BB vs KBC drill bits

[PatrickJay3]

So I took the risk and brought some, direct from China drill bits.....terrible. So how do the KBC branded drill bits sets (115pc) compare to the BB set, I mean they look like they came from the same Chinese factory. Is there any appreciable difference? I’ve had hit and miss luck with other BB drill bits in the past.

Trying not to break the bank here as well.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

The KBC brand HSS bright finish jobber drills (singles qty, not sets) I've tried in the past have been decent. I bought a bunch in frequent tap/clearance drill sizes over the years when I still a machinist, and they performed just fine. Not premium quality, but not premium prices either. Would buy again if needed. I have not tried Busy Bee stuff, but my experience with anything from them on the machinist side leads me to believe you'd be just as well off to buy stuff direct from china if you can and save the brick and mortar stocking fee....

 

[slow-poke]

I'm curious who KBC sources from?


I have had good luck with Dormer, Hertel, as well as the USA brands:
Champion, Chicago Latrobe, Cle-Line, Cleveland, Drill Hog, Norseman, Precision Twist, PTD, Triumph, and Viking

I also have had good double sides shorty 1/8" bits from Ali, unfortunately I didn't note which source, and repeat orders of what look the same have all been poor.

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Most US brands come from the same Brazilian factory . There isn't much money in drill bits. As an inside source suggested on another forum. KBC branded stuff is adeguate quality. Some times it's eastern European and pretty good.

When it comes to Chinese drill bits, the purchasing agent at our mill bought some. I would take a handful so I could drill a couple of holes. No money saving there.

 

[David]

I bought a set of taps and drills from KBC back when I was a beginner hobby machinist (could have been yesterday at my maturity level) and they have been excellent. Very sharp out of the box and hold an edge well. Drill Hog have also been very good. I suspect my next set will be whatever top tier name brand KMS supplies.

 

[Arbutus]

The KBC branded stub drills seem to be from a variety of manufacturers, but IMHO the same quality and lifespan as my Dormers. That's been my experience with most of the KMS branded items - offshore manufacturers usually, but someone at KBC is paying attention to the quality. I have not been disappointed yet.

 

[Susquatch]

So I took the risk and brought some, direct from China drill bits.....terrible. So how do the KBC branded drill bits sets (115pc) compare to the BB set, I mean they look like they came from the same Chinese factory. Is there any appreciable difference? I’ve had hit and miss luck with other BB drill bits in the past.

I think that any 115 bit drill set that costs under $1000.00 isn't likely to be any good.

I doubt that the BB set is worth a crap. KBC might be ok, but I don't know that and would not have the courage to buy them.

The Drill Hog set is probably ok.

I have 2 sets of the 115 bits. One was Princess Auto. They are both junk. I only use them when I don't have time to go to my Jobber and buy Dormers. I buy dormers in pairs as I need them. I simply can't afford the full set. I've never needed the second drill so I may stop buying in pairs. I'm slowly building a full set. But it prolly won't happen till I'm dead.

I'm doing the same thing with Taps. I buy all 3 taps for a given size at once as needed.

 

[David]

Drill Hog drills are decent but not inexpensive with shipping and all. Locally sourced options are probably better value.

 

[Martin w]

The last drill I bought from KBC was made in Bosnia Herzegovina. It was a taper shank.

 

[Martin w]

The last drill I bought from KBC was made in Bosnia Herzegovina. It was a taper shank.

I should add it is well made and good quality.