Source for good cobalt drill bits in the US?

[Martyd3]

Thanks.

Marty

[HauteHippie]

Irwin brand available at your local Lowes. The Bosch bits are good too, and available on Amazon, etc.

[hackR]

yup...as chief says - Lowe's...

[panerai153]

I bought some from Snap On several years ago, and they have done really well. Bought them off the Snap On tools website

[Martyd3]

I bought some from Snap On several years ago, and they have done really well. Bought them off the Snap On tools website

I went with Snap On. Couldn't remember what I had bought in the past ... that was it. Had very good luck with them.

Thanks.

Marty

[Bike Mike]

Why do you feel you need a Cobalt drill? I have held a Journeyman's card as a metal model maker for 12 years, drilling through some pretty tough stuff and have never needed a cobalt drill bit. Unless you are working with ceramic, all you need is too keep the bit sharp and know how to use it. Believe it or not, most people do not know how to use drill bits properly and apply WAY too much pressure to them.

Do understand I only ask, as a lot of people are suckered into paying 3X more for some thing they are told they need, yet really don't need it.

Here is who I deal with. Production Tool & Supply

M

[HauteHippie]

Bike Mike, do you not feel the cobalt bits retain sharpness longer than HSS??

[Bike Mike]

Bike Mike, do you not feel the cobalt bits retain sharpness longer than HSS??

Chief, that is the much debated question

[HauteHippie]

I agree feed and speed - making sure you can clear enough material - is paramount. But I've never bought any fancy coated bits, just a good quality set with very minimal runout, and I mostly drill in to wood... So, sharpness hasn't been an issue for me. Good to know the Drill Doctor works, though. I've thought about getting one when things start to go dull, but wasn't sure.