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I need a new set of metal/general purpose drill bits and I'm fed up with my old Dewalt ones breaking/going blunt as soon as they touch something tougher than cheese.
Has anyone bought a set recently that they've been impressed with due to their toughness and longevity?
I don't mind paying a bit more if they'll last.
Dormer? Maybe worth getting stub drills for use in a pistol/cordless drill, bit stiffer and less prone to breaking.
Milwaukee weren't too bad when I last got some. Particularly their masonry bits...
Dormer or Presto.
https://www.mscdirect.co.uk/CGI/INSRCH?Ne=239&N=4358+4294826583
Singles. Get multiples of what you use.
And learn to sharpen them on a grinder?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074XQ4K78/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_1TDZW6W99QEEY2T1H5S X" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Linky
I have something along the lines of this. Reasonable quality and too many bits to worry about breakages.
Might just be me but I can't open that link.
They have an odd name but on a metalworking and welding forum I frequent quite regularly the Milwaukee Thunderweb set is highly rated; on Amazon at the moment for just shy of £22.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009PV27G0/?th=1
Aside from that, I do tend to buy individual Dormer and Presto twist drill bits for drilling and tapping.
Nope the link is bust. Apologies.
I just went to that well know south American river store and searched for drill bit sets. Mine is in an orange tin and comes with 5 billion* bits.
See below. Original link had all the text along with the link. Sunday brain.
*May not be accurate.
Hi-Spec 99 Piece Multi Drill Bit Set. 14 Sizes from 1mm to 10mm. HSS Titanium Steel Bits for Metal, Woods & Plastics. Complete in a Storage Case https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074XQ4K78/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_1TDZW6W99QEEY2T1H5SX
Get Cobalt HSS from any reputable manufacturer. Examples of such would be Dormer, Presto, etc.
They usually have a 135 degree drill point angle, whereas normal HSS bits have a 118 degree point angle. Worth remembering if you have any kind of drill sharpening jig available to you. 135 degree points are not as easy to sharpen.
On the whole though, despite the potential hassle you might encounter when sharpening them, they are much better than the average HSS drill bit, their performance on awkward materials like Stainless is much better.
If you want a full set with 0.1mm increments, Arc Euro 1-6mm 5% cobalt are decent quality - https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Cutting-Tools/Twist-Drill-Bits/Drill-Sets
Their non-branded 5% cobalt drills are decent quality for a good price, and give a bit extra strength.
Their polished (polished is better for soft materials like aluminium) and Ti-N (provides more durability in steel) are also pretty good.
Although I also buy Dormer, and various specialist drill bits, I use the above for general purpose, or when I'm machining some test parts before I commit to more specific bits.
Most sets come in .5mm increments, but it always seems quite hard to buy single .5mm inbetween sized bits.
Funny old world. 🤔
I've got lots of odd drills and as above dormer and presto are good but if you want a set this DeWalt kit is really nice: https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeWalt-DT7926XJ-Extreme-Metal-Pieces/dp/B0013LK3SO
I borrowed this set when working on some RSJs while up a scaffold tower. It went through the steel so cleanly and easily I immediately went out and bought my own set. These are great on metal, much better than anything else I've used.
Dormer
or
Presto
Milwaukee thunder web for me too, but for anything below 4mm I almost treat them as consumables and buy packs of 10 as I need them.