Recommend a good quality large size drill bit set

[BigBlue1]

I looked around for a section in TBN for tools but didn't see anything, so since I'm sure a lot of people who weld also drill metal I'll ask here...

Looking for a good set of large size drill bits for metal. For sizing, I guess mainly up from the 1/2" that most of my normal sets end at to around maybe 1 1/4". I have a set that matches this exactly but I think it was from a discount place like Harbor Freight or Northern Tool and it doesn't seem to be very high quality. Every time I try to drill a large hole I end up screwing up the bit's cutting edges. So I'm looking for a decent quality set that can be used repeatedly for large hole drilling in mild steel, aluminum, etc. Recommendations on brands are appreciated.

Maybe I should also ask about technique, because it's possible I'm not doing things right. I always use a drill press for these types of holes. I try to use pilot holes (say starting with 3/8" before going to the final size like 1") and I use oil or other types of lubricant. I certainly don't crank too much pressure on things. But I seldom have good success. Is it just the crappy bits? Should I skip the pilot hole? Should I work up in increments?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

The set I have currently is a lot like this one. Probably about the same initial price and quality. Even looks like the same box.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200626793_200626793

How hard is it to re-sharpen bits like these?

Rob

 

[3Ts]

I have a set in 1/16" but unfortunately I don't remember where they came from. It may be HF or some other discount place so not much help there.

As for technique, I'm not a machinist but my understanding is that the proper rpm is important (there are tables that show size and material), oil should be a cutting oil (not engine oil) and there should only be 1 pilot hole drilled and not to "step up" because you'll get the hole out-of-round. The pilot hole should be the diameter of the flat tip of the final drill bit.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

For large holes I always set my drill press speed at the lowest setting. If the shaving comes out in a long curl your speed is good. Chattering of the drill means too fast. Steady pressure that maintains the curls is also good. I bought a set in 64ths on Amazon, no name on the nice plastic case. 1/2 to 1"

Ron

 

[Big Barn]

Just for interest this is what came up for me on Google.



Definitely not HF price range.

 

[swines]

Are you trying to find Silver and Deming style bits (reduced shank) where all of the shanks are 1/2-inch? Every set I've ever seen goes from 9/16 to 1-inch. You can get them in a variety of increments - 1/32, 1/16 etc. Of course, the more bits - the higher the cost. I have a 9 bit set from 9/16 to 1-inch. If you want larger than that you have to buy individual drill bits. Then you have to decide what it's worth to you for the set, and what type of material you're going to drill. There seems to be two distinct philosophies on drill bits. Buy cheap ones and replace them as they wear out, or, buy expensive bits and resharpen them.

My personal problem with cheap drills is that I've found they give out about half way through a project and then I'm stopped until the drill bit is replaced. For that reason, I buy rather expensive, cobalt steel drill bits as, for the projects I do, I find they work better than high speed steel or titanium nitride coated bits because I often work with stainless steel. I don't like the titanium coated bits as my experience with them is that once the coating has worn off - you have a cheap piece of steel underneath. If you resharpen the drill, the coating is ground off the cutting edge of the bit, and you have whatever type of steel underneath.

What you may want to consider for larger size holes is switching to carbide tipped hole cutters. They're like annular cutters, but with a shank that will fit in a standard drill chuck instead of the "slugger" style cutter than fits only into a magnetic drill. A problem with carbide tipped hole cutters is you're usually limited to 1-inch thick materials. I have a set of five cutters made by Champion Cutting Tool Corp - model CT-7. The set is available from a number of on-line sources.

What you may want to do is buy a Silver and Deming set for sizes 9/16 to 1-inch and then supplement that with either drill bits in the sizes you need or carbide tipped hole saws if the 1-inch thickness limitation will work for you.

 

[ddbackhoe]

I looked around for a section in TBN for tools but didn't see anything, so since I'm sure a lot of people who weld also drill metal I'll ask here...

Looking for a good set of large size drill bits for metal. For sizing, I guess mainly up from the 1/2" that most of my normal sets end at to around maybe 1 1/4". I have a set that matches this exactly but I think it was from a discount place like Harbor Freight or Northern Tool and it doesn't seem to be very high quality. Every time I try to drill a large hole I end up screwing up the bit's cutting edges. So I'm looking for a decent quality set that can be used repeatedly for large hole drilling in mild steel, aluminum, etc. Recommendations on brands are appreciated.

Maybe I should also ask about technique, because it's possible I'm not doing things right. I always use a drill press for these types of holes. I try to use pilot holes (say starting with 3/8" before going to the final size like 1") and I use oil or other types of lubricant. I certainly don't crank too much pressure on things. But I seldom have good success. Is it just the crappy bits? Should I skip the pilot hole? Should I work up in increments?

Thanks,
Rob

Depends......What do you have to turn them? As was mentioned; drill bits,annular cutters, hole saws, boring bars or circle cutters might be what you would like to have. The best source I use is MSC.
https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/Holemaking?navid=12106067

 

[oosik]

I have many sets of high speed drills. I know none of the sets were over $80. Purchased from local hardware stores. I use Drill Doctor to sharpen them. Took a while to learn but now I can get all but those under, about 3/16", really sharp.

I have larger bits for both wood & steel. Purchased individually - not in any set. Each for a specific need.

 

[yomax4]

I have all the big bits. I just wish my drill press could turn them. I guess Tractor Supply wasn't thinking 1 1/4 bits on their presses. I had to do some horse trading for a Mag Drill for larger holes or suffer through step drill bits on thinner material.

 

[BigBlue1]

Depends......What do you have to turn them? As was mentioned; drill bits,annular cutters, hole saws, boring bars or circle cutters might be what you would like to have. The best source I use is MSC.
https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/Holemaking?navid=12106067

I have several drill presses with 1/2" chucks.

I do use hole saws as well but I find them not as precise as a drill bit.

Rob

 

[fried1765]

I have many sets of high speed drills. I know none of the sets were over $80. Purchased from local hardware stores. I use Drill Doctor to sharpen them. Took a while to learn but now I can get all but those under, about 3/16", really sharp.

I have larger bits for both wood & steel. Purchased individually - not in any set. Each for a specific need.

The drill doctor is a good tool, but it does have a learning curve, and will only sharpen bits to 3/4" (I have a DD).

The least expensive bits are high speed steel - HSS.
There are Cobalt COATED bits, which as the Cobalt name suggests, are supposedly coated with a very thin Cobalt coating...don't waste your money on these.

True Cobalt bits are either M35 or M42.
The M35 bits contain 5% Cobalt, while the M42 bits contain 8% Cobalt.
As you might guess, the M42 bits are the better ones, and cost a bit more than the M35.
Both of these style bits are WAY better than the HSS junk sold at the big box stores or HF.

I have two sets of Molybdenum M7 bits up to 1/2", and some random M7 bits in larger sizes up to 1-1/4"
I buy Molybdenum M7 bits from Drillhog.com, and they are also sold on Amazon.
I feel that the M7 bits are equal to the Cobalt M42 bits.

M35 and M42 Cobalt, and M7 Molybdenum drill bits, are all vastly superior to the purported top quality brand of any high speed steel bits!

Quality drill bits are worth every penny, in my opinion!
Cheap drill bits are a source of frustration.

While not usually Cobalt or Molybdenum, at least a small set of left hand drill bits is also a necessity in my opinion.

 

[LouNY]

The set I have currently is a lot like this one. Probably about the same initial price and quality. Even looks like the same box.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200626793_200626793

How hard is it to re-sharpen bits like these?

Rob

I have the same set of bits.
I have resharpened a few of mine, free hand on a bench grinder with a fine stone.
The best reasonably priced cutting fluid that I found and use is a blend of cheap ATF and diesel fuel,
about 2/3 ATF or a bit less and the balance #2 fuel oil, it does smell a bit.
Using this fluid and the slowest speed I can get on my drill press ( a small 1hp milling machine)
if I can get a nice spiral curling up the hole is going to be good and the bit last.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have several drill presses with 1/2" chucks.
Rob

So do I, but the problem is, most of them don't go slooow enough to drill BIG holes, but this one does,

So it's the one I use for drilling big holes,

SR

 

[BigBlue1]

OK, I could buy a set of those M7 Drill Hog bits.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good drill RPM speed chart for drill bit sizes and metal types? I did some Googling but there is a lot of other info that seems more prevalent (surface feet per min and feed speeds) which doesn't help my little brain with RPM. I do have a drill press that can go pretty slow (at least as low as 300 RPM) but need to know what I'm targeting.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Big Barn]

100 RMP would be nicer, Rob. And a good drill table vise and clamping accessories.

Don’t worry about specs for feed rate. Use the advice already mentioned concerning watching the chip.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Somebody above mentioned Champion hole cutters. You should give that a careful look. They are not just "hole saws". I use them too. They are excellent for what you seem to want to do. Accurately sized round holes with your drill press or hand held if need be.

CT7 5 Piece General Maintenance Hole Cutter Set

 

[Big Barn]

Somebody above mentioned Champion hole cutters. You should give that a careful look. They are not just "hole saws". I use them too. They are excellent for what you seem to want to do. Accurately sized round holes with your drill press or hand held if need be.

CT7 5 Piece General Maintenance Hole Cutter Set

I’ve never tried one but I see they are available individually also on eBay and reasonably priced.

 

[WranglerX]

When going bigger, I have a "bridge reamer"....Its easier on wrists and if use carefully will drill hundreds of holes ... Yes expensive but I can mark reamer to what hole size I need and just push it through to the mark.... Less tendency to bind up and break wrist if using portable drill motor...

Similar to this but mine is 15/16 (large end) for 7/8 clearance holes... Sort of wish I has gotten 1-1/16 though...

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/02341667

Shop around prices vary a lot...

Dale

 

[Gordon Gould]

Somebody above mentioned Champion hole cutters. You should give that a careful look. They are not just "hole saws". I use them too. They are excellent for what you seem to want to do. Accurately sized round holes with your drill press or hand held if need be.

CT7 5 Piece General Maintenance Hole Cutter Set

I also use hole saws in the drill press. Often much easier than drill bits. Mine have a 1/4 pilot bit in the center so I predrill a 1/4 hole location hole. The hole cutters will cut good until the kerf gets loaded with chips then it will feel like it has suddenly gone dull. Just stop and blow out the chips with the air hose or use a pick to clean them out then go again. A lot of complaints about hole saws are because people don't realize that you have to do this.



Milwaukee and Champion both make these.

gg

 

[NoTrespassing]

OK, I could buy a set of those M7 Drill Hog bits.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good drill RPM speed chart for drill bit sizes and metal types? I did some Googling but there is a lot of other info that seems more prevalent (surface feet per min and feed speeds) which doesn't help my little brain with RPM. I do have a drill press that can go pretty slow (at least as low as 300 RPM) but need to know what I'm targeting.

Thanks,
Rob

Speeds and Feeds Calculator - Good Calculators