@#$%&! Bent my best 1/2" drill bit!

[jeff0520]

I'm working on my tongue extension, so I'm doing a lot of heavy drilling in steel. My best 1/2" drill bit was just starting to break through, and it bound up. The drill kicked around, and knocked me off balance. I stumbled against the drill and bent the bit. My backup 1/2" bit is reminding me why it's the backup.
Anyone ever had any luck straightening a bent bit?

[oicu812]

Sometimes you just got to move on, try these their great. last week one bit, 56 - [1/2" holes] by hand in .075 thick stainless and still going strong.
pilot point or sheet metal bit or edge cutting bit. Sweet tool.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... JMBEPICMAM

[Treeview]

Bits can be cut and resharpened. An abrasive cutoff wheel works but keep the bit cool.

I bought a Drill Doctor but I haven't set it up and sharpened bits yet. Everything that I've ever read about the DD is good.

Buying quality cutting tools pays off. There are times when buying at HF or cheap Pacific rim tools might be a good value...not in cutting tools...IMHO.

Tom

[eddie6775]

Ouch! rough luck man, I've tried to straighten bits usually to no avail. Now if it was just broken, that would be different. Heck; cut it short with your cut off blade (keep it cool) and make a stubby bit put of it! Other wise, as for drilling accurate holes with it? I don't think so. To avoid bending and breaking them my self, I usually start with a center drill (lathe center drill) to spot where the hole will be and step up incrementally to the finished size. this way there's allot less cutting going on at the same time and it's easier on the forearms!

I hope this helps...I stink at wood work but made a proud living as a manual machinist before China and India won over my work!
below is on of my personal favorites for "that darn bent bit that just scrapped 8 hours of work".

http://www.wttool.com/index/page/catego ... category/1

[jeff0520]

Thanks for the tips everyone. The tongue extension is done now, so hopefully I wont have any more heady duty metal drilling to do.

[jeff0520]

Sometimes you just got to move on, try these their great. last week one bit, 56 - [1/2" holes] by hand in .075 thick stainless and still going strong.
pilot point or sheet metal bit or edge cutting bit. Sweet tool.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... JMBEPICMAM

That's actually the exact bit I bent. You are right...really good bits

[pete42]

having worked in maintenance for a lot of years I found some could resharpen bits others (me) only halfway
it is hard to get the tip and flutes just right. I have drill many holes when it is that big 1/2 inch I would sneak upon
it by starting with a smaller bit and redrilling takes more time but it does save bits.
glad you wern't hurt bits can be replaced

pete

[samsberr]

Thanks for the tips everyone. The tongue extension is done now, so hopefully I wont have any more heady duty metal drilling to do.

Lets see some pics of that extension... I did a 4" add on this past winter...Put shocks on to...

woops... Found them in the gallery...