Chicago Latrobe 57850 550 Series Cobalt Steel Jobber Length Drill Bit Set with Metal Case, Gold Oxide Finish, 135 Degree Split Point, Inch, 29-piece, 1/16" - 1/2" in 1/64" increments

I do not normally feel compelled to write reviews of items beyond the simple like or dislike, but this is an exception. I have had these for some time now and decided to update the reveiw. Since original purchase I have bought another set. 1 stays at our farm shop by the drill press and 1 stays at my garage. These are very high quality and worth the $$$. This is a good illustration of you get what you pay for. Cheap drill bits are just that - CHEAP - These are NOT cheap.Those few that have written bad reviews of this do not know what they are talking about and probably do not know how to correctly use a drill bit. Just because they are HSS bits does not mean to run them at the highest speed possible. It also doesn't mean not to use cutting oil during metal drilling. Running any drill bit too fast or not using cutting oil will greatly shorten the life of any drill bit. I have been using them for many farm and personal projects in all types of metal from mild steel to stainless and they have always worked well and I have not had to sharpen them yet. I am so glad I stopped buying the cheap bits and I am about to buy another set for a friend of mine.

After using these for close to two years, can say they as fantastic. Pretty much unbreakable and have not dulled despite countless hours of drilling through nasty metal, uncluding bolts. This fractional set is a great starter set. Add the metric, letter, and wire/number odds and ends as needed. Expect to have these for life.If you are a weekend warrior or just getting started and you are kicking yourself because drilling is harder than you imagined or saw in a YouTube video, it's probably not you. It's probably not your drill (assuming you have something halfway decent). It's your drill bits! Most of us at some point will get to the point where we realize the return on investment from quality tools like these outweighs the upfront cost.Update 12/1/2017: finally broke the 13/64 out of this set. Otherwise, no issues. Not dull yet.

Excellent quality and perfect for drilling in steel or aluminum. Also works well drilling hard plastics. Very sharp, straight (no wobble) and accurately sized (all the bits I have checked are within 0.001" of the specified diameter). I have been using them for a couple of months and so far the bits have maintained their edge and show very little wear so I expect them to last a long time. Clearly a case of "you get what you pay for" and the extra cost of these Chicago Latrobe bits worth it for me compared to the cheaper sets sold in the big box hardware stores that don't drill as well and wear out quickly.

I just got these bits today ( Saturday), I used one of them on a motorcycle frame, it worked great! A dab of oil and I was through the metal in a flash and on low speed too! ( make sure you use machine oil when drilling in metal to prolong life of the bit ) These bits reminded me of a set of snap-on drill bits my uncle use to have years ago, these are of excellent quality, wide selection of bits, handy metal case and a really good price for American made tooling. I have had many sets of cheap bits, it is really nice to have a good set of bits that do the Job right the first time! These guys will be on my shoppers list from now on, I recommend this product to all my friends!

Must say that these are great bits so why the one star missing? It's only because the bit that I need the most broke on the first use. I have not had any problems with any of the other bits and they've worked great and are very high quality. Assuming that it's a defect because it broke differently than what I am familiar with, but now I have an incomplete set with the one size that I use the most missing and that's very frustrating for me(the bit broke vertically in half about 2" long). I do not think that there is a way that I can get a single replacement? If I could it would not be a big deal.UPDATE: After using several of these bits for quite some time they seem to be working great and add support to my theory of the defective bit that broke because that is the only one that has broken so far. I would understand if it was a small bit that broke, but it was a larger one which should not have broken under the circumstances. I am increasing the rating due to the rest of the bits working flawless. By far the best bits that I have used. Did I mention MADE IN USA!!!

Would buy again

I have heard many times that you "must buy high quality drill bits". Duh. My answer was OK, which ones. For that I was on my own. Finally, I discovered these very capable bits that do the hard things. Like drilling out steal bolts etc. I have used them on jobs that home depot bits would never have survived. I guess I have found what I was looking for.

i bought them wanting american made high quality drills, but not expecting this trouble first use. not happy.wrote my name inside box incase they got stolen, now cannot return. would like someone to explain to me why i paid so much for foreign steel again. wanted usa product.if you cannot give me full refund because i had to put smith inside metal box, please return them to me..thankyou.

Impressed so far.

The case it comes with was broken: the first section does not open properly because the little hinges it turns on were badly broken. I have yet to test the product but if the case is any indication... ughhhh! I mean you buy a new product and spend hundreds of dollars on it and when you open it falls apart like a lego set! What am I saying?! A lego set is way more durable!

Produit incomplet et une pièce de brisé boutique ne rembourse pas non plus le produit je ne conseille pas cet article