The best small drill bits

[610StaWag]

I will be drilling small holes in Datsun sheet metal (about 1/16 to 1/8th). In the past I have tried many different drill bits from Harbor Freight, Sears, Ace, Lowes and Home Depot. I have not found bits that work well in drilling small holes (esp. 1/16th) in sheet metal. I have found that slow speed while using a lubricant (I highly recommend TapMagic by Steco) helps, but I am not impressed with any bits I have bought. Does any have good experience with drilling small holes in sheet metal? What bits do you like to use?

[datzenmike]

Rivet holes? If sharpening the bit, off set the point slightly. Not hard to do. The bit will drill very slightly larger holes and the same size rivet fits the hole easier. Or get slightly larger drill bit for the hole you want. For example a 0.125" (1/8") get a 9/64th which is 1/64" larger than 8/64th or 1/8. The rivet will fit through several layers of metal easier without struggling than an exact size hole as the rivet and still easily expands and holds.

 

Breaking or snapping the bits? The drill is long and thin and will flex under load... and snap. Try putting the drill farther into the drill so less is sticking out. If possible use a shorter broken one that has been sharpened. Have it stick out only 3/8" from the chuck and it's very hard to break them.

 

A center punch mark prevents the drill 'wandering around' and snapping.

[thisismatt]

What problem are you having?  Honestly, anything should work fine, but I try to stick with USA made HSS bits.  I also recommend Relton Option 1 cutting fluid, since it's non-toxic waterborne cutting fluid, so it's easy to clean up/off and you can dump it down the drain and not feel guilty about it.  I've used Tapmagic as well, no complaints - just like the waterborne benefits more.

[610StaWag]

Yep, rivet holes. I have had the bits as short as possible in the chuck. I also have used different bit points (tiny steel cutters and also diamond tip bits) in a Dremel to make a starting point. I have been very disappointed in bits at general retail stores  I have used common bits, but I find they just don't cut aggressively.. I was really spoiled by the great tool at a machine tool company I worked for many years ago.

 

Do you mean HSS as High Speed Steel? Or as a brand name? I have seen online ads that mention HSS as a brand name. Is there a retailer with stores?

[thisismatt]

High speed steel.  Surely, in SoCal, you can find a tool store, fastener store, or metal/welding supply that can offer you quality bits and probably better prices than hardware stores.  You should be able to cut through Datsun sheetmetal like butter.

 

What was "the great tool" you speak of?  Is that like the great pumpkin? :P

[datzenmike]

Shorten up the bit. Have only  less than 1/2" projecting out of the chuck. 

[MikeRL411]

And then there are drill bit resharpending tools!  I bought mine at Home Depot.  They keep the front drill penetration point properly shaped.  Most will even properly reshape the sad remains of the drill bit you broke while following some of the above suggestions.

[DanielC]

If you live in the Portland Oregon area, I have found the drill bits that are sold at Clackamas steel, in Clackamas, OR. just off highway 212, last a very long time, and drill good in steel.   I really do not know what is different about them, but they work good for me.

 

Used oil works for a drill lubricant.  Better than drilling dry.  Used gear lube works better.  You can use speciality cutting fluids if you want, but the you probably have some used oil laying around, and do not need to stop working, and try to go find the speciality fluid.

[docbainey]

Go to an industrial supply outlet like Grainger or Fastenal, try Cleveland Twist Drill or Chicago-Latrobe, there part of Greenfield Industries. Cleveland Twist Drill has been around since the 1870s. If you want to step up from HSS use Cobalt.

[john510]

I cant imagine any drill bit not drilling through 1/16" sheet metal except for the Harbor Freight junk.I frequently drill through 1/8" stainless (staircase and balcony railings) and i can drill 100+ holes with the same bit.No lubricant,just compressed air to cool the bit.If you have an Ababa Bolt near you they sell quality drill bits.

[thisismatt]

I cant imagine any drill bit not drilling through 1/16" sheet metal except for the Harbor Freight junk.I frequently drill through 1/8" stainless (staircase and balcony railings) and i can drill 100+ holes with the same bit.No lubricant,just compressed air to cool the bit.If you have an Ababa Bolt near you they sell quality drill bits.

 

Exactly.  Unless it's like the reviewers on Amazon that buy left hand drill bits and then say they won't even drill through wood :rofl:

[docbainey]

You're using a center punch to start the drill?

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Use HSS bits for the pilot hole and then clean it up or finish the hole with a step bit like the ones from Unibit - https://www.google.com/search?q=unibit&biw=1680&bih=910&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjWprizxrrQAhVBV2MKHcyMCzIQ_AUIBygC

[G-Duax]

There are special 1/8 & 3/32 drill bits just for this job (pop-rivet holes in sheetmetal).

The are double ended, but have a very short spiral.

I believe I've seen them in places like eBay, Summit/Jeg's, and McMaster car.

 

Here are some 3/16" on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-PK-3-16-Double-Ended-Sided-Pop-Rivet-Drill-Bits-/201685446829?hash=item2ef563b0ad:g:l6QAAOSwg3FUeqTx&vxp=mtr

 

But I know the 1/8 size is available, and on other web sites.

[610StaWag]

My quest for the best small drill bit is primarily for a 1/16” bit (drilling larger sizes such as 1/8^th” for pop rivets are much less problematic to drill). Yes, I do make a center point; I use a Dremel to make a starting point. I have used tiny high speed steel cutters, tiny grinding points and tiny diamond tip bits to successfully achieve this. No problem. I then use a 1/16^th bit very short in a chuck. I use cutting fluid and have experimented with using a combination of slow, medium and high speeds. The problem is that the 1/16^th inch high speed steel bits I have been using do not cut very well. I would like to find a brand/model of 1/16^th inch drill bits that are acknowledged as one of the best.  I live in the Ventura, California area (west of Los Angeles). I have found that industrial supply houses are not interested in selling a couple of bits unless there is a huge processing charge. I am looking to buy a couple of top quality bits that I can buy from a retail walk-in store. Is this possible?

[thisismatt]

Well, if you're up in SB you can try Specialty Tool & Bolt in Goleta, or Santa Barbara Fastener. I can't speak directly to 1/16th bits, but especially Specialty is aimed at the local aerospace industry and has good stuff, and both sell with no minimum (except SB fastener has a $10 minimum for credit card purchases).

[docbainey]

Buy @ MSC on line, probably Grainger also. MSC has over 70 1/16th inch bits to choose from. HSS to solid carbide. Also make sure you have the correct speed for the material you're drilling. For mild steel you should be cranking over 4500rpm for a 1/16th bit.

[610StaWag]

A big thank you to THISISMATT & DOCBAINEY

[spottedog]

Irwin high speed steel drill bits in business since 1885) are sold at Ace Hardware and other hardware stores for 

great prices considering how low they last.

[Ratwagon1600]

Dont know if you can get them in Murica; RW uses Dormer brand drill bits. Not cheap but very good quality.

 

And yeh, what the others have said i.e. Dont run the drill too fast, use a cutting lubricant, dont have the bit protruding too far from the chuck, centre punch the hole you are drilling etc etc