Drill Bit and Saw Blade Recommendations

Bill VA · May 1, 2021

Got some steel angle Im looking to cut into pieces and drill a few 3/8 inch holes. I got a drill, drill press and a sawzaw.

Any recommendations for a decent long lasting drill bit and saw blade?

Thanks!
Bill

M-MAN · May 1, 2021

Bout all I can tell you for sure is stay away from Milwaukee metal cutting blades. You'll do better with a hacksaw. Their wood blades are decent. I like the Norseman/Viking bits but you have to get them at an industrial supply house or online.

fred kobs · May 1, 2021

For the money, NAPA's cheap black colored bits last a long time if you watch your speed/pressure. I prefer the-can't remember name-blue and gray sawzall blades. Buy the shortest that will reach thru your piece, and don't let the saw jump and most blades will last quite a while. JMHO Fred

Hobo,NC · May 1, 2021

I have never got good performance with a sawsaw and metal. I always wanted a portaban I picked up one from HF its a handy tool to have around. A portaban will eat metal like its candy : )

When I loan out my sawsaw I leave one used blade in the box if I leave all my blades in the box they all come back worn out : ( If I am lucky I will get a few new blades out of the deal but who buys more than one blade for a loaner saw...

Loosehandle · May 1, 2021

Don't forget to run sawsall very slow when sawing steel

Janicholson · May 1, 2021

Greenlee drill bits, and Lenox bi-metallic blades in 20 tpi. Jim

Determined · May 1, 2021

If I had to use the sawzall my favorite are the DeWalt blades.

If you have an angle grinder the thin cut off wheels work real good.

Hdonly · May 1, 2021

I've had good luck with Lenox, Diablo and Milwaukee blades. Keep it slow. Speed kills! I like Skil brand drill bits. I have cut some heavy metal with my skillsaw. I cut these pieces for mounting the FEL on my Jubilee from 1/2" and 3/8" steel with my sawsall.

V35B · May 1, 2021

Seco and Chicago Latrobe are the brands I use the most with great results, Norseman make good bits as well. A 3/8 HSS bit needs around 950 rpm, and spend about a second per every 1/8 of cut with a good cutting lubricant and you will be good.

I cant help on the sawzall blade as I have never used one on steel.

dr sportster · May 1, 2021

Lenox

Sean Feeney · May 1, 2021

Answer: Nobody

Geo-TH,In · May 1, 2021

When it comes to drill bits, no advice. I know how to sharpen bits using bench grinder

When it comes to cutting metal band saw is my number one Choice. 14 once Dewalt cut off saw from harden steel. Harden steel will round off sawzall blades. Number 3 choice is a cutoff blade on right angle grinder. I do havea Milwaukee sawsall,
rarely use it.

Saw blades. I don't like carbide blades because I cannot sharpen them and the teeth are wider than the old school Molly steel blades which I can sharpen faster than it takes to remove the blade from saw.
George

kcm.MN · May 1, 2021

When it comes to reciprocating saws, I think I figured out the trick. I grew up using an old Milwaukee with 3/4" stroke. It was a very smooth-running saw. I later inherited it. When it finally died, I bought another Milwaukee. Then tried another. Then tried some other brand, and then finally gave up on the Hitachi. No matter what, I just couldn't find a newer saw that ran smooth.

Then one day I saw a video on Youtube for a new recip saw made by Skill. I swear, it runs smoother than the old Milwaukee. The newer Skill design says it works using Buzzkill Technology. All I know is, when comparing the Hitachi sawzall to the Skill, the Skill cuts through metal like a hot knife through butter and still has a good blade for more cuts. On the Hitachi, I went through 3 blades trying to make 2 cuts. Those 3 blades destroyed. Made 3 more cuts with the Skill using a fresh blade and probably could have made another 12 cuts.

NO down pressure - just let the weight of the saw move the blade through the steel. The saw runs so smooth that I can grip it with just thumbs and index fingers!! They have a 13 amp and a 15 amp. I think mine is the 13 amp, and I will never need more. This saw rocks!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=skil+buzzkill+technology

Pete in Holland MI · May 1, 2021

High Speed Steel (HSS) is needed for a good drill bit, but that's a broad & over-used term. You generally get what you pay for in drill bits. Knowing how to keep them sharp, the correct speeds to run them at, and good drilling principles, will allow you to use that bit for years. Once a drill bit loses it's edge, it is tough to cut steel, and if you don't know how to put an edge on them, you'll be back to the hardware store. Find someone who can teach you to grind a drill bit, or invest in a good sharpener, and, above all, learn what makes a drill bit work and what a properly sharpened bit looks/measured like.

MarkB_MI · May 2, 2021

I only buy cobalt drills. They're only slightly more expensive than high-speed steel, but much better.

I don't generally use a recip saw to cut steel unless it's the only tool I have on hand. Metal chop saw is my preferred tool, or a cutoff disk in a die grinder.

Bill VA · May 2, 2021

Thanks everyone for your replies - much appreciated!

da.bees · May 2, 2021

(quoted from post at 18:17:50 05/01/21) High Speed Steel (HSS) is needed for a good drill bit, but that's a broad & over-used term. You generally get what you pay for in drill bits. Knowing how to keep them sharp, the correct speeds to run them at, and good drilling principles, will allow you to use that bit for years. Once a drill bit loses it's edge, it is tough to cut steel, and if you don't know how to put an edge on them, you'll be back to the hardware store. Find someone who can teach you to grind a drill bit, or invest in a good sharpener, and, above all, learn what makes a drill bit work and what a properly sharpened bit looks/measured like.

I 100% agree that's more important than where you buy them. I would add that running too fast or trying to use dull bits result in overheated which make's sharpening and staying sharp more difficult.

Ellis Kinney · May 2, 2021

My go to tools for cutting steel, A 4 1/2 inch angle head grinder with cut off discs. Or, a Milwaukee portable band saw. I don't consider a sawzall to be a good tool for what you want to do. Ellis

fastfarmall · May 2, 2021

Well it sounds like the only thing you need is a Evolution chop saw, with the diamond tip blades, i bought one about 5-6 years ago, one of the best thing i ever bought for tools, it will cut up 5.9 inch of round steel, and appropriate flat and rectangle, it's a industrial machines, but go gentle on down pressure, i have found out the blades last longer, but it cuts metal like butter !It was like $ 275:00 on sale, i suppose there 400.00 now, But it is a honey of a cut off saw!

CenTex Farmall · May 4, 2021

I would avoid Chinese made drill bits. There are decent China industrial ones out there but very hit and miss on quality.

We've had good service at work from MSC house brand Hertel bits. They've been American made so far. Other types of tools in their Hertel line come from all over the world though. We drill a lot of stainless. You can buy better bits but those are a good value.

DRussell · May 5, 2021

I got a portable bandsaw from Harborfreight a while back. It does a great job on steel. I've also had good luck with the cheap HSS bits from Harborfreight. Learn to sharpen a bit and it will last a long time.

Texasmark1 · May 6, 2021

I use HF Titanium coated bits on a drill press with slow speed, lots of hand pressure, lots of cutting oil, with good results. Been a long time since I wore out a bit.

I use bi-metallic, variable pitch/tooth, blades....variance between 18 and 24 TPI. Years ago I bought a pair of what I said to replace the blade on a newly purchased saw which wore out in no time. Put on what I said and it's been on there so long I forgot where I put the other one.

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