All mine are bust or blunt, so time to buy another set. I've got a load of stainless to drill for 5mm rivets on friday, but want a range from about 3mm up to 10mm and preferably have a few spares of the common sizes to break, i.e. 3 - 6mm.

Any recommendations??

Have a look on ebay for a Dormer drill set 1-13mm theres one on there for about £50.

Cant get on ebay at work, but a search should find it.

Should last forever if treated right.

Stainless is really hard. I ended up buying a couple of Cobalt drills.
They are superb for stainless. They cut thru stainless like a hot knife thru butter!
However they are also very hard and snap easily!

So take it steady, and take your time!

Cheap drills on stainless are a waste of time if you have lot of holes to drill!

Dormer drill used to be very good, I have some that are 20+ years old and still in good fettle!.

Cheers both. Snapped 6 cheap bits last week trying to drill the stuff!!! If the drill isn't mega sharp and it just spins on the surface for a few seconds its seems to work harden it and not even a brand new cheapy bit would touch it!!! I don't like spending a lot on bits as i always snap them (cak hand!), but think i'll invest tin a set of these

Most people run drills waaaaay to fast as well.

Stainless needs to be relatively slow and lots of pressure.

Have a look at this:
http://members.home.nl/b.ollivier/html/drillspeedchart.htm

You'll see a 6mm hole in mild steel should be 760rpm and the same in stainless would be 228rpm.

David

just bought a set, not the 1-13mm you said, purely because i don't want them that small or large, so got an in between set. I'll turn the speed down and see how many i can snap on friday!! LOL!

from this guy, seems well priced
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/furyanimal/

machine mart and screwfix do/did a set of ti nitrided (the gold coloured tipped ones) in a big box, 10 of each up to about 8 mm when you get 5 of each; for around £ 20 ish.

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note quite the same but similar
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[Edited on 30/11/09 by 02GF74]

These any good for ya??

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accessories/HSS+Drill+Bits/d80/sd1250

It helps when you buy the stainless steel to buy the softest grade you can get away with ( eg 302 or 18/8). This can save a lot of hassle when drilling, machine or cutting.

Copbalt is definitely the way to go if you can't afford the dormer jobbies.

try these for a start De Walt Cobalt Drill bits

Try this website for a company that specialise in drills. Quick delivery and any drill diameter.

www.drill-service.co.uk

Cobalt gets my vote , use with a bit of lubricant .