Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

homestead - [Homestead] Drill bit selection

homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Homestead mailing list

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
  • To: "homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org" <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Homestead] Drill bit selection
  • Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 12:46:51 -0600

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.




  • [Homestead] Drill bit selection, Gene GeRue, 01/19/2006

Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page