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Thread: All of Those Scrap Drill Bits!

  1. #1
    Supporting Member rgsparber's Avatar
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    All of Those Scrap Drill Bits!

    Do you have a tub full of unmarked and dull drill bits? Besides adding to the pile, what do you do with them?

    Here is an answer.

    If you are interested, please see

    http://rick.sparber.org/DBSS.pdf


    Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.

    Thanks,

    Rick

    186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook
    Rick

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  3. #2
    Supporting Member mklotz's Avatar
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    Two remarks...

    Many drills are slightly tapered so the shank is slightly smaller in diameter than the tip. You may want to keep that in mind when measuring.

    The DRILL program on my site has an option ('D' in the menu) to find a drill "name" given the diameter. As an example, I entered a measured diameter of 0.281" and the program output looks like this...

    **************************************************************

    number of drills read from data file = 371

    D find Drill designation given hole size
    S find hole Size given drill designation
    T find Tapdrill for any tap and dot
    F find tapdrill for thread-Forming tap
    X step drilling calculations
    H display this Help/Menu
    M display this Help/Menu
    Q Quit (Esc also)
    (D,S,T,F,X,H,M,Q) ? D

    {[d].dd or [d-]d/d (e.g. 1.5 or 1-1/2)} Hole Size ? 0.281

    (7.00 mm) with size 0.2756 (-0.0054)
    (J) with size 0.2770 (-0.0040)
    (7.10 mm) with size 0.2795 (-0.0015)
    ***** (K) with size 0.2810 (+0.0000) *****
    (9/32) with size 0.2812 (+0.0002)
    (7.20 mm) with size 0.2835 (+0.0025)
    (7.25 mm) with size 0.2854 (+0.0044)

    **************************************************************

    As you can see, it correctly identified it as a 'K' drill and also shows the three closest larger and smaller drills. If the user has other "named" drills than those in the data file delivered with the program, he can easily add them to that ASCII file.

    Folks sorting drills at their desks may find this easier to use than a chart.

    I can't resist my urge to point out that, if we used the metric system (or at least a rational nomenclature in the inferial system), none of this screwing around would be necessary. When I'm king, naming a drill anything but its size will be a capital offense. (Same for wire and sheet.)

    2,000+ Tool Plans
    ---
    Regards, Marv

    Failure is just success in progress
    That looks about right - Mediocrates

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    I was thinking your charts looked difficult, then I worked out that your starting point is imperial. Having grown up here in a metric Australia I start with metric sizes and "fit" the imperial sizes between. I have several sets of drills in different measuring systems and material, metric 0.5 rises and 0.1mm rises from 1-10mm, imp fractional and number and letter but I always think of the sizes in metric terms as that is my native language for want of a better term.
    I am just trying to come up with a better storage method for my Morse Taper drills above 13mm and 1/2" and am considering large boards and using a scale making larger sizes further from the start of the board and in different rows. Metric full mm first row then metric 0.5mm rises second row then fractional rises then anything else in another row. I would label all the positions and that might also act as a rough size chart for general drilling for tapping or reaming. Anyone have other ideas?

  6. #4
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    I was cleaning out various tool chests and boxes and found quite a load of drill bits. I was really surprised by how many can accumulate over years. I was a toolmaker & machinist at different times, but I had fewer in those boxes than my mechanics boxes.
    Many drill bits are imprinted with the size near the clamping end. With a magnifying glass and light, those were identified and sorted. There were several new or good ones, so they were put in a different place to refill my indexes. What couldn't be read, I used a micrometer to read just back from the tip and across the cutting edges. I had available a simple drill chart card that gave the decimal size of all drill bits, metric and imperial. I believe on larger (>0.5") sizes, I used digital calipers that read metric and imperial at the push of a button.
    What I don't have yet is a Drill Doctor. I have intentions of getting one. I've looked at the various models before, but have forgotten which was right for me. I have left and right twist, and a few larger than 1".
    Besides a somewhat similar method, my end result looked just like yours, Rick. I taped the size to the bits, then bundled like sizes together.
    Last edited by KickStart; Oct 3, 2017 at 07:25 AM. Reason: Forgot

  7. #5
    Supporting Member rgsparber's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Burner View Post
    I was thinking your charts looked difficult, then I worked out that your starting point is imperial. Having grown up here in a metric Australia I start with metric sizes and "fit" the imperial sizes between. I have several sets of drills in different measuring systems and material, metric 0.5 rises and 0.1mm rises from 1-10mm, imp fractional and number and letter but I always think of the sizes in metric terms as that is my native language for want of a better term.
    I wish my world was predominantly metric but that is not reality. Having to deal with letter, number, and fractional is nuts.

    Rick
    Rick

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    Supporting Member mklotz's Avatar
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    Years before I coded my DRILL program, I put together a chart of drills, metric and inferial, ordered by size, including indications of tap drills for 75% DOT on most of the inferial taps. It's shown below but if anyone wants a copy of it, just email me and I'll send you a copy.

    Code:
                    97  0.0059              
                    96  0.0063              
                    95  0.0067              
                    94  0.0071              
                    93  0.0075              
                    92  0.0079              
                    91  0.0083              
                    90  0.0087              
                    89  0.0091              
                    88  0.0095              
                    87  0.0100              
                    86  0.0105              
                    85  0.0110              
                    84  0.0115              
                    83  0.0120              
                    82  0.0125              
                    81  0.0130              
                    80  0.0135              
                    79  0.0145              
        1/64..........  0.0156              
                    78  0.0160              
                    77  0.0180              
                    76  0.0200              
                    75  0.0210              
                    74  0.0225              
                    73  0.0240              
                    72  0.0250 000-120      
                    71  0.0260              
                    70  0.0280              
                    69  0.0292              
                    68  0.0310              
          1/32........  0.0313              
                0.8 mm  0.0315              
                    67  0.0320              
                    66  0.0330              
                    65  0.0350              
                0.9 mm  0.0354              
                    64  0.0360 00-90        
                    63  0.0370              
                    62  0.0380              
                    61  0.0390              
                1.0 mm  0.0394              
                    60  0.0400              
                    59  0.0410              
                    58  0.0420              
                    57  0.0430              
                1.1 mm  0.0433              
                    56  0.0465              
        3/64..........  0.0469 0-80         
                1.2 mm  0.0472              
                1.3 mm  0.0512              
                    55  0.0520              
                    54  0.0550 1-56         
                1.4 mm  0.0551              
                1.5 mm  0.0591              
                    53  0.0595 1-64,72      
            1/16......  0.0625              
                1.6 mm  0.0630              
                    52  0.0635              
                1.7 mm  0.0669              
                    51  0.0670              
                    50  0.0700 2-56,64      
                1.8 mm  0.0709              
                    49  0.0730              
                1.9 mm  0.0748              
                    48  0.0760              
        5/64..........  0.0781              
                    47  0.0785 3-48         
                2.0 mm  0.0787              
                    46  0.0810              
                    45  0.0820 3-56,4-32    
                2.1 mm  0.0827              
                    44  0.0860 4-36         
                2.2 mm  0.0866              
                    43  0.0890 4-40         
                2.3 mm  0.0906              
                    42  0.0935 4-48         
          3/32........  0.0938              
                2.4 mm  0.0945              
                    41  0.0960              
                    40  0.0980              
                2.5 mm  0.0984              
                    39  0.0995              
                    38  0.1015 5-40         
                2.6 mm  0.1024              
                    37  0.1040 5-44         
                2.7 mm  0.1063              
                    36  0.1065 6-32         
        7/64..........  0.1094              
                    35  0.1100              
                2.8 mm  0.1102              
                    34  0.1110 6-36         
                    33  0.1130 6-40         
                2.9 mm  0.1142              
                    32  0.1160              
                3.0 mm  0.1181              
                    31  0.1200              
                3.1 mm  0.1220              
               1/8----  0.1250              
                3.2 mm  0.1260              
                    30  0.1285              
                3.3 mm  0.1299              
                3.4 mm  0.1339              
                    29  0.1360 8-32,36      
                3.5 mm  0.1378              
                    28  0.1405 8-40         
        9/64..........  0.1406              
                3.6 mm  0.1417              
                    27  0.1440              
                3.7 mm  0.1457              
                    26  0.1470              
                    25  0.1495 10-24        
                3.8 mm  0.1496              
                    24  0.1520              
                3.9 mm  0.1535              
                    23  0.1540              
          5/32........  0.1562              
                    22  0.1570 10-30        
                4.0 mm  0.1575              
                    21  0.1590 10-32        
                    20  0.1610              
                4.1 mm  0.1614              
                4.2 mm  0.1654              
                    19  0.1660              
                4.3 mm  0.1693              
                    18  0.1695              
       11/64..........  0.1719              
                    17  0.1730              
                4.4 mm  0.1732              
                    16  0.1770 12-24        
                4.5 mm  0.1772              
                    15  0.1800              
                4.6 mm  0.1811              
                    14  0.1820 12-28        
             13-4.7 mm  0.1850 12-32        
            3/16......  0.1875              
             12-4.8 mm  0.1890              
                    11  0.1910              
                4.9 mm  0.1929              
                    10  0.1935              
                     9  0.1960              
                5.0 mm  0.1969              
                     8  0.1990              
                5.1 mm  0.2008              
                     7  0.2010 1/4-20       
       13/64..........  0.2031              
                     6  0.2040              
                5.2 mm  0.2047              
                     5  0.2055              
                5.3 mm  0.2087              
                     4  0.2090              
                5.4 mm  0.2126              
                     3  0.2130 1/4-28       
                5.5 mm  0.2165              
          7/32........  0.2188              
                5.6 mm  0.2205              
                     2  0.2210              
                5.7 mm  0.2244              
                     1  0.2280              
                5.8 mm  0.2283              
                5.9 mm  0.2323              
                     A  0.2340              
       15/64..........  0.2344              
                6.0 mm  0.2362              
                     B  0.2380              
                6.1 mm  0.2402              
                     C  0.2420              
                6.2 mm  0.2441              
                     D  0.2460              
                6.3 mm  0.2480              
                 E-1/4  0.2500              
                6.4 mm  0.2520              
                6.5 mm  0.2559              
                     F  0.2570 5/16-18      
                6.6 mm  0.2598              
                     G  0.2610              
                6.7 mm  0.2638              
       17/64..........  0.2656              
                     H  0.2660              
                6.8 mm  0.2677              
                6.9 mm  0.2717              
                     I  0.2720 5/16-24      
                7.0 mm  0.2756              
                     J  0.2770              
                7.1 mm  0.2795              
                     K  0.2810              
          9/32........  0.2812              
                7.2 mm  0.2835              
                7.3 mm  0.2874              
                     L  0.2900              
                7.4 mm  0.2914              
                     M  0.2950              
                7.5 mm  0.2953              
       19/64..........  0.2969              
                7.6 mm  0.2992              
                     N  0.3020              
                7.7 mm  0.3031              
            5/16......  0.3125 3/8-16       
                8.0 mm  0.3150              
                     O  0.3160              
                     P  0.3230              
       21/64..........  0.3281              
                     Q  0.3320 3/8-24       
                8.5 mm  0.3346              
                     R  0.3390              
         11/32........  0.3438              
                     S  0.3480              
                9.0 mm  0.3543              
                     T  0.3580              
       23/64..........  0.3594              
                     U  0.3680 7/16-14      
                9.5 mm  0.3740              
               3/8----  0.3750              
                     V  0.3770              
                     W  0.3860              
       25/64..........  0.3906 7/16-20      
               10.0 mm  0.3937              
                     X  0.3970              
                     Y  0.4040              
         13/32........  0.4062              
                     Z  0.4130              
       27/64..........  0.4219 1/2-13       
            7/16......  0.4375              
       29/64..........  0.4531 1/2-20       
         15/32........  0.4688              
       31/64..........  0.4844 9/16-12      
                   1/2  0.5000              
       33/64..........  0.5156 9/16-18      
         17/32........  0.5313              
       35/64..........  0.5469              
            9/16......  0.5625              
       37/64..........  0.5781              
         19/32........  0.5938              
       39/64..........  0.6094              
               5/8----  0.6250              
       41/64..........  0.6406              
         21/32........  0.6562              
       43/64..........  0.6719              
           11/16......  0.6875              
       45/64..........  0.7031              
         23/32........  0.7188              
       47/64..........  0.7344              
                 3/4==  0.7500              
       49/64..........  0.7656              
         25/32........  0.7812              
       51/64..........  0.7969              
           13/16......  0.8125              
       53/64..........  0.8281              
         27/32........  0.8438              
       55/64..........  0.8594              
               7/8----  0.8750              
       57/64..........  0.8906              
         29/32........  0.9062              
       59/64..........  0.9219              
           15/16......  0.9375              
       61/64..........  0.9531              
         31/32........  0.9688              
       63/64..........  0.9844              
                  1 in  1.0000              
      1-3/64..........  1.0469              
      1-7/64..........  1.1094              
             1-1/8----  1.1250              
     1-11/64..........  1.1719              
        1-7/32........  1.2188              
               1-1/4==  1.2500              
     1-19/64..........  1.2969              
       1-11/32........  1.3438              
             1-3/8----  1.3750              
     1-27/64..........  1.4219              
               1-1/2==  1.5000
    ---
    Regards, Marv

    Failure is just success in progress
    That looks about right - Mediocrates

  9. #7
    Supporting Member pfredX1's Avatar
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    homemade indexes

    Quote Originally Posted by rgsparber View Post
    Do you have a tub full of unmarked and dull drill bits? Besides adding to the pile, what do you do with them?

    Here is an answer.

    If you are interested, please see

    http://rick.sparber.org/DBSS.pdf


    Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.

    Thanks,

    Rick
    I had a few drawers of mixed up drill bits and they were less than useful any time I needed to drill a hole because I would have to look through all of them to find the size I needed. So one day I organized them all by size and made some simple index holders out of cut up plastic I got off jugs and hot glued to cardboard.

    This is what some of those look like: http://i.imgur.com/az1SUzJ.jpg

    I did something similar earlier with a bunch of my mixed taps too.

    https://www.instructables.com/id/Pla...der-Revisited/

    Organization pays off.

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    Y-geo (Oct 6, 2017)

  11. #8
    Supporting Member ncollar's Avatar
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    very nice Fred, great idea and easy to make.

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    Supporting Member ncollar's Avatar
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    Marv
    I would love to have your file.


    ncollar1957__________(AT)______________gmail_____________(DOT) _________________com

  13. #10
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    Thanks. Sifting through disorganized tools is not only a waste of time, it also breaks concentration, so work suffers for it. It is a total buzz kill in the shop.

  14. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to pfredX1 For This Useful Post:

    Captainleeward (Nov 14, 2017), Jon (Oct 3, 2017), Y-geo (Oct 6, 2017)

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