Metal drill bits

[Retro Pedro]

Can anybody advise what metal drill bits are the best to buy for the home DIY hand held electric drill applications.
When it comes to having to drill out snapped off bolts, it always seems to be the same old story. Buy the metal drill bits from B&Q/motor factors, start drilling OK, then the drill bits seem to go blunt, guess it's the heat build up, and it takes ages to get even small bore bolts drilled out. Just wondering if there is a better quality drill bit available out there that would be worth buying in the first place.

[adyclemo]

Just good quality drill bits should do. Me and my brother have used the same drill bit to drill 2 wheel studs this last week.

[ghosthunter]

Again good quality bits and use a cutting fluid to keep cool, even the dreaded WD40 works fine, cheap easy and everyone has some. Just spray it on and spray again when needed. The secret is to keep the cutting edge cool, heats the killer.

[gregster]

Go along with the above Pete...
Good quality drill bits of the correct type for the material being machined, correct drilling/cutting speed, and use of enough coolant/cuttingoil...

Most people drill far to quick sadly which kills drill bits....you average B&D drill's speed is probably about right for a about a 3mmish drill bit, for bigger drills you need the drill to go much slower, for smaller bits you need to go faster still...
I all comes down to the speed at the cutting tips...and a bigger diameter drill bit has a faster circumference speed at the same rpm, so needs to be turned much slower...
Where i cant use a pillar drill, I tend to use a cordless drill as much slower than your mains powered ones, or an air drill for drilling holes 5 or 6 mm+...lower speed really keeps the drill bits healthy and plenty of cutting oil..

[Rifleman]

I have the same problem. I cant find a decent drill anywhere.
I didnt think you could get good quality drills these days.

[Road Hog]

All the above plus.. drill a pilot hole,drills go blunt due to heat build up at the point (the very tip has virtually 0 circumfrencial speed)this is dissipated rapidly to the much thinner cutting tips.

[Alfie]

Check out firms like J+L or screw fix order by phone or online get next day delivery, look for presto or similar.£35-40 will by you a decent set of drills in a nice box.

[BadBoy]

[Alfie]

Or find a nice man who works for Cromwell

[westo123]

There's lots of good advice here that I did not know, no wonder I go through bits so quick, cheers Guys not only fronty advice on this forum

[Retro Pedro]

Cheers for good info guys - no wonder I stand there for hours leaning on the electric drill wondering why the hole is not getting any deeper
If that's OK Paul, I'll have a look online and give you a bell tomorrow.

[bobbinsjob]

I can highly recommend the WURTH Zebra bits. we use them at work, expensive but they go thru RSJ's like hot knife thru butter

[rogerblue]

Cheap drills are made of high carbon steel, you might as well use a screwdriver, in wood there ok for metal not happy!

you need to pay more and get High Speed Steel drills, still useing correct speed and lube as required.