Drill bits

[OzarkSawdust]

When you drill a hole in 1/8 ply and it smokes...ya think it’s time to change your drill bit... LOL.

[Scrappile]

I bought some bargain drill bits from Sears once.... First bit I use, to drill a hole in pine,,, it just folded over into an "L" shape.... Like they were made of soft lead.. I just threw all of them in the trash can... Nothing really to do with your post, but just thought I will tell my little story...

[new2woodwrk]

Yikes

[OCtoolguy]

One of my customers, years ago, gave me a package of industrial quality 1/8" drill bits. I'm still using them and I think I have a half package left. Great stuff. While we are on the subject, does anybody buy/try the drill bits from H/F? The prices are great if the bits are any good. I made the mistake of buying some cheap brad point bits off Amazon and it was money wasted. They looked good in the picture but the tips are off center.

 

[Denny Knappen]

Gary, definitely time to change.  Not that expensive.  I wish I could get the micro drill bits from Pegas.  Still on backorder.

[Rockytime]

I have two sets of HF number drills that I have used for years. Mostly used on aluminum and brass of course. Been pleased.

[jollyred]

The first set of drill bits I got from HF I tried to drill into some wood, and the bits untwisted!  Threw them away.  Got another set some years later and they still work fine.  With HF everything is a gamble, but most work relatively well.

Tom

[kmmcrafts]

I don't see any reason why you'd change it.. not broke yet.. 

 

I used to use the 1/16" bits from HF.. came in a pack of 5? I think.. never had a problem with them.. Now days though, I rarely use anything bigger than a #60 and I haven't found those small ones anywhere local other than Menards.. which are also okay bits but pricey.. Last bits I bought I got a bunch of them.. they was purchased a few years ago from DnD sawblades.. Can't remember but I think they are Mascot brand..

Edited December 24, 2020 by kmmcrafts

[John B]

Nah, just apply a little more pressure
Many years ago, not that things have changed that much, we used to be able to get some cheap and I mean cheap drill bit made in China.
I remember being as proud as punch buying a full set for Dad. I'm sure they were just made from twisted wire as the slightest pressure and they'd bend, not break

[ScollSaw Slasher]

Hey, it's like a fine whiskey. The more charcoal aging, the better it is!

[ike]

I guess I am old school I use 1/16 bits and another two  which is .047  & .039  I hve some 1/16 bits from H.F. and they are good bits and cheep.

IKE

[stoney]

Oh how I long for the days when you could buy drill bits that were made in the good ole USA and were a high quality product.   Now most of the ones available are a crap shoot.   

[OzarkSawdust]

12 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

Gary, definitely time to change.  Not that expensive.  I wish I could get the micro drill bits from Pegas.  Still on backorder.

If they are as good as the blades, let me know when they show up.

 

[BadBob]

I have a lot of Harbor Freight bits and I have never had an issue with them. However, I examine them carefully and look at what material they are made from and where they are made. I only by twist drills from Harbor Freight.

[Scrappile]

11 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I don't see any reason why you'd change it.. not broke yet.. 

 

I used to use the 1/16" bits from HF.. came in a pack of 5? I think.. never had a problem with them.. Now days though, I rarely use anything bigger than a #60 and I haven't found those small ones anywhere local other than Menards.. which are also okay bits but pricey.. Last bits I bought I got a bunch of them.. they was purchased a few years ago from DnD sawblades.. Can't remember but I think they are Mascot brand..

Yes they are Mascot, and the best mini bits I have found to date... Says they are carbon steel.  I use to buy my bites through Mike's and about 1/2 of them wobbled so bad they were useless.  I do like the Mascots from DnD.

[kmmcrafts]

12 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

Yes they are Mascot, and the best mini bits I have found to date... Says they are carbon steel.  I use to buy my bites through Mike's and about 1/2 of them wobbled so bad they were useless.  I do like the Mascots from DnD.

Same here, used to always use the ones from Mike's and yes, you'd get a couple straight ones out of a dozen.. Those Mascot ones have all been great so far.. Have not bought or used what Denny sells.. Also like how the Mascot ones was packaged in the little test tubes opposed to the ziplock baggies that I would get from Mikes.. 

[new2woodwrk]

15 hours ago, octoolguy said:

One of my customers, years ago, gave me a package of industrial quality 1/8" drill bits. I'm still using them and I think I have a half package left. Great stuff. While we are on the subject, does anybody buy/try the drill bits from H/F? The prices are great if the bits are any good. I made the mistake of buying some cheap brad point bits off Amazon and it was money wasted. They looked good in the picture but the tips are off center.

 

I buy lots of bits from HF - so far they've all done a fine job

I have this set (3 years now) that I use the smaller bits most - I've had to replace a few of the smallest as they break when I'm not careful:

https://www.harborfreight.com/titanium-drill-bit-set-29-pc-61637.html

I like HF bits because they're inexpensive and I don't really need expensive bits for what I do

Edited December 24, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[Denny Knappen]

3 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

If they are as good as the blades, let me know when they show up.

 

Hi Gary, what sizes do you use?

[ike]

Haarbor freight has some good tools and some cheep ones also I have several sanders from them all are good blut I have bought a barreery drill and it was gaarbage so you just have to watch what yu buy,

ike

[OzarkSawdust]

2 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

Hi Gary, what sizes do you use?

I don't know what the "proper" size is for each blade...but I don't do real intricate fretwork yet.

I mainly use a 1/16th bit when possible, but when there's not much room I use a #56. 

When I was starting, a little over a year ago, I ordered several sizes. I don't think I've ever used the...#60, #65, #68

I normally use a Pegas #3, #1 and once in a while a #5. I may try to tame the evil spiral blades this next year. I think I have Pegas #1, #0, #2/0 or 3/0 don't remember.

[Smitty54]

Looks good to me. Clean the charcoal off then sharpen with a file. Repeat till it is a nub.

[kmmcrafts]

4 hours ago, Smitty54 said:

Looks good to me. Clean the charcoal off then sharpen with a file. Repeat till it is a nub.

That's what I was thinking.. many folks don't know how to sharpen a drill bit.. In that case.. there are tools that can make the task simple.. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200320239_200320239?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Power Tools > Sharpeners %2B Accessories > Drill Bit Sharpeners&utm_campaign=Drill Doctor&utm_content=1560960&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlZH_BRCgARIsAAZHSBnbfLH2urry2WsjjhwSkZe823sc_qe57R4hsRNxxZi4zsFneh0a6bUaAjM9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

then again drill bits are cheap for the most part.. 

[Woodrush]

22 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I don't see any reason why you'd change it.. not broke yet.. 

 

I used to use the 1/16" bits from HF.. came in a pack of 5? I think.. never had a problem with them.. Now days though, I rarely use anything bigger than a #60 and I haven't found those small ones anywhere local other than Menards.. which are also okay bits but pricey.. Last bits I bought I got a bunch of them.. they was purchased a few years ago from DnD sawblades.. Can't remember but I think they are Mascot brand..

I get all my micro bits from QTE.north America. I'm getting 5000 pilot holes out of a #65 and maybe more cause I dropped it in my scrap pile. I'm on my 2nd bit since I bought 5 in January

[ike]

I can sharpen the larger drills but 1/16 is far above my skills'

IKE

[BadBob]

I have a Drill Doctor. I don't use it much because my bits don't get dull often in my work. It works great, and it doesn't take many sharpenings to pay for it when you consider everything. However, the smallest bit it will sharpen is 3/32". If you use bit sizes that are not readily available, it is, even more cost effective.