Norseman Drill Bits 44170 Ultra Dex Type 240-UB 135 Degree Split Point Magnum Super Premium Jobber Drill Set (29 Piece)

I purchased this set because I was tired of trying to drill holes only to burn through most materials. Cheap Harbor Freight drills will fail every time. I have used these a few times now only to find them sharp and strong, I don't know how long they will last but so far I am happy.

Drill bits used to be good. I remember those days. But then the world went crazy loco with cheaply produced imports. I've been using big box store bits for some years now and I hate them. Poor geometry, they burn, they shatter, they don't cut, and I can't get many holes from them. My bench was littered with incomplete sets because of breakage. And I got completely tired of wrecking my wrists when one would bind in a chunk of steel and kick me like a mule. Two years ago, I had a job where I needed to drill a hundred half-inch holes in quarter-inch plate. I knew I was doomed with the imports, so I bought three Norseman half-inch bits. What do you know, I completed the job using just one bit, and that bit still had holes left in it to drill. Fast forward about five minutes after that job and I bought this Norseman set. I use it frequently. The bits bore beautifully. Not one bit has shattered. It is such a pleasure to open the case and see every one of the bits still intact and in its place. I wish I had bought this set fifty years ago! Yes, I would buy it again, but I don't think I will have to. I leave all my old drill bits in a tray next to the drill press. Anyone who uses my shop can use them. But I keep this Norseman set under lock and key in my tool box. They are mine. MINE! And you can't use them!I also bought the Norseman set of four larger than half-inch bits. Nice set, also worth the money.By the way, after watching many YouTube videos about which is the best cutting oil for drilling steel, I came across one that said to use just plain water in a squirt bottle. Drill bits don't need lubrication. The bits need to dig in and cut. But they do need cooling and there is nothing better than plain old water to cool as you bore steel. Works great.Who'd a thunk it.

These bits have worked well for me drilling 304 stainless steel (with lubrication). Just purchased a second set

For years, I’ve struggled with inferior drill bits. When the time comes to drill a challenging hole through steel, the cheap bits get dull almost instantly. Not these puppies!I bought these bits to use only for those challenging instances. Turned out to be a great buy!Example: I bought a front-mounted Kubota snowblower for my tractor last year. It needed larger, aftermarket skids to prevent gravel from being scooped up from my driveway and into the impeller. The new skids required thicker bolts, plus an additional bolt on each side. I tried drilling a 1/8” pilot hole before opening it up to 3/8”. Neither my cheap “titanium coated” Harbor Freight bit set nor my go-to Dewalt titanium set made a dent in the steel housing. I reluctantly cracked open this set, added a drop of cutting oil to the tip of the bit, and got busy. Chewed through the steel like it was butter! Amazing. Well worth the money! Highly recommended. MADE IN USA!!!

Great bits holds up well, holds an edge, reclaims well

World's best general purpose drill bits. I'm sure I found them at the world's best price, too. Every serious handyman, craftsman, welder, and contractor I know is jealous. These grip the contact surface immediately, and bite right through. I don't need oil for many applications, as they tend not to seize (though mine are still young). I've been able to lean on them to get them to eat through tougher steels, like oil-hardened steel plating, and they have not flexed. Perfect for automotive work, as well as welding shop work. These cut a clean hole with no severe, choppy barbs left behind. If I need to make a baby-smooth finish to the hole, I can use the soft grinder wheels or the buff wheels, on the Dremel, without having to work it down with stone grinders, first, because the cut is ready to polish. Not sure if these are the bits for specialized metals, like titanium, but you should be using diamond for that, anyway. Overkill for wood or plastic, but you can use these on those materials. I would slow the rotational speed on the plastic, though, so it doesn't melt. You should get a clean hole cut, if you find the sweet spot on torque.