Drill Bits

[Travis K]

I just started working on my 70 4x4 frame off build. I was drilling some 1/2" holes in the frame today, and I am burning up drill bits. After 3 holes, they won't cut into the metal anymore. Do any of you have advise on a good set of drill bits? How about the Drill Doctor bit sharpener. Has anyone tried one?

I would like to add that I love this forum. You are all very helpful. I have gotten a lot of good ideas, and learned a lot from reading all of your posts.

[sb69chevy]

welcome from springfield, MO!

[Rick Mills]

First of all.... to the board.

Are you using a smaller bit to make a hole and then making it larger with the 1/2"? If not, most bits will get dull after just a couple holes. Try a small bit first.
I have a set of bits that I paid high dollar for and I still have to sharpen them periodically.

[BarryB]

First off welcome to the board. Let me ask what kind of drill are you using. Because it is better to slow the speed down when drilling bigger holes.
if running it wide open this why you are burning up your bits. As for a good set of bits. As for bits themselves. Names really don't matter as long has they are HSS. I personally like cobalt drill bits. to me. cobalt is a type of metal they are made of. well this is what i have been told.

[rage'nrat638]

yea welcome to the board from chicago

i like cobalt too....
like stated start small then go bigger..
drill slow

i like the smoke that the cutting oil gives off too

[Travis K]

Thanks for the welcome. I did start with a smaller hole. I was running the drill at full speed though. I will try slowing it down, and possibly some lube. How do you go about sharpening a drill bit?

[krue]

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Some people like the Drill Dr., you're best bet is to find an old school machinist who can sharpen them with a grinder.

[jamesi20]

the drill doctor does a good job...I am a toolmaker and use a drill doctor on my smaller drills cause the eyes aren't what they used to be

[Botietruck]

I use the Drill Doctor and it does a great job. Just as everyone else has stated, start with a small pilot bit and work your way up, use cutting oil and use good bits. I don't believe there's much of anything on these trucks that's been tempered/hardened so much that a good drill bit won't cut.
Good luck and welcome to the board!!

[Bob D]

For any kind of thin metal up to say 3/16" I would drill a small hole and then open it up to the size I need using a Unibit or step drill with lots of cutting oil. Step drills make a beautiful hole and you can chamfer the edges with it to remove any burrs.

Bob

[CrashBob1]

Originally Posted by Bob D

For any kind of thin metal up to say 3/16" I would drill a small hole and then open it up to the size I need using a Unibit or step drill with lots of cutting oil. Step drills make a beautiful hole and you can chamfer the edges with it to remove any burrs.

Bob

Bingo!! Unibit, the best thin metal holemaker ever (IMO). Check the drill speed and use a good cutting oil. The biggest mistake people make when using drills is to run them too fast.

Little story:
Years ago as an appications engineer for a machine tool company, I was in DeWitt Nebraska, home of ViseGrip, installing a 4 axis cnc lathe for them to turn the Unibit from tool steel. Got everything set up to spec, was going to run a demo for the owners, (drum roll please) hit the go button and WHAM,
piled the upper turret into the barstock that I forgot to push back into the bar feeder. OOOOOOOOOOPS! Got everything re-aligned and the show went on for some very pleased owners.

[pharcydekm]

My frame is 1/4" box and in some places 1/2" thick do to bracing. I used a UNIBIT for every hole I drilled most of them at full speed with a cordless Dewalt. Works greatand well worth the money. I think I soent 30 or 40 on mine but it still works great!!

Drill Dr is a great sharpener. I abuse the snot out of my snap on bits and the drill dr takes care each time.

[byrd]

Originally Posted by Travis K

Thanks for the welcome. I did start with a smaller hole. I was running the drill at full speed though. I will try slowing it down, and possibly some lube. How do you go about sharpening a drill bit?

Larger bits a small bench grinder can make them VERY sharp, if have one you can sharpen a bit in about 10 seconds, just a rub it once maybe twice on each side. Just take as little material off as possible and try hard to keep the same/correct angle and it will eat thru the steel like butta

[byrd]

Originally Posted by Bob D

For any kind of thin metal up to say 3/16" I would drill a small hole and then open it up to the size I need using a Unibit or step drill with lots of cutting oil. Step drills make a beautiful hole and you can chamfer the edges with it to remove any burrs.

Bob

I have benn using Unibits for about 8 yrs now and they are great, but expensive. You should use a small 1/8"-1/4" bit for a pilot to keep the tip on the unibit in good shape, otherwise the tip will dull fairly fast, or at least it has in my experience with them.Just my .02