Topic: I'm looking for a 29 piece set of 'true' cobalt drills

[grcamna2]

I purchased a set of 'warrior'  Item #62295 135 degree point High Speed steel drill bits,by 64's:these are Harbor Freight brand,I never purchased Harbor Freight bits before.I needed to drill today and thought I would put-aside my Huot Made in USA 29 piece 118 degree points HSS set(which I've had for 2 decades  I take care of them  ) and so started drilling with these nice "Cobalt" colored drill bits.. I didn't get far  ,I had to go back to using my old Huots to complete the job..These new "cobalt" bits have a beautiful Cobalt color/coating on them,but it isn't very deep.Whatever material they use to manufacture the bits from underneath the coating is shyte,plus it's too late now to return them:I bought them online and it looked like the real-deal.I take pride in my drill bits and use them easily,I want them to last.
I want to purchase a 29 piece set of 'True' Cobalt(all the way through,not just coated)solid drill bits,HSS,from 1/16"-1/2" by 64ths with 135 degree points.Can anyone recommend a set of reasonably priced bits,possibly around $60 or so ? I see some no-name bits online but I have no experience whether they're decent or not.  thanks,Bill 

[Alan F.]

I think you should speak with the manager at a local HF store to see what he can do for you.

[grcamna2]

I think you should speak with the manager at a local HF store to see what he can do for you.

I probably would if I purchased them from a store.I purchased these from one of those online 'Good Deal Blow-out' type of places and now I'm kind of turned-off to HF bits.

[jgger]

Most of the time when you buy tools from HF consider them throw aways. Its just a matter of how soon you have to throw them out. Once in awhile you get lucky there. The bulk of their products are made in China, and the only thing made in China so far that seems to last is covid.

[grcamna2]

Most of the time when you buy tools from HF consider them throw aways. Its just a matter of how soon you have to throw them out. Once in awhile you get lucky there. The bulk of their products are made in China, and the only thing made in China so far that seems to last is covid.

Lol.I've been slowly becoming aware of how they build-in 'planned obsolete' into Everything they send that can be bought over the counter,etc.They must think America is just 'one big garbage dump' and I am Pissed-Off about it:I know,wrong thread for that. 

[madmtnmotors]

I want to purchase a 29 piece set of 'True' Cobalt(all the way through,not just coated)solid drill bits,HSS,from 1/16"-1/2" by 64ths with 135 degree points.Can anyone recommend a set of reasonably priced bits,possibly around $60 or so ? I see some no-name bits online but I have no experience whether they're decent or not.  thanks,Bill 

I am not able to find "100%" cobalt bits via Google-fu. "True" cobalt bits seem to be an alloy of either 5% (M35) or 8% (M42) and a true alloy is through and through. I imagine that 100% cobalt may be too hard and therefore too brittle. The color is a result of manufacturing, but a cobalt alloy bit can be resharpened and would retain the original hardness.

https://home.howstuffworks.com/cobalt-drill-bits.htm

https://sensibledigs.com/cobalt-drill-bits/

[754]

M 42 is considered good in the machining world. As in most alloys , the percentages  of added alloy, are quite small, butbthe difference is huge in the performance.

[grcamna2]

I want to purchase a 29 piece set of 'True' Cobalt(all the way through,not just coated)solid drill bits,HSS,from 1/16"-1/2" by 64ths with 135 degree points.Can anyone recommend a set of reasonably priced bits,possibly around $60 or so ? I see some no-name bits online but I have no experience whether they're decent or not.  thanks,Bill 

I am not able to find "100%" cobalt bits via Google-fu. "True" cobalt bits seem to be an alloy of either 5% (M35) or 8% (M42) and a true alloy is through and through. I imagine that 100% cobalt may be too hard and therefore too brittle. The color is a result of manufacturing, but a cobalt alloy bit can be resharpened and would retain the original hardness.

https://home.howstuffworks.com/cobalt-drill-bits.htm

https://sensibledigs.com/cobalt-drill-bits/

I understand Wilbur.
I have an older purchase set(not 64ths increments)of very hard Cobalt bits which don't have all the sizes I want that I use occasionally  which are very hard and have chipped the tips a little(135 degree points,possibly M42??),they're aggressive and will cut through hard stuff..Slow is the idea,so I don't chip them.I bought them about 12 yrs ago.
I think it would help me if someone here has had good results with a set they've bought that are one of those ratios(M35,M42) you mentioned:a 'true' Cobalt alloy through n' through.These HF bits are soft as butter underneath a thin "cobalt" coating from what I can see..

[754]

If you have part of the set, just buy the missing ones ax you need them , make sure you get a good brand..

[tool14]

try mc master carr.

[madmtnmotors]

try mc master carr.

+1

[Steve F]

McMaster is a bit pricier that other suppliers, but you can't as in CAN NOT beat their service, delivery and choices.  BUT, I have in the past purchased from MSC Industrial Supply and they too are great.  Just to make a point about cobalt drills, I drilled all three rotors on a 2-axis CNC mill with ONE drill and it was still sharp.  Take your time and you'll get good life out of them and use coolant if possible.

[grcamna2]

If you have part of the set, just buy the missing ones ax you need them , make sure you get a good brand..

I'd rather have a full new set,I did mention some of those other ones are chip-tipped.

[grcamna2]

McMaster is a bit pricier that other suppliers, but you can't as in CAN NOT beat their service, delivery and choices.  BUT, I have in the past purchased from MSC Industrial Supply and they too are great.  Just to make a point about cobalt drills, I drilled all three rotors on a 2-axis CNC mill with ONE drill and it was still sharp.  Take your time and you'll get good life out of them and use coolant if possible.

I've purchased from McMaster before,you're right about their service.My $ is tight right now:I need to purchase a new battery for my car this month.

[jgger]

Why not take your chipped bits to a good sharpening service? I have done that with stuff that I didn't have the ability to sharpen and it is money well spent.

I have had dado blades, jointer blades, and stuff like that done. You might be pleasantly suprised at the both cost and results.

[grcamna2]

Why not take your chipped bits to a good sharpening service? I have done that with stuff that I didn't have the ability to sharpen and it is money well spent.

I have had dado blades, jointer blades, and stuff like that done. You might be pleasantly suprised at the both cost and results.

I will research that a bit later(Fastenal down the road from me wants a $mint!)but for now,looking for an affordable set.

[754]

Just learn to sharpen them, or try to get someone that can.

[grcamna2]

Yes.
I just want to be clear,I'm looking to purchase a 29 pc. new set of good Cobalt drill bits.
I appreciate if some member has purchased a set that they had good luck with,let me know.

[jgger]

Just learn to sharpen them, or try to get someone that can.

Frank that's funny, I was never any good at sharpening drill bits. So when my buddy who was a machinist would be helping me with a project I always made sure he was the one drilling any needed holes. He would get so pissed off at how dull my bits were and sharpen them for me! Worked every time.

[grcamna2]

bump

[Kelly E]

I have a set of Century cobalt drill bits that I got through Carquest. If one fails they give me a new one. It's a 29 piece set of 135° bits. I've only had to replace one bit so far.

[754]

In trade school , i think one of the first things was sharpen drill bits, maybe after we made a drill guage.
 Then , not long after, grinding lahe bits from blanks..... only then wete we allowed to use a lathe or drill press.

[grcamna2]

I have a set of Century cobalt drill bits that I got through Carquest. If one fails they give me a new one. It's a 29 piece set of 135° bits. I've only had to replace one bit so far.

What did you pay for the set Kelly ?

[Kelly E]

I don't remember because I made my buddy pay for it. I was building a winch in a box for the new flatbed trailer.

[Don R]

 I got a century tap and die set, was told it's equal to or same as snap on's set. They have been great so far.
 I needed to extend the thread on a broken pto cable, cheap dies would not touch it. A borrowed century did the trick so I asked Santa for a set.
 I have a smaller set of DeWalt titanium coated drills, so far so good.