good drill bits?

[ar15barrels]

This times 10,000.
Don't buy junk, learn how to run them properly, and learn to sharpen them.
I am using drill bits from a used jobber index I bought over 35 years ago. Made in USA, and still going strong. Replace a few of the itty bitty ones now and then, but replace them with good stuff. Cheap in the long run.

I'm still watching for one of the darex chucks that does from 1mm up to 1/4" because my 1/8"-1/2" chuck does not do such a great job on drill bits under 3/32" diameter.

[yari]

I hate to say it but the HF cobalt set is pretty decent. Randall and kc don't kill me. I've had a set for 3 years with heavy use in materials up to c50 Rockwell and they're still sharp. Then again I do use proper speeds and feeds. For a home garage for hobby use I'd say they are great.

[kcstott]

I hate to say it but the HF cobalt set is pretty decent. Randall and kc don't kill me. I've had a set for 3 years with heavy use in materials up to c50 Rockwell and they're still sharp. Then again I do use proper speeds and feeds. For a home garage for hobby use I'd say they are great.

Not everything at HF is junk, just most of it.

[Gunsmith Dan]

Harbor Freight bits actually use good quality HSS and last a good long time properly used

BUT ( can't be Harbor Freight without a but)

The bits themselves are not made to close tolerances and in most cases are off by the next size up or down ( I found half of the x/16 drill bits in the 115 piece set one time that were all 1/16 larger than what was stamped on them).

While very good quality drill bits might cost 50% more than the cheaper ones it ends up being worth it in the long run.

[klewan]

Bought the 115 piece index set from Hanson. That was 40 years ago and still going strong. I got a set of fractional Russian made drills at HF. Have the gold nitride coating, they worked almost as well as the Hanson's. 20 years ago, you couldn't find anything decent at HF that required the correctly metallurgy and heat treat; the invisible qualities that make cutting tools work or not. They've gotten a lot better in the last 10 years...

[Ford8N]

I can't remember the brand but I was tempted to get the drill set being sold at the Tulare Farm Equipment show. The girl had some really good quality tools for swap meet prices. I picked up a "L" clamp made in Germany, very well made. She even gave me some drill lube for free that works awesome.

[tr6guns]

She even gave me some drill lube for free that works awesome.[/QUOTE]

Was it named KY JELLY.

[pwgfalcon]

Hanson has been consistent in quality.

Not cheap but a good "value".

[billrd]

I hate to say it but the HF cobalt set is pretty decent. Randall and kc don't kill me. I've had a set for 3 years with heavy use in materials up to c50 Rockwell and they're still sharp. Then again I do use proper speeds and feeds. For a home garage for hobby use I'd say they are great.

Lots of folks say JUNK. They work great for me but I don't drill much tempered stuff. But with proper speed & lube - no probs. I also have a Drill Doctor but rarely use it.

[billrd]

She even gave me some drill lube for free that works awesome.

Was it named KY JELLY. [/QUOTE]

Prep H works great too - oh wait, you mean that kind of drilling????