Who makes a good drill bit?

[Bucksaw]

I am sick to death of buying drill bits. We buy more bits in the shop than anyone ever should. The problem is, they either dont hold their edge, or they snap. When we put a floor in a trailer, we have to drill 7/32 holes for the screws to go in, and we will go through about half a dozen or more bits for a 16' trailer.

Ive tried cobalt, cobalt coated, titanium, titanium coated, and even gold ferous oxide. Is there such thing as a "kid-proof" drill bit?

[Chuck Webb]

First buy jobber length uncoated drills from a real tool company, then have a box for dull drills and have them resharpened by a reputable company. Cutting Tools Inc does this, also train your guys to let the drill do the work and stop pushing the drill so hard. Also, a squirt bottle of do-drill is a must for keeping chips from sticking in the flutes

[Bob G]

I betting they break when the bit is exiting the metal... There is a key factor in drilling that is used in the industry called "feed and speed". The key to keeping a bit from breaking and becoming dull to quickly is to have these two variables set correctly. To help determine those variables it is imperative to know what time of drill motor are you using? A determination can start to be formulated from there.

tending the fire,
Bob G.

[tgil]

I've been experiencing this "pain" since Sunday. I have a trailer at the house that I was putting a new floor in. First, I bought screws with a self-drilling tip. That didn't work. Next, I thought I'd drill a pilot hole with an hss bit I had. Burned that up, and barely scratched the surface. I went back and bought bigger, better screws, which turned out to be as weak as the first. I went last night and bought two cobalt bits at TSC. I got one hole drilled and smoked the first bit. I took a break for dinner and decided to do a quick google search. I'm embarrassed to say, I didn't realize I needed to take it slow! Once I slowed the speed down, I was able to drill through a single layer of angle without too much effort. I even got screw #2 to do the same, taking my time. May or may not work in your case, but maybe slow down a little?

[lameduck]

triumphtwistdrills.com

[Graysonhogs]

What are you using to drill the holes(machine)? What type of materials are you using? How many rpm are you running the drill? Coolant/cutting fluid? There are a lot of variables.

[ladrones]

What are you using to drill the holes(machine)? What type of materials are you using? How many rpm are you running the drill? Coolant/cutting fluid? There are a lot of variables.

My question as well?

[Graysonhogs]

If you are using a hand drill you are working way too hard. If possible, I would have the holes already in my angle before I assembled the frame, either with a drill press or mill. If that's not an option, I'd invest in a mag base drill, you can adjust speeds and it takes infinitely less effort to drill the hole, plus your drills will last longer. If you have anyone who can sharpen a dull drill that's a plus also.

[Dale Moser]

You are turning them too fast, or leaning too hard. Get some cutting fluid and slow down.

[calls]

Cobalt is more forgiving than HSS, by this I mean it will flex a little if your using a hand drill and aren't perfectly straight without breaking. Slow down and let your bit do the drilling, no need for a ton of pressure to drill a hole. Some type of cutting fluid will help prolong the life of your bit as well. Doesn't hurt to let off for a second and then resume moderate pressure, this will break a shaving for you. Time is money I know but if your spending $40-$50 in drills to save 10 minutes then your losing money.

[cosmiccowboy]

When we fabricate something like that we do all the drilling on the drill press with coolant pump before we weld everything together.

[dclifton]

If you are using a hand drill you are working way too hard. If possible, I would have the holes already in my angle before I assembled the frame, either with a drill press or mill. If that's not an option, I'd invest in a mag base drill, you can adjust speeds and it takes infinitely less effort to drill the hole, plus your drills will last longer. If you have anyone who can sharpen a dull drill that's a plus also.

How on earth would u ever hit the hole with a screw once u layed ur boards in? Jw

Usually the best drill bits are the ones u but at a tool company that come one at a time and uve prolly never heard the name of them

[Dusty Britches]

Here and I thought the question was more of "who sells good drill bits"? I'd like to know, too, because I'm tired of buying cheap Chinese crap drill bits and screw bits from HD and Lowes.

[lameduck]

here and i thought the question was more of "who sells good drill bits"? I'd like to know, too, because i'm tired of buying cheap chinese crap drill bits and screw bits from hd and lowes.

see post #5

[Dale Moser]

Drill press.