Thread: Help from the DIY handymen.

I do not work with metal much but I do know that you have to use certain bits with various metals along with using low RPM's to keep the bits from getting too hot and dulling.

Depends on how accurate you want or need to be. If you want the holes straight get a drill press, if it doesn't matter if they are off a bit then use an electric hand drill. Be sure to center punch for all your holes otherwise the drill bit will just walk all over the place. The reamer and countersink will work better with a drill press. For the most part the average drill bit set you find in a hardware store will be just fine for drilling most metals. Drill at a low rpm, you will want to see the drill bit rotating and not be a blur. That way the heat will transfer more to what you are drilling rather than the drill bit.

I have a dremel... It's a nice tool but honestly I use it more with tile and wood and usually after I have done the major work with standard tools. I use the dremel on the spot to make very small cuts. I used it only once on metal and that was to cut out a leaking fitting in a very tight spot. I don't think my experience is what you are using it for.

Dremel probably will not serve the purposes described. The dremel's are designed for light work on small projects.

Harbor Freight Tools hand tools very cheap. they are Chinese tools but would probably be sufficient for a hobby project. I am a Contractor so I prefer Rigid brand tools.
Drill Press - 5 Speed
Angle Grinder - Save on this 4-1/2" Angle Grinder

Bench Grinder with Flex Shaft

Harbour Freight catches a lot of shit, but I've bought some tools I intended to use only once, and ended up using them for over a year. Cheap stuff too...

Originally Posted by Ezskanken

Harbour Freight catches a lot of shit, but I've bought some tools I intended to use only once, and ended up using them for over a year. Cheap stuff too...

Me too

Their tool boxes are great. Some of their benders and presses are good too. I buy there knowing what it is and paying the right prices. Heck if you sign up for email they send you 20% off coupons monthly

craigslist or e-bay are good sources. If you need the holes to be accurate you should invest in a drill press, even a table mounted press and vise would be good, nothing beats a press for drilling pipe. If your gonna get cordless tools I like the new bosch drills and screw guns because the batteries are same, for all the tools. I hate having to charge several different batteries, you end up with multiple tools with dead batteries and you cant do shit till one of them charges up

Originally Posted by jagbender

Me too

Their tool boxes are great. Some of their benders and presses are good too. I buy there knowing what it is and paying the right prices. Heck if you sign up for email they send you 20% off coupons monthly

their drill bits suck ass, especailly the cobalt bits, they have a cobalt color coating, but are worthless.

Originally Posted by heckler7

their drill bits suck ass, especailly the cobalt bits, they have a cobalt color coating, but are worthless.

I have had good luck with the more expensive sets, and the smaller sets definatly suck!
115 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated M2 High Speed Steel Drill Bit Set