choosing drill bits

clw3

clw3

Joined
Apr 15, 2005
Messages
273
I'm tired of my rag-tag flea market grab bag of drill bits and think it's time to get a decent set that I can use for most tasks. I've seen some posts about individual bits for individual uses, but haven't seen any recommendations for sets.

I'm looking at a set of HSS 135 degree Split-Point fractional bits ranging in sizes from 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths. This set also comes with 12 extra 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" bits for about $60.

Is fractional the way to go or should I move more toward selecting numbered or letter sizes? I would love a set with all 3 but I have a very small budget and I want to get the set with the most versatility without having a lot of bits that I will never use.

I have primarily been using 1/16", 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" bits for my fixed blade designs. I hope to be moving into making folders soon and I think I may need a wider variety.

Any input you folks can offer is greatly appreciated.
 
Good Morning clk3.If I were buying my 1st set of drill bits I would go fractional just like you were looking at but instead of HSS I would buy bits with cobalt in them.They are usually marked with M42 on the shank instead of HSS.They will hold up much better,especially with the materials we work with.As far as your folder making goes,you will probably need to purchase some reamers too. Depending on what type of components your working with you could need a set of over-under reamers (usually .001 over & under nominal size)for giving you a press or slip fit.Or just a set of fractional reamers(depends on what your doing). Personally I have fractional,number,letter drills(all M42). Over,under & fractional reamers. And a real good selection of solid carbide tooling too.It is very hard to say you should get one or the other.they make all the different sizes & materials because they all have their place.Best advice I can give is to buy quality tooling because like they say-you get what you pay for (most of the time):)
 
Enco often has sales on drill bit sets. I agree that going with cobalt bits is a good idea. Numbered and lettered bits are a necessity in the knife shop. For example if your using 1/8" pins, you should be usind a #30 drill bit for the holes. 3/32" pins, use a #41 bit, and 1/16" pins use a #52 bit. If you get into folders you'll also find yourself in need of various types of bits including carbides.

I also have a "Drill Doctor" bit sharpener in the shop, which has paid for itself several times. I consider bits smaller than 3/32" as disposable, everything larger than that can be resharpend on the Drill Doctor.
 
clw3 said:
I'm tired of my rag-tag flea market grab bag of drill bits and think it's time to get a decent set that I can use for most tasks. I've seen some posts about individual bits for individual uses, but haven't seen any recommendations for sets.

I'm looking at a set of HSS 135 degree Split-Point fractional bits ranging in sizes from 1/16" to 1/2" by 64ths. This set also comes with 12 extra 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" bits for about $60.

Is fractional the way to go or should I move more toward selecting numbered or letter sizes? I would love a set with all 3 but I have a very small budget and I want to get the set with the most versatility without having a lot of bits that I will never use.

I have primarily been using 1/16", 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" bits for my fixed blade designs. I hope to be moving into making folders soon and I think I may need a wider variety.

Any input you folks can offer is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

My best advice on the subject of drill bits is to get yourself a set that includes fractional, letter, and number-sized bits. Trust me, you will use them. As they get dull, you can either sharpen them or replace them as well as have spares by purchasing good spare bits that you will use often. I buy mine through MSC and McMaster-Carr. A good set like this in Heavy-Duty, will run you $200 or better, but its important. Good holes = good work.

I also want to add the the best friend you can possibly have in the shop is an Inch/Metric Tap Drill Sizes and Decimal equivalents chart. Once you understand a few basic rules about drilling and tapping in hard or soft materials, that chart will tell you everything you need to know. Its probably the most taken for granted piece of equipment in the shop, but also the root of all thing accurate when drilling, reaming, tapping.
 
If being frugal for, the time being, is truly important to you, having a fully indexed set of fractional, lettered and numbered drills bits may not be necessary for the work you are doing. Yes it is good to know you have a full set when that special occasion comes up but it may not be necessary for the work at hand.

You say you "have primarily been using 1/16", 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" bits". Every major supply house, MSC, Enco, KBC, Travers, McMaster Carr, Rutland, J&L etc. can supply individual bits in a wide variety of types and quality levels. Get what you use until such time as you find it necessary or advantageous to have a full set. Buy good, high quality bits and you will not be sorry and buy multiples of the smaller sizes.

If you plan on moving into making folders your tool needs can be accommodated within a budget buying the requisite over/under reamers and taps individually as well.

The chart recomendation is a good one. Here are a couple of on line charts:
http://www.korit.com/tapndrill.htm
http://www.engineersedge.com/tap_drill_chart.htm

One last recommendation, when doing small work, which is mostly what is done making knives, consider buying "screw machine drills". For the materials we work with they can be an advantage in making accurately sized holes. These bits are shorter than your regular "jobbers" bits and consequently have less flex and will wander less which translates into more accurate holes. Not a necessity but it can be helpful.

Just MHO.

Allen
 
ive always been a fan of the Irwin drill bits. aside from knives, i do a lot of metal fab work and they have always seemed to last the longest for me. that, and i love my drill doctor
 
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