where to get drill bits

admin

I am looking for a 1" and 3/4" drill bits for metal.  I made a slide on hitch for a tractor I have that slides over the drawbar and need to add holes for the ball and the pin.  I dont have access to a drill press so it would have to have a 1/2" shank for a drill.  I already drilled 1/2" pilot holes.  Each hole has a 5/16" plate on top then another 5/16" plate with a 1/2" piece welded to it as a spacer on bottom making a total of 13/16" of steel to drill on the thicker holes..  Will harbor freight have the bits I need and would they last to make the holes I am looking for?  I'm not really a fan of harbor freight but I really don't want to spend $30 for bits that I see on Lowes website for something I will be using for a few minutes.  Are there other places online I should be looking for drill bits at good prices?  If it comes down to it I will find a torch and cut some ragged holes if I have to...I just wanted to give this a nice clean look if possible.Thanks in advance.
Reply:I have done a lot of hand drilling in thick steel and you have a chore ahead of you. You can take a chance on HF depending on how many you can buy compared to a quality one. 1/2" pilot is borderline too big for 3/4 and 1" hole. Be sure to go slow speed and use some heavy oil. Good chance you will break the edge of the cutting surface the first time the bit bites and gets in a bind. Go slow, slow speed, oil, and be careful. Like anything else you get what you pay for...try ebay. Rule of thumb on pilot holes is lay your pilot bit inside the spiral of the final cutting bit, no bigger than this works pretty well
Reply:For where to buy a bit can't help you much.  I will agree with everything above though.Speed is a killer drilling in metal.  Oil, perferably cutting oil will help the bit last, maybe enough to get a HF bit through it.It may also help some to drill through both sides.  (before you go through completely turn it over and drill through from the other side)  I find that helps get the edge that the bit grabs onto.Also as you get close don't push so hard.
Reply:http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece...t-set-527.htmlObviously quality is ****, but if you can sharpen them, you'll be ok.  Its always good to have some of these around,
Reply:You need some reduced shank (Silver and Demming Style) drills.  They fit 1/2" jacobs style chucks and go past 1" diameter.  Try to get M42 Cobalt but High Speed works too.  Cut the heel for chip clearance and use plenty of oil and the slowest speed you have.Don't break your wrists......
Reply:I buy drillbits at the same place I buy dambed near everything.....pawnshops.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:ProCharger  -  "I dont have access to a drill press"A 1/2" 'pilot-hole' is the just the beginning of bad procedure.For the accident report, what is the size and H/P of the drill that you will 'hand hold' and spin a 1" bit?  Save your money; take your project to a Welding/Machine shop,and you will save your arms, to drill another day.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROProCharger  -  "I dont have access to a drill press"A 1/2" 'pilot-hole' is the just the beginning of bad procedure.For the accident report, what is the size and H/P of the drill that you will 'hand hold' and spin a 1" bit?  Save your money; take your project to a Welding/Machine shop,and you will save your arms, to drill another day.Opus
Reply:I burned up the motor on my 18v lxt drilling 1/4" steel.   Cost about $35 in parts to fix.   Its gonna take a few hrs not a few mins to drill what u want to.   Hope u got a dozen batteries.  For all the frustration u will go through, just go buy a small drill press.  Results will be much betterTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I'm with Soutthpaw, buy a cheap drill press. You need one now and you'll use it later. The Harbor Freight model I started out with is going on 25+ years now.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Plus if you are trying to drill through 3/4" + thick steel, if I read your post correctly, you will not be able to hold the drill straight manually and will end up breaking a bunch of drill bits.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:The 3/4" holes are done. Maybe 5 minutes drill time...just kept it slow and never stopped. Now I need to find a 1" bit for the others. I saw a 1" at the store that wss $30 by itself! Ouch!
Reply:Done!  Took me from my last post to now to do the 1 inch holes.  I ended up using a 1 inch hole saw.  Worked pretty well.....used one full battery and finished with a 2nd.
Reply:Cool
Reply:I had a question the other day. If a guy was to have one drill (not hand drill) would you rather a mag drill or drill press?
Reply:Originally Posted by ProChargerDone!  Took me from my last post to now to do the 1 inch holes.  I ended up using a 1 inch hole saw.  Worked pretty well.....used one full battery and finished with a 2nd.
Reply:We call the stepped shank drill bits "blacksmith's drill bits over here,DD
Reply:Originally Posted by wendellHowd that work with out a pilot?
Reply:I would have suggested a mag drill, like a Hougen Rota-Broach but the price of admission is high.  I have a Miluwakee and run Hougen cutters.  It's the cat's meow.  You can run hole saws or conventional twist drills too.Typically, a quality unit will set you back a grand new.  Plenty of used ones on Craigs List or the Backpage.
Reply:Speaking of drill bits, I am looking for ultra-tough bits, to drill into bike/motorcycle disc rotors, cogs, tool steel, and the like. Any recommendations?Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:Originally Posted by ProChargerIt wasn't too bad. The hole saw had a pilot bit in it as well that was a little smaller than my pilots. Once the saw bit it did well, no walking. It was not really critical I have a nice clean hole on the 1 inch. I was installing a 2 inch and 2 5/16 ball opposite sides of one another with the nut connecting them in the center. Welded the nut in place then welded each ball to the plate so the 1 inch holes are hidden. The 3/4 inch hole will be used for the pin so it will be exposed. Paint is drying. I will throw a pic up tomorrow so you can see the finish product. Fair warning though....its pretty rough looking and will NOT be used on the roads. Just threw it together from some scrap so my dad can move round bales with a trailer or move the cattle trailer behind one of the tractors.
Reply:Wendell, your user name is freaking me out.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:
Reply:Originally Posted by wendellIf all you wanted to do was make a void (with out care for size shape or location) why not just use a torch?
Reply:ProChargerYou have painted it the correct color  -  now hide it in the grass.Opuslol! he needs to paint it camo for best hiding capabilities.