Ignoramus5102 wrote:

I remember that in Russia, there were special drill bits to start
holes. They had a thick shank and sharp (think 40 degrees) conical
end. So they were very rigid and could start a hole precisely where it
was positioned. No "walking". Then you'd switch to whatever drill bit
was necessary to complete drilling.

It was useful for cases where you could not use a punch.

Are there such things in the US, and if so, what are they called?

i
Those might be carbide PCB drills in standard 1/8" shank, various number sizes,
and 82 degree cutting surface.

You might be talking about HSS with split point 82 ? degrees.

Martin

--
Martin Eastburn, Barbara Eastburn
@ home at Lion's Lair with our computer
NRA LOH, NRA Life
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder