Pen blank drills

[Joiner8]

Hi guys, I'm new to pen turning and wan,t to buy a selection of pen blank drills, should I buy hss or cobalt also brad point or normal.
I know you can buy colt or fisch drills but find they are really expensive and do you have to buy expensive drill bits to drill blanks also a selection of sizes would be great.
Regards Dewar

 

[Penpal]

My preference
DeWalt type 2 drill point drills.Infinitely cheaper in sets.

Peter.

 

[pittswood]

Just ordinary good quality drills for me. Easy to sharpen and cheap to replace. Just keep sharp.
Kelvin

 

[wm460]

My preference
DeWalt type 2 drill point drills.Infinitely cheaper in sets.

Peter.

Plus 1 for DeWalt type 2 drills

 

[Neil]

Agree with Peter and Mark, de Walt extreme 2 metric drill bits for me, but dissapointly not available in metric in the uk, so use standard HSS jobber drill bits from engineering supplies or on line at ukdrills. Avoid colt, particularly the 7mm, it’s far too long and wobbles as if p****d as a f**t.

 

[Neil Lawton]

Agree with Peter and Mark, de Walt extreme 2 metric drill bits for me, but dissapointly not available in metric in the uk, so use standard HSS jobber drill bits from engineering supplies or on line at ukdrills. Avoid colt, particularly the 7mm, it’s far too long and wobbles as if p****d as a f**t.

Surely you mean Imperial?

 

[Pierre]

I use these very successfully Buy Brad Point Drill Bits - Metric -*Set of 25 online at Rutlands.co.uk

 

[Terry Q]

I have sets but I also have bought individual bits. Some pens are huge and require a bit larger than 1/2". When I buy singles I get the best quality available.
To reinforce Kelvin's advice keep your bits sharp.

 

[silver]

Another one for Brad point drills here for me.

However they aren't always available in the size you require, so use standard HSS drills.

I use this company as they have all the selection one would ever need for standard HSS.

Taps and Dies, Reamers & Milling Cutters | Tracy Tools Ltd UK

When using the standard HSS drills I use a centre drill, make a great star to making sure the drill can be centered in the blank. very good if you drill on the lathe.

CENTRE DRILLS

 

[Neil]

Surely you mean Imperial?

Of course, not my fault I’m a cretin.