Help finding a good quality affordable set of brad point drill bits

[JR1]

I got the Woodcaft set on sale but I agree just buy the ones you need as you need them.

[MsNomer]

I ordinarily agree with the aversion to sets, but I would have to order odd sizes. It is a great comfort to know that any size between 1/16 and 3/8 (1/64 increment) is ready in my shop. I've used a lot of them.

[Guest]

Steve N said:

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My suggestion is buy the best bits you can afford, and forget about the set part. Just get the sizes you need, as you need them.

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I agree with Steve. I find i use a half dozen sizes 99% of the time - mostly the smaller sizes, 3/8 and smaller. Buy an indexed drill bit storage box and fill it up as you need new sizes. I have lots of cheap, miscellaneous twist bits I use for pilot holes and such, and toss them when they get worn beyond use or break. I keep my good brad points in a metal indexed box and save them for precision drilling.

[YSU65]

I bought a cheaper set then replace the ones that I use most frequently with better quality bits. Allows me to drill good holes on better projects, covers me on off beat things....Tom

[Gary G™]

Grainger or McMaster should have individual bits.
Also, someone here recommended Montana drill bits (made in the USA) and I've been very happy with those.

[museumguy]

YSU65 said:

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I bought a cheaper set then replace the ones that I use most frequently with better quality bits. Allows me to drill good holes on better projects, covers me on off beat things....Tom

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I agree with this wholeheartedly. I bought the set from WoodCraft. They are pretty good but I replace them as needed with Forest City Tools brand. Just my personal preference, haven't used many of the others mentioned so I can't compare quality.

[Phil S.]

Makes a lot of sense to buy them as you need them, but I really like having them on hand rather than holding up a project waiting for a bit to arrive in the mail. I have the set of small bits from LV and really like them and an off brand set of larger bits up to 1/2", IIRC which I probably don't. The LV bits cut cleaner, but for the time being the bigger ones will have to do..

[kscott]

I bought the Rockler bits when they were on sale for $24.95. When I got home I put them in a drawer and didn't use them for a couple of months. When I did, I found that the 1/2" bit was not straight. The runout at the end was about 1/4". I called Rockler. They apologized all over the place and sent out a replacement set right away. I immediately tested all the bits and they were fine. I asked about shipping the others back and they said that I should keep them. I have found the bits to work well and have to give them kudos for acting rapidly to rectify a problem.
Ken

[Dave Diaman]

kscott said:

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I bought the Rockler bits when they were on sale for $24.95. When I got home I put them in a drawer and didn't use them for a couple of months. When I did, I found that the 1/2" bit was not straight. The runout at the end was about 1/4". I called Rockler. They apologized all over the place and sent out a replacement set right away. I immediately tested all the bits and they were fine. I asked about shipping the others back and they said that I should keep them. I have found the bits to work well and have to give them kudos for acting rapidly to rectify a problem.
Ken

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Thanks for that bit of information Ken (no pun intended). I never really trust Amazon reviews very much. For all my heavy use bits I have the LV bits. In general I buy things as I need them. Drill bits are an exception to that though. I find I'm always pulling odd sized bits from one of my indexes. If I bought them as I needed them I would either do a lot of waiting for drill bits or I would drill the wrong size hole to make due with what I have. It sounds like the Rockler bits may be a decent value.

[Brian Miller]

My first set or five brad point drills (1/4",3/8",1/2",5/8",3/4") came with my new Shopsmith in 1980 and the three smallest have been resharpened once by Woodcraft. Many years ago I bought the Lee Valley 5/64" to 1/4" set. Since then I have ordered a few needed sizes from Lee Valley and that is where I will buy more if needed.