brassplyer

As I'm about to drill into my Holley Brawler throttle body for boost referencing, it occurs to me I should probably have some better drill bits lined up than the bargain set from Harbor Freight. Having one break off would be the worst possible scenario.

What's your favorite bit brand for drilling metal? I'll get several of the same size, I plan to use a drill press.

Thanks!

AKjeff

I like Milwaukee, they're available at Home Depot, among other places.

Indigoblue

cobalt drill bits...don't go with cheap ones....

doorgunner

True. H.F./etc. are too brittle.
Drill/ream the hole VERY slowly...
any drill ( bit) could snap when "breaking thru"....
use "aluminum friendly" drilling-cutting oil.
Use dial caipers or microm. to verify drill bit diameter

Gale Banks 80'

Your initial Drill should be what's called a Center Drill. Especially if the surface is not flat. Assuming its Aluminum You can use most any drill from there.

brassplyer

Turns out my concerns were unwarranted. The material of the carb body is very soft - using oil and going a little at a time the bit went through it like butter. The cheapie Harbor freight bit likely would have done fine.

derekderek

cheapie harbor freight cutting tools would have a hard time doing a clean hole in a bar of irish spring soap...but in reality the only bit i would trust on a carb is one that has Lars holding the drill...

augiedoggy

We like to crap on HF but now days they have at least 3 different drastically different grades of bits. if you buy the cheapest ones its a crapshoot but the better titanium grade bits really are decent. Same with their tools now. The icon line is the same stuff they sell as cobalt at lowes.. Not snap on but not bad either.

I have a small set of Hercules bits for my Hercules power drills and they have given me no issues.

that said your braver than me drilling holes in a new carb

brassplyer

Holley sells them already boost-referenced but they want a lot of money to drill a hole.

What makes me cringe are the guys on Youtube videos that do it freehand, no oil they just plow on through eyeballing it. I used a drill press to ensure it went straight.

As long as the hole ends up where it belongs if at some point you no longer want it boost-referenced you could just plug the hole with tank putty.

TCracingCA

You are working on aluminum, so you don't really need the greatest high quality bits for such. The key to aluminum is oil as you do, and go slow. Clean the bit of shavings also as you go. On aluminum don't push on the drill, but let the bit cut.