What is the best set of drill bits you own?

[cabmandone]

The sharpening thread got me thinking about my drill bits. I've never owned a "good" set of bits. I have two kits from Rural King that are just plain crap. I have a hodgepodge of loose bits in the drawer ranging from ACE cobalt (or titanium, can't remember) that are good bits but I've never seen a full index by ACE. The Dewalt bits I have are okay.

I don't do a lot of steel drilling and when I do, it's typically 1/16 to 1/8 stuff. I'd just like to toss the hodgepodge, burn up the crap bits and move on to a good set ranging from 1/2 down.

[wdfifteen]

I have a set of Milwaukees that are OK for hardware store bits. I have a set of Bosch that don't seem able to hold an edge. Other people end up using my drills and rapidly losing them, so I can't see getting a good set. I had some Dewalt titanium pilot point drills that I really liked. They've all been lost by now.

What I'd really like is a drill index that holds the bits securely but are easy to get the bits out of when you need one.

[OK-944]

For wood projects...an old set of off-brand Chinese brad point bits - most of which are just a little "off size," which is extremely handy when I need to make that hole just a little bit larger or smaller!

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I have a set of Milwaukees that are OK for hardware store bits. I have a set of Bosch that don't seem able to hold an edge. Other people end up using my drills and rapidly losing them, so I can't see getting a good set. I had some Dewalt titanium pilot point drills that I really liked. They've all been lost by now.

What I'd really like is a drill index that holds the bits securely but are easy to get the bits out of when you need one.

Here's my plan, have the good set for me and one crappy set for everyone that comes over and wants to use the drill press or for my son to take out to the barn and forget to put back.

Good grief, I sound like my dad now. "Dern kids takin my stuff and not putting it back!"

[LWJ]

Mostly crap. I seem to have collected a pound or,two of random bits. Some real winners in there, but, no full set.

I do have a dewalt set that is ok.

[GH85Carrera]

My dad knew I was a tool nerd, and over the years he gave me some nice sets as Christmas presents. I have some sets that likely have 50 bits from tiny to 1/2 inch and all the in between sizes.

I have one set of Cobalt bits that I use a lot, and I certainly have the old bits good only to drill into aluminum sheets or wood that likely could go in the trash.

[Baz]

Cobalt Red Helix Drill Bit Set for Drill Drivers (23-Piece)

[manbridge 74]

Hanson.
But you have to build a time machine to go back to the 80s first as I can’t speak for their new “improved” stuff.

[herr_oberst]

I wish he would have tested the small bits, too. Maybe he will if enough viewers ask him

[flipper35]

For sets I just have the Performax and Masterforce, whichever goes on sale. When I need a good bit I will buy a good single bit. I do have a set of cobalt that I don't remember the name. I bought those to drill out an extractor I broke and they worked OK to get a small hole drilled so I could then use a left hand set.

Over the weekend I did have to buy a 1/4 inch diamond hole saw for drilling porcelain to hang a new shower rod since the tiles are too slick to hold from friction alone.

[911 Rod]

The best drill bits I have have only been used once!
Ya porcelain bits are at the top of the list.
An 18" bit for when I pinned my coolant lines.
A bit to drill through the side of my house.
The list goes on.

[red-beard]

Titanium

[908/930]

I have a set of SKF Dormer, #80 to #61, #80 is .013" I do not pull them out that often.

The cobalt drills are quite good but can be brittle, solid carbide even better but really brittle. For hand drilling just need to know when to resharpen before burning the end off.

[jrj3rd]

Norseman. Nuf said

[billybek]

I bought a large set of multiple bits that at best would be considered throw away jobber bits from Crappy Tire.
I swear that the damn things are made out of dried pasta. A small amount of torque just snaps them off.
I do have some decent bits that have been around for a few years but couldn't tell you the manufacturer.

[pmax]

Anything good for stucco ?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Thanks for this vid.

[E Sully]

Originally Posted by pmax

Anything good for stucco ?

It makes me feel a bit old, but when I started working in construction, before Hilti hammer drills, I used a star drill and hammer for setting small anchors in concrete and gypsom block.

[cabmandone]

^^^
So THAT is what that weird shaped chisel I had no idea what it was for... is for!

[wdfifteen]

^^
It's a steel. As in "John Henry was a steel drivin' man."