drill bits

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The Penguin

The Penguin

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I've been wanting to order a set of bits for a while...the cheap HF indexes are fine for general use - but since I'm wanting to try kitless I've been looking at other options.

how is this set from LMS?
LittleMachineShop.com - Drill Set, 115 Piece Jobber Length HSS

I've got M10x.75, M12x.8 and M14x.8 triple-lead taps and dies - for those, I ordered 9.4mm, 11.5mm and 13mm bits...should I consider something different?
 
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I would go with the HF set, most of the drill bits in the set will rarely be used. When ever I find that I am using one on a regular basis I buy a good quality drill in that size. Slowly over time I have upgraded only the drill bits that I use on a regular basis. But I still have all of the other sizes in case I need them.
 
There are three sub sets of drill bits in the non-metric world-- one set is 1/16 through 1/2 by 64ths -- One sub set is the numbered bits (generally used for drilling and tapping smaller holes), and there are letter bits A-Z.

My experience is that the 1/16 through 1/2 bits are most used with pens, then the letter bits, and last the number bits.

There is a whole different world for metric drill bits.

I found that good quality individual bits -- it only took about 1/3 one at a time to pay for the set.

I like Norseman, but there are a couple of other good quality makers of good bits. You will not find them at Harbor Freight, but a google search will generally get you into some good values.
 
My approach was to buy a set of the TIN coated HF bits a good number of years ago and replace them as needed, one at a time, with more expensive American made bits when I'd wear one out (or manage to lose, but I won't admit to that).

The bits I use the most end up the better quality ones that way and I still have the complete fractional, number, and letter set available that I couldn't have justified buying if it wasn't for the cheaper HF ones.

And, FWIW, I've founds that TIN HF set to be pretty decent bits, although I've heard others complain so there might be a quality control difference between individual sets. I think the TIN coated ones may be a better quality than the black oxide sets that are even cheaper.
 
I have a horrible freight set and I have Norseman. I love the Norseman sets. I think I would look at what you sue the most set wise (fraction, letter or number) and buy that set in the best that you can afford. Then begin saving your money for the next set. There is nothing worse than a brand new bit that is bent or warped.
 
the Harbor Freight sets are 39.99 for HSS, 49.99 for TiN and 99.99 for cobalt

I wonder if the LMS set at $125 is much better than the $100 set at HF.
 
When I started pen turning I bought the bits with the kits and as I found which kits I liked and was going to continue making I started replacing the kit bits with Norseman. I now have a set of Norseman bits that covers all of the pen kits that I use. They are the best quality bits that I have found.
 
who generally has the best prices on Norseman bits?

I just called and was quoted nearly $800 (list price) for the 115 piece cobalt set :eek:

and which Norseman bits do you prefer?
 
You do a google search -- because the prices changes with different vendors.

Bill at AZ Sil sells them for 106 in the metal box and 115 in the plastic weatherproof case. I like the compact plastic case and think it is worth a few bucks more.

I found the set 1/16 to 1/2 by 64ths for about $95 plus shipping with a google search and on up from there.

And for those who like cheap, in machine tools, you tend to get what you pay for in precision. I will go for the higher quality bits -- and I have a tool and die guy do the sharpening for the ones that count. (yes I have a drill doctor and yes there is a reason that machine shops do not use them.)
 
If you are attempting to go "kitless", the "cheap bits" may not be good enough.

If you are drilling holes for brass tubes---any bit that is straight and sharp will do.
 
I have the HF TiN 115 bit set. I got i for $30 - 35. I dont regret it a bit (pun intended).

I'm sure Norseman are better, but it depends on what you need and how often you use them. Have a way to sharpen then and sharpen the HF bits and they cut just fine. The only thing is that the diameter tolerances are not that good, so they can be a few thou off, but that has helped me on occasion, and has not hurt me.

when tapping plastics there is some forgiveness to the hole diameter. For metric taps, i just use the closest sized bit from the HF set and have never had a problem
 
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I have that set...or a similar one. I think the different vendors buy the same set and put it in there own box. I looked at bits at several stores where I could physically touch them and open the box. They are all the same as far as I could tell. Note the cardboard description on the numbered bits---they were all the same font and configuration. I have read on here that HF buys the "seconds" from these after market suppliers. I do not know if that is true or not, but I do not I found that same set from 199.00 to 99.00 ( in TiN)...I bought mine with a coupon at HF for 79.00. I took every single one and rolled it on my TS and did not see one I thought was out of round.

I also have a set of "fast spirals" that I got from Victor...I have never seen a difference in the final result. They were 3 times as much.

I will say, while it is nice to have the numbered bits, I have never used any of them...I have used the lettered bits a lot.
 
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