Drill Bits or Maybe Advice

[trx88]

slow with pressure, start small, and revert from small to large back and forth
really helps to start with a small bit and go to progressively bigger ones
back and forth
ALWAYS use oil or wd40 when your drilling metal and drill slow

what my shop teacher taught me and works well

also helps to learn to sharpen them on a grinder
you can get more out of your old dull bits and not be afraid to dull them
and quench often when sharpening

[bnau267]

Got to thinking.  The company I work for has a giant fabrication shop.  These shavings caught my eye!
Everything they do is super sized (Underground Mining Industry).

[wilkin250r]

I'm with Neil on this one.  Left-handed drill bits.  I can't tell you how often I've gotten only a few thousands deep into a bolt and have it back itself out just because the drill bit is biting into it.  If it's drilling bolts, I would rather have a cheap set of left-handed bits than a really expensive set of right-handed bits.

What I most often do take a dremel with small, round carbide bit (often an engraving bit) and put a starting hole into the bolt, similar to a centerpunch, to keep the bit from wandering.

[bnau267]

I'm with Neil on this one.  Left-handed drill bits.  I can't tell you how often I've gotten only a few thousands deep into a bolt and have it back itself out just because the drill bit is biting into it.  If it's drilling bolts, I would rather have a cheap set of left-handed bits than a really expensive set of right-handed bits.

What I most often do take a dremel with small, round carbide bit (often an engraving bit) and put a starting hole into the bolt, similar to a centerpunch, to keep the bit from wandering.

The dremel technique works perfect.  I'm gonna get me a set of left hand bits.

[312R1]

Bob, remind me when you come up this weekend to show you what I use to get broken bolts out. Best gift I have ever got from the wife as far as tools go.