Best Drill Bit Set? $11 vs $200? Let’s Settle This!

Summary

This video compares a range of drill bit brands, testing their performance on mild and spring steel in terms of speed, durability, and strength. The results highlight the top performers, including the Viking Drill & Tool, which provided the fastest drilling time but lacked durability in failure load tests. Other standout brands include Bosch and Milwaukee, which offer great value and strength. Budget-friendly options like DeWalt High-Speed Steel also delivered impressive performance, making it a top choice for occasional use. The video emphasizes value, performance, and durability, helping viewers make informed decisions when choosing drill bits.

Takeaways

• 😀 A low-cost set of $1 drill bits may not perform as well as more expensive options, especially in terms of speed and durability.
• 😀 The DeWalt brand high-speed steel drill bits perform well, completing mild steel drilling in just 10.53 seconds.
• 😀 M35 Cobalt bits, such as the Somata and Irwin, are designed for harder materials but may not always outperform high-speed steel bits.
• 😀 DeWalt’s Cobalt drill bits, designed for tough materials, performed well in both mild and spring steel tests.
• 😀 The Viking Drill and Tool bits, despite being the most expensive at $200, performed the fastest on mild steel with a 9.96-second completion time.
• 😀 Drill bit brands that claim longer lifespans, like Milwaukee, don’t always deliver consistent results in tests of hardness and longevity.
• 😀 The LW brand struggled with performance on mild steel, experiencing brittleness and significant damage.
• 😀 Bosch’s M42 Cobalt bits showed solid performance across both tests, ranking highly for strength and durability.
• 😀 Price does not always correlate with performance. The DWT high-speed steel bits outperformed several more expensive brands, offering great value at just $11 for 14 bits.
• 😀 Strength testing revealed the Sentry brand as the strongest, with a breakage point of 225 inch-pounds, surpassing Bosch (215) and Drill Hog (212).

Q & A

Which drill bit performed the fastest in the mild steel test?

The Viking Drill and Tool bit performed the fastest in the mild steel test, finishing in 9.96 seconds.

How does the performance of the DeWalt high-speed steel bits compare to other brands in the mild steel test?

The DeWalt high-speed steel bits performed very well in the mild steel test, finishing in just 10.53 seconds, securing second place behind the Viking bit.

What is the main advantage of the Somata M35 Cobalt bits?

The Somata M35 Cobalt bits are designed for harder materials like stainless steel and cast iron, making them ideal for tougher applications. However, they were slower than some other brands in the mild steel test.

Which brand of drill bits is considered the strongest based on the failure load test?

The Sentry drill bit was considered the strongest, with a failure load of 225 inch-pounds, outperforming all other brands tested.

Why did the LW drill bits fail to perform well in the tests?

The LW drill bits were extremely brittle and struggled with the mild steel test, showing significant damage. While they performed fastest in the spring steel test, they still experienced considerable wear.

Which drill bit brand claimed to last 15 times longer than black oxide drill bits?

Milwaukee claimed that their drill bits last 15 times longer than black oxide drill bits, using a variable helix flute for rapid chip removal.

How did the Bosch M42 Cobalt bits perform in the tests?

The Bosch M42 Cobalt bits performed well, securing a time of 11.41 seconds in the mild steel test and finishing with a strong 14.6 seconds in the second round. They were among the top performers.

What is the unique feature of the DeWalt Pilot Point drill bits?

The DeWalt Pilot Point drill bits feature a design that helps avoid walking and ensures quicker drilling in tough materials. They performed well, finishing in 11.15 seconds in the mild steel test.

How did the Warrior drill bits compare in performance and durability?

The Warrior drill bits performed decently in the tests, with a time of 15.12 seconds in the mild steel test. They were slower compared to some other brands but still showed minimal damage and performed well overall.

Which drill bit was considered the best value for occasional use on softer metals?

The DeWalt high-speed steel drill bits were recommended for occasional use on softer metals due to their great value at around $11 for a set of 14 bits, offering a solid performance-to-price ratio.