive though,I bought drill bits ,blue in color from the lower priced auto store to drill metal once.The bit turned red hot in quick order and bent.Took another thinner bit and bent it in my hands in front of the sales person on returning the product,china was on the package. I bought all of the sizes from Mikes and they last real good.

 

Hello,
I have pretty much used Irwin drill bits from Ace hardware. I have also used dremel bits. I never used bits from scroll saw retailers. I assume they are not any better they are still very brittle. For you guys what is your take? Thanks

I've  purchased tiny bits from Ace, very expensive though,I bought drill bits ,blue in color from the lower priced auto store to drill metal once.The bit turned red hot in quick order and bent.Took another thinner bit and bent it in my hands in front of the sales person on returning the product,china was on the package. I bought all of the sizes from Mikes and they last real good.

:) :) :)

[jerry1939]

I have a ton of experience drilling metal. Some IMPORTANT rules to follow:

 

I have a ton of experience drilling metal with electric hand drills.

 

1. With metal, you MUST use a center punch. Otherwise when you start to push, the tip of the bit starts to go around in circles, breaking the bit.

 

2. Grab the chuck end of the bit and pinch your fingers at a length just more than you normally need for your work. Place the spiral end in a vice and give the exposed "chuck end" a good whack with a hammer to break it off. Don't use more bit length than you need.

 

3. When using a hand (electric) drill, use your third finger on the trigger. Form a straight line through the bit, drill, hand and arm. The way you are holding your drill now, the harder you push, the more you bend the bit, causing it to break.

 

4. Reread line 3 and say, "Duh." That makes perfect sense.

 

jerry

 

jerry

[jerry1939]

My computer sssstudders!

 

jerry

[Lucky2]

Karl, there is a difference in the brands and quality of these index drill bits, I have two different brands. One has black drill bits and I purchased them at Princess Tools here in Canada, Princess tools is very much like a Harbor Freight retailer. I'm not sure of the brand, there's twenty bits to the small container #'s 61-80. The other brand I have is called Hawk, they are a silver colored bit, and they are much stronger than the other brand. I'm not to sure of where I purchased them, but, they must have been at a good price seeing as how I bought 4 sets. I use a full size drill press on low speed, with the regular drill press chuck and if I break a bit, it's usually because of something I did wrong. These bits are so small, that I don't think they should be used in a hand drill. Use a drill press, or, use a dremel type of tool that has the plunge base installed. I hardly ever break a bit, now that I no longer use a hand drill.

Len

[kardar2]

I RAN ACROSS THESE $1 A BIT

 

#70 High Speed Steel Wire Gauge Drill Bit (Set of 12)

 

http://thd.co/1NkoQDL

[ike]

I don't Remember when I broke a drill on wood either hard or soft woods. i use a drill press ($125) at the highest speed . When i can't reach a hole with my drill press I use a dremell plunge routes. both are a small investment for what you do when dong fretwork.

[kywoodmaster]

I buy bits from Sloans. Have really good luck unless I do something stupid. I use a drill press and pen chuck.

 

http://www.sloanswoodshop.com/drill_bits.htm

[smitty0312]

I mainly just use 1/16" bits that I get at my local HD store, I can easily get a FD #5SR blade through that.........so that doesn't slow me down much finding the hole.........I don't do much fine detail lines in most of my work..........

[heppnerguy]

when I am drilling 1/2 inch or bigger stock, I always only drill about 1/3 rd of the way through and then back out the bit to clean out the hole. I do this about three times as I drill the hole. I can not remember having broken a drill bit in a very long time. It is cheaper and quicker than replacing broken bits. 

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[crupiea]

I buy my bots from bens scroll saw.com. good guy, good products and fast shipping.  

 

The biggest one I use is a #71 and smallest #74. 

 

.70 each.

 

I use a jewelers hand drill as well.  never power tools.  Used to use a hand drill but that was when I used bigger bits.  Try these on that and the weight of the drill alone will break the bit.

 

 I usually break more by dropping the drill then by using it.

 

I also only extend enough blade out of the chuck that I need.  more and it will snap.

 

I am into the small holes for sure.  All my work is metal blades 2/0 or 3/0 1/8"bb.

[hotshot]

For wood, I don't know if it matters much where you purchase.  For my coin cutting, the #72 bits from Mikes Woodshop were worthless, though I'm sure they are fine for wood.  The bits from Sloans are much more durable and the best for this that I have found so far, plus Sloans is great to work with.  Out of curiosity, I put just put in order for some bits from Bens to try.

 

Jerry was right about needing the center punch for metal, but missed the most important item, and that is oil.  I messed up more than a few coins before I figured it out.  I use a dremel press with the little collet they sell.  Works great.

 

The punch idea also works good for wandering bits on wood.

 

---------Randy

Edited September 13, 2015 by hotshot

[heppnerguy]

For wood, I don't know if it matters much where you purchase.  For my coin cutting, the #72 bits from Mikes Woodshop were worthless, though I'm sure they are fine for wood.  The bits from Sloans are much more durable and the best for this that I have found so far, plus Sloans is great to work with.  Out of curiosity, I put just put in order for some bits from Bens to try.

 

Jerry was right about needing the center punch for metal, but missed the most important item, and that is oil.  I messed up more than a few coins before I figured it out.  I use a dremel press with the little collet they sell.  Works great.

 

The punch idea also works good for wandering bits on wood.

 

---------Randy

 

 

Thanks for the tips on bits, Randy,  I really enjoy it when people share their wisdom with others

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[NC Scroller]

Care must be used with tiny bits.  Even with using a drill press or dremel (with plunge router attachment) the bits tend to flex and go in at an angle.  This can be a real problem with small fret cuts in thick or stacked wood.  You can prevent that by inserting your bit so only about a 1/4" extends from the chuck.  Then drill a starter hole into the wood.  Once you have the starter hole(s) you can extend the bit to the proper length and finish drilling.  Yes it takes longer but it will ensure you have proper holes.