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+-- Thread: Favorite Drill Index? (/showthread.php?tid=7165217)
Favorite Drill Index? - Murray M - 12-10-2015
I'm tired of running through DeWalt Drill Indexes. They're ok but I want something more.
I need to go through odd metals and wood. I don't mind two different indexes for each of those tasks. I also don't mind spending money (but I'd prefer a solution that had a high bang/buck ratio).
What's your favorite Drill Index for wood? For metal?
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - brofessor - 12-10-2015
I still prefer a huot drill index. I have several for different tasks 1/8-1/2, 1-60, 60-80 is too small in my opinion, and SAE and metric tap and drill sets. They just seem so durable for what I do. They work ok for travelling in a toolbox or bag but any serious boggle and some smaller bits may fall out of their spot. I haven't had any issues though.
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - fredhargis - 12-11-2015
brofessor said:
I still prefer a huot drill index.
Same here.
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - Steve N - 12-11-2015
1/2" to 1"
1/16th to 1/2" on 64ths
Free S&H on orders over 150 bux
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - Lynden - 12-11-2015
Starrett No. 187. Found mine at a garage sale for $5. Ebay prices are reasonable.
http://www.starrett.com/metrology/produc...uring-Tools/187
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40...87&_sacat=0
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - Steve N - 12-11-2015
Kinda exactly like a Huot, except it says Starrett on it. How cool is that.
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - Paul-in-Plymouth - 12-11-2015
Some responses seem to be showing what I would call a “drill gauge,” something for sizing bits only rather than storing them. I assume you were asking about storage.
For open storage my favorite index is the Ajax triangular stand my father-in-law gave me about 50 years ago. I keep it loaded with a set of split-points on a turntable next to my drill press. It’s a neat design the gives good visibility and access. It consists of 3 plates in a triangle with two hinged joints. The third joint has a removable pin that allows the stand to be folded and pinned closed for storage. I never put it away, but I like the feature. I like the design so well that I’ve kept the box all these years and was even able to find it for the photo.
It’s probably not made any longer, but might be found someplace as a “vintage tool.” Rectangular 3-rank stands are available in sheet metal or plastic. I have one with a set of transfer punches, but find them crammed uncomfortably together, and sizes are hard to see.For closed storage, I have several but no clear winner. I have two sets of brad-points by 1/64ths, a less-expensive set from Rockler and a superb set from Lee Valley with polished flutes and concentric points. The index with the LV set resembles pictures I see of the Huot index some have mentioned.
Although I much prefer the premium LV bits themselves, I just as strongly prefer the plastic index with the Rockler set. Why? When I open the box, all three ranks of bits pop up, arranged like a choir with smallest at the front, ready to grab, with sizes easily visible in white-on-black.
The LV index is a solid box with nice metal work, but very inconvenient to use. It’s arranged with the biggest at the front, smallest at the back. To get at the smaller bits, I have to pull the racks of larger bits up and out of the way by hooking my fingertips over the sheet metal edge. I the end up with the array of brad-points sticking in my face while I peer over them to see the smaller bits. 
I also have an old Craftsman 3-rank box of split-points, also arranged like a choir with smallest in front, biggest in back. The metal work is less refined than the LV index, but I find it much more convenient to use.Of these drill indexes, the one from Rockler is the nicest to use. I don’t know if it’s sold separately, (and I don’t recommending buying the bits to get the index). But I would look for something that displays like the Rockler or Craftsman indexes: all the bits automatically pop up ready when you open the box with smallest at the front. And clearly visible size-labeling is nice.
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - Murray M - 12-12-2015
What brand BITS do you all like?
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - fredhargis - 12-12-2015
For general twist drill, I like the Viking brand....but there are several other good ones (Fuller is another good name). For brad point: the LV bits get my vote, for Forstners I like the Freud bits, both the carbide and HSS.
Re: Favorite Drill Index? - Paul-in-Plymouth - 12-12-2015
The only recommendation I'd have would be the LV for brad-points. Disregard everything I said about the box they come in, the bits are superb. They're pricey, but I found them well worth the investment. Start with LV and you won't have to buy two sets to get there, like I did. The box is a small annoyance in the grand scheme of things.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=42247&cat=1,180,42240,42247
For ordinary twist bits, I use what I have and I don't have anything special.