Replies

1. 
   RickL750 | Jan 24, 2003 08:38pm | #1

   Take a look at these two links at LeeValley.com.

    http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=45534&category=1,180,42240&ccurrency=1&SID=

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=42240&category=1%2C180&SID=&ccurrency=1

   RickL

1. 
   GJ131 | Jan 24, 2003 09:50pm | #2

   Thanks.  As I recall, the DeWalt bits didn't have the outlining spurs, whereas the individually wrapped bits did.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 25, 2003 07:16pm | #3

   The different points on the drill bits serve different purposes and may also be accompanied by a different angle.  After spending a fair amount of $$$ on various sets of drill bits, I finally sat down and read about these different designs, would recommend you do the same so you get what you need for your work.  Here's some info gleaned from the W.L. Fuller catalog, which you can request a copy of by clicking here.  Here are some describing 2 of the 6 different drill designs they discuss in the informational page.  Click here for the original PDF file (takes a minute to download).

   "Standard Industrial or Regular Point drills have a 118 degree included angle point with cutting relief angles suited to cut metal. Drills with standard points specifically designed to cut wood usually have a longer point angle (i.e. 80 degrees). The longer 80degree point can sometimes work better in wood if you are experiencing a problem with excess splintering on the backside when drilling through the wood. The 118 degree point is designed to be an all purpose point and will cut most all materials. If thestandard drill point is not providing satisfactory results, one of the other types may be necessary.

   "A Brad Point Drill should provide the cleanest, straightest, and most accurately sized hole in wood of any reasonably priced toolon the market today. The brad in the center of the point allows accurate positioning when starting a hole even if the hole is not 90 degrees from the surface. The outlining spurs sheer the wood grain and leave a clean edge around the opening of the hole eliminating the need for sanding. The spurs continue to sheer the wood while drilling and produce an accurately sized hole. In most woods, the spurs also help to produce a cleaner edge when drilling through the backside of the wood.

   "There are basically two types of brad point designs we use. One works best in hardwoods and the other works best in softwoods.  Brad Point Drills that are specifically designed for softwood produce too much heat and are hard to push in hardwoods. Although Brad Point Drills specifically designed to cut hardwood will cut softwood, the aggressive cutting edges have a tendency to lift the weak grains of the softwood resulting in a ragged edge around the opening of the hole. All of the Brad Point Drills we  manufacture and show in our catalog are specifically designed for hard wood and work fine for most applications."

    

    

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   GJ131 | Jan 27, 2003 11:16pm | #5

   Thanks. 

   I guess I'm in the market for two types, better quality household bits and dedicated woodworking bits. 

3. 
   RW | Jan 26, 2003 09:06am | #4

   leave it to forestgirl to come through. You don't specify what you're drilling. Course, it's probably a safe assumption considering the forum that it's wood. If your fare does, on occasion, require you to bore through metal, cobalt's the cats meow. Expect to pay considerably more per bit. 1/16 will probably run you about four bucks. Get up to a half and they're about $15.

   " Clothes make the man. Naked people have litte or no influence in society" - Mark Twain