Drill doctor is very good and you need not have sight to use it.
John
http://WhiteCane.org
http://BlindWoodWorker.com
http://HolyTeaClub.comcom\whitecane
http://anellos.ws
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Andrus
To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 2:57 PM
Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Drills
Hi,
I am a relatively new member to the list and so appreciate your posting
concerning drill bits.
It does raise the question though of drill bit sharpeners. I had a friend
show me how to sharpen bits on a grinder. I do a pretty good job with this
when the bits is over 1/4, though not always perfect as I don't get the
angel quite right.
Are there any drill bit sharpeners out there that you would suggest?
Dave
Working together, sharing the light of salvation seen through the cross of
Jesus
Rev. Dave Andrus, Director
Lutheran Blind Mission
888 215 2455
HTTP://WWW.BLINDMISSION.ORG
-----Original Message-----
From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Ray Boyce
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10:48 PM
To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Drills
Hi All
We were discussing drills and drill sharpeners on VIP Conduit this afternoon
in the Blind Handy Man Room and I said I would post an article on drills.
I am sure I have posted this before but for the new members and for Geoff
who I have a very high regard for here it is again.
If you work long enough, you'll discover you really can't have too many
drill bits. They're needed for numerous around-the-home, shop and contractor
chores. Bits are available for drilling just about any material, including
wood, the various metals, concrete, stone, tile and even glass. As you can
guess, a wide variety of "bits" or tools for drilling are available for use
with portable drills and drill presses. These include standard twist drill
bits, auger bits, spade bits, Forstner bits, expansion bits, step-drill
bits, hole saws, pilot-hole and screw bits, and plug cutters.
Twist drill bits are the most common, and are available in a variety of
sizes, materials and shapes. Show is a typical bit configuration.
Twist Drill Bits
Twist drill bits are some of the most common shop tools. They're available
in a wide range of sizes, point and twist shapes, and these days they're not
only available in standard industrial-grade steel, but also in "exotic"
materials including titanium coated, black oxide and cobalt. Don't buy cheap
bits. They're frustrating and can be dangerous, causing you to push or exert
force when drilling.
Drill bits are the most common tool accessory, a $740 million North American
market. Drill bits are available in a wide variety of types, sizes and
materials for specific metal- and wood-boring chores.
Drill bit sizes come in four categories: fractional sizes, wire-gauge sizes,
letter sizes and metric. Fractional sizes begin at 1/64 inch and run to more
than 4 inches. The smaller bits increase in size by 64'ths, the mid-size
bits by 32'nds and the larger bits by 16'ths. Wire-gauge numbers run from
No. 1 through 80 (the smallest). All sizes are less than 1/4 inch and begin
at 0.0135 inch (No. 80) up to 0.2280 inch (No. 1). The numbers correspond to
standard wire sizes. These bits are used where exact hole dimensions are
required, such as when tapping threads in holes. Letter size bits begin the
next size up from No. 1 wire gauge. They begin at 0.2340 inch (A) and run to
0.4062 inch (Z). The largest size is smaller than 7/16 inch. These too are
used to make precise hole sizes.
And, of course, there are metric sizes in millimeters. One millimeter is
equal to 0.0394 inch.
Twist bits are commonly sold in a standard length, called "jobber" lengths,
with the length varying according to the bit diameter. These will handle
most of the jobs you'll tackle, but at times a longer length may be needed.
In this case, extensions are available for 1/4-inch bit shanks. With many
"hex-heads" available these days, an extension will fit most bit sizes, but
they are designed primarily for woodworking, not metal chores.
The next step in twist drill "school" is the point angle. Typically, 118
degrees is the most common angle. But these drills require a starting
"dimple" in metal with a center punch, otherwise the bit will "walk" or
"skate" away from the hole location. Bits with a 135 degree point will start
their own hole in metal and, of course, can be used on many other materials.
Brad-point bits provide even more precise starting in both metal and wood.
Woodcraft Supply carries extra-long, 10-inch brad-point bits, handy for many
furniture construction chores.
The helix and flute angles are also important, and again these days there's
more variety to choose from, depending on the job. The new Bosch Speed Helix
design has an aggressive flute structure engineered to remove material
faster, and the 135-degree split point eliminates walking, making the bit
more efficient, with up to three times faster penetration than bits designed
with a standard helix. Quicker penetration also means less energy on the
part of the drill turning the bit, as well as the user pressing down, which
translates into more battery life for a cordless drill/driver and less
fatigue on the part of the user.
Twist drill bits are made of a variety of materials, with carbon steel the
softest. High speed steel (HSS) bits are also available. As mentioned
earlier, exotic materials these days include black oxide, titanium and
cobalt. Each is designed for a specific purpose, and Bosch has introduced
new designs in these bits as well. The Bosch High-Speed Steel Black Oxide
bits are all-purpose for heavy-duty drilling in wood, plastic, carbon and
alloy steels, aluminum and soft cast iron.
Titanium is designed for repetitive heavy-duty drilling in wood, plastic,
common stainless steels, carbon and alloy steels, and soft cast iron. The
new Bosch titanium drill-bit line offers the industry's toughest titanium
bits. By coating each bit with high-speed steel-titanium nitride, Bosch not
only made the surface of the bit harder, in excess of 80 HRC (Hardness
Rockwell), but also dramatically reduced the amount of heat and friction
created between the bit and the work piece. As a result, the bit will last
up to six times longer than standard black oxide bits and drill through more
materials.
Craftsman offers its Zirconium-coated bits also with a split point, as well
as a groove design that breaks up chips.
Zirconium-coated bits, such as the Craftsman bit sets, are coated with
Zirconium nitride for extra strength and feature a split-point and groove
design that breaks up chips for faster penetration and more precise
drilling. The point design eliminates walking.
Cobalt bits will drill extremely hard materials, including hardened
stainless steel, cast iron and titanium, but can also be used for wood and
plastics. The new Bosch cobalt drill bits feature a special alloy that
allows the bits to heat up to 1,100-degrees F, allowing each to last in
extremely abrasive materials that would normally destroy any other bit.
Further advancing the efficiency, Bosch also increased the overall bit
hardness up to 68 HRC, perfect for penetrating tough or abrasive materials.
A 135-degree split point starts drilling on contact by eliminating walking.
And finally, a thicker web design increases the overall rigidity to prevent
the bit from snapping in hard materials.
Auger bits are longer than most other bits and are used for boring holes to
run wiring or plumbing.
Auger Bits
Auger bits solve the problem of boring deep holes and fairly large holes,
such as through several studs to run wiring or plumbing. They are typically
7 inches in length and will cut through three 2-by-4's. For even deeper
holes, ship augers, with lengths of up to 17 inches, are available.
Spade bits are used where rapid drilling of tough materials is needed. The
new Bosch RapidFeed spade bits have a patent-pending tip similar to the
screw tip of an auger bit, plus an increased cutting angle.
Spade Bits
Another alternative to boring quick and large holes in studs and other
projects is with spade bits. Sometimes called "paddle" bits because of their
shape, these bits come in a variety of sizes and make quick work of boring
rough-in holes. The new RapidFeed spade bits from Bosch have a
patent-pending tip similar to a screw tip on an auger bit. The RapidFeed
design helps pull the bit through the wood. This allows the bit to cut up to
three times faster than other spade bits. An increased cutting angle
accommodates the increased speed of cut. Specially engineered cutting spurs
on each edge actually scribe the outer edge of the hole before the cutting
edge removes the material, creating a cleaner hole.
The Vermont American WoodEater bits cut three times faster and last seven
times longer than typical spade bits. (Photo courtesy of Vermont American)
An alternative to spade bits for boring these types of holes are the
WoodEater bits from Vermont American. These bits will cut three times faster
and last seven times longer than spade bits. The Milwaukee PathFinder bits
are also great for these chores. They have a unique design with six
different cutting edges, allowing it to cut forward, backward and on all
sides. This makes precise, clean holes in wood, composites, chipboard,
plasterboard and hard plastics.
Forstner bits, such as those shown from Woodcraft Supply, are used where
precise holes are required.
Forstner Bits
Forstner bits are the best choice for boring precise holes in wood. These
bits feature a precise diameter with a circular cutting edge protruding past
a center cutting edge and a spur in the center to guide the bit. They are
best used in drill presses for precise work, although they can be hand-held
with less precision. They are not quite as fast a cutting bit as the spade
and other fast-style bits. Woodcraft Supply offers a 16-bit boxed set in a
wooden box. Individual bits are also available. Rockler offers carbide
Forstner bits in extra lengths for boring deeper holes. They also have an
exclusive drill jig guide that helps position the bit precisely in place.
Expansive bits have an adjustable "spur" that allows you to custom fit the
bit to the hole desired. (Photo courtesy of Vermont American)
Expansive Bits
Expansive bits are wood-boring bits that can be adjusted to "infinite" hole
sizes. They are available in several sizes, ranging from 5/8 to 1 3/4 inches
and 7/8 to 3 inches. They are available with tapered shanks for use in
hand-held brace-and-bit, or with hex shanks for use with power drills.
Step-drill bits allow drilling different size holes with one bit. The new
IRWIN Unbit has a redesigned flute that reduces vibration and provides more
precise round holes. (Photo courtesy of IRWIN)
Step-Drill Bits
Step-drill bits allow you to drill multiple sizes of holes with just one
bit, by simply stopping the bit at the desired hole diameter. The new IRWIN
Unibit with SpeedPoint Tip Geometry allows faster starts and penetrates six
times faster than former bits. The flute design reduces vibration and
provides more control for precise round holes in mild steel, copper, brass,
aluminum, plastic, acrylic, wood and laminates. Unibit step drills are made
of industrial grade high-speed steel. Laser marked sizes make it easy to
identify hole sizes. Titanium nitride coating is available on several sizes
to create less friction.
Pilot-hole bits allow you to drill pilot holes for screws in hardwoods to
prevent splitting. They may also be used as countersink, or counterbore
bits, depending on their style. The Stanley bit shown is made to match
specific screw sizes.
Another type of pilot-hole bit allows you to adjust the bit length to match
the screw length. The craftsman Speed-Lok system countersink/pilot-hole bits
are available with a fast change chuck. Insert the chuck in the drill bit.
Use the countersink bit to drill the hole, flip the holder, and you can
drive the screw.
Pilot-Hole Bits
Pilot-hole bits allow you to drill screw holes and countersink or
counterbore at the same time in wood. They are the choice when fastening
wood pieces, especially hardwoods that may split out without pilot holes.
Pilot-hole bits are available in several sizes to match standard screw
sizes. Some are made as one piece and must be matched to screw lengths as
well. Another version has an adjustable bit fitted into the bit body that
can be adjusted to the screw length. Matching the pilot bits are plug
cutters that can be used to cut plugs of wood to cover the screws.
Plug cutters are available to match counterbore bits for cutting matching or
contrasting woods to cover screw heads.
Self-centering bits are used for installing cainet hinges.
(Photo courtesy of Woodcraft Supply)
Specialty Bits
Other specialty bits include the Vermont American glass and tile bits for
smooth accurate drilling of
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<http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60308> > ceramic
tilehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif,
<tilehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif,> marble,
china, mirrors and glass. The spear-pointed tip reduces breakout.
Countersinks are bits designed to countersink screws. If you do a lot of
cabinet work, installing numerous hinges, self-centering hinge drilling Vix
bits, from Woodcraft Supply, make precise and quick work of drilling holes
for hinge screws.
Hole saws are available in several different sizes to bore large holes such
as when installing locks in doors.
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Masonry bits are used for boring in concrete and other masonry. The Vermont
American Tapcon screwhole bits are used for boring holes for masonry screws.
Although not actually drill-bits, hole saws use a drill bit to center a
circular saw to cut large holes in wood, metal, plastics and other
materials. Masonry bits are available in several styles for rotary hammer
drills, or standard drills. Masonry bits with double flutes, such as from
Vermont American, provide faster cleaning of materials. Also available from
Vermont American, are Tapcon concrete screw bits for drilling pilot holes
for 1/4-inch Tapcon concrete fasteners. Grizzly Industrial also carries a
wide range of drill bits of all types, including the specialty bits.
The Bosch Clic-Change Quick Change Bit System is available in a wide variety
of bits. (Photo courtesy of Bosch)
Quick-connector systems allow you to instantly change bits, drivers and
other accessories. Show is a 120-piece Craftsman set.
(Photo courtesy of Craftsman)
Quick Connector Systems
One of the biggest changes in drill bits is the introduction of hex-shank
bits. This makes it easier to lock the bit in a drill or drill press and
prevents slipping. The second major advance is the creation of
quick-connector systems that allow instant changing of bits, and other
accessories, such as drivers. These are available in a number of different
sets, and individually as well. The Craftsman Speed-Lok System comes in a
120-piece Master Drill and Driver set that includes a quick-connector,
hex-shank twist bits, masonry bits, spade bits, pilot-hole bits, numerous
drivers and other accessories. Rockler offers their Insty-Driver System of
cabinetmaker bits with self-centering bits, tapered drill bits and
countersinks. Bosch offers its Clic-Change Quick-Change Bit System in
numerous twist, masonry and other bits, as well as drivers. DeWalt Rapid
Load Quick Change sets also utilize a quick-change chuck.
This article is and remains the Copy write of extreme how to.
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