What drill bits for bus conversion?

[belfert]

Most of my twist drill bits are pretty dull from doing various work on the bus.  I want to replace my entire set so I actually have something that is sharp.  Most of my heavy drilling should be over.

Any suggestions on what brand or where to buy?

[bubbaqgal]

Why not go buy a Drill Doctor and sharpen them? It has saved us a fortune in drill bits

[Sammy]

Brian, no particular brand, but I recommend cobalt bits. There are many vendors that make and sell them.
Use some cutting oil too, helps bit last longer.
Sammy  

[JackConrad]

   The key to drilling stainless steel is a VERY SLOW drill speed and plenty of cutting oil.  Cobalt bits are the best choice.  Drill Doctor should be in every shop.  Jack

[RTS/Daytona]

135 degree split point - and the drill doctor that that will shapen "split point/135"  the cheaper models of the drill doctor won't do the better drills

[belfert]

I had a Drill Doctor and sold it.  I just couldn't get the hang of it or something.

Any suggestions on where to actually buy the Colbalt bits?  I am sure Home Depot and the rest are not the best, and I don't want to end up with Chinese junk.

[Jerry Liebler]

Don't Knock the Chinese 'junk'  Harbor Freight sets work quite well and sure are bargins compared to domestic.  You can buy 4 sets from HF for less than one from even Home Depot.  I learned how to sharpen drills on a small grinder, in my youth, so my 6" grinder is my drill doctor. 
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

[belfert]

They aren't junk if they work well.  There are certainly Chinese drill bits that are or were junk, but I am sure there are good ones too.  A lot of the "name brands" sold at Home Depot and the like are probably made in China, but for a premium price.

I'll have to try Harbor Freight.

[Lin]

The problem, as I understand it, is that Chinese companies not only counterfeit goods from other countries, they also counterfeit their own better quality stuff.  So, although it is true that there are decent Chinese tools, you never know what you are getting until you use it.  We assume that the brand name stuff that is made in China and sold at reputable stores would be genuine and have better quality control.  I have bought HF wrenches that were not sized correctly.  I bought a set of crescent-type wrenches thinking that you couldn't really mess them up, but the things had to be readjusted each time you touched them to a nut!  If you live next door to HF and can therefore easily return stuff, it's worth a try.  If not, you may end up eating a bad product or wasting a lot of time returning it. 
That said, a machinist friend of mine buys only high quality brand name bits but told me that mediocre ones would be alright for me if I would keep them wet.

[luvrbus]

Belfert, the only places I found good twist drill bits has been WW Grainger or another industrial supply even the good stuff at HD and Lowes dosen't seem to be any better than HF or Northern tool    fwiw

[Sammy]

I completely agree - industrial supply house.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml
http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm
Just two suggestions, I bet there are alot more even closer to you.

[Stan]

Regardless of the quality, most bits are ruined by improper use or unavoidable accident. This is especially true when working with SS sheet metal and unknown material behind it.

If you want top quality bits, go to an industrial supply house or machinist tool supply.

On line sellers like MSC  http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/N2SRHI?PMSECT=516 sell various grades from the cheap imports to the top of the line. I do metal work as a hobby and MSC is an excellent supplier. A subsidiary of MSC, Enco http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM sells a lower priced line but adequate quality for working on a bus.

If you are doing a lot of rivet work, buy stub length drills in the sizes you need. You can put a lot of pressure on them without bending or breaking. Just buy a dozen for less than .50 each for double ended and throw them away when they are dull

[Connel]

Buy a Drill Doctor and never have dull bits.  Will even sharpen broken bits.  Just need to practice - then it is so easy to have sharp bits no matter what brand of bit you have.  Suggest you buy the middle or higher model - the bottom of the line just does not work well.  Just my humble opinion

Connel

[kyle4501]

I learned how to hand sharpen drill bits when Dad gave me a drill & a bunch of dull bits  , so now, I buy better quality bits instead of a drill dr. 

A good industrial tool supply house that the local machine shops buy from is a good source.
I like the cobalt bits as they seem to last longest - especially in stainless. A good quality cutting oil is a must!

[Dreamscape]

Most drill at too fast a speed. They want it to go fast. Slow down and use cutting oil as has been recommended. When you see it coil up you're doing good, smoke and it's too hot.

I have used drill bits from lots of suppliers and have also found cobalt lasts longer.

Don't fret too much, just git'er done! 

Paul