Twist Drills

[jeff...]

Seems I've been doing quite a bit of metal working lately - I have a beef. Where do you get "good" twist drills any more? Seems to me just like China made nail bends like twig in wind storm - China made twist drill won't cut and break like twig in ice storm... What happened to good quality steel tooling??? the stuff I pick up now is junk - it sure ain't what it used to be.

I NEED some good metal cutting twist drills - any ideas?

[Mike Davis]

I bought a set of 115 drill bits when I got sick of the same thing you are seeing now. They were not cheap but they work great. Made in USA. High speed steel.

http://www.mcmaster.com/

29585A7
Master Combination Drill Bit Set General Purpose, Bright Fnsh, 115 PC, 118 Deg Point
In stock at $247.79 per Set

I got mine 5 or 6 years ago they were about half this price then. Better get them now while they are still under $1000.

[jeff...]

What about this IRWIN set? Junk made in China?

http://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-3018002-...728969-7312659

Thanks

[FredP]

Originally Posted by jeff...

What about this IRWIN set? Junk made in China?

http://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-3018002-...728969-7312659

Thanks

I wouldnt. irwin aint what it once was. I get good bits at wilders. they are NOT cheap but they last.

[jeff...]

Originally Posted by FredP

I wouldnt. irwin aint what it once was. I get good bits at wilders. they are NOT cheap but they last.

Link please - Thanks man

[toolman]

As A Machinist I drill steel all the time. There is some sites you can check out, I have order drill bit all the time from here:

J & L Industrial Supply Co.
http://www.jlindustrial.com/DSA-9012...D/product.html

J&L Item Number: DSA-90123E
MSC Item Number: 73285355
Description: 115PC1/16-1/2/1-60/A-Z HERTEL 3-IN-1 DRILL SET
Manufacturer: Hertel
Manufacturer Part Number: DSA90123E
Availability:921 in Stock
Your Price: $193.16 ea


https://www.jlindustrial.com/CGI/JIS...l&N=4294966610

J&L Item Number: DSA-25163A
MSC Item Number: 02500106
Description: 29PC 1/16-1/2X64TH HERTEL BLK HS JBR DRL SET
Manufacturer: Hertel
Manufacturer Part Number: DSA25163A
Availability:350 in Stock
Your Price: $72.95 ea



MSC Industrial Supply CO.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/

Jeff If you need more info or more site let me know!!

Oh McMaster Carr is a good place to shop they had stuff that others don't, but they are a little higher.... When I need tooling drills, endmills, reamers, and so on I do not use McMasterCarr.. But if you need fittings and hard to find stuff McMaster Carr is a good place to look..

[FredP]

Originally Posted by jeff...

Link please - Thanks man

dont know if they are online. hodges st. off capitol blvd. they are next to where the habitat restore used to be.

[Alan in Little Washington]

I use the drills I got from my dad for tough work. The rest of the time it is the el cheapo's from China and the Drill Doctor

[JackLeg]

Jeff, I share your pain! I used to sell wholesale hardware, and Hanson was a good bit for the money. Irwin now owns them.

Sooo---I'm gonna stick with good old BOSCH. Bosch makes drill bits in sets and individual items in titanium, cobalt, and black oxide. Check ToolsDirect.com for some sample pricing.

They have a pretty nice set from 1/16 to 1/2" for about $135.

My $.02 worth.

[jeff...]

Well there is not much more aggravating than to have a drill bit break off deep an a hole you are going to tap. Thankfully I still my old school tap and die sets - now that's when tools were good. I really hate to harp on the new cheaper tools - but if the quality were there I would be satisfied and wouldn't have to call it like it is JUNK. Seems steel has gotten way thinner and not near as strong as it used to be. Is this the result of the metric system? I know I cringe every time I have to pick up a metric wrench, seems I either round of the heads or end up breaking the bolts - cheap junk... Face it we like our cheap junk else there would not be so much of it - now would there?

Thanks for all the info on good quality drill bit, I'm going to pick up some real bits thanks to you guys...

[Glennbear]

It is my understanding that a large part of the problem with steel today is that with all the recycling going on more of the softer metals are making their way into the production stream ergo the finished steel has greater concentrations of copper, brass, etc.

[NCPete]

Jeff, if you feel the issue is the metric system, you are probably using an ill-fitting wrench, which would be the true issue.

Whenever I do anything mechanical, I have a reasonably complete set of each type, SAE and Metric on hand. Granted, when I had the Miata, all I needed was a 10mm, 14mm, and 17mm to do anything to the car. My Mustang had mostly SAE type/size fasteners, if there were metric there, it was because I replaced one fastener with something else I had on hand. My beastly little Nissan truck has whatever I fit a pair of pliers around, no fine mechanix there.


Considering your preference for the General's products, I would keep a decent set of SAE and Metric around, 'cause I don't know what I would find. Only ever had one of them to have to try to do any work on, and only for about 8-12 weeks. Wife at the time wouldn't drive it, and I didn't have the time, inclination, or money (PFC in the Army at the time) to bother with the car. Sold it for $50 more than I paid for it, unless you include the $50 battery I put into the car.

[jeff...]

[scsmith42]

Jeff, ditto the recommendation regarding J&L Industrial Supply. They sell primarily to machine shops, which require really good drills.

About ten years ago I purchased some drill bits from a company called Eppico on the west coast. Best drills that I've ever had - they will drill stainless and spring steel w/o a problem. I think that they're made for Eppico by Cleveland Twist Drill - another good company.

Scott