M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set

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TT540

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Hex shank bits make life easier.

But they will wobble in something like an impact gun. So I am not sure they are worth the extra money. Decent for boring holes in wood, but not so much for metal or precision.

I have something very similar to the Drill Hog set and have had them about 4 years. I have already had to buy 3 replacements of the popular sizes like 1/4, 7/16, 3/8. I do drill a lot of metal though.

Keeping speed low and using oil if the metal is thick helps the bit to live.

I did a quick search and found this interesting:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/drills/how-to-choose-twist-drill-bits/view-all/

Next time I buy a stand alone bit in those popular sizes above, I will get a titanium bit.
 

ezcome-ezgo

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Everything wobbles in an impact driver, a hex shank in a chuck is as stable as a straight shank in my experience. I have a hex shank step drill bit, use it for precise drilling all the time (in my drill press).
 

anickode

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Norseman Cobalt HSS jobber drill set.

If you primarily drill mild steel, and you're not an imbecile, these bits will last you practically forever. The 1/2" drill from my set has 500+ non-piloted holes through 1/2" CRS on the factory grind, and it cuts as well as it did fresh out of the package. They last a good long time in harder alloys too.

---------- Post added at 12:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------

But they will wobble in something like an impact gun. So I am not sure they are worth the extra money. Decent for boring holes in wood, but not so much for metal or precision.

I have something very similar to the Drill Hog set and have had them about 4 years. I have already had to buy 3 replacements of the popular sizes like 1/4, 7/16, 3/8. I do drill a lot of metal though.

Keeping speed low and using oil if the metal is thick helps the bit to live.

I did a quick search and found this interesting:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/drills/how-to-choose-twist-drill-bits/view-all/

Next time I buy a stand alone bit in those popular sizes above, I will get a titanium bit.

Drill bits should never be used in an impact gun. Even the ones that have a "drill" setting free spin too fast, and will go into impact mode under enough load, and that's a good way to ruin a bit in a hurry. Good drill bits will never come either a 1/4" hex shank on them, either.
 

bob58o

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Norseman Cobalt HSS jobber drill set.

If you primarily drill mild steel, and you're not an imbecile, these bits will last you practically forever. The 1/2" drill from my set has 500+ non-piloted holes through 1/2" CRS on the factory grind, and it cuts as well as it did fresh out of the package. They last a good long time in harder alloys too.

---------- Post added at 12:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------



Drill bits should never be used in an impact gun. Even the ones that have a "drill" setting free spin too fast, and will go into impact mode under enough load, and that's a good way to ruin a bit in a hurry. Good drill bits will never come either a 1/4" hex shank on them, either.

It appears that the Norseman set is about twice as much as the Drill Hog set.
About $150 for a 29 piece set.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Norseman-2...252829?hash=item25cd9aa05d:g:yyMAAOSwImRYf8ct

https://www.ebay.com/itm/29-Pc-Coba...188448&hash=item28416ac86e:g:broAAOSw9mpaNXRN
 

anickode

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Can't argue with that... I was able to get my set at a substantial discount (I bought them to keep at work) Guess it was a bigger discount than I realized. :thumbsup:

I also have a couple of their HSS sets that I use at home and in the field on side jobs... Both the standard set (FASTENAL branded) and their Cryo treated nitrided set. There's no appreciable difference between either of the HSS sets and the Cobalt set when working in mild steels.
 

Joe-405

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I would agree. One of my best friends which has a chassis shop and helps me with my welding when I need it tig welded also uses jobber bits. He’s had his a long time and still uses them. I can find out which ones exactly next time I see him. He’s gonna let me use his electric shears for my floor pan on my buildoff entry.
 

Quinc

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I mostly drill aluminum and stainless steel; and have so far been impressed with the Harborfreight cobalt set. So far only thing to defeat one was drilling through grade 8 bolts. First one went through with ease. Second one smoked the tip of the bit half way through. Also nice having all the inbetween sizes for doing heli-coils and timecerts.

https://www.harborfreight.com/115-pc-cobalt-drill-bit-set-61886.html
 
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