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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

Ernie, the safe-mechanic brother-in-law says for drilling mild steel he 
likes carbide bits, for "hard plate" he uses strong arm bits; they are 
diamond chip impregnated.

Gary, the retired-mechanic brother, says carbide tips are not suitable for 
home sharpening. There are various grades of high-speed steel used for 
drill shanks and, as I expected, softer shanks are less brittle and 
therefore break less readily. One can buy all-carbide drills but they are 
very expensive. He noted that I will find it hard to hand sharpen the 
brad-point drills that are part of the set I bought.

Gary also noted that what I call bits, everyone in a machine shop calls 
drills, to differentiate between drills and the cutting bits used in 
machines. I guess if I continue to say drill bits, there should be no 
confusion.

Bottom lines: at an average cost of twenty cents per item I am happy with 
what I bought. I don't break many drill bits, mostly work with wood, and 
intend to buy a sharpener, so I will get my money's worth. As these drill 
bits and other drill tools die I will replace them with higher quality 
pieces, most of which I already own.