Recommend me Cobolt drill set and Tap and dies

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I am needing to get a decent set of Cobolt drills  and also a tap and die set for machine screw sizing  (ie 10-24)   Any recommendations without breaking the bank.   Was looking at this DW1269 set from dewalt for drills [ame="http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW1269-29-Piece-Cobalt-Pilot-Point/dp/B000R94EFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350783107&sr=8-1&keywords=dw1269"]http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW1269-29-Piece-Cobalt-Pilot-Point/dp/B000R94EFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350783107&sr=8-1&keywords=dw1269[/ame]any experiences with these?  Leaning toward a Vermont American set for tap and die due to lifetime warranty..  any other recommendations?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:I like the Dewalt pilot point / B&D Bullet bits for some things like sheet metal. They tend to cut a "washer" vs the way typical bits work. However they are not easily sharpened. Small taps like that usually end up getting broken before they get dull, so I usually pick up whatever is most easily available..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Good point about sharpening.  Never used a pilot point on metal before.   Guess I should look at standard point bits.   Any suggestions there.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:Strictly my opinion of course from experience, I've been hand drilling and tapping in the field for over fourty years. The V/A stuff I avoid like the plague. Taps-dies and twist drills............ you get what you pay for. Lifetime warranty doesn't mean squat to me if I have to take time to dig broken ones out!Depending on what material you're going to thread, QUALITY high speed steel minimum. Taps, especially the smaller (1/4" and smaller) I buy two flute taps period. The 3/8" and up, three flute only (with the exception of bottoming taps). Four flute are good for cleaning up existing threads.  You have to ask for the flute configuration, or you'll get the four flute. You won't find anything but four flute in the Hdw or Big Box stores.Use the correct cutting fluid for the material. I drill the bore, then lightly countersink the bore and then tap using the drill motor, down to #6 depending on the material thickness. Yes, with the drill motor. I break fewer taps. I could count on one hand the number of taps I've broken in the last 20 years. Mostly due to the above tap recomendations and LOTS of "practice". The countersink thing is one more step but it significantly reduces the "grab" of the tap and helps on the initial alignment so the tap follows the original bore CL. Following the bore CL is the most crucial aspect to prevent lockup/breakage.All of the above will keep you from buying taps very often and offsets the initial expense considerably.
Reply:where can I get 2 flute taps?  I really only need up through 1/4" and smaller   Haven't found a set I like yet but 2 or 3 flute makes a lot of sense for smaller taps to resist breakage.I did pick up a set of HF Cobolt drill bits today as they were on sale plus another $20 off made them $80.  Need to try them out.  if they are junk I can always take them back to HF.  http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pie...set-47653.htmlNow will try and find a good quality 13 or 29 piece set for my primary set and have these for when I need the machinist sizing.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:Not a bad buy. Take note of the "Aggressive 135 degree ....." Standard is 118 degrees (59 each side). Pay careful attention the feed/speed when you use them, especially on stainless. Harder metals generally use a "flatter" angle than 118.  Always use the correct cutting fluid for the material. Aluminum is "special" for most fluids.Best tip I can give for stainless........... lots of fluid, SLOW DOWN the drill speed and push HARD. 1/2" variable speed drill motors work best as they generally have a slower max speed to begin with. It takes practice like anything else to get the right combination. You want to see curls, not necessarily long ones, but curls. Tiny chips and squeaking are not a good sign. Ineficient cutting and excessive heat, bit is shot!  Stop if necessary, dip the bit in a cup of fluid (large aerosol can cap works) to cool the bit. Oh yea, in case someone doesn't already know, start the drill motor BEFORE putting the bit to the workpiece. Use a bigger center punch if it wanders on you.Taps: You're pretty much down to the commercial suppliers for those taps. McMaster-Carr, Fastenal, MSC, Grainger, etc....Ship time involved if not local so planning is needed. My personal preference is Mc-Carr, but it pays to shop around.
Reply:thanks for the pointers,  I rarely do stainless,  mostly mild steel and aluminum.  did just try drilling one hole on some 4 inch channel and worked well...  I will check those places and see what they have...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:I'll keep my eye open for tooling at upcoming local auctions.  Seems the cheapest way to buy them...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:FWIW, I've had great luck with my harbor freight cobalt drill bit set so far (the same 115 Pc set it sounds like you got).  They seem to be good quality.