Drill bit sharpening

[nedmin]

As recommended I You Tubed "tubalcain". What an interesting 1/2 hour I spent.Quite a bit on drill & lathe tool sharpening. Like everyone else can do "bu--er all on the boat.Did manage to get the prop off before the "mafia" angle ground it off.

 

[Neil]

After suffering from blunt drills when trying to drill through some 316 plate, trying to sharpen them, going out and buying half a dozen from the local DIY and using them all to get through, I felt I should invest in a set of cobalt or carbide bits - what's the consensus on these?

 

[sparkie]

Only ever bought one cobalt drill, to make a 8mm hole through a cast iron keel that had defeated several HSS. It was (and remains) very good. I've found HSS to be ok for stainless, even for 316, so long as the speed is low, and you use plenty of cutting lube.

 

[davidej]

Cobalt drills

Recently bought a set of six (2-8mm) made by De Walt from Rapid Electronics. About £12.

Brilliant - now I keep them for 'sunday best' for S/S etc. Still resharpen HSS drills for weekday use!

 

[Neil]

That seems a good price - I thought they were about 12 each

 

[huldah]

I have used a quality diamond hand sharpener for some years. I sharpen as soon as the edge shows the slightest rounding. Thus very little metal needs removing and it is easy to maintain the angles.

 

[Avocet]

I find cobalt drills very good for hard surfaces. As has been said, low speed and plenty of cutting fluid.

I got my dad a set of these for Christmas as they're nearly half price at the minute:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/78029...S-Sets/Erbauer-HSS-Cobalt-Drill-Bit-Set-25-Pc

I have the smaller set (have had it a few years) and have been pleased with them.

 

[nigelmercier]

I have the smaller set [Cobalt Drills] (have had it a few years) and have been pleased with them.

I got a set from Machine Mart a few months ago, very happy with the results.