which drill bit sets?

[pete@Treasury of Time]

hi all,

been looking at drill bit indexes and wondering which you all prefer. i've got a set of 61-80's and another larger set of 1/16 to 1/2 which is only graduated in 1/16" intervals. i hope for some advice on a better set for general clock repair. i know i need 1-60 and probably alphabetic sizes as well. are you happy with imported bits or are american made a necesity? how extensive must my drill bit selection be? what about angles on the bits? i see 135 and 118 degree angles. which would be best for clock repair? i see carbide bits and cobalt bits...my thinking is perhaps i should stay with standard non-hardened bits for in case i do break one off in an arbor and need to remove it. a carbide bit would never drill out again... does this make sense or should one use the hardened bit with the idea that the chance of having a broken bit is much lesser?

anyway, please advise...if you had to repurchase your initial investmant, what would you buy? thanks very much for the advice.

[pete@Treasury of Time]

hi all,

been looking at drill bit indexes and wondering which you all prefer. i've got a set of 61-80's and another larger set of 1/16 to 1/2 which is only graduated in 1/16" intervals. i hope for some advice on a better set for general clock repair. i know i need 1-60 and probably alphabetic sizes as well. are you happy with imported bits or are american made a necesity? how extensive must my drill bit selection be? what about angles on the bits? i see 135 and 118 degree angles. which would be best for clock repair? i see carbide bits and cobalt bits...my thinking is perhaps i should stay with standard non-hardened bits for in case i do break one off in an arbor and need to remove it. a carbide bit would never drill out again... does this make sense or should one use the hardened bit with the idea that the chance of having a broken bit is much lesser?

anyway, please advise...if you had to repurchase your initial investmant, what would you buy? thanks very much for the advice.

[Smudgy]

I'd go with a complete index (numbers 1-60, all letters, fractions to 1/2" by 64ths), US or European made. I made the mistake of buying an index made in China once. Some bits were not straight, many bits were tempered incorrectly and wouldn't drill steel because of it. Replacing the bad ones one at a time as I found them was expensive and annoying. Getting the full set may seem expensive, but will pay off in the end. Otherwise you'll either be using a bit that's 'close' or buying them one at a time, which is expensive and time consuming. I think that HSS bits would be fine, the ones with a coating should stay sharp a little longer.

[Mike Phelan]

Yep - I'd go with this. I use 1-60, plus 1-10mm metric, and anything I can't find I make from a distaff side's sewing needle when I distract her :wink:

[Robert M.]

Hi Pete:
Try Drill Bit City,yes, Drill Bit City, no kidding, at drills 2001@aol.com.Ph. (847)419-1267.
They specalize in micro-bits new and resharpened,metric and fractional.I've been using them for approx. four years and I'm real happy with the quality,never had a problem.They sell some real nice re-sharpened kits very reasonable and they always have a special promotion going on.
Check em out and see what you think.By the way I have no affiliation with Drill Bit City I just thought you would be interested.
Respectfully,Bob Fullerton

[Veritas]

I just checked out drill bit city and they have alot of hobby tools and drills, good prices and information on their website.
:smile:

[Cathy in Hawaii]

Thanks Bob!

http://www.drillbitcity.com/

Looks like a great site! My hardware store definately doesn't carry these sizes.

A hui hou,
Cathy