Drill bit set

[Modlbldr]

I'm looking to buy a set of drill bits (roughly #61-80) but I'm looking for a good set that will actually drill. A set that has a good, sharp tip. I've been trying to drill holes for the spark plugs wires on my engine. The sets I've bought recently take forever to get them to bore a hole! Does anybody know of a company making a set that isn't a cheap piece of garbage!! I'd prefer not to have  responses such as "You get what you pay for" or "I bought a set 15 years ago that I'm still using." Those won't help unless the company is still selling the same set with the same quality. Unfortunately, the set I bought 20+ years ago that actually drilled a hole isn't made any more. Thanks for any info and/or links.

Later-

[peteski]

Here is a good thread for you to read (compete with drill sources).  Just the other day I pointed someone to it.

 

 

[Modlbldr]

42 minutes ago, peteski said:

Here is a good thread for you to read (compete with drill sources).  Just the other day I pointed someone to it.

 

 

Thanks! Very helpful. I will read back through it and make some notes on a few different brands to try. 

Later-

[Glen Powers]

Tom, take a look at Morse Cutting Tools 18106. They are industrial quality made in USA.

Glen

[NOBLNG]

Vallejo makes or imports a really nice set that are made in Spain. The cutting edges on the first set of cheap Chinese ones I bought didn’t resemble a drill bit at all!

[espo]

I bought the set I use several years ago and I can't find a brand name on the case. I got mine at a local hobby shop. The case is a round flat black plastic stand with the drill bit sizes and the words "Drill Stand" printed in yellow. There is a clear dome type cover that lifts off to get a drill bit out. The reason I'm describing its appearance is that in your search this may help you recognize it. The stand has eighteen bits ranging from #80 to #61. This range should cover a majority of your needs for small diameter use. You will still need a small pine vise if you don't already have one. I also have a larger pine vise for larger bits also. This is one I found at Hobby Lobby and is still something the local stores here have on hand. The bits are stored in the handle that has a screw - off  end on it.  Hope this information may help. 

[El Roberto]

drillbitsunlimited.com    These are industrial bits.  Keep in mind that while the carbide bits are sharper, they are very brittle.  

[Jack L]

1 hour ago, espo said:

I bought the set I use several years ago and I can't find a brand name on the case. I got mine at a local hobby shop. The case is a round flat black plastic stand with the drill bit sizes and the words "Drill Stand" printed in yellow. There is a clear dome type cover that lifts off to get a drill bit out. The reason I'm describing its appearance is that in your search this may help you recognize it. The stand has eighteen bits ranging from #80 to #61. This range should cover a majority of your needs for small diameter use. You will still need a small pine vise if you don't already have one. I also have a larger pine vise for larger bits also. This is one I found at Hobby Lobby and is still something the local stores here have on hand. The bits are stored in the handle that has a screw - off  end on it.  Hope this information may help. 

I have one like that , underside says Rodgers drill stand Colo Spr Colo 80908 USA

[espo]

Just now, Jack L said:

I have one like that , underside says Rodgers drill stand Colo Spr Colo 80908 USA

Good to know. You might share this with Modlbldr.  

[peteski]

13 minutes ago, Jack L said:

I have one like that , underside says Rodgers drill stand Colo Spr Colo 80908 USA

This could be info about the drill stand/case itself.  Often these are purchased separately from the bts by the company that sells the complete sets, then they add the drill bits snd resells the complete drill set in a case.

[NOBLNG]

I have a set of “Mascot” drill bits that came in the round plastic index. They have a decent edge on them. I broke the biggest one and bent the #67 (.032”) bit. I also have a nice Morse set in the little metal index...I have broken a couple of those also.  The Vallejo set I just got, but they seem to be as good or better than the others. And, yes the index or dispenser is likely supplied to the bit manufacturer.

Edited December 13, 2020 by NOBLNG

[espo]

There is the drill bit collection I was mentioning. The round stand is exactly what I have. The only suggestion is to remember you're dealing with very thin bits and if you push to hard or try and put the bits in any bind when drilling you will need a backup source for replacement bits. This wouldn't matter who made them. Let the bit due the drilling and just hold it as strait as you can and it will be fine. 

[Dave G.]

8 hours ago, espo said:

There is the drill bit collection I was mentioning. The round stand is exactly what I have. The only suggestion is to remember you're dealing with very thin bits and if you push to hard or try and put the bits in any bind when drilling you will need a backup source for replacement bits. This wouldn't matter who made them. Let the bit due the drilling and just hold it as strait as you can and it will be fine. 

Micro Mark sells the carousel stand of high speed steel ( should be better than carbon steel) bits with clear dome cover for $30 . They also sell the tubes of 6 replacement bits in each size for $7 or so. I was at their site yesterday looking for no.76 bits and they had them. I trust them to sell decent quality tools and they claim these are sharp precision bits made from HSS. That's important because there are many cheap knock offs that aren't precision nor sharp and made from plain carbon steel.

[Mike 1017]

On 12/14/2020 at 4:38 AM, Dave G. said:

Micro Mark sells the carousel stand of high speed steel ( should be better than carbon steel) bits with clear dome cover for $30 . They also sell the tubes of 6 replacement bits in each size for $7 or so. I was at their site yesterday looking for no.76 bits and they had them. I trust them to sell decent quality tools and they claim these are sharp precision bits made from HSS. That's important because there are many cheap knock offs that aren't precision nor sharp and made from plain carbon steel.

I tried going the cheap route with drill bits. Never again. I went back to Micro Mark. 

[Dave G.]

4 minutes ago, Mike 1017 said:

I tried going the cheap route with drill bits. Never again. I went back to Micro Mark. 

It's nice to buy with assurance even if it costs a few bucks more ! I hate junk tools.

[Mike 1017]

Just now, Dave G. said:

It's nice to buy with assurance even if it costs a few bucks more ! I hate junk tools.

 I have some cheap ones and I can't even see the tips. They bend and brake because of the pressure needed to get them to drill through plastic Just looking at Micro Marks drill bits you will see the difference in quality. 

Mike

[Dave G.]

26 minutes ago, Mike 1017 said:

 I have some cheap ones and I can't even see the tips. They bend and brake because of the pressure needed to get them to drill through plastic Just looking at Micro Marks drill bits you will see the difference in quality. 

Mike

?

[Tom Geiger]

21 hours ago, Mike 1017 said:

 I have some cheap ones and I can't even see the tips. They bend and brake because of the pressure needed to get them to drill through plastic 

I have a small battery power drill I use for these size bits.  I understand Tamiya sells one you have to put together. There is a big difference between this and hand turning the pin vice 

Edited December 20, 2020 by Tom Geiger

[Deuces ll]

I wonder what brand of drill bits a watch maker or clock maker uses???.... They gotta drill through some tough metals... Brass, stainless steel, etc....

[peteski]

While better than the cheap Chinese bits from eBay, I would only consider Micro-Mark drills as average quality.  Better ones are available from industrial suppliers like Granger or MSC Direct.  They carry a while range of bits - from cheap to really good quality. Price is usually directly related to quality (but then again stuff from Micro-Mark is usually overpriced).  I will again refer you to the other thread I linked in the 2nd reply in this thread for some good sources of quality bits.

Best (sharpest/hardest) are the tungsten-carbide PC-board bits (with 1/8" shanks), but they are very brittle.

[Tom Geiger]

A chuckle- Last evening I was working late in the model room and decided the last thing I would do was to drill out an exhaust tip.  

I had a previously fine no. 72 bit in my battery power drill. The drill is spinning but I’m not making a dent in the plastic. 

I remember this thread and figure it’s worn out and I’ll deal with it in the morning.   Then I’m laying in bed still thinking of it and I suddenly remember something!  The last thing I did before this was to drill a little deeper in a hole I already had CA glue in.. aha!

First thing I did this morning.. even before coffee was to check it out. I put a match to the bit tip and I watched the flame consume the glue!  Tried it against the exhaust tip and it drilled like a champ!

Moral of the story.. if you think your bit has gone dull, check it for contaminates. I know when I drill into old 1960ish plastic, it melts and plastic fills the drill thread.. I use a match on these too.

Edited December 22, 2020 by Tom Geiger

[89AKurt]

The last drill index set I got was from Spot Model.  So far I'm not impressed.

Peter mentioned the 1/8" shank bits, I tried those some time ago, the flute is deeper, and yes they broke too easily.

In Phoenix there is Hobby Bench, I've been getting the smallest bits individually for years, always good quality.  Seems silly for the price, but I don't need a bunch of indexes with the larger sizes that I'll never use.