I've tried those titanium bits, and the ones I've tried sucked. So far Cobalt seems to be the best.
I'm all about drillin'. How about you?
Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
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Zombie Master
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Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
Any and all disclaimers may apply
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Major Softie
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Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
Yes, there are better bits than cobalt: cobalt. Cobalt is not all the same anymore than steel is all the same. I know M-35 and M-42 are two different cobalt drill bit grades, but there are probably more. Also, there are solid carbide bits, and they're even better.
Of course, "better" is another issue. In general, harder bits are more brittle, so the harder bit may not be as good for certain jobs.
Plus, there are different tip angles, with each better suited to certain work and certain materials, and different coatings, AND even different twist rates and split points and heavy-duty bits and die drill bits and straight flute and spotting drills and...
Plus, the best quality bits from the top companies really do work far better, even if they are from the same materials.
Take a look at the Enco catalog and you'll find about the first 60 pages are nothing but drill bits. McMaster-Carr probably has even more.
Of course, "better" is another issue. In general, harder bits are more brittle, so the harder bit may not be as good for certain jobs.
Plus, there are different tip angles, with each better suited to certain work and certain materials, and different coatings, AND even different twist rates and split points and heavy-duty bits and die drill bits and straight flute and spotting drills and...
Plus, the best quality bits from the top companies really do work far better, even if they are from the same materials.
Take a look at the Enco catalog and you'll find about the first 60 pages are nothing but drill bits. McMaster-Carr probably has even more.
MS - out
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Deleted User 61
Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
Buy a drill bit sharpener. The hardness of your bits depends on the material you are cutting. Sharpness doesn't.
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Zombie Master
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Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
Of course, "better" is another issue. In general, harder bits are more brittle, so the harder bit may not be as good for certain jobs.
I'm aware of special application bits, and of course the market will always try to dupe you with crap. I just need to replenish my bits and am looking for some quality general duty bits for whatever job comes up.
I'm aware of special application bits, and of course the market will always try to dupe you with crap. I just need to replenish my bits and am looking for some quality general duty bits for whatever job comes up.
Any and all disclaimers may apply
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Zombie Master
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- Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:21 am
- Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada
Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
Can you sharpen the hard ones economically with a drill doctor?tholtrey wrote:Buy a drill bit sharpener. The hardness of your bits depends on the material you are cutting. Sharpness doesn't.
Any and all disclaimers may apply
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Major Softie
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Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
I don't know. It might sharpen cobalt, but it certainly couldn't sharpen carbide without a special wheel.Zombie Master wrote:Can you sharpen the hard ones economically with a drill doctor?tholtrey wrote:Buy a drill bit sharpener. The hardness of your bits depends on the material you are cutting. Sharpness doesn't.
MS - out
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Zombie Master
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Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
Those sharpening wheels get expensive. Question is....is it worth it to invest in a sharpening system with it's costly abrasives, or just buy new bits? I hate the throw away system. But hell, I can't seem to get a year out of a toaster oven anymore!Major Softie wrote:I don't know. It might sharpen cobalt, but it certainly couldn't sharpen carbide without a special wheel.Zombie Master wrote:Can you sharpen the hard ones economically with a drill doctor?tholtrey wrote:Buy a drill bit sharpener. The hardness of your bits depends on the material you are cutting. Sharpness doesn't.
Any and all disclaimers may apply
Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
It's not you, it's the toaster oven.Zombie Master wrote: I hate the throw away system. But hell, I can't seem to get a year out of a toaster oven anymore!
I've spent most of my money on women, motorcycles, and beer.
The rest of it I just wasted.
The rest of it I just wasted.
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Curt Henry
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 7:00 am
- Location: Minnetonka Minnesota
Re: Are there better drill bits than cobalt?
Purchase good industrial grade drill bit, forget anything sold by home centers. I perfer Black Oxide bit.
In my job as maintenace manager I purchase hundreds of drill bits a year, worth the extra money to get good bits. Cheap bits dull quickley can break off in the matterial and in general don't work very well. You get what you pay for.
As for sharpening drill bit forget the mechanical drill sharpeners, I have yet to see one other then an industrial type that worked worth a damn. Most of the home owner sharpeners sharpen the bit with a twisted back rake, you what your back rake to be flat.
Learn to sharpen bit by hand on a grinding wheel and you will suprise how well they cut, just make sure to quench the bit offen and not allow the bit to get hot, turn the steel a color and the bit is now junk. Again you need a good wheel, most that come with bench grinders are junk. You need to dress the wheel to make sure you have good cutting (grinding) surface.
When I was in the USAF as a machinist I could sharpen a #30 bit on a wheel chucked in a home made spindle in my pnumatic drill. Holding the drill between my feet running the trigger with the toe of my boot and bent over sharpening drill bits. I sounds difficult but it was easier then the 4 mile trip off the flight line to the shop to restock my tool bag.
In my job as maintenace manager I purchase hundreds of drill bits a year, worth the extra money to get good bits. Cheap bits dull quickley can break off in the matterial and in general don't work very well. You get what you pay for.
As for sharpening drill bit forget the mechanical drill sharpeners, I have yet to see one other then an industrial type that worked worth a damn. Most of the home owner sharpeners sharpen the bit with a twisted back rake, you what your back rake to be flat.
Learn to sharpen bit by hand on a grinding wheel and you will suprise how well they cut, just make sure to quench the bit offen and not allow the bit to get hot, turn the steel a color and the bit is now junk. Again you need a good wheel, most that come with bench grinders are junk. You need to dress the wheel to make sure you have good cutting (grinding) surface.
When I was in the USAF as a machinist I could sharpen a #30 bit on a wheel chucked in a home made spindle in my pnumatic drill. Holding the drill between my feet running the trigger with the toe of my boot and bent over sharpening drill bits. I sounds difficult but it was easier then the 4 mile trip off the flight line to the shop to restock my tool bag.