Where can I buy the hard drill bits that I saw being hawked at SEMA a couple of years ago?

The kind that are like regular black colored, HHS bits, but that can drill through car leaf springs, files, glass and tile, etc..

pdq67

Try mcmaster carr and look for cobalt drills. Look for the ones made of the highest grade tool steele. They last longer. Might want to invest in a Drill Doctor. I just saw one they are hawking for $75.00 now. Could pay for it's self sooner at that price.

Joe

You'll be surprised at how many different metals you can drill, using almost any drill bit. Just use a good cutting fluid and the correct speed. Most regular bits get burnt at high speed, so use slow to medium speed. I've used "Tap Magic" for years, with great results.:thumbsup:
http://www.tapmagic.com/MAINepx.jpg

ORENCH,

The guys hawking them just chucked a 1/4" bit up in onna those cheap Chinese benchtop drill presses and started drilling a Nickelson file, then a leaf spring, then a house brick, etc with no coolant at all..

I think the full set was like $80 or so?? (1/16" to a 1/2", in 1/16th's, I think??).....

Sure wished I woulda bit and bought myself an early Christmas present that year...

I figure using them about 5 times woulda paid for themselves easy drilling hard steel....

pdq67

The guys hawking them just chucked a 1/4" bit up in onna those cheap Chinese benchtop drill presses and started drilling a Nickelson file, then a leaf spring, then a house brick, etc with no coolant at all..
pdq67

:) Not implying they aren't a good choice, but a new drill bit is a new drill bit, and can do wonders at its first usage. At home, I don't have specialty drills, cause there aren't many hardened parts on cars or around the house. A set of high speed drills, and a couple of masonry bits are enough for me. At work I have the aforementioned cobalt, carbide & titanium coated ones, for some applications.

I was using Harbor Freight and other low buck drills and they were working OK on normal stuff, but chipped and broke on hard materials, so I bought a set from Snap-On. The guy said to try the non-colbalt and if I didn't like them, he'd swap me plus the extra money. I love the regular Snap-On bits. I also bought a set of USA made "Triumph" Cobalt steel bits from Enco tool, and I'm slowly getting rid of the cheapie bits I had.

BTW, I learned how to hand held sharpen bits on any bench grinder, comes in handy...
Get a drill angle gage and start with the large drill bits and sharpen all your drills in your set, you'll get good at it after doing a fiew dozen drills.

Maybe this idea will help. In my area we have a truck freight damage warehouse called NPS. When the big rigs roll or have a accident this is where all of the merchandise goes. They have all kinds of tools, bits included for way below retail prices. Bits usually go for 1.00 for 3/8's and below and higher for larger sizes. Many times you can find cobalt, nitrade coated, and others in the mix for no extra cost. Check around your area for a place like this. I have bought many things from racing slicks, nuts-bolts-fasteners, G.M. quater panels, T-3 headlights, etc. There are just so many things available at these places! I hope you can find one in your area, its like a treasure hunt every trip, happy holidays!

I was at the hardware store today, AAMOF, and saw the drills you are talking about. I forget the exact name, was like four letters and started with "A", IIRC. I was looking for something to drill glass for a wifey project, and this is where the guy led me. I'll go and look for the name.

Dave