Numbered Drill Bits

[Fullstock longrifle]

Can anyone recommend some quality numbered drill bits and where to buy them? The usual junk bits aren't cutting it (no pun intended) anymore, I'm ready to bite the bullet and buy some good quality bits.

Frank

[James Rogers]

Frank,
I get mine from Valley Fasteners in multiples of the sizes I need.
 http://valleyfastenersinc.com/index.php

[tallbear]

Frank
I get all mine from MSC http://www.mscdirect.com/.I usually get Chicago Latrobe brand but they have several quality brands along with some imported to choose from.

Mitch Yates

[Fullstock longrifle]

Thanks, that's what I needed guys.
Frank

[Steve-In]

You may also consider some Stub length drills.  They do not bend as much as Jobber drills.

[Long Ears]

I learned that lesson a long time ago. Buy good cutters and drills, keep them sharp and replace them if they get hot. Another reason I don't shop at HF. Bob

[Mark Elliott]

Like Mitch,  I buy all that kind of stuff from MSC.    The small sizes that you break a lot you have to by in little packets by the dozen.      You do have to sharpen those things from time to time.   I use my belt sander for sharpening drill bits and lathe tools.   I find I can do a better job than trying to use a grinding wheel.   Also,  make sure that what ever you are drilling is annealed.   I can tell you that it makes a big difference on the life of all your metal cutting tools.   If you don't fully anneal, then you are going to need cobalt tools for cutting tool steels.    I will only buy cobalt lathe tools.    I have to resharpen the HSS too often.   

Best,

Mark

[cunninmp]

Beside MSC, I also get mine from Enco. I buy Made in USA.
A much better grade of tool steel.

www.use-enco.com

Mike C
 

[44-henry]

I purchased a cheap set some years back and simply replace the bits that I use frequently with several higher quality bits purchased at Emco or MSC. I have found the lesser used bits hold up well enough for occasional work and you can always sharpen them if need be. The cheaper bits are suspect at times for the diameter hole that they cut, but since I generally ream critical holes it has not been an issue.

[Acer Saccharum]

Get the polished flute USA brand. Heavy duty cobalt drills are pricier, and they have a thicker web, leaving less room for chip removal.

In the fractional sizes, I use stub length drills, or screw machine length, for just about every application.

[rickw]

Epstein's has a USA made set by Norseman for $42.75.
If I didn't already have a set, I'd buy one of them!
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/DrillBitSets/J-60.html
Rick W

[Long Ears]

rickw, Check out the fine print on that inexpensive set. You may straighten them out drilling steel..

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

I usually get mine from TOW. I only buy the sizes I need and I get them in multiples. Works for me.

[flehto]

Recently bought some small dia.   drills from a hardware store that previously had quality drills....the last purchase had bent shanks causing severe runout and were foreign made. Will try MSC and Emco. Nothing is so frustrating as a bent drill....Fred

[Acer Saccharum]

Black oxide coating is great on good quality drills; however the coating is also used to make crappy drills look better.

get the polished flute, ground from solid, HSS, made in USA drill.

Tho' while you think you're buying a good American-made brand, some of them say "made in Mexico"in fine print. Depressing.