Drill Bits

[TDog W]

Any of you machinist-types have a good set of drill bits you recommend that won't cost a fortune. I'm not opposed to spending a decent amount. I'm tired of throwing out HF bits after 1 or 2 uses.

Home Depot : MILWAUKEE COLBALT Bits...$45.00 15 piece kit,,Put a little cutting oil down and COLBALT Bits last a long time.

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[jrf]

This is what I use, they’re not cheap but if you factor in the warranty they’re worth it to me. Plus you know me, I love they’re made in USA .......

Really bad reviews for this company online and not honoring their warranty...not everything made in the USA is awesome

 

[Roky]

Really bad reviews for this company online and not honoring their warranty...not everything made in the USA is awesome

I never experienced any problems with them, I’ve replaced a couple without a hitch, don’t know about other reviews, though it’s been my experience that there’s always more to the story. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s awesome or not, that’s just how I choose to shop. I know some foreign made products are equal to and sometimes better, but that’s just my way, not asking you to agree with it.......

 

[jrf]

I never experienced any problems with them, I’ve replaced a couple without a hitch

I appreciated the link and was interested in buying some...for the same reasons as you. But after doing some more research I found many people saying they couldn't even get in contact with the company. They don't have any contact information at all on their website which I do also find odd for a company touting a lifetime warranty. As an example another post above recommended this company who clearly has that information prominently on their website. However, if you have personally had no problems with the warranty I'd really like to hear your experience. How did you contact them and what did it cost? The baddogtools costs $2.50 for the first bit and $1 for each additional. I mean they say that's shipping charges but that's really just the cost of the "warranty". I've got a few different sets of mismatched bits and would like to get my LAST set...so honestly looking for options. If you have a phone number or contact info, please do share as I'd like to get in contact with them. Thanks.

 

[ExitLeft]

How about hole saw recommendations? I have some flush mount Rigid Ignite back up lights that I was going to mount in my rear bumper. It requires drilling a 1.75" hole and I have Rock Hard 4x4 rear bumper that is 1/4" thick steel. I'll be drilling it with a power drill with the bumper still mounted on the Jeep. Any suggestions for a decent 1.75" hole saw for 1/4" steel?

 

[GreyFox]

Full disclosure.... my wife takes care of all warranties. It’s been over a year since I replaced one, so I’m not sure what’s going on with them now. I know she had to register when I bought them, then I just mailed the broken bit to the address they gave, and they mailed me a new one. It was pretty seamless, I think she corresponded through emails. She texted me the address:
Drill Hog
12223 Highland ave. #106-402
Rancho Cucamonga CA 91739
And the email address: hogwarranty.com
That’s about all I know, if you find anything else out about them good or bad please let me know.
Thanks
Roky

I honestly don't take much stock in "bad reviews" vs "good reviews". I mean let's face it, how many times have you reviewed an item you liked vs one you didn't? I mean, hmmm, look at this forum (quoted you but was directing to @jrf ). Now, if every single review is bad, I will probably steer clear

 

[word302]

What are you drilling that's breaking HF drill bits? I've found that the hercules or whatever brand HF drill bits aren't all that bad. I just got done drilling and tapping 32-1/4" steel fasteners with them.

Thick plate steel mostly. 2 or 3 holes and the HF titanium bits are done. Not necessarily breaking them. Just get still too fast and heat up instead of cut.

 

[IronScott]

Doesn't always fit the need but I've found the step bits from HF to work very well. Not super great for precise work but they have worked great for me. If nothing else, they work really well for starting holes and then using precise bits when needed.

 

[Gee-pah]

I'll bet my knowledge of drill bits, while adequate, is surpassed by that of many prior poster's.

That said, the OP @word302 didn't indicate why he disposes of the bits and I'm not sure if it's due to their breaking, dulling, or a little bit of both.

This said, I'm surprised (unless I missed it) why, along with some fine brands recommended above, a drill bit sharpener never came up--assuming dullness is the culprit here.

While I could talk to the need to go slow drilling metals, and using cutting oil, I often find myself sharpening bits between each use and find a sharpener an indispensable tool at preserving a bit's ability to cut over time, along with quality bits suited to the material being cut.

 

[Newfy]

Just go to home Depot or Lowe's right now they're running Christmas specials on all these sets. I beat the shit out of them all the time. A lot of them are in the quick gift section this time of year. I'm a contractor, I pick up a few sets and they're cheap. DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc.

 

[word302]

This is what I've been using
https://www.harborfreight.com/titanium-m2-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-115-pc-61543.html
Not impressed. Obviously you get what you pay for.

 

[Gee-pah]

This is what I've been using
https://www.harborfreight.com/titanium-m2-high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-115-pc-61543.html
Not impressed. Obviously you get what you pay for.

If you're going through metals @word302 perhaps you'd consider their, granted more expensive, Cobalt line of bits. My experience, owning them and the ones of your link are the Cobalt are better and I tend to use the ones you linked on wood only.

...and yep, I'm sharpening the Cobalt ones all the time too...

 

[word302]

I'll bet my knowledge of drill bits, while adequate, is surpassed by that of many prior poster's.

That said, the OP @word302 didn't indicate why he disposes of the bits and I'm not sure if it's due to their breaking, dulling, or a little bit of both.

This said, I'm surprised (unless I missed it) why, along with some fine brands recommended above, a drill bit sharpener never came up--assuming dullness is the culprit here.

While I could talk to the need to go slow drilling metals, and using cutting oil, I often find myself sharpening bits between each use and find a sharpener an indispensable tool at preserving a bit's ability to cut over time, along with quality bits suited to the material being cut.

Mostly a sharpness issue. I guess I just don't feel like a bit should need to be sharpened after drilling a single hole in 1/4" steel. 20 years ago any bit you bought would last years.

 

[word302]

Just go to home Depot or Lowe's right now they're running Christmas specials on all these sets. I beat the shit out of them all the time. A lot of them are in the quick gift section this time of year. I'm a contractor, I pick up a few sets and they're cheap. DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc.

That's just it. I'm tired of replacing bits after 1 job and often times halfway through a job.

 

[fat_head]

Thick plate steel mostly. 2 or 3 holes and the HF titanium bits are done. Not necessarily breaking them. Just get still too fast and heat up instead of cut.

You probably need to slow WAY down on your drill speed. You can burn up even the best drill bits if you heat them up too much.

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