Just bought Drill Press now what drill bits?

[JohnV]

Ok i finally picked up a nice drill press this weekend Now since I have a nice new Drill Press I think I need nice new bits to go with it...you see where I am going!!....well since most of my drilling will be in metal(not much of the woodworker type) what do you guys recomend as a nice set of bits that is not too much $$$?? Should I even bother with the Colbalt or Titanium coated bits...or are they not worth the money...please post your favorites and a good place to buy them.

PS...this board is awesome for all kinds of info....keep up the great work!!!

Thanks!!!

John

[Arbo]

The cobalts are good bits, but the TiN coated are not worth the extra$$$. As soon as you sharpen the TiN coated ones, you loose the advantage of the coating. Learn to sharpen bits, and a set of cobalt will last a lifetime, if you don't break them.

[ChadRat]

You can get a cheap set of TiN coated bits at harbor frieght. I would also get an oil can.

[banzaitoyota]

HF has a nice 115 bit set for 39.00, use cutting oil and sharpen them. If you use a particuliar size ALOT, buy that QUALITY bit from MSC and take care of it!

[boilerman]

i have a friend that got some bits...but he did pay alittle $ for them .....he got them at a show ...you can bend these bits put them in a drill and turn it on and the **** things straighten themselves and they drill right through leaf springs like butter....have to get back to you on the name of them ...and he's never had to sharpen one yet

[Bob]

I'd like to add emphasis to ChadRat's comment about the oil can. I always try to use oil when I drill, sometimes multiple applications. It keeps the bits cooler and they hold their sharpness. Oil smoke lets you know if you are pushing it too hard.
Bits larger than 1/2" start to get into bigger $$ ... more reason to be extra careful with them.
Bob

[Will]

Skip the HF 115 piece set of coated bits...I bought a set and I have not found a straight one yet. Some have so much runout, I thought I must have had them in the chuck crooked. Buy some quality bits and learn how to sharpen them (or get a drill doctor).

[rangerod]

Drills

Just one thing oil is better than nothing at all but don't overlook cutting fluids. Oil will cool the drill but oil is meant to lubricate which is what happens while cutting. I know its easier to find oil around when drilling but give the cutting fluid like Tap Magic sometime & see how you like it

[cope]

I just saw a good discussion on this topic over at Chaski:

http://www.chaski.com/ubb/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=gendiscussion&Number=12764&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[atucker]

I'll second what Will said about the Drill Doctor. If you've got many bits laying around you can probably save the cost of it in a very short time. I had 50 or 60 years worth of dull bits around that both my Dad and myself never seemed to get around to getting them sharpened. Now I've got so many sharp bits that I have trouble choosing which one to use . Check them out to see which model you will need - personally I ended up with the Tradesman. Sorry if this sounds like an advertisement, but this has to be one of my best tool purchases in years.

Allen T.

[Old Man Stick]

Re: Drills

Originally posted by rangerod
Just one thing oil is better than nothing at all but don't overlook cutting fluids. Oil will cool the drill but oil is meant to lubricate which is what happens while cutting. I know its easier to find oil around when drilling but give the cutting fluid like Tap Magic sometime & see how you like it

Oh man that Tap Magic is the best thing next to sliced bread!

AS far as bits go. Dont bother with the HF dills. Go Cobalt And you will never go back! Now the BIG money drills are the Titanium coated bits. Thay will drill through everything. I had some stuff here that was super hard. RB was HIGH and the only thing that would drill through was the Titanium bits. But there a BIG buck. I have a few here. Not a full set.

OMS

[maddmatt]

.

don't forget to get a Drill Droctor , i think they are great , a must if u drill alot of metal

[pontiac]

If you are in the Seattle area be sure to stop by Boeing Surplus.
Check out the "Tool Crib" (thats what they call it)

Some of the stuff in there is new. some used..
The have drill bits, reamers, milling bits, milling heads, and some stuff I don't have a clue what it does.. may have been core drills.

One bin in the back marked 1/2" under $1 a pound.. over 1/2" $2 a pound.

I picked up 4 - 12" drill bits 7/16",15/32", 1/2" and 3/4"

6 taps in standard and botoming out 1/4, 3/8,1/2
one 6" 3/16 tap.
1 3/8" die
a die handle and a tap handle.. ($5 each)

tot cost was $28

makes me wish I had a bridgeport mill.. (they have one of those too if ya have $3000 to spare)

I only went to look at an old Atlas Drill press.. the poor thing looked like it's been to war.

[pontiac]

FYI.. the bits I got were made by Millen of Ireland.. I don't know if thats good or bad..