Looking for high quality drill bits: any recommendations

[abram godshall]

i recently purchased what i thought (hoped) were high quality drill bits. after about 30 holes going through 3/4" plywood and a half inch into ash, the drill bit was bent! and no, it was not dropped nor pushed with excessive force. WHERE CAN I GET QUALITY BITS THAT HOLD UP AND CAN BE RESHARPENED? I AM LOOKING FOR A SET, BUT WILL BUY INDIVIDUALLY IF NEED BE.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
ABRAM GODSHALL

[Larry Norton]

I have the 28 piece set and love it. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=42247&cat=1,180,42240

[Doug Mason]

Try Fuller

[glenn bradley]

Fuller bits are great. I have a small set of the Lee Valley lipped bits (5/64" - 1/4" by 64ths) along with a few specific sizes for specific things I do and they are perfect. <=== I tried to come up with some other word but, perfect just about covers it.

[Matt Winterowd]

I have to agree with others and recommend the Lee Valley brad point bits. They're definitely worth the premium. The Colt brad points are really nice too, but don't come in a comprehensive set.

For regular twist bits, Triumph is a great brand. Lee Valley also sells them http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32241&cat=1,180,42240, but you can get them from other vendors for less sometimes, so it pays to search a bit.

[Gary Herrmann]

I think the Lee Valley bits are Fullers. The cases are identical. Not completely sure though. Maybe Lee will chime in.

I've got the large set of brad points. Use them all the time.

[Jim McFarland]

Another vote for the Lee Valley brad point set and free shipping at LV for >$40 orders until (or through?) March 28.

[glenn bradley]

I think the Lee Valley bits are Fullers.

Could be. Lee Valley states "Starting with a top-of-the-line American-made twist drill, we reshape and sharpen the tips on a state-of-the-art Swiss CNC grinder."

[Bruce Page]

I have the 28 piece set and love it. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=42247&cat=1,180,42240

I have the same set. Money well spent IMO.

[Mike Henderson]

Look at the Norseman (http://www.norsemandrill.com/)drill bits.

Mike

[Chris Fournier]

If you want high quality bits (not brad point) then go to your local machine tool supplier, they'll have great bits at various price points.

[Michael Peet]

Yet another vote for the Lee Valley set. They work great.

Mike

[Steve Horvath]

Abram Iread and articles on a comparison trial of Lee Valley and Fuller bradpoint bits. The article recommended Lee Valley over Fuller. I have a set of Lee Valley brad point bits they are very good and can be resharpened many times you can also get the brad points in longer lengths and they can be resharpend more times. In the 2010 catalogue from Lee Valley they start on page 32. NO, they are not cheap but I got burned ordering a set of bits from Northern Tool, "you usually get what you pay for". Hope this is helpful. Steve Horvath

[Scott T Smith]

Look at the Norseman (http://www.norsemandrill.com/)drill bits.

Mike

+1. Norseman's Magnum drill bits are some of the highest quality bits available for drilling steel (and they work great in wood too!)

[John Nesmith]

Look at the Norseman (http://www.norsemandrill.com/)drill bits.

Mike

Interesting, but where do you buy them?

[Jonathan Spool]

I use the standard Miebach (Colt) brad points, and the pen bits. They are both the best brad points I have encountered. The Pen bits clear incredibly well, and I can drill 2.5" through hardwood end grain without chipping, blowout or having to drill and extract numerous times to clear the flutes. Expensive, but great product. And, they are available in sets from The Best Things. http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/miebach_bits.htm
There are some videos out there on these bits as well, but I do not remember where.

[Scott T Smith]

http://www.fairburyfastener.com/norseman.htm is where I have bought mine. Eppico in California also sells Magnum bits, and you can find them on Amazon.

[Greg Portland]

For twist points (metal / general purpose) I have a set of the high end Milwaukee bits: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000224AX/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2

[Mike Henderson]

Interesting, but where do you buy them?

I thought I bought directly from them but it's been a while.

Mike

[Joe Angrisani]

I thought I bought directly from them but it's been a while. Mike

Mike.... Is your suggestion based on the brad points or the twist bits? Or both?