mark thomas
Titanium
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2004
- Location
- SF Bay Area
I'm going to get a new set of standard fractional drills. Just regular jobber drills for routine drilling (mostly mild steel, but occasionally aluminum, alloy steel, etc.) But what to buy? There is such a wide price range. Looking at Enco and McMaster, the price for 1-16 to 1/2 by 64ths sets ranges from $30 to $400 dollars. More than a factor of 10 price range! I'm a hobbyist and don't need production-shop grade stuff, but I have very low patience with real low-end stuff.
The major differences seem to be:
- HSS vs. Cobalt
- 118 vs. 135 split point
- Coated (TiN or TiCN) vs. not (black oxide or bright)
- Import vs. USA (though often not stated)
- "heavy duty" vs not
Not all combinations are available of course. But at one end for $30-50 you get Enco, black oxide, 118 degree. At ~$400 you get "heavy duty" cobalt, TiN, 135 split point, American-made.
Typically under these kind of circumstances I lean towards the middle, which in this case is "Heavy Duty HSS", TiN, 135 split point (origin unstated) from McMaster for ~$200.
Any recommendations much appreciated.
The major differences seem to be:
- HSS vs. Cobalt
- 118 vs. 135 split point
- Coated (TiN or TiCN) vs. not (black oxide or bright)
- Import vs. USA (though often not stated)
- "heavy duty" vs not
Not all combinations are available of course. But at one end for $30-50 you get Enco, black oxide, 118 degree. At ~$400 you get "heavy duty" cobalt, TiN, 135 split point, American-made.
Typically under these kind of circumstances I lean towards the middle, which in this case is "Heavy Duty HSS", TiN, 135 split point (origin unstated) from McMaster for ~$200.
Any recommendations much appreciated.