Dangerous times ahead!

[Wagtail]

... for my wallet!

It's time for the annual Tasmanian "AGFEST" Field Day/Agricultural Show. This means discovering things that 'I never knew that I needed'. I've gone every year for the past 4 years and (bar the first year) always reckon that there couldn't possibly be anything more that I needed.

WRONG. I even tried bringing along a 'wallet minder' Mate on a couple of occasions but he mostly said, "Oooh, you need that!" (Then he promptly borrowed 'it' later on.)

This year's "Whiz-bang" object is a set of drill bits that, frankly, sound too good to be true: ARTU | Drill Bits, Hole Saws & Saw Blades

Are there any recommendations of objects/tools/etc... that you've found at your shows that you "never knew that you needed it"? Were they a dud or worked better than expected?

 

[Ken]

Wagtail I am using a set of drill bits my Dad said he got at Ag. class in his 8th year of school. also final year of his education. so around 1920 He had enough schooling to be able to make a living.
Could use the carpenter square like a slide rule and figure pitch of building rafters
with a hand driven drill press made a tractor. repaired farm machinery and the one set of drill bits just kept cutting with small amount of sharpening cuts well today.
I have bought the Harbor Freight drills and had them unwind or break just as the hole is finished.

so if the bits you show work (they look like concrete bits to me.) would be interested if could be purchased in the u.s.
ken

 

[Wagtail]

so if the bits you show work (they look like concrete bits to me.) would be interested if could be purchased in the u.s.
ken

G'day Ken. Here's a different website that shows & describes these bits: 7 Piece ARTU Drill Bit Set - Metric - Newstyle Direct

Mind you, it's from the manufacturer. It looks like it's 'all in the tip' with no cutting edge on the shaft. They also come in Imperial.

The 'post #1' website is a US site.

 

[Doofy]

Thanks for posting. Interesting and capable looking drill bits and Amazon carries them.

 

[Paddy]

I have not tried this brand, but use them in my stone carving. The files work real well on stone and clean up with a with brush. Jig saw blades do work but dull after maybe 5-6 ft of cutting 3/4 in thick limestone. But to be fair, that's a lot of cutting.

The glass drilling bits are amazing on stone. I have a set from 1/8 to 1 inch. The saw-all blade works well in a holder

 

[k0ua]

Please be advised that ARTU Multi-Purpose Drill Bits are not recommended to be used on mild steel, i.e., angle iron, galvanized pipe, copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, etc. Instead use ARTU’s HSS or Cobalt Drill Bits.

Those bits are masonry bits. ONLY.

 

[bunyip]

I used to attend the Melbourne Working With Wood Show and there was a bloke selling drill bits in a set, he demonstrated by drilling through a file and had obviously aroused someones suspicions as they barged in with a drill and bit and tried it and drilled a hole while he was trying to get him off his display.
It appears the files were heated (de-tempered?) and anything would bore through them.
He was easily identified with his loose fitting dentures and constant opening and closing of his mouth to keep them in place, I hope this is not him.

 

[Wagtail]

Please be advised that ARTU Multi-Purpose Drill Bits are not recommended to be used on mild steel, i.e., angle iron, galvanized pipe, copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, etc. Instead use ARTU’s HSS or Cobalt Drill Bits.

Those bits are masonry bits. ONLY.

Very good point K0ua and something that I missed amongst all of the "look at all it can do" advertising: "especially suited to the heaviest duty applications in masonry, brick, ceramics, cast stone and natural stone."

And, yeah bunyip, you really have to be aware/cautious regarding slick spruiking. "Buy NOW! Show SPECIAL! We're practically giving them away!!!" :laughing:

 

[Groo]

I borrowed someone's superduper bit, after he talked up how indestructable and everlasting they were, I promptly broke it......

 

[JRobyn]

I wonder if the ARTU's would top these - Amazon.com: Rotary Percussion Masonry Drill Bit: Home Improvement

They have always given me very good service.

 

[Wagtail]

Well I'm back from AGFEST and I have to report that I didn't 'go for' the ARTU drill bits... the demonstration was 'too slick' and rapid fire. Sure, the bloke probably did all of the various 'shows' and had his spruik down pat, but he wouldn't let you 'have a go' yourself. It just felt dodgy, so I walked away.

I didn't get away from the show empty handed though (Oh, my poor wallet :ashamed as I bought a petrol-driven (B&S 190cc) wood chipper, new work boots, lifting strops + shackles and other 'needful things'.

I was lucky to get away this year at under A$1900.00. :thumbsup:

-------------------------------

"Show Special" chipper with extra set of blades: Piecemaker - 85 B&S - Greenfield Mowers

 

[bunyip]

It rained for the local Lardner Field Days but we have about another 6 or so that are coming up so I am sure I will get burnt, having said that I just bought a 36v power washer which has it's own water supply for remote use, I did need one, honest
Ryobi from Bunnies (bit like HD and other big green sheds)
Ryobi 36V 5.Ah Pressure Washer Kit | Bunnings Warehouse

 

[MacLawn]

I ALWAYS find tools and other mess I need. Love those kinds of shows...

 

[k0ua]

We are getting a Harbor Freight tools store in Branson, Mo. Woo Hoo!.. They are converting an old Staples store right now even as we speak!

 

[Wagtail]

We are getting a Harbor Freight tools store in Branson, Mo. Woo Hoo!.. They are converting an old Staples store right now even as we speak!

This would describe me at a 'show' or a big-box store such as your "Harbor Freight" or our "Bunnings":

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Tungsten carbide bits have been around forever, but they are brittle. They are used for milling steel, and are about the only thing hard enough to mill tool steel. The ones in the link look like masonry bits, and would work OK in pumice block or brick. If you are drilling much concrete, the results will depend on how hard the aggregate is. An impact drill won't do it. Get a rotohammer.

 

[bunyip]

An impact drill won't do it. Get a rotohammer.

Put one of those off for 10 years as I thought it was just a gimmick, been kicking myself ever since.
They are also dirt cheap can buy one here for about $60, not a big name brand but I have had mine for about 15 years and it's still going strong, bought another one recently as I don't know where the other one is and I needed it in a hurry, worst thing is the bits cost more than the drill with the special fitting (the name just escapes me but push in and lock)

 

[Groo]

Rotory Hammers are no joke
I purchased a Ryobi cordless hammer drill since I had so many of their other tools working well for me. It was completely shot before I finished the first hole, so I returned it and got a Bosch SDS rotory hammer (one of the smaller ones actually) from Home Depot. What a difference. I finished 10 more holes in much less time than it took me to get 1st half of the 1st hole.

Not so thrilled with Harbor Freight. You can get the same cheap crap cheaper on-line, and I don't nescisarily care for how the owner uses his profits.