Thread: Tinite Vs standard HSS Drill bits/endmills

I think cheap chinese TiNite coated drills are not worth it... There is no doubt there is some advantage in the high quality drills.. But I really doubt there is any advantage in home shops..

For production work yes, but for what we do...little advantage...

I'm with RC on this one. Looked after, good HSS will drill so many holes we aren't likely to notice the difference in wear. Used in a pistol drill they will likely be snapped before they wear out.
Having said that I have no "good" coated drills, maybe they are great. I have some cheap coated drills, they seem to work just fine as long as they don't get hot. Then it seems like the metal being drilled gets case hardened and you have to break through to keep drilling.(no idea if that is in fact what is happening, it just how it feels)
Stuart

When I am drilling a deep hole or a very ductile metal eg. aluminium, I much prefer the TiN coated drills. The TiN coating has extreme "slipperyness" or lubricity. This means that the swarf has much less resistance to slide up the flutes and can "get away" so much quicker and easier. The cutting edges will become dull as all cutting edges do and a resharpen on the grinder works wonders. Contary to popular belief, resharpening does not destroy the drills ability to cut or feed into the metal. The coated drills are also very good for drilling hard or tough steels, eg. 4140 or stainless steel. At all times a constant supply of coolant must be applied to the drill. A coated drill is very hard to beat even when used in the home workshop. All my TiN coated drills are of the highest quality HSS. Building my 5" gauge steam loco Simplex has required drilling some very deep holes and the TiN coated drills are always my first choice.
Don't ever consider buying/using the cheap TiN coated drills from Asia. These drills are total junk. Buy the high quality Australian or USA tools and you won't go wrong. Even though all my machining is for home hobby work, I have never regretted buying good tools.

Just be careful if you are buying old American name drills. Cleveland Twist is now Chinese owned and made. I think Precision Twist Drill is too. I read on PM that long time users of those brands are now unhappy with what they are buying now.

Greg (no coated drill bits here, but I have tried to use some early gold coloured drills from a friend's father's day set. They were junk.)

I have a few and don't find any difference other than the price.

Dave

I tend to agree with all of you - unless you are in production they are not worth the effort

I'd like to test Kodys thoughts on deep holes but my coated drills are $20 1-13mm sets, so I think it would be a little harsh to judge coatings on the results of such quality items
Stuart

Some's gotta be better than none don't it...)

I have a few different sizes I have picked up for cheap and I am pretty sure they are Sutton. I have never tried and compared them on deep holes, something to remember.

Dave

Originally Posted by Greg Q

Just be careful if you are buying old American name drills. Cleveland Twist is now Chinese owned and made. I think Precision Twist Drill is too. I read on PM that long time users of those brands are now unhappy with what they are buying now.
Greg (no coated drill bits here, but I have tried to use some early gold coloured drills from a friend's father's day set. They were junk.)

Cleveland are now part of the Eastern Group (Chinese owned) but Precision Twist Drill are owned by Dormer Sheffield, part of the Sandvik Group.

I think everything is Chinese owned now.

Suttons and P&N are usually the brands I go for but I don't know where they are made. Chinese endmills are pretty good these days .....However, years ago they were rubbish, things like the angle at the cutting face were way out. Which reminds me I will have to go out tomorrow and buy 3/8 slotdrill.

Is that 3mm with an 8mm shank ?

;P

Originally Posted by mav_walrus

Is that 3mm with an 8mm shank ?

;P

Are you refering to 3/8,if so it Imperial 3/8" or .375".

I think Mav was making a joke.
They're quite popular.