What’s a good set of drill bits?

I just need to get a good set of drill bits for home use. I have the dewalt drill bit set and it’s ok but just seems to get dull pretty quick. Cobalt is probably the next purchase but just want to see what you guys recommend. I use these on wood, light metal and steel. I don’t use any cutting oil on metal since I just read about that and that may be part of the problem, but usually the thickness is on less than 1/8 “. Any recommendations for home use?

 

Those are a consumable item in my book.

There are two approaches to bits and blades. Buy disposables, or buy good ones and be prepared to sharpen them.

I have no time to sharpen a 1/32 bit, let alone a 1/2" bit. So I buy mine cheap and trash them after they dull.

 

Kind of the same approach here. Luckily I still have the majority of a nice Craftsman index from a few decades ago. But every time I break one I just buy a cheap replacement.

I fell for a full set from the Spyder brand once. The smaller bits were so bad (not centered in the 1/4" hex bit holder) I ended up taking the whole thing back.

 

Need to use coolant on metal or the drill bit will get dull from the heat. Motor oil can substitute for coolant in a pinch. I just use cheap store-brand bits, titanium nitride coated.

For sheetmetal < 1/16" thick, I find a uni-bit is less likely to grab and creates fewer burrs.

 

I also see them as a consumable. If I know I need a few clean holes I'll just pick up a new set of whatever size I need from Harbor Freight and treat them like I'm throwing them away afterwards because I usually am. I don't have time to be sharpening bits.

There's also a Project Farm video for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p94UbNphysY

 

I used a step for the first time a handful of years ago. Life changing for sheet metal work haha

 

I think I’m in the throw away camp after watching project farm. I just got another 135 degree 14 piece from dewalt.

 

Im an expert when it comes to bit & cutting metal....
I needed a variety of bits for a work scenario & was in a pinch, got those Bosche bit on the video & for metal they were great!!!!

Ide get bits designed for metal cutting & not wood, buts for wood wont cut metal...
Ive been getting all my bits from Harry Epstein website, multiple ways to search...
I use to be all about cobalt but these guys explained to me their moly bits are less brittle & cut metal just as well...
They also have some really cool vortex bits that are suppose to just eat away metal with ease....

here's a complete set of their Moly bits...
but you can buy individuals for cheap,
no idea but they may have smaller sets too

https://www.harryepstein.com/products/norseman-hi-molybdenum-set-29-pc

 

https://www.harryepstein.com/collections/drill-bit-sets

 

this cutting honey is awesome....
It sticks!!!
They also have a bigger 16oz bottle for $10

I used all these bits in a professional capacity, mostly drilling out broken hardened exhaust manifold bolts....

https://www.harryepstein.com/products/ultra-lube-metal-cutting-lubricant

 

I usually just use dewalt and toss them. When I want quality I buy Amana Tool bits, mostly their countersink bits.

 

i currently tend to stick with milwaukee drill bits mostly, and am in the disposable/consumable camp. but i value getting the longest life out of my bits.

previously, i was mostly dewalt bits, but milwaukee and dewalt intentionally/coincidentally did a direct swap-- previously dewalt was titanium coated, and milwaukee was black oxide. now milwaukee is titanium coated and dewalt is black oxide. i think black oxide SUCKS for metal work. it works fine for wood or plastic though.

it should bear saying though that i've now seen dewalt appears to have modified their bit formula to a 'black and gold', which is supposedly a different variant of black oxide. i haven't tried them though, so don't know how well they do. i just learned to avoid black oxide for long term metal drilling..