I found myself buying set after set after set for years, until I stumbled across a booth at the Red Deer Agri-trade show (the vendor booth section is the reason I go -- I'm not looking at farm machinery). The vendor was Red Deer Bolt www.reddeerbolt.com, and the branch of drill bit is 'Champion', and comes in a round container (picture of a set here on Amazon amazon link )
I bought a jobber set 4 years ago, and a second 'mechanics' set 2 years ago. I had a couple of bits break in the second set, but overall they stay sharp, cut well and I haven't bought a drill bit since. I've only resharpened maybe 3 or 4 bits in that time.
I can't remember what I paid, but 100 - 120 seems about right.
For drilling larger than 1/2" I use a product called super-drill, which I also bought at the Agri-Trade show. Basically it is an arbor that you mount a piece of HSS and it cuts holes up to 3 1/2" inches (depending on which arbors you bought). Works very very well. Simply drill a pilot hole (1/2"), put the arbor in it, and then with very little pressure drill holes to whatever dimension you want link: superdrill link I believe the couple I bought from have the distribution rights to 'super drill' in alberta (they live on an acreage just outside of red deer). The tool is very simple and if you have a lathe, you can make one. Watch some of the videos, it's that easy. And what I like about it is that it cuts without binding so you don't have to worry about breaking your wrists etc.
I bought a jobber set 4 years ago, and a second 'mechanics' set 2 years ago. I had a couple of bits break in the second set, but overall they stay sharp, cut well and I haven't bought a drill bit since. I've only resharpened maybe 3 or 4 bits in that time.
I can't remember what I paid, but 100 - 120 seems about right.
For drilling larger than 1/2" I use a product called super-drill, which I also bought at the Agri-Trade show. Basically it is an arbor that you mount a piece of HSS and it cuts holes up to 3 1/2" inches (depending on which arbors you bought). Works very very well. Simply drill a pilot hole (1/2"), put the arbor in it, and then with very little pressure drill holes to whatever dimension you want link: superdrill link I believe the couple I bought from have the distribution rights to 'super drill' in alberta (they live on an acreage just outside of red deer). The tool is very simple and if you have a lathe, you can make one. Watch some of the videos, it's that easy. And what I like about it is that it cuts without binding so you don't have to worry about breaking your wrists etc.
