Top Notch Drill Sets?

[Jeff Raymond]

First of all I have to admit I a drill bit massacre killer.

That being said, I was using a 15/64 pointed twist drill on a piece of oak the other day and that sucker broke in half. Luckily it didn't do so inside the work.

Does anyone have a source of good quality, actually sharp and reliable drill sets for wood working? Yep, I'm looking for the little itty-bitty ones up to 3/8 or so. Y'know, the ones actually marked in American inches so you know what you are looking at?

Thanks in advance.

[Hank Knight]

Try the HSS brad points from Lee Valley. I'm not sure how small they come, but they are great bits.

[Gary Keedwell]

From one VietNam vet to another.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&cat=1,180,42240,42247&p=42247

Gary K.

[Jeff Raymond]

Gary: Thanks much. Now that's what I'm talkin' about here.

Welcome home, brother!

[Roger Newby]

Another Vietnam vet here.
I got a pretty good set of brad point bits from Grizzly for about 25 bucks. Product #H1046.
Roger

[David G Baker]

Jeff,
Not sure how top notch they are but I have been very happy with the Dewalt Pilot Point drill bit set that HD sells. I have a set that has lasted me approximately 5 years. I did break one of the smaller bits doing something I shouldn't have tried.
I have not tried the brad point bits yet but they look like they would be better for wood than the Dewalt set.

[John Gornall]

One reason why small bits break is that the speed of the drill isn't high enough. We all use cordless drills and their speed ranges are low. My usual drill has a top speed of 1300 rpm. A 1/4 inch twist drill in hardwood needs about 1600 rpm and the smaller the drill the faster. A 1/8 bit needs about 3200 rpm and a 1/16 bit needs about 6400 rpm. These numbers are from the recommended speed for bits in mild steel and I find they work well in hardwoods. For a 1/16 bit I use a small pneumatic drill that hits about 10,000 rpm at 100 psi - works great. I've seen stepped bits for pocket holes break when used at 1000 rpm with a cordless drill - Kreg recommends 2000 rpm - get out the plug in drill. Do some tests at higher speeds - you'll be more successful.

For rough work bits some of the Chinese HSS bits at the big boxes, 1/16 - 3/8 for 5 bucks are actually quite good these days. Keep the Lee Valley bits for the good stuff but get your speeds up.