Cheap Drill Bits

[shvl73]

I bought these HF drill bits with a bit of skepticism but, they worked well. I was drilling 3/4" steel plate and using some penetrating oil as I drilled.
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[weldingisfun]

You obviously have a press with the variable speeds. I have been looking at a HF floor press with a low rpm of 200 and high of 3020. The table press I'm using now has a low speed of 620, which is too fast for anything over 1/2inch. What size drill were you using on that 3/4 inch plate and what rpm were you using?

 

[shvl73]

I was using my cheapo TSC drill press. The lowest speed is 260rpm. I used a small 1/4" pilot drill, then stepped up in increments to 15/16". The press has a small amount of run-out and when I tried drilling the large holes in one step, they ended up off and I had to weld them solid again. Starting small and stepping up seemed to keep better accuracy. For $139.00, the press works well. The spindle loosened up a couple of times and when I tried to set it using the table with a block of wood with down pressure (per directions) the table mount broke. The manager at TSC replaced it with a part from his floor model on the spot. I thought that was good of him. I then used a block of wood and a 3lb hammer and tapped it up into place. It seems to hold better that way.

 

[Skyco]

I've got the same HF set and it is ok. But- I found a hole saw works amazingly well when I needed some 1" holes in 3/8 plate! I was quite pleasantly surprised how well it cut when kept lubed up with dark cutting oil.

 

[bobodu]

I bought the same set and love them.They've been through a lot of steel.

 

[Kernopelli]

I've got the same HF set and it is ok. But- I found a hole saw works amazingly well when I needed some 1" holes in 3/8 plate! I was quite pleasantly surprised how well it cut when kept lubed up with dark cutting oil.

I have been looking at the HF bits recently and figured I'd give them a try- glad to see the comments about them. I have to agree about hole saws though. When building my loader I started using the bi-metal hole saws for boring larger holes in thick metal and have had fantastic use out of them using slow speeds and lots of oil.

 

[BWBrown]

I have a bunch of Harbor Freight hand tools, but not the drill bits. I just wanted to echo the hole saw comment above.

Tip: get some aircraft or other good quality grade 3/4" plywood, drill the hole in the plywood. Then clamp it to the workpiece. (I use the aircraft rade because it is tougher, with thinner laminations.)
It:
1) serves as a failproof guide - much better than relying on that 1/4 " center drill
2) minimises chatter
3)keeps cutting oil in the groove

Bob

 

[psj12]

I've had very good luck with HF's smaller drill bits but am disappointed with the Silver & Demming bits. I have two sets. One came in a wood box and have broken the cutting tip-corners off. The other set came in a cheap plastic roll and seem to be far more durable.

 

[shvl73]

I've had very good luck with HF's smaller drill bits but am disappointed with the Silver & Demming bits. I have two sets. One came in a wood box and have broken the cutting tip-corners off. The other set came in a cheap plastic roll and seem to be far more durable.

The set I have is the one in the box. They worked well for me. It may indicate hit / miss quality control. I took a chance because they have a new store in New England and I would have the opportunity to return them if they didn't work out.

 

[Soundguy]

I've got the same HF set and it is ok. But- I found a hole saw works amazingly well when I needed some 1" holes in 3/8 plate! I was quite pleasantly surprised how well it cut when kept lubed up with dark cutting oil.

Yep.. for light to medium cutting I've also used hole saws.. even on thin stainless.

Soundguy