As a retired tool and diemaker, I never thought drills could be that complicated. I've used HSS drills of many brands and they all "drilled"......a hole . Now carbon steel drills are usually cheaper but don't perform as well. The points of the purchased HSS twist drills were used as rec'd unless a flat bottom "point" was used....these we ground by the toolmaker as well as re- sharpening a drill.... both of which which were done freehand....no jig.
Of course the mat'l being drilled in the toolroom was usually steel , but have used twist drills while building MLers including stocks w/ regular HSS twist drills usually in a drill press w/ excellent results......a suitable spindle speed is very important according to the drill dia and many run the drills at too slow a speed. Also, if an exiting tear out is to be avoided, easing up when breaking through the opposite side of wood helps, but a fast enough speed is more important. Some holes require a holeshooter and w/ many of these, the speeds are way too slow.
Thought this scenario was kinda funny......saw my neighbors , both the husband and wife leaning on a hole shooter { she was heavier than he } and the attempted 1/2 dia hole was in a car bumper which is tougher steel. The progress was stalled and the drill became dull. Looked at the drill point and saw that the heels of the cutting edges weren't relieved. Re-sharpened the drill and told only him to drill the hole....went through like cutting butter even though the spindle speed was too slow. .....Fred
