Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

In article , Bill wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece...-set-1637.html

or

http://www.harborfreight.com/29-piec...set-35837.html


Really, try them out. What do you have to lose?



--
Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler. (Albert Einstein)

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

Larry W wrote:
In , wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece...-set-1637.html


Really, try them out. What do you have to lose?


Compare the pictures near the drill tips.

On Fri, 3 Dec 2010 02:32:40 +0000 (UTC),
(Larry W) wrote:

In article , Bill wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality...

(You owe me a monitor and keyboard, Bill.)


I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks).

I"d almost bet they were made in China, just like the $1 bits.


I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

No, steel quality and initial sharpness. I was happily surprised.


Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece...-set-1637.html

I have some of these, and they're SteelX brand. Surprisingly good, but
I'm not using them on hardwoods. YMMV

or

http://www.harborfreight.com/29-piec...set-35837.html


Really, try them out. What do you have to lose?

Not much!

--
"Human nature itself is evermore an advocate for liberty.
There is also in human nature a resentment of injury, and
indignation against wrong. A love of truth and a veneration
of virtue. These amiable passions, are the latent spark. If
the people are capable of understanding, seeing and feeling
the differences between true and false, right and wrong,
virtue and vice, to what better principle can the friends of
mankind apply than to the sense of this difference?"
--John Adams

Larry Jaques wrote:
On Fri, 3 Dec 2010 02:32:40 +0000 (UTC),
(Larry W) wrote:

In , wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality...

(You owe me a monitor and keyboard, Bill.)


I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks).

I"d almost bet they were made in China, just like the $1 bits.

I thought so too. But I took another look at the picture of the item.
Near the top of each bit it say "Germany". A family member wanted to
buy me something for Christmas, but I can't send them to Lee Valley.

Bill

On Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:29:21 -0500, Bill wrote:

A family member wanted to
buy me something for Christmas, but I can't send them to Lee Valley.

Bill

Why not. If you buy junk you'll just throw them away and spend even
more money replacing them. Does that make sense?

Bill wrote:
Larry Jaques wrote:
On Fri, 3 Dec 2010 02:32:40 +0000 (UTC),
(Larry W) wrote:

In , wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2



I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality...

(You owe me a monitor and keyboard, Bill.)


I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks).

I"d almost bet they were made in China, just like the $1 bits.

I thought so too. But I took another look at the picture of the item.
Near the top of each bit it say "Germany". A family member wanted to buy
me something for Christmas, but I can't send them to Lee Valley.

Bill

Actually, after reading J. Clarke's post, maybe I can work something out
(7 pc set for $54). Maybe I just need a gift card from Lee Valley to
help!

Bill

On Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:29:21 -0500, Bill wrote:

Larry Jaques wrote:
On Fri, 3 Dec 2010 02:32:40 +0000 (UTC),
(Larry W) wrote:

In , wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality...

(You owe me a monitor and keyboard, Bill.)


I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks).

I"d almost bet they were made in China, just like the $1 bits.

I thought so too. But I took another look at the picture of the item.
Near the top of each bit it say "Germany". A family member wanted to
buy me something for Christmas, but I can't send them to Lee Valley.

You CERTAINLY don't want to send them to Searz. Ye Gods, man, have a
heart. Sure it wasn't "Made for Germany in China"?


--
"Human nature itself is evermore an advocate for liberty.
There is also in human nature a resentment of injury, and
indignation against wrong. A love of truth and a veneration
of virtue. These amiable passions, are the latent spark. If
the people are capable of understanding, seeing and feeling
the differences between true and false, right and wrong,
virtue and vice, to what better principle can the friends of
mankind apply than to the sense of this difference?"
--John Adams

I"d almost bet they were made in China, just like the $1 bits.

I thought so too. But I took another look at the picture of the item.
Near the top of each bit it say "Germany". A family member wanted to
buy me something for Christmas, but I can't send them to Lee Valley.

Bill

------

Have you been in a Lee Valley store lately? They are going downhill fast.
They are starting to sell some more junk now. Coffee cup lid rollers? Key
chains? Balsam wood airplanes? Chinese made electronic weather stations
that are sold at Zellers or Walmart? They've really expanded their stores
now and unfortunately to pay the bills they have to sell cheaper Chinese
stuff.

Still we got all our new cabinet knobs there a couple of months ago but the
level of junk they carry is increasing.

Staff behind the counter are still as wonderful as you remember them though.
That hasn't changed, at least yet.

On Sat, 04 Dec 2010 23:12:47 -0500, The Henchman wrote:

Have you been in a Lee Valley store lately? They are going downhill
fast. They are starting to sell some more junk now. Coffee cup lid
rollers? Key chains? Balsam wood airplanes? Chinese made electronic
weather stations that are sold at Zellers or Walmart? They've really
expanded their stores now and unfortunately to pay the bills they have
to sell cheaper Chinese stuff.

The catalogs are just as bad. Some years ago I complained to a friend
about Lands End not carrying the sailing supplies they used to. He
replied that all stores eventually morph into clothing stores. Since
then I've concluded he was right. Lee Valley is just in the early stages
of that transition :-).



--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

"The Henchman" wrote in message
...
I"d almost bet they were made in China, just like the $1 bits.

I thought so too. But I took another look at the picture of the item.
Near the top of each bit it say "Germany". A family member wanted to
buy me something for Christmas, but I can't send them to Lee Valley.

Bill

------

Have you been in a Lee Valley store lately? They are going downhill fast.
They are starting to sell some more junk now. Coffee cup lid rollers?
Key chains? Balsam wood airplanes? Chinese made electronic weather
stations that are sold at Zellers or Walmart? They've really expanded
their stores now and unfortunately to pay the bills they have to sell
cheaper Chinese stuff.

Still we got all our new cabinet knobs there a couple of months ago but
the level of junk they carry is increasing.

Staff behind the counter are still as wonderful as you remember them
though. That hasn't changed, at least yet.


I'd believe that to be true of Garret Wade, but I don't see much difference
in LV. Of course, I've never been in one of the stores. Get the catalog, use
the web site and see a booth at a WW show now and then.

--
If your name is No, I voted for you - more than once ...

"Bill" wrote in message
...
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I
get wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess
the main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

Bill,

Give Lee Valley a look:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/pag...40,45534,42240

The also have some info about brad point bits.

Bob S.

On 12/2/2010 7:10 PM, BobS wrote:
wrote in message
...
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I
get wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess
the main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

Bill,

Give Lee Valley a look:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/pag...40,45534,42240

The also have some info about brad point bits.


I have the Lee Valley brad point bits. I really like them. They are sharp
enough that they are a little scary to use. I received a top rating in one
of the woodworking magazine tests a couple of years ago.


Dan

"Bill" wrote:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:
-----------------------
Mutually exclusive terms.

When you going to get out of the cheap seats.

You want brad point drills, try McFeelys, WW Grainger (Same company
these days), McMaster-Carr, Rockler, Lee Valley, etc.

Notice Home Depot & Lowes didn't make the list.

Lew

On Thu, 2 Dec 2010 20:36:06 -0800, "Lew Hodgett"
wrote:

"Bill" wrote:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:
-----------------------
Mutually exclusive terms.

When you going to get out of the cheap seats.

You want brad point drills, try McFeelys, WW Grainger (Same company
these days), McMaster-Carr, Rockler, Lee Valley, etc.

Notice Home Depot & Lowes didn't make the list.

Lew

You guys gotta remember, Craftsman doesn't MAKE the stuff, nor does
Granger, McMaster-Carr, Lee Valley,
They all either have them made to their spec or rebrand/package
product from other manufacturers.
The fact they are German and not Chinese means there is a high
likelihood they are reasonable quality - and quite possibly either
identical to, are at least equal to, the product you would buy from
one or more of the referenced suppliers.

Most likely either Miebach, Colt, Famag, or Diemar.

They don't come much better than either of those.

wrote.
Lew

You guys gotta remember, Craftsman doesn't MAKE the stuff, nor does
Granger, McMaster-Carr, Lee Valley,
They all either have them made to their spec or rebrand/package
product from other manufacturers.
..
Lee Valley is a partial exception to that. At least some of the Vertitas
stuff is made in house.

As for the brad boints, they state:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/pag...at=1,180,42240
Starting with a top-of-the-line American-made twist drill, we reshape and
sharpen the tips on a state-of-the-art Swiss CNC grinder. Made from
high-speed steel, the bits are not subject to burning, and stay sharp about
10 times as long as carbon steel bits.

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Bill" wrote:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:
-----------------------
Mutually exclusive terms.

When you going to get out of the cheap seats.

You want brad point drills, try McFeelys, WW Grainger (Same company
these days), McMaster-Carr, Rockler, Lee Valley, etc.

Notice Home Depot& Lowes didn't make the list.

Lew


Thank you. I copied the list. There are a couple there with which I'm
not acquainted. BTW, I noticed tonight that Home Depot had a 6 piece
Brad point drill set for 14.99. I didn't bite.

Bill

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in news:4cf873b1$0$2180
:

"Bill" wrote:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:
-----------------------
Mutually exclusive terms.

When you going to get out of the cheap seats.

You want brad point drills, try McFeelys, WW Grainger (Same company
these days), McMaster-Carr, Rockler, Lee Valley, etc.

Notice Home Depot & Lowes didn't make the list.

I bought a set from Rockler several years ago with 1/4" hex shanks. Most
of them are fine, but I tied the 3/16" for the first time a few months
ago, and it has the shank on crooked. They no longer sell that set, so I
can't get a replacement. I used to think much better of Rockler. I am
not amused....

Doug White

Doug White wrote:
"Lew wrote in news:4cf873b1$0$2180
:

"Bill" wrote:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:
-----------------------
Mutually exclusive terms.

When you going to get out of the cheap seats.

You want brad point drills, try McFeelys, WW Grainger (Same company
these days), McMaster-Carr, Rockler, Lee Valley, etc.

Notice Home Depot& Lowes didn't make the list.

I bought a set from Rockler several years ago with 1/4" hex shanks. Most
of them are fine, but I tied the 3/16" for the first time a few months
ago, and it has the shank on crooked. They no longer sell that set, so I
can't get a replacement. I used to think much better of Rockler. I am
not amused....

Doug White

You are (at least) the 2nd person I've seen make that comment about the
Rockler bits. I don't want to be not amused either. Thanks.
Bill

On Dec 2, 9:20*pm, Bill wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. *I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...rdNo=2&blockNo....

I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. * I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

Stubby bits whip less, would be preferred for dowel joints. No
experience with this make, just an example:

http://tinyurl.com/2da37jt

"Bill" wrote in message
...
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping that
since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get wary
when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the main
issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

Don't know if they are good or not as I've never tried them . Lee Valley
has some very good ones (made in USA last I looked) that were highly rated
in Fine Woodworking a few years back. I've been using them quite a while
and like them a lot.

In article , says...

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Lee Valley has a set of 7 from 1/8 to 1/2 for 54--those are IIRC the top
rated bit in Fine Woodworking's shootout.

On 2010-12-02 21:20:28 -0500, Bill said:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I

know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping that
since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208...Bit-Gauge.aspx

And

if that's too many...

On Thu, 2 Dec 2010 23:33:03 -0500, Steve
wrote:

On 2010-12-02 21:20:28 -0500, Bill said:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I

know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping that
since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208...Bit-Gauge.aspx

And

if that's too many...
At less than a quater each, average, they are likely high quality
Chinese bits. The TiN coating just makes them LOOK expensive and/or
good.

In article ,
says...

On Thu, 2 Dec 2010 23:33:03 -0500, Steve
wrote:

On 2010-12-02 21:20:28 -0500, Bill said:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I

know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping that
since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208...Bit-Gauge.aspx

And

if that's too many...
At less than a quater each, average, they are likely high quality
Chinese bits. The TiN coating just makes them LOOK expensive and/or
good.

The actually work fine, the ones that aren't bent. At that price you
can afford to throw a few away.

On Dec 3, 12:03*am, wrote:
On Thu, 2 Dec 2010 23:33:03 -0500, Steve
wrote:





On 2010-12-02 21:20:28 -0500, Bill said:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. *I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...rdNo=2&blockNo....

I

know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping that
since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. * I guess the
main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208...e-TiN-Coated-B...

And

if that's too many...

*At less than a quater each, average, they are likely high quality
Chinese bits. The TiN coating just makes them LOOK expensive *and/or
good.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Cheap tools are chrome plated for the same reason, to
disguise cheap metal and poor finish.

On Dec 2, 9:03*pm, wrote:

*At less than a quater each, average, they are likely high quality
Chinese bits. The TiN coating just makes them LOOK expensive *and/or
good.

I bought some TiN coated bits from Crappy Tire a few years ago. Like
you say, it just makes them look expensive. They were obviously made
from pot metal: did not stay sharp after drilling in wood and bent
easily. The TiN coating also wore off quickly. Beware of crappy
Chinese bits.

(Beware of Chinese anything -- you never know about the quality
control, even in the best brands-- I just had to toss out a Chinese-
made Makita 4-inch angle grinder a couple of weeks ago after very
little use. Somehow, they are not very good at keeping the smoke in
and it escaped from my grinder motor when I was cutting some 1/8"
steel. I went & got me another Makita --5" this time--that said
"Assembled in the USA", but I almost got the German Hilti for only a
couple of hundred bucks more.)

Luigi

On Wed, 8 Dec 2010 13:58:51 -0800 (PST), Luigi Zanasi
wrote:

On Dec 2, 9:03*pm, wrote:

*At less than a quater each, average, they are likely high quality
Chinese bits. The TiN coating just makes them LOOK expensive *and/or
good.

I bought some TiN coated bits from Crappy Tire a few years ago. Like
you say, it just makes them look expensive. They were obviously made
from pot metal: did not stay sharp after drilling in wood and bent
easily. The TiN coating also wore off quickly. Beware of crappy
Chinese bits.

(Beware of Chinese anything -- you never know about the quality
control, even in the best brands-- I just had to toss out a Chinese-
made Makita 4-inch angle grinder a couple of weeks ago after very
little use. Somehow, they are not very good at keeping the smoke in
and it escaped from my grinder motor when I was cutting some 1/8"
steel. I went & got me another Makita --5" this time--that said
"Assembled in the USA", but I almost got the German Hilti for only a
couple of hundred bucks more.)

Weegee, did you cover up the warning label on top of the gearbox?
Yeah, the one which states, categorically, "DO NOT SIT HERE".
I'm sorry for your loss, nonetheless.

--
Invest in America: Buy a CONgresscritter today!

On Wed, 8 Dec 2010 13:58:51 -0800 (PST), Luigi Zanasi
wrote:

On Dec 2, 9:03Â*pm, wrote:

Â*At less than a quater each, average, they are likely high quality
Chinese bits. The TiN coating just makes them LOOK expensive Â*and/or
good.

I bought some TiN coated bits from Crappy Tire a few years ago. Like
you say, it just makes them look expensive. They were obviously made
from pot metal: did not stay sharp after drilling in wood and bent
easily. The TiN coating also wore off quickly. Beware of crappy
Chinese bits.

(Beware of Chinese anything -- you never know about the quality
control, even in the best brands-- I just had to toss out a Chinese-
made Makita 4-inch angle grinder a couple of weeks ago after very
little use. Somehow, they are not very good at keeping the smoke in
and it escaped from my grinder motor when I was cutting some 1/8"
steel. I went & got me another Makita --5" this time--that said
"Assembled in the USA", but I almost got the German Hilti for only a
couple of hundred bucks more.)

Luigi
Boss I worked for in a service station as a kid bought a set of
whiz-bang drill bits from a 'wagon jobber" Pretty expensive bits -
were supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread.

When the guy came by a month or so later to see if he could sell us
some more the boss told him they were GREAT - if all you needed them
for was "drilling arse-holes in balsa-wood teddy bears."

On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:59:46 -0500, wrote:

On Wed, 8 Dec 2010 13:58:51 -0800 (PST), Luigi Zanasi
wrote:

On Dec 2, 9:03*pm, wrote:

*At less than a quater each, average, they are likely high quality
Chinese bits. The TiN coating just makes them LOOK expensive *and/or
good.

I bought some TiN coated bits from Crappy Tire a few years ago. Like
you say, it just makes them look expensive. They were obviously made
from pot metal: did not stay sharp after drilling in wood and bent
easily. The TiN coating also wore off quickly. Beware of crappy
Chinese bits.

(Beware of Chinese anything -- you never know about the quality
control, even in the best brands-- I just had to toss out a Chinese-
made Makita 4-inch angle grinder a couple of weeks ago after very
little use. Somehow, they are not very good at keeping the smoke in
and it escaped from my grinder motor when I was cutting some 1/8"
steel. I went & got me another Makita --5" this time--that said
"Assembled in the USA", but I almost got the German Hilti for only a
couple of hundred bucks more.)

Luigi
Boss I worked for in a service station as a kid bought a set of
whiz-bang drill bits from a 'wagon jobber" Pretty expensive bits -
were supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread.

When the guy came by a month or so later to see if he could sell us
some more the boss told him they were GREAT - if all you needed them
for was "drilling arse-holes in balsa-wood teddy bears."

HAR! So, did the boss get his money back?
or
Did he forcefully return them to the vendor without receipt while
physically showing the vendor what he meant about the balsa teddy?
(ouch)

--
Invest in America: Buy a CONgresscritter today!

Steve wrote:
On 2010-12-02 21:20:28 -0500, Bill said:

Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2



I

know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I
get wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess
the main issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208...Bit-Gauge.aspx


And
if that's too many...


Yeah Steve, less than a quarter a piece--probably really sharp!

Bill

On 12/2/2010 9:20 PM, Bill wrote:
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2

I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping
that since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get
wary when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the main
issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

I have a ton of twist drills ranging from super high quality to junk.
The difference is awe inspiring. I have one set of brad point bits that
I bought for those times when I wanted super clean holes with pin point
accuracy. I bought a set and rarely use them because I don't need them
most of the time and I bought a cheap set of Sears, that look just like
the one you list up there, but I'm certain I didn't pay $40 for them.
(it was a while ago)

Whats wrong with them is 50% of the reason I bought them was super clean
holes... not so much. I recommend you get the Lee Valley bits for just
$3 more. I don't own them, but they advertise they are sharp, (they
resharpen them themselves) and stay sharp, and people that own them have
said they like them. I own the Sears, and would recommend Lee Valley.

I sharpen my own twist drills, not a clue how to sharpen brad points, so
get ones that are sharp and stay sharp, and only use them when needed.

--
Jack
You Can't Fix Stupid, but You Can Vote it Out!
http://jbstein.com

On 12/3/2010 8:21 AM, Jack Stein wrote:


I have a ton of twist drills ranging from super high quality to junk.
The difference is awe inspiring. I have one set of brad point bits that
I bought for those times when I wanted super clean holes with pin point
accuracy. I bought a set and rarely use them because I don't need them
most of the time and I bought a cheap set of Sears, that look just like
the one you list up there, but I'm certain I didn't pay $40 for them.
(it was a while ago)

Whats wrong with them is 50% of the reason I bought them was super clean
holes... not so much. I recommend you get the Lee Valley bits for just
$3 more. I don't own them, but they advertise they are sharp, (they
resharpen them themselves) and stay sharp, and people that own them have
said they like them. I own the Sears, and would recommend Lee Valley.



I find your experience compelling! Thank you for sharing it! It appears
I should probably have two sets, one for hogging-out waste and one
"good" set.

Bill

"Bill" wrote

I find your experience compelling! Thank you for sharing it! It appears I
should probably have two sets, one for hogging-out waste and one "good"
set.

Bill

No, once you find that the good set hogs out twice as fast, the cheap set
will probably never be used.

One of the data points in the Fine Woodworking test was how fast it could
drill and how fast. Major difference between the cheap and good ones.

"Bill" wrote in message
...
Was looking for a set of decent brad point drill bits. I found this
Craftsman set:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...block Type=G2


I know not everyone speaks highly of Craftsman quality... I'm hoping that
since they are 6 for $40, there are quite good (3/8" shanks). I get wary
when I see bits for between a quarter and $2 each. I guess the main
issue might be "run out".

Where would you be shopping for brad point drill bits (for joinery)?

Thanks,
Bill

If you are serious about a good set of brad poing pits, "Colt" Twinland "5
STAR" brad point bits. The larger sizes used in a DP do not need a backer
board to prevent tear out on the back side.
Pricey but these actually come sharp to start with and are made of HSS.

Colt makes a less expensive bit but the "5 Star" bits are the best.

I have several and love them!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPGG9wCMLoc

On 12/3/2010 9:19 AM, Leon wrote:

If you are serious about a good set of brad poing pits, "Colt" Twinland "5
STAR" brad point bits. The larger sizes used in a DP do not need a backer
board to prevent tear out on the back side.
Pricey but these actually come sharp to start with and are made of HSS.

Colt makes a less expensive bit but the "5 Star" bits are the best.

I have several and love them!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPGG9wCMLoc

That was quite informative about the topic. Thank you for posting.

Bill

"Bill" wrote in message
...
On 12/3/2010 9:19 AM, Leon wrote:

If you are serious about a good set of brad poing pits, "Colt" Twinland
"5
STAR" brad point bits. The larger sizes used in a DP do not need a
backer
board to prevent tear out on the back side.
Pricey but these actually come sharp to start with and are made of HSS.

Colt makes a less expensive bit but the "5 Star" bits are the best.

I have several and love them!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPGG9wCMLoc

That was quite informative about the topic. Thank you for posting.

Bill


Woodcraft sells them and one at a time, buy "one" that you would use the
most, for me it is the 3/8" bit. That bit will not blow your budget and
will prove to you why they are the best. If you think you would like a set
you can go that route afterward.

On Fri, 3 Dec 2010 08:19:34 -0600, "Leon"
wrote:
If you are serious about a good set of brad poing pits, "Colt" Twinland "5
STAR" brad point bits. The larger sizes used in a DP do not need a backer
board to prevent tear out on the back side.
Pricey but these actually come sharp to start with and are made of HSS.

Colt makes a less expensive bit but the "5 Star" bits are the best.

I have several and love them!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPGG9wCMLoc

Those look superb! Price isn't bad, either. http://fwd4.me/r9g
http://fwd4.me/r9h although some places are gouging $70 for 'em.

--
"Human nature itself is evermore an advocate for liberty.
There is also in human nature a resentment of injury, and
indignation against wrong. A love of truth and a veneration
of virtue. These amiable passions, are the latent spark. If
the people are capable of understanding, seeing and feeling
the differences between true and false, right and wrong,
virtue and vice, to what better principle can the friends of
mankind apply than to the sense of this difference?"
--John Adams

Larry Jaques wrote:
On Fri, 3 Dec 2010 08:19:34 -0600,
wrote:
If you are serious about a good set of brad poing pits, "Colt" Twinland "5
STAR" brad point bits. The larger sizes used in a DP do not need a backer
board to prevent tear out on the back side.
Pricey but these actually come sharp to start with and are made of HSS.

Colt makes a less expensive bit but the "5 Star" bits are the best.

I have several and love them!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPGG9wCMLoc

Those look superb! Price isn't bad, either. http://fwd4.me/r9g
http://fwd4.me/r9h although some places are gouging $70 for 'em.

Ahem... You're perfectly aware, I presume, that those are not the Colt
Twinland Brad point bits from their "Five Star" collection. This may be
akin to comparing wine by Earnest and Julio Gallo with that of Chateau
Lafite Rothschild. I think I've seen posts from E and J in this forum!

Bill

Bill

On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:48:01 -0500, Bill wrote:

Larry Jaques wrote:
On Fri, 3 Dec 2010 08:19:34 -0600,
wrote:
If you are serious about a good set of brad poing pits, "Colt" Twinland "5
STAR" brad point bits. The larger sizes used in a DP do not need a backer
board to prevent tear out on the back side.
Pricey but these actually come sharp to start with and are made of HSS.

Colt makes a less expensive bit but the "5 Star" bits are the best.

I have several and love them!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPGG9wCMLoc

Those look superb! Price isn't bad, either. http://fwd4.me/r9g
http://fwd4.me/r9h although some places are gouging $70 for 'em.

Ahem... You're perfectly aware, I presume, that those are not the Colt
Twinland Brad point bits from their "Five Star" collection. This may be
akin to comparing wine by Earnest and Julio Gallo with that of Chateau
Lafite Rothschild. I think I've seen posts from E and J in this forum!

Well, they are Twinland and I could have sworn they were the 5-star,
too. I searched for Colt Twinland. Hmm...maybe I didn't search for
5-star. They're the $80 set. My bad.

--
"Human nature itself is evermore an advocate for liberty.
There is also in human nature a resentment of injury, and
indignation against wrong. A love of truth and a veneration
of virtue. These amiable passions, are the latent spark. If
the people are capable of understanding, seeing and feeling
the differences between true and false, right and wrong,
virtue and vice, to what better principle can the friends of
mankind apply than to the sense of this difference?"
--John Adams