drill bits

[Donald]

I have a HF set of drill bits, maybe 60 or 70 bit total several years old. Two issues:

1) Where can I buy individual drill bits to replace the ones I have lost or broken?

2) The drill bit box fell over and many of the smaller bits fell out and are now in a pile. They are either too small for a marking or the marking is not readable. Can I use a vernier caliper to check for the size and then put the bits back where they belong or do I need to use a micrometer?

 

[mrsilv04]

I get individual drill bits at any store like Menards. They'll usually have multiple "levels" of drill bits (black coated, titanium, cobalt...)

Use a drill bit guide to size them. It's a handy thing to have around.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardw...255-c-10079.htm

 

[EdwardC]

I use calipers to measure drill bits all the time, should be good enough, just be sure to measure further up the shank, not the around the cutting edges.

Good for refreshing decimal and fraction conversions.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I have a HF set of drill bits, maybe 60 or 70 bit total several years old. Two issues:

1) Where can I buy individual drill bits to replace the ones I have lost or broken?


Breakage is a good indication that you need to move up a level in quality. Likewise wearing stuff out. There's no problem with putting better quality bits in with the old ones.

HF is NOT good at selling, oh, just about anything in Open Stock (onesies), like drill bits, wrenches or sockets. Buying individual drill bits elsewhere is OK for small bits in quantity, say, 3-packs of 1/8". Once you start buying 1/4" and above one at a time prices move quickly to where a set is cheaper.

Originally Posted By: Donald

2) The drill bit box fell over and many of the smaller bits fell out and are now in a pile. They are either too small for a marking or the marking is not readable. Can I use a vernier caliper to check for the size and then put the bits back where they belong or do I need to use a micrometer?


If you can find or borrow a quality matching drill index (wire gage or fractional, or both, matching whichever you have), simply try each bit in smaller holes until it no longer goes in. The problem with HF indexes is the holes are not cleanly or accurately cut.

Otherwise, using a dial or digital caliper would probably be fastest.

Alternatively, find an child with organization OCD and give them a $20 bill to sort it all out.

 

[Texan4Life]

I like Enco they have good pricing. and you can get individual drill bits.

here is a link to the start of the drills in their online catalog: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=1&PMCTLG=00


here is a promo code: JUN49
free shipping on $49 or more

 

[JimPghPA]

McMaster Carr will sell you individual drill bits.

 

[Donald]

This looks identical to the set I have (TiN coated HSS

http://www.amazon.com/Steelex-D1138-Piec...s=drill+bit+set

I see the new sets at HF are Cobalt.

 

[Donald]

Maybe just buy this and be done with the HF junk.

http://www.amazon.com/Tools-Cobalt-High-...s=drill+bit+set