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Any machinists or fabricators?

firebawlpfirebawlp Member Posts: 28 ✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
I know good tools cost big money, but I'm so sick of using junk that I am at the end of my rope here. I am looking for GOOD drill bits. The thickest steel that I work with is 1/2 inch, and the crap I'm using just isn't cutting it. Could someone please point me in the direction of a suitable brand to try. I am not a professional metalworker, but I do a considerable amount of it in my spare time.

Also, are there any acceptable drill presses for under $800

THANK YOU for any helpful input!!!

Comments

  • tobefreetobefree Member Posts: 7,401
    edited November -1
    Cleveland drill bits
  • tobefreetobefree Member Posts: 7,401
    edited November -1
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Well, a good quaility cobalt drill bit will do a great job. But they ARE pricey.

    I don't know size/HP of drill press you are looking for, nor what you intend to do with it, BUT there are a plenty that fit in that price range.
    Have you looked at JET or Ridged? OR a good D.P. at an auction from a machine shop that is closing?
  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    Don't forget that proper application is very important in the life of drill bits. Proper drill speed, use of oils etc.
  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Buy Cobalt drills, 135 degree points and US manufacture. Then buy a Drill Doctor. Use a little cutting oil or a mist coolant sprayer.

    Use the Drill Doctor after every 20 or so holes. The drills will last your lifetime, unless of course you break them.

    These work well in everything you are likely to encounter.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Fatstrat
    Don't forget that proper application is very important in the life of drill bits. Proper drill speed, use of oils etc.


    Yep speed and lube. Almost sounds dirty.


    Something I found at work. If using a hand drill I use T-4(Short) drills longer bits flex enought they do not cut well and wear out fast.

    Also pre drill such as a 1/4 drill then step up to 1/2. Especially if using a hand drill.

    In a Press I use the longer Bits, they are easier to work with when using fixtures to hold what you are drilling.
  • mondmond Member Posts: 6,458
    edited November -1
    maybe your just using them wrong!! faster speed for smaller holes,slower for larger, use lubricant when drilling & steady, dont push the drill thru, let it cut.

    [;)]!
  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,245 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    Any good USA made High Speed Steel(HSS) drill. Precision Twist Drill or Cleveland are two brands that come to mind right away. The 8% cobalt HSS are even better, but are priced accordingly. LEARN TO SHARPEN THEM!!! Either by hand with a sharpening guage or try one of those Drill Doctors, they are supposed to be good but I have never been around one. Nothing worse than trying to drill a hole with a drill that is dull or one that some meathead tried to sharpen and forked up. If you don't pay at least $80.00 for a 29 piece set of HSS drills you bought junk.
  • mustangmustang Member Posts: 615 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've got a 16" Dalta press and it works ok for the $$$. 450$ ish....
    but i feel it truns too fast. Its on the slowest setting it still truns 260 or 280. i can't really remember, but i know its less the 300 rpm's. I like it, i just wish it would turn slower.
  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    there is allot of fabrication going on around here, but i don't think it will help you, or anyone for that matter[:)]
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    OSG premium cobalt (powder metalergy) drill bits. They have one coating for stainless (AlNi = Aluminum Nitride), and TiN (=Titanium Nitride)for carbon steel. Tool life (if you use proper feeds and speeds) jumped from 4 holes with HSS to 80 holes in 718 Inconel. They cost more, but last so much longer, they are cheaper in the long run.

    If you're hand drilling rather than machine drilling (milling machine or drill press) most drills are damaged along the margin or land of the drill because it's hard to keep the drill perpendicular to the hole with a hand drill. In these cases, nothing will help except using a machine to do the drilling.

    OSG has increased our production and reduced our tooling cost greatly!

    Drop me an email and I can send you a feed and speed spreadsheet I made for OSG drills.
  • 1FMJ1FMJ Member Posts: 1,556 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Call 1-586-774-0758 Wholesale tool,ask for Don Garriot good guy to work with,also he is a GB member.<1FMJ>
  • tobefreetobefree Member Posts: 7,401
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dheffley
    OSG premium cobalt (powder metalergy) drill bits. They have one coating for stainless (AlNi = Aluminum Nitride), and TiN (=Titanium Nitride)for carbon steel. Tool life (if you use proper feeds and speeds) jumped from 4 holes with HSS to 80 holes in 718 Inconel. They cost more, but last so much longer, they are cheaper in the long run.

    If you're hand drilling rather than machine drilling (milling machine or drill press) most drills are damaged along the margin or land of the drill because it's hard to keep the drill perpendicular to the hole with a hand drill. In these cases, nothing will help except using a machine to do the drilling.

    OSG has increased our production and reduced our tooling cost greatly!

    Drop me an email and I can send you a feed and speed spreadsheet I made for OSG drills.


    Heff these are super high end....I brought these into our shop when I worked in the tool crib...
    From what I get from the post, these would be severe overkill...
    And I really don't see these as being practical in a $800 drill press!!!
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OSG- you can't go wrong[:p] I have done my share of drilling Inconel and hastelloy and the drills work!
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tobefree
    Heff these are super high end....I brought these into our shop when I worked in the tool crib...
    From what I get from the post, these would be severe overkill...
    And I really don't see these as being practical in a $800 drill press!!!



    It's not what machine you run them in, it's what materials you cut with them and tool life. An $800 drill press can drill just as good of a hole as a $1,000,000 CNC Machining Center as long as you use the correct feed and speed.

    We send these tools back to OSG for regrind and recoat, and they last forever. Regrind and recoat is a very small fee, but you get the equaliviant of a new tool back for a fraction of the cost.

    Yes, they are high end, but depending on what he's cutting, they are cheaper to use in the long run.
  • firebawlpfirebawlp Member Posts: 28 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks to all for their input. Looks like it's time to place some orders. Thanks again. Adam.
  • jwb267jwb267 Member Posts: 19,664 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have a 29 piece black & decker bit set i have had for 15 years. i dont use them every day, but i do use them in metal from 1/8- 1/2"
  • CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,298 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dad always used coolant for anything in the drill press. I do agree with him that it is key. He preferred an aerosol. Last several years he started using brake cleaner or carb cleaner because it it cheaper. I won't say I agree with that.
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    D Heff
    There is also AlTiN (Aluminum-Titanium Nitride), TiC (Titanium Carbide) TiC-TiN, B4C (Boron Carbide), TiCN (Titanium CarboNitride), CrN (Chromimun Nitride), MosT (layered Moly-di-Sulfide & Titanium), multi-layer combination coatings and a whole host of other coatings.

    You can contact one of our customer service reps for more application specific information www.ionbond.com (the plant I work in does mainly stamping & forming tools, and a few speciality cutters like gear hobs and broachs)
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
    D Heff
    There is also AlTiN (Aluminum-Titanium Nitride), TiC (Titanium Carbide) TiC-TiN, B4C (Boron Carbide), TiCN (Titanium CarboNitride), CrN (Chromimun Nitride), MosT (layered Moly-di-Sulfide & Titanium), multi-layer combination coatings and a whole host of other coatings.

    You can contact one of our customer service reps for more application specific information www.ionbond.com (the plant I work in does mainly stamping & forming tools, and a few speciality cutters like gear hobs and broachs)


    Yep, the different coatings apply to the type of material you're cutting. We've also have very good luck with the TiCN coating in High Nickel and percipition hardening stainless.
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