This discussion got me thinking... I have the usual full set of fractional (up to 1/2") number and letter drills, plus a random assortment of S&D bits 33/64 to 1" but it took me years to accumulate them all. Is there anywhere that sells good quality metric drill bits that aren't too expensive? What are good brands? My stuff is a mix of old salvaged stuff and Chicago-Latrobe from McMaster.
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oversized drill bits
- Thread starter Hesparus
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2010
- Messages
- 1,427
N8N, I don't want to come off as a cheapskate but I don't think you need a full set of metric drill bits for knife making unless you just want them. The pins I use are 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, and 1/4 approximately. I recommend that you buy two of each oversized bit of the BEST QUALITY and label them for use for the pin sizes I just listed. Keep them a clear plastic box next to your drill press Also keep a few of oversized tungsten carbide bits for changing the location of pin holes after heat treat if you want. You will save money and have what you need as well as a spare. It is just my opinion and works well for me. You can always spin pinstock between your fingers on a moving sanding belt to take off a thousandth of an inch if you need to. Larry lehman
Hi Larry,
I didn't have a particular purpose in mind when I made that post; I have actually never made or tried to make a knife in my life although I could see myself trying to make some scales someday if I get motivated. However, I do sometimes have to drill/tap holes in metal and often choose to use metric threads (e.g. I'm fabricating a custom piece for a German car) and an index full of metric bits seems like it would be a good thing to have, if reasonably affordable. Especially so since with metric stuff you really don't have to carry a tap drill chart as the way they size stuff you can calculate in your head *if* you have a metric set
However it appears that they generally are in the $1-200 range for what appear to be reasonable quality ones from e.g. McMaster, MSC, etc. was wondering since the subject came up if there was a budget priced but acceptable option.
I didn't have a particular purpose in mind when I made that post; I have actually never made or tried to make a knife in my life although I could see myself trying to make some scales someday if I get motivated. However, I do sometimes have to drill/tap holes in metal and often choose to use metric threads (e.g. I'm fabricating a custom piece for a German car) and an index full of metric bits seems like it would be a good thing to have, if reasonably affordable. Especially so since with metric stuff you really don't have to carry a tap drill chart as the way they size stuff you can calculate in your head *if* you have a metric set
However it appears that they generally are in the $1-200 range for what appear to be reasonable quality ones from e.g. McMaster, MSC, etc. was wondering since the subject came up if there was a budget priced but acceptable option.