Brad point drills

[Itms]

Anyone know where to get a good set of hss brad points.
Find hard to find

Can only get frost sets or from places online

Looking at 2-13mm prefer or 2-10

Any recommendations??



Thanks

[Lappa]

I bought a selection from this company. Excellent drills (IMO) and excellent service

Woodworking Bits -- Brad Point, Carbon Steel, Boring Bits | Smith & ARROW (https://www.smithandarrow.com.au/product/drill-bits-sets/woodwork-bits/woodworking-bits-brad-point-carbon-steel-boring-bits/?attribute_individual-bits=13mm&dTribesID=d73d065531f1cd451fa47150c94348ad%7Cadtribes%7C6017&utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=Trial%204&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=6017&gclid=CjwKCAiAws7uBRAkEiwAMlbZjrUInGa6sh6RPvJ-3qmj7yFsxYfn1FeOTcA_MEmuefJku6xnYr0v0xoChucQAvD_BwE)

[doug3030]

Sutton Tools - generally available at Total Tools, I don't think Bunnings stock them.

Very good quality

[rwbuild]

Heh???? what am I missing here? a screen shot from the spec for Lappa's post

<tbody>
SPECIFICATIONS:


Type: Brad Point Bit



Length: Various


Material: #45 Carbon Steel


Ground: Half Ground


Shank Type: Round



Intended Use: All wood and timber


</tbody>

[Lappa]

Heh???? what am I missing here? a screen shot from the spec for Lappa's post

<tbody>
SPECIFICATIONS:


Type: Brad Point Bit


Length: Various


Material: #45 Carbon Steel


Ground: Half Ground


Shank Type: Round


Intended Use: All wood and timber


</tbody>



Main screen has an animated screen - about 6 screens it rolls through. Here’s some examples for the impatient :D

464570 464571 464572

[Itms]

Sutton Tools - generally available at Total Tools, I don't think Bunnings stock them.

Very good quality

The only sets are frost in which i bought and were not great

They sell them in singles but not all sizes available.

Going to order the smith and arrow ones, give them a try

Bunnings sell alot of sutton stuff

[aldav]

The only sets are frost in which i bought and were not great

They sell them in singles but not all sizes available.

Going to order the smith and arrow ones, give them a try

Bunnings sell alot of sutton stuff

I think what Doug means is that Bunnings don't stock the Sutton brad point bits, he wasn't saying that they don't stock Sutton tools. If you weren't happy with the Frost HSS bits I'd be very surprised if you're going to be happy with the 'carbon steel' Smith and Arrow ones. Have a look around locally for some Sutton ones or order on line if not available locally. Only problem is that they only appear to be available individually (ouch!)

Only other options I can see are Carbitool - HSS Brad Point Drill Kit - Carbitool (https://www.carbitool.com.au/product/hss-brad-point-drill-kit/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqPOK86H45QIV1SMrCh3JAA2FEAYYASABEgIIIPD_BwE) , order from overseas or grind your own. That Carbitool set looks like pretty good value actually. :wink:

[Itms]

I think what Doug means is that Bunnings don't stock the Sutton brad point bits, he wasn't saying that they don't stock Sutton tools. If you weren't happy with the Frost HSS bits I'd be very surprised if you're going to be happy with the 'carbon steel' Smith and Arrow ones. Have a look around locally for some Sutton ones or order on line if not available locally. Only problem is that they only appear to be available individually (ouch!)

Only other options I can see are Carbitool - HSS Brad Point Drill Kit - Carbitool (https://www.carbitool.com.au/product/hss-brad-point-drill-kit/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqPOK86H45QIV1SMrCh3JAA2FEAYYASABEgIIIPD_BwE) , order from overseas or grind your own. That Carbitool set looks like pretty good value actually. :wink:

The frost were carbon drills. I like sets as they come in cases. High carbon are fine for wood. Sutton ones not available in all sizes and by tge time you get them all are quite expensive. Carbitool looks good but are short bits.

[springwater]

I've bought a CMT set from Carbatec ten or more years ago. I must say I don't use them everyday so can't attest to their wearability but when I do use them they do what they should. Sorry, the said set only goes from 3mm to 10mm in 1mm increments:

Sets - Carbatec (https://www.carbatec.com.au/drilling-and-boring/brad-point-drills/sets)

[Mobyturns]

Try https://dubbeldwoodtools.com/product-category/drilling/bradpoint/

FAMAG are reputed to be of similar quality to Colt. I have purchased a couple of brad points in the small sizes plus a few specific sizes in the Forstner Bits, happy so far.

[Uncle Al]

Have a look at Timberbits - WoodRiver Brad Point Set Drill Bits 25 pc - Metric (http://www.timberbits.com/woodriver-brad-point-set-drill-bits-25-pc-metric)
They also have an imperial set.
Also available at SEQ Woodtrning Suppliers - Woodworking Supplies S/E QLD - 25pce Indexed Brad Point Drill Set (http://www.woodworkingsuppliesqld.com.au/Drilling-and-Boring2/25pce-Indexed-Brad-Point-Drill-Set2)

Both suppliers have a good mail order system.

Welcome to the forum.

Alan...

[yvan]

W.L. Fuller in the USA offer quite a variety of BP bits in sets or individually.
Not cheap but, IMO, good value. Unfortunately the current exchange rate of the A$ may not be optimal...

Cheers Yvan

[markharrison]

The Japanese Star-M brand are worth considering.

Super Clean Cut Drill by STAR-M – Japanese Tools Australia (https://www.japanesetools.com.au/collections/drill-bits/products/super-clean-cut-drill?variant=18737054469)

I just bought a metric set from Carbatec. They're okay, but they are nothing special either. If I had seen the Star-M ones before I bought the set from Carbatec, I would have bought them.

[Chris Parks]

These are at least equivalent to Colt and possibly better as I have used both Fisch FSF-364740 Metric Brad Pt. Drill Bit Set: Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement (https://www.amazon.com.au/Fisch-FSF-364740-25Piece-Metric-Brad/dp/B078P5L2LH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fisch+brad+point+drills&qid=1574249105&sr=8-1)

The Star M drills are like looking at a piece of jewellery but they are damned exy. If I did not have several sets of Colt bits I would buy the Fisch in a heartbeat because it is in .5mm increments and they simply work well.

[doug3030]

I think what Doug means is that Bunnings don't stock the Sutton brad point bits, he wasn't saying that they don't stock Sutton tools.

Correct.



If you weren't happy with the Frost HSS bits I'd be very surprised if you're going to be happy with the 'carbon steel' Smith and Arrow ones.

Agreed. Hard to imagine someone who is disappointed with HSS being happy with high carbon steel.

[Mobyturns]

Correct.




Agreed. Hard to imagine someone who is disappointed with HSS being happy with high carbon steel.

Bunnings only stocks a part range in most Sutton products. Very limited range of fractional sizes in imperial twist bits etc.

[doug3030]

Bunnings only stocks a part range in most Sutton products. Very limited range of fractional sizes in imperial twist bits etc.

Yes, in a lot of their boxed drill sets sold at Bunnings you can't get individual drills to match every drill in the set, and guess which ones you always break :rolleyes:

Luckily Total tools is only 500 metres further down the road in my case, and the staff are more knowledgeable and helpful as well.

And I get invited to their "trade nights" where they give me pizza and beer. :2tsup:

[rwbuild]

Main screen has an animated screen - about 6 screens it rolls through. Here’s some examples for the impatient :D

464570 464571 464572


I was referring to intended use :all wood and timber........ didn't know they were 2 different entities.

[Itms]

I think what Doug means is that Bunnings don't stock the Sutton brad point bits, he wasn't saying that they don't stock Sutton tools. If you weren't happy with the Frost HSS bits I'd be very surprised if you're going to be happy with the 'carbon steel' Smith and Arrow ones. Have a look around locally for some Sutton ones or order on line if not available locally. Only problem




Agreed. Hard to imagine someone who is disappointed with HSS being happy with high carbon steel.

Frost 3-10mm Brad Point Drill Bit Set - 8 Piece | Total Tools (https://www.totaltools.com.au/power-tool-accessories/drill-bits/wood-drilling/brad-point-bits/brad-point-bit-sets/63232-frost-3-10mm-brad-point-drill-bit-set-8pc-92270)

This is set i refer to. They are carbon steel

https://www.bolt.com.au/drill-set-pc-wood-p-101996.html

Another link for the frost ones

[Lappa]

Seeing brads are used to drill wood and not steel, carbon steel is not really a disadvantage IMO. As long as they are sharp and you don’t overheat the tips (we a speaking above 300 degrees C) I cant see a problem.

I’ve had to drill some very precise holes in hardwoods and softwoods, which they did beautifully, and they are still cutting fine. One job was 48 holes with the same bit.

As always JMO.

[Itms]

Seeing brads are used to drill wood and not steel, carbon steel is not really a disadvantage IMO. As long as they are sharp and you don’t overheat the tips (we a speaking above 300 degrees C) I cant see a problem.

I’ve had to drill some very precise holes in hardwoods and softwoods, which they did beautifully, and they are still cutting fine. One job was 48 holes with the same bit.

As always JMO.

I agree, only require hss for metal, wood proper high carbon is fine. I use a set of very exxy 8% m45 colbalt drills for metal. I have a main set and backup. They are overkill for wood. I think is normal twist bits i have 7 full sets and alot of loose bits

[Chief Tiff]

If you have spare HSS twist drill sets then consider grinding them into brad points. Forum member elanjacobs posted how to do this using a normal bench grinder fitted with a skinny wheel from an angle grinder, right now I’m travelling home and using an Ipad so I can’t do a search and add a link to it but I will endeavour to do so tomorrow.

[elanjacobs]

Not an angle grinder wheel, just a narrow (1/4") white wheel (although you could probably do it with a grinder wheel), previous thread is here Advice on sourcing decent drill bits... (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/advice-sourcing-decent-drill-bits-229418-post2150894#post2150894)

I'm going to do a proper tutorial thread with more pics, I'll post the link when I have it.

As an aside, the Frost carbon steel bits are junk; we bought a set at my old work and some of them weren't even ground on centre. I don't just mean the centre point was off centre, the flutes weren't made to an even depth, so they weren't even salvageable :no:

[elanjacobs]

Tutorial here: How to grind brad point bits by hand (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/grind-brad-bits-hand-231450)

[Smith&ARROW]

Thanks for the kind words Lappa. Cheers


I bought a selection from this company. Excellent drills (IMO) and excellent service

Woodworking Bits -- Brad Point, Carbon Steel, Boring Bits | Smith & ARROW (https://www.smithandarrow.com.au/product/drill-bits-sets/woodwork-bits/woodworking-bits-brad-point-carbon-steel-boring-bits/?attribute_individual-bits=13mm&dTribesID=d73d065531f1cd451fa47150c94348ad%7Cadtribes%7C6017&utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=Trial%204&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=6017&gclid=CjwKCAiAws7uBRAkEiwAMlbZjrUInGa6sh6RPvJ-3qmj7yFsxYfn1FeOTcA_MEmuefJku6xnYr0v0xoChucQAvD_BwE)

[CgT]

These are at least equivalent to Colt and possibly better as I have used both Fisch FSF-364740 Metric Brad Pt. Drill Bit Set: Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement (https://www.amazon.com.au/Fisch-FSF-364740-25Piece-Metric-Brad/dp/B078P5L2LH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fisch+brad+point+drills&qid=1574249105&sr=8-1)

The Star M drills are like looking at a piece of jewellery but they are damned exy. If I did not have several sets of Colt bits I would buy the Fisch in a heartbeat because it is in .5mm increments and they simply work well.

+1 Fisch are quality bits

[RossM]

The Japanese Star-M brand are worth considering.

Super Clean Cut Drill by STAR-M – Japanese Tools Australia (https://www.japanesetools.com.au/collections/drill-bits/products/super-clean-cut-drill?variant=18737054469)

I just bought a metric set from Carbatec. They're okay, but they are nothing special either. If I had seen the Star-M ones before I bought the set from Carbatec, I would have bought them.
:2tsup: :2tsup:

The best I've used!!!!

[crowie]

I have some Colt Brad Point Drill Bits from a forum group buy a number of years back; first class!

PLUS I have a Metric & Imperial Made in USA sets from W.L. Fuller which are equally as good as Colt.

W.L. Fuller Inc. (https://wlfuller.com/html/brad_point_drills.html)

Cheers, crowie

[Neil T]

These are at least equivalent to Colt and possibly better as I have used both Fisch FSF-364740 Metric Brad Pt. Drill Bit Set: Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement (https://www.amazon.com.au/Fisch-FSF-364740-25Piece-Metric-Brad/dp/B078P5L2LH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fisch+brad+point+drills&qid=1574249105&sr=8-1)

The Star M drills are like looking at a piece of jewellery but they are damned exy. If I did not have several sets of Colt bits I would buy the Fisch in a heartbeat because it is in .5mm increments and they simply work well.


+1 Fisch are quality bits

Check the reviews on the Amazon site for that Fisch set. All may not be as it seems. Dare I say, something Fisch-y going on :C