Cheap Effing drillbits???

[Luke]

Is it just me, or has all of the steel that is shipped to China that returns to us in the form of tools...gone to SHIT??
Sawblades,drillbits,wrenches, and screwdrivers...to name a few!

Grandpa had one set of Craftsman drillbits for as long as he was alive, Dad has one set...(I think Grandpa gave it to him)
in the old gray index box. I have the remainder of an old set...some have been broken over the years or lost.
EVERYTIME that I go to replace a single bit, or get a specific special bit...I end up buying SHIT!
Now days it seems that bits are almost throw away single use. I'm not talking abused or tortured bits cooked in a drillpress,
I'm talking regular use...tap oil included...and even in a 3/8 hand drill...
You let the smoke out of these bits one time...and they are dull and/or bent.
The material is junk.
I need/want to buy a good set of bits...to last for years in the shop.
Any suggestions out there??

[zetroc]

I can't really help since I've been using the same 30 year old Craftsman bits forever, but if I were to replace them I think I'd be looking at Norseman.

[WadePatton]

yes, it has all gone to shit.

estate sales and refurb specialists are the best places to nab up good old stuff that was made from good steel with proper heat treatment.

unbridled capitalism has led to this.

OR you dig deep into the trades and find the "super duper record" level of whatever it is.

Old tools were made to be used and maintained/reconditioned and used some more. New shit is shit made to throw away when you are done if you get done doing with it.

my recent case:

I notice my hacksaw blades are showing some age and i go to the ACE hardware (a newish store for our town) and they have TWO different lines of blades-the "cheapo" and for a few cents more the "premium" proudly inked "made in usa". I bought all they had of the 32tpi/USA blade.

I'm cutting Peggo Richie/SFL which is heat-treated, but it ain't _that_ hard. One cut-to-length, and two pre-mitre notches I make. Blade is shot. I returned all the blades. (my old blades cut the rest--and showed no additional wear-i'm still on the hunt)

And mind me i'm not mad at ACE. I'm mad at all the rules (made by the corporations to serve the corporations and passed by congress* _always_ in the guise of protecting the consumer) that allow them to "assemble" something in the US and call it "made in USA" and I'm mad at all the folks who buy cheap tools and allow the cheap tool industry to overtake the

REAL TOOL INDUSTRY!

*controlled by those who control** the corps.
**not always obvious, but always at the top of the money chain.

I'm not mad at the cheap tool industry except for where it has displaced the RTI--and even then it IS CLEARLY the fault of the know-nothing cheap bastards that keep buying shit from cheap tool sources.

by those we are seriously outnumbered, it is thus enabled.

[rant off]
[end thread]

[WadePatton]

Scratch up some do re mi and shop from the McMaster Carr catalog is my best guess. No i've yet to try them for HSB.

they don't sell by brand name-but they'll have some gooder stuff (let the prices guide you), plus you can get jobber and other lengths, left-hand, etc.

[Dancingbear]

Look at the selection from MSC or any other legitimate machine tool supplier. You'll have a selection of quality levels and imports vs domestics. Don't buy the cheap imports. Cobalt will hold an edge longer, but will be more brittle than HSS. I've never noticed much difference in some of the fancy coatings ( like TiN ) vs bright finish or black oxide. You can shop a variety of quality levels at McMaster Carr as well. Sorry I don't have a specific brand that is the shiznit.

[WadePatton]

and there's a lot of sharpening in every drill. learn how or buy a gizmo. life is too short to wonder if the bit will take a bite.

and here's a good blade, found in UK now but used to get at local auto parts house. still seeking domestic source:

[shand]

I'm pretty happy with the Starret bi-metal blades (1232). They come up on the Starret clearance store every now and again and I stock up.

[WadePatton]

oh my, they do make "record"




thanks for reminding me whilst i was in front of the interweb _and_ knew the name of the old saw blade-to go searching.

now, back to drills.

[Clockwork]

I get cobalt screw-length bits from Enco in sizes I frequently use like #9, #19, 3/16, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2". For the occasional odd size hole I go to my Chinese 115 piece set.

-Joel

[Dyon Taylor]

Luke - Check out Cleveland Twist Drill or Chicago-Latrobe. MSC sells them. They are not cheap, but much better quality than you'll find at the local hardware store. I bought a set of Cleveland center drills and am very happy with them.

[Luke]

Luke - Check out Cleveland Twist Drill or Chicago-Latrobe. MSC sells them. They are not cheap, but much better quality than you'll find at the local hardware store. I bought a set of Cleveland center drills and am very happy with them.

Thanks...these look like a good value:
Jobber Length Drill Sets - Drill Bit Sets | MSCDirect.com

Screw Machine Length Drill Sets - Drill Bit Sets | MSCDirect.com

Better than Dewalt or modern Craftsman, I'm sure.
Even the larger sets are in the $285-$300 range...not bad really.

[rellis]

I have had very good service with the USA made bits from Enco. Sets I would buy from this guy; Tools4cheap LLC Online Machine Shop Tooling Store

[Luke]

I have had very good service with the USA made bits from Enco. Sets I would buy from this guy; Tools4cheap LLC Online Machine Shop Tooling Store

Looks like for a hundred bucks, you can get a 29 piece here...thanks for the tip.

[Clockwork]

I think you'll find you really don't use that many sizes. For example, I use 1/4" a lot so I have a supply of these from Enco which last a long time and are $1.59 each.

-Joel

[WadePatton]

I get cobalt screw-length bits from Enco in sizes I frequently use like #9, #19, 3/16, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2".

Yes, i like this approach. noted.

[fortyfour]

McMaster-Carr is also your friend Luke. Normally 1-2 day turn for shipping to your door. (Good luck wrangling a catalog from them. I lucked out with mine just due to the fact that a client had an extra one...) I have found their newer website easy to search for specifics, metal types, surface treatments etc. Places like Ace, True Value, Depot etc. are good if you are in a bind and need a bit for a very specific job and you're short on time - but realize that you get what you pay for. Enco and MSC are good too. Enco and MSC are nice as you can filter by USA/Import and brand. I prefer McMaster because they ship so quickly. On a different note, a recent discovery is Metric Screw and Tool Co. from Wakefield Ma. I've found them to be very helpful and have good pricing for all metric screws and all things metric.


For the non-believers by 44 Bikes, on Flickr

[Willie1]

It was about 10 years ago that mastercraft and craftsman stopped warrantying their bits. This was about the time I started breaking them regularly. A good cutting oil helps. I may start resharpening the bits as suggested above.

I have a few sets of "real" socket sets that I have used for almost 20 years (Westward). I paid a fortune for them, but have seen relatives go through 4 or 5 socket sets in that time. My 20 year old impact wrench still works flawlessly. The stuff I use all the time, I buy real toold. Stuff that is occasional use, I buy import, such as my 1" drive sockets, 1"+ silver and dremming drill bits. I will look for some good drill bits, in my most common used sizes now that I know they are out there.

[Luke]

Same with ratchets,Willie1...now they try to 'exchange' your old stuff for reconditioned junk.
I have old an Craftman half cabinet chocked full...good old stuff.
I even have Whitworth Brit Craftsmen stuff!! talk about obsolete...unless you have an old BSA or Triumph in the garage. ;)
But it doesn't spread open or round off when torqued!

[Luke]

McMaster-Carr is also your friend Luke. Normally 1-2 day turn for shipping to your door. (Good luck wrangling a catalog from them. I lucked out with mine just due to the fact that a client had an extra one...) I have found their newer website easy to search for specifics, metal types, surface treatments etc. Places like Ace, True Value, Depot etc. are good if you are in a bind and need a bit for a very specific job and you're short on time - but realize that you get what you pay for. Enco and MSC are good too. Enco and MSC are nice as you can filter by USA/Import and brand. I prefer McMaster because they ship so quickly. On a different note, a recent discovery is Metric Screw and Tool Co. from Wakefield Ma. I've found them to be very helpful and have good pricing for all metric screws and all things metric.


For the non-believers by 44 Bikes, on Flickr

Nice...I will check them out !!!
Luke

[Adam Eldridge]

i just got back from HARBOR FREIGHT. Three pos primer guns for 12.99 each and a POS nematic angle grinder for 19.99. Thanks China.

Chinese drill bits, never! Bought my made in the USA set from a local industrial supply.