Drill bit assortment

[Jiml0001]

About a year ago I got an assortment of drill bits from Amazon.  I’m sure they are are not the hardest out there but since all I drill is plastic and occasional brass and aluminum I have been very happy with their performance.   The assortment was $16.00 and has 150 bits.  They start at .4 mm and go up to 3.2 mm in one tenth increments.   I didn’t count them but there is about ten each  for the smallest ones and less as they get bigger.   
I also get individual sized bits in tubes of ten for less than $3.00.  

https://www.amazon.com/Awakingdemi-150-piece-Twist-Precision-0-4-3-2mm/dp/B01NBLGT0F

Edited December 4, 2022 by Jiml0001

[Mike 1017]

Good to know. I bought one of those sets in the blue case from Amazon for about $7.00 Talk about cheap. Most of the bits didn't even sharp tips they were squared off.

You get what you pay for.

Mike  

 

[Shark]

Harbor Freight has a pack of small bits for a few dollars. 

[Bugatti Fan]

Bought something similar at a show over here in the UK. Plenty good enough for plastics, wood, brass and aluminium such as most of us use. Aluminium and plastics can bind on drill bits if used in a power tool at higher revs.

[jdcar32]

I really like these, they are carbide and always really sharp. But being carbide they are brittle and do not tolerate bending or flexing. Under $10 on ebay I've bought a couple of sets. 1/8 " shank fits most holders too

[Bugatti Fan]

Those carbide bits are originally designed for use in a CNC machine for drilling vertically into printed circuit boards. They are very brittle and have to be used carefully as any side pressure will cause a breakage if twiddling by hand.

The inexpensive carbon steel drill bit sets are generally good enough for hobby use as a rule. I think Mike was unfortunate with his blue pack from Amazon to find them blunt.

[NOBLNG]

Yes. The carbide ones are very sharp and brittle. This Meng set is the last set of bits purchased and I’ve broken half of them already.? The best bits I have are the Vallejo ones in the orange case, made in the Czech Republic (I think) and the Godhand ones are very good quality (made in Japan).

[peteski]

Yes the Tungsten Carbide PC Board drill bits with 1/8" shanks are very handy, and I use them as much as I can. Over the years I acquired a good range and quantity of those bits.  I also bought a set of the GodHands bits (0.5-0.9mm, 2.5mmm shank) and I I'm not very impressed.  They aren't made very well compared to the PC Board bits. Of course their advantage is that being made from HSS, then are nowhere as brittle.

[Straightliner59]

I only started using the carbide bits, a couple of years ago. While I still use my regular bits, as well, wherever possible, I prefer using the carbide bits, because they're made not to "walk", when they're started. That makes them an excellent choice for boring rod and hex, in the lathe. Yes, they're brittle, and I go through them, but, I've countered that, by having a few hundred on hand!?I seem to have a thing for drill bits. And pinvises--I probably have a dozen of those, too. I may need an intervention!

Edited January 5, 2023 by Straightliner59

[peteski]

19 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

I only started using the carbide bits, a couple of years ago. While I still use my regular bits, as well, wherever possible, I prefer using the carbide bits, because they're made not to "walk", when they're started. That makes them an excellent choice for boring rod and hex, in the lathe. Yes, they're brittle, and I go through them, but, I've countered that, by having a few hundred on hand!?I seem to have a thing for drill bits. And pinvises--I probably have a dozen of those, too. I may need an intervention!

Yes, those are sharpened with a split point which not only bites into the material better than regular points, it also does not walk on the  material being drilled.  I also stocked up on the bit sizes which I use most often. I have hundreds of several single size bits.  Several years ago there was an eBay seller who sold used TC bits in boxes of 50.  These were removed from PC Board drilling machines after drilling certain number of holes.  While they were no longer considered usable for drilling the fiberglass/epoxy boards, they are still plenty sharp.

[Straightliner59]

5 hours ago, peteski said:

Several years ago there was an eBay seller who sold used TC bits in boxes of 50.  These were removed from PC Board drilling machines after drilling certain number of holes.  While they were no longer considered usable for drilling the fiberglass/epoxy boards, they are still plenty sharp.

There are still a few, there. I bought a couple of boxes of assorted sizes from a place in MN, that no longer seems to be there--I bought a couple of boxes of 50, of assorted sizes for $25 each, and free shipping! Sadly, they seem to be, no more. Most of those I find, now are boxes of single-sized bits (which is fine, like you say, if it's a size that's frequently used) at $25, but with added shipping. $.50/bit is pretty dang reasonable, though!