Two workshop mysteries.

[Benelli B76]

I am forever sharpening drill bits, its difficult to find good quality ones today. I was one of the best at sharpening them during my apprenticeship, but I hated the tiny ones. Any suggestions where to buy good quality ? RPM speed is also a big factor in easy drilling, depending on diameter.


Baz

[trajectory]

If you were drilling in the lathe & it was spinning in the right direction but all the bits were "blunt" was the tailstock properly locked on the bed?

[rovercoupe]

Any scale on the block of steel?

[Benelli B76]

The 80 shot Bug-A-Salt is more fun for killing flies "humanely"

Baz

[IMG][/IMG]

[trajectory]

That's a pretty dodgy switch then.

Agreed there are some drills for sale that aren't up to much. I've got some old ones which seem to be lasting well with an occasional touch on a wheel to sharpen them. Bought some off Reeves a long while back, not sure of the maker but the model engineering websites might be a good place to look for reviews or recommendations on modern made drills. Quite like stubbies over jobber length ones for some tasks.

Like the bug gun but I'll stick to rubber bands easier to pick up than a pinch of salt, but that's just me.

[Benelli B76]

That's a pretty dodgy switch then.

Agreed there are some drills for sale that aren't up to much. I've got some old ones which seem to be lasting well with an occasional touch on a wheel to sharpen them. Bought some off Reeves a long while back, not sure of the maker but the model engineering websites might be a good place to look for reviews or recommendations on modern made drills. Quite like stubbies over jobber length ones for some tasks.

Like the bug gun but I'll stick to rubber bands easier to pick up than a pinch of salt, but that's just me.

Not a pinch, you have a whole magazine full. Just pump and fire ! Believe it or not I used a 9 mil pistol to shoot flies and spiders in my house in South Africa. (there is a story to that).

[trajectory]

Sounds a bit extreme, a 9mm blank might be messy enough. Guess you liked decorating! Reminds me of the stories about WW1 where they sometimes took potshots at the rats with.455 revolvers....in the dugouts. As if nerves weren't on edge enough, imagine someone doing that while you were looking the other way?

[edbear2]

I am forever sharpening drill bits, its difficult to find good quality ones today. I was one of the best at sharpening them during my apprenticeship, but I hated the tiny ones. Any suggestions where to buy good quality ? RPM speed is also a big factor in easy drilling, depending on diameter.


Baz

Hi Baz,

Buy colbalt ones, but they are not cheap;

https://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/e...balt-bits-a777

Unfortunately the general public (ie. non trade who have no idea what proper engineering costs are) think that B+Q or Screwfix gold drills are actually what an engineering firm might use

Also look on the bay for used older sets, over the last few years I have acquired full sets of British made metric / imperial / letter and number drills, all for a fraction of their value by being patient. Well looked after or little used sets often pop up on there.

ATB, Ed

[ccdjg]

Hi Baz,

Buy colbalt ones, but they are not cheap;

https://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/e...balt-bits-a777

Unfortunately the general public (ie. non trade who have no idea what proper engineering costs are) think that B+Q or Screwfix gold drills are actually what an engineering firm might use

Couldn't agree more Ed. I came into hobby machining very late and have acquired various sets of drill bits over time, some bought without much serious thought, and I find myself again and again going to the cobalt ones in preference to all the others.

[Benelli B76]

Hi Baz,

Buy colbalt ones, but they are not cheap;

https://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/e...balt-bits-a777

Unfortunately the general public (ie. non trade who have no idea what proper engineering costs are) think that B+Q or Screwfix gold drills are actually what an engineering firm might use

Also look on the bay for used older sets, over the last few years I have acquired full sets of British made metric / imperial / letter and number drills, all for a fraction of their value by being patient. Well looked after or little used sets often pop up on there.

ATB, Ed

Gonna get me a complete set, thanks. Fed up with bits made of toffee.

[edbear2]

Gonna get me a complete set, thanks. Fed up with bits made of toffee.

Good Egg

Do have a shop around though as that was a random link, and also invest in some Dormer Supercut ...I use the spray version more and more as it seems more economical, but have not used a drill ''dry'' on any metal in memory, I drill a lot of tough steels / Inco alloys / hard grades of stainless so am used to taking it easy and keeping the drill cool...On occasion I get the odd wally on my pillar drill at work (I keep the good drills locked up) who is staring at a burnt drill and hot piece of stainless sheet because he was using 1000 rpm and no cutting fluid and has wrecked the job in seconds by being impatient.

Some of the specific spray oils for magnetic drills (Rotabroach types) are also very good for positinal work as the y don't run, I use JEI endurance which sprays like silver body shultz but is great for when you have to drill with air tools horizontally or overhead etc. as no drips!

ATB, Ed