Does OzBargain Have Any Favorite Bang-for-Buck Drill-Bit Kits?

Widget on 28/04/2025 - 19:16

Hi,

I'm looking for some drill-bits for home use, drilling various metals (aluminium, steel) & timber. I'm not a frequent DIYer nor would I use them for employment, but I don't like the cheaper drill-bits I've used that just feel dull quickly & break. Broke two the other day trying to drill aluminium. So, I was wondering if there were any drill-bits, sizing 1 - 10mm that Ozbargainers find really good for the money?
I see BOSCH mentioned in search a few times, but mixed opinions between their green/blue range. I've also seen some 'Cobalt' bits mentioned from Banggood, but are they actually any good? Cobalt + cheap + China, is it too much of a bargain to be good?

Does anyone have any experience with any sets? I just want something that I can take out & drill a hole successfully without it going blunt quickly, or easily breaking.

Home & Garden Drill Bit Set

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 28/04/2025 - 19:53

    The 91 piece Bosch v line set goes ok when on sale for about $30 delivered

    Just take it easy on the drill bits .

    • Widget on 04/05/2025 - 01:06

      Thanks Jim. I see that one often, though have read mixed feelings on it. Do you think the Bosch blue are better?

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 04/05/2025 - 07:05

        Haven’t tried the blue personally sorry but generally spending more does get better quality lol

  • MrThing on 28/04/2025 - 19:54
    +8

    Suttons make good drill bits and also sell them in sets in varying levels depending on what you are drilling. You can get them at total tools.

    They are a quality brand and make a quality drill bit. Good drill bits are not cheap, likewise cheap drill bits are not good

    Also drill bits going blunt quickly when drilling metals or other hard materials could also be your technique not just the drill bit.

    • 87percent on 28/04/2025 - 19:56
      -3

      I thought you were making a joke about Peter Sutton

    • Widget on 04/05/2025 - 01:09

      Thanks MrThing. Yeh, I think technique has been lacking. I recently found out about 'galling' & that it's good to use lubricant when drilling. Certainly something I'll need to work on.

      Sutton tools I hear are good, but pricey. I'm mainly looking for something that's not too bad for home use. I don't regularly use them, but when I do, it would be brief. I broke two bits, nto sure if just cheap of I did something wrong, probably both, so would like to replace with a good quality entry set.

  • JIMB0 on 28/04/2025 - 20:51
    +6

    Get a set of Sutton drills. Learn how to drill properly and they'll last forever at home. Don't run the bigger ones too fast or they'll overheat and go blunt. Don't lean on the small ones or they'll break. If drilling stainless steel, go slow, use coolant and press firmly.

    • Widget on 04/05/2025 - 01:12

      Thanks Jimbo. I've looked at Sutton, though the price for the frequency I'd use them for, just can't afford them (unless there's a good sale). I'll keep an eye on them though in the meantime.
      Thanks for the tips on drill usage. I think I may have put too much pressure on the smaller bots causing them to break. Some machinists mentioned to use lubrication otherwise they can gall or go dull, so I'll have to remember that in future.

  • poida97 on 28/04/2025 - 22:50
    +1

    I’ve been happy with the china cobalt ones. Especially when new. Cheap enough to keep replacing them.
    Sutton ones are very nice but they can still be ruined with abuse, and at that point a new cheapo would be much better anyway.

    • ESEMCE on 29/04/2025 - 09:16
      +1

      ^ This reflects my experience.
      I have a set of Sutton HSS that pre-date drop shipping from China, plus a smaller set of DeWalt branded Cobalt bits purchased when I needed to drill SS.
      But the Banggood Cobalt cheapo's are now my default and get used until they break or blunt.
      Essentially it's a lifetime supply for the larger bits, I'll probably need to purchase some replacement < 3mm bits at some stage, but I've still got a few year's supply to go yet.

    • Widget on 04/05/2025 - 01:14

      How often do you need to replace the China-bits? A budget set would be nice, but a budget-set in the quality range I'm interested in looking at. Maybe around the $50 range.

      • ESEMCE on 05/05/2025 - 09:13

        Essentially it's a lifetime supply for the larger bits, I'll probably need to purchase some replacement < 3mm bits at some stage, but I've still got a few year's supply to go yet.

        I'll need replacement smaller stuff mostly due to snapping. Thinner bits are more easily snapped by inattentive users like me, plus they get used more for the stuff I'm doing most, drilling pilot holes for screws.

        Depends what you're drilling of course and how well you treat them.
        I'm no professional, but I'm aware that Heat kills hardness and hardness = sharpness
        1) drill speed matters, go slower on harder stuff
        2) choking the flutes generates heat, so instead of 1 pass, drill in 2 or 3 to ensure the flutes remain clear.
        3) cooling and lubrication reduce heat - most important on stuff like stainless.
        4) make sure the bits are relatively clean and actually dry when you put them away.

  • Nugs on 29/04/2025 - 07:51

    can't recall how much I paid for this set a couple of years ago when it was a catalogue item
    https://www.totaltools.com.au/173543-detroit-180-piece-1-13m…
    yes, it is a cheapie set but I am yet to blunt one, and I have been drilling some mild steel (along with timber)
    maybe technique is your issue as per other comments above
    .

    • Widget on 04/05/2025 - 01:17

      Thanks for the suggestions Nugs. I see there's 10x of each. How often to you need to replace a drill bit? Seems like they would last a lifetime if you know how to drill properly & you look after them.
      I think my technique was lacking. I used a 3rd drill bit, a slightly larger one (4mm) which seemed to cut a lot better than the smaller bits, though not sure if it's from being dull, or lack of lubricant, or galling or other. I'll have to work on my technique a bit I reckon.

      • Nugs on 04/05/2025 - 07:43

        "I see there's 10x of each"
        The bigger the bits, the fewer of each as the space for each size is same width eg 2 each from 9mm or so. Each size has it's own sealed plastic bag. When I use one I put it back in the bag in opposite direction so I can keep using the same one. I do have an aldi sharpener but am yet to use it on this set
        .

  • Boioioioi on 29/04/2025 - 09:24

    Check out trade tools store brand Renegade Industrial and their kits. I really like the quality you get for the price with Trade tools gear, very reliable

    • Widget on 04/05/2025 - 01:23

      Thanks Boioioioi, I'll have to check them out.

  • Bargainitis on 29/04/2025 - 11:05
    +1

    The Ryobi drill bits for $30 is not bad. As others have said, don't be rough with it and start with lower speed.

    For mortar, I have the Suttons one and rate them. Have used them for a number of years. All intact.

    • nocure on 29/04/2025 - 11:35
      +1

      *masonry

      • Bargainitis on 29/04/2025 - 12:03
        +1

        thanks yes masonry is what I meant, autocorrect kills me.

    • Widget on 04/05/2025 - 01:26

      Thanks Bargain, I'll check out the Ryobi kit. The drill bits I broke came out of a little Ryobi 6-pack, though not sure if it's the same quality, Ill check them out.

      Masonry, I don't have any plans at this stage to drill into.

  • JIMB0 on 04/05/2025 - 06:36
    +3

    Don't forget the safety glasses. Put them on everytime you're drilling, no matter what. Have a spare pair for any bystanders. It only takes a drill bit to snap unexpectedly for someone to lose an eye.

  • Euphemistic on 04/05/2025 - 21:03

    Ita worrh spending an extra $30-50 to get a decent set if youre buying one 'for life'.

    Ive used frost from the big green shed and they seem OK. Snapped a few, but usually due to poor technique. The seem to stay nice and sharp.

    • JIMB0 on 06/05/2025 - 10:16

      I thought Frost was a Sutton brand, just like Patience & Nicholson (P&N).

      • Euphemistic on 06/05/2025 - 10:44

        Could be. All i know is that its the brand on the box.

        The ones i snap are usually replaced with sutton because thats whats at the local.

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