drill bits

hay ya'll who makes good bites ??
that i can afford. and what does tempering DO

Tempering makes the metal more flexible, and not as hard.
It takes out the brittleness.
I use cobalt drills from MSC.
Go to MSC direct for info.
The price is very competitive.

I allso use "colbalt steel" drills for anything that isn't hardened I prefer the split point over the standard points the set I am useing curently came from a local hardware store and is made (sold by) dewalt a 20 peice set was $30 or so. for holes that will be reemed or taped I use HSS bits I have had around for years as they wear out I re place them with the cobalts. (these can be had from MCS, ENCO, etc.)

I find the carbide to be very difecult to use, they will drill just about anything but they (read even hardened and tempered blades) are brittle and snap easly. If there is any run out in your drill press avoid them like the plage.
MP

Everything certainly needs to be adjusted correctly when using the high dollar bits such as cobalt and/or solid carbide. Since I started into folders, I've been using "hi-roc" bits from MSC for drilling the detent holes in the blades..............very good stuff. Kinda pricey at $10 each for a #55 bit, but they will drill up to Rc 65 with no problems. I would venture to say that I've spent more $$ on carbide tools and the likes for folders than I ever did for straight blades, but when one $10 bit outlasts a dozen $3 bits............it's well worth it!

Rutland tool, a industrial supplier that I use from California has a 1100 plus page catalog with just about everything, drills, machine tool cutting tools, grinding products, bandsaw blades etc. They have both import tooling and USA manfacturers products. Phone 1-800-289-4787. I don't know if there is a cost to the catalog as I have been ordering from them for about 16 years and they send new catalogs out a year. They UPS deliver to your door unless if you live in Timbuctoo. No sales tax out of state as far as I know, and I don't have to spend time driving around to suppliers.