Evan sent over a heads-up about a Lighting Deal that Amazon is running right now.
The deal is valid today (Sunday), 11/22/15, thru 5:25pm ET, unless supplies run out first.
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- 29pc set, 1/16″ to 1/2″ in 1/64″ steps
- 135° split point to reduce walking
- Gold Oxide finish
- Jobber length
- Cobalt steel alloy, HSS-CO 8% (M42)
- Part Number: 57850
Price: $120
Reg Price: $169.50
Street Price: $169.50+
Buy Now(via Amazon)
What Evan said:
Not sure where to post this put a great deal on some quality drill bits on amazon lightning deals right now.
Chicago Latrobe 550 Series Cobalt Steel Jobber Length Drill Bit Set with Metal Case for$119 looks to be the best price they have ever been.
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What We Know & Think:
Chicago Latrobe is a decent brand that makes industrial drill bits and other cutting and machinist tools. Drill bits seems to be their specialty.
The street price is $170, and so that is an accurate “regular” price that Amazon is claiming. Given the sale price of $120, you’re saving $50 on this set.
These bits are going to be better suited for drilling into harder materials, such as steel and stainless steel, but can probably be used on other metals.
If you’re looking for industrial drill bits, this seems to be a good deal. Is it the set we would buy ourselves? Probably not, since we most often drill into aluminum or mild steel. For our purposes, shorter length HSS drill bits often suffice.
If you end up buying this set, please let us know what you think of the drill bits or Chicago Latrobe in general!
Thank you Evan for the tip!
mike aka Fazzman
Very well regarded drills and cutting tools in the machining industry. Cobalt drills are excellent for harder materials especially stainless steels and CroMoly types of steels. Also really good for high production type of jobs.
Dont use these for aluminum,get 118° General purpose bits for that.
Jimmie
Can you elaborate why? I’d heard that but never heard a reason other than “just because”.
Is it because the shorter cutting edge of the 135-deg tip means less potential for kickback and since kickback is less of an issue for soft materials, you might as well choose 118-deg since it cuts faster?
mike aka Fazzman
Well for aluminum you want uncoated bits and such because the aluminum will fuse itself to the coating. The 135° point is designed to take heavier cuts in tougher materials. It excels in stainless steels and such. Lasts a very longtime compared to HSS drills. You can plow aluminum so easy with a 118°.
fred
Good points.
While we are in a tutorial mode – 135 degrees is often called self-centering – although center punching may still help the bit from wandering. Uncoated (bright metal) bits are also specified for cutting plastics – but tip and flute geometries should be different. We used Fuller Plexi-Point (60 or 80 degree point) twist drills – which help prevent chip out and crazing.
Also, aside from their ability to drill harder materials – tThe other reason some folks go to cobalt or even solid carbide is to extend bit life in production modes.
jesse
You have the description wrong; a 29-piece set is 1/16″ – 1/2″ by 1/64″
Stuart
Whoops, thanks!
John
Ummm, Stuart, I noticed this typo yesterday, as well.
…But the description still says, “29pc set, 1/16″ to 1/12″ in 1/64″ steps”
Largest size should read 1/2″ (not 1/12″)
Stuart
Argh, thanks!
I rushed through the post, and although I proofread twice, my brains were a little scrambled.
When prepping it, all I could see was the deal timer counting down and % claimed figure counting up. I wanted to ensure it was up quick enough to be helpful.
jesse
This looks like a good buy, but I doubt I would ever use many of the drills, especially in the largest sizes, and those are the ones that add so much of the cost to the set. Better to put my money into the smaller sizes that see more use.
fred
Sounds like a good deal – but as you point out not for general purpose drilling. Because they are harder – cobalt steel bits may be a bit more brittle – so that needs to be factored into your drilling process. Where I find that cobalt drills really come in handy is in Left Hand twist – used for screw extraction.
Jerry
Missed this one. Could have used those.
Toolfreak
I like using cobalt bits to drill into mild steel, they seem to drill holes a lot easier than high-speed steel bits, and they last a lot longer. HSS bits seem to go dull after drilling into steel just a few times, if that.
magic
Are you dry drilling? I’ve done multiple holes with one HSS bit into stainless (1/8″ thick) and it’s still sharp
Farid
Oops, I missed it. I was hoping to score a cobalt set this season. Although this one probably has more bit sizes than what I need.