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I had been meaning to get a 25+ index of these bits for some time. Finally got a Pioneer set from a place called Western Tool Supply online. Got them in the mail and was immediately put of by the flimsy case which had a sticker on the front and back that said "brad" covering what had been printed "bard" point bit set on the case.

The ends of all these bits had chunks of metal left over from manufacturing. When putting in the drill press they clearly were untrue and wobbled everywhere. I tried a 1/4" bit on scrap and it was at least .015 over. The dot inlay fit terribly in the hole.

What a disgrace that these crap tools exist. If I didn't know better I'd use them and my work would suffer. As it turns out, Western Tool Supply doesn't have a phone number on their site... but there is return info, so I sent them back. Hopefully I'll get my money back. No reason to hold onto them either way. Complete garbage they are.

I can't seem to find an index of brad point bits that have good reviews. What do you use? Had any bad experiences similar to this?

Wow. What a pile of crap those are. Sorry you are having trouble, and hope you get it sorted out.
As to your question, "What do I use?", the brad points I use I bought for $6 or $8 for a 5 or 6 piece set either at a local flea market or one of the local discount cheap tool stores around here. Have used them for 3 or 4 years, and they work just fine. My inlays fit great, the bits cut well and leave a well defined, sharp hole of the correct size.
Maybe I got really lucky, but what you are describing is beyond junk, IMHO. I've bought a lot of drill bits that weren't sized properly, or were crappy dull, but I've never bought or seen drill bits, even really cheap ones, that wobbled around in the chuck because they weren't straight. Seen many a cheap drill chuck do that, but nary a cheap bit. And I've bought and used a lot of cheap tools in my day, lol. I buy them because many times they are all I can afford. But I was an Airframe Repair Specialist(sheetmetal worker , basically) in the USAF, and know a decent bit when I hold it in my hands, price notwithstanding.
One easy way to determine if the bit is true is to lay them flat on a table and roll them. You'll find out really quick if they're not true.
If you can afford to spend a little more money, I've seen some brad points on Rockler's site that look like they'd be well made. And I think you'd have no problem with customer service with them, either. I also know that StewMac sells a set of 5 or 6 specifically for luthier work. They stand by their product as well.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Really tough to beat the "lipped" brads that Lee Valley sells for a clean hole IMO ...well made & sharp as a razor.

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Dave
Milton, ON

Those are another that I had looked at and thought were well designed and manufactured.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

As Dave says, Lee Valley all the way.

I've used this set from Stewmac for years. Maybe not as nice as the lipped bits from Lee Valley, but they still are very good, and they're closing them out.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Drill_bits/Drill_Bits,_Brad_Point.html

And what brand are these really good ones?

I have seen what look like decent 7 piece sets all around. I'm trying to find a full index of 25 or 29 pieces that are in 1/64" increments. Otherwise I know I'll run into times when I need the more unusual sizes. Every large index like this I've seen seems to get bad reviews. The best bet I've seen is from Rockler. Where can I pick up a set of Lee Valley? Do they have a full index?

http://www.westerntool.com/pioneer-25-p ... t-set.html

This is the set that I bought. Avoid them at all costs.

Actually, here's an interesting list to compile. The brad point bits that you actually utilize and need for guitar making. I'm considering buying some individual Lee Valley bits instead of a full set.

I use 1/4" for dot inlay, so that's a must.
11/32" I use for the Gotoh tuning keys I most often use.
I already have a 3/8" in my possession.
The wraparound bridge I use often needs a 15/32".

So I will be picking up these four at the very least.


Alot of tune a matic bridges require 7/16", right?
What other sizes do you find necessary?

Ive never sent them back because I live overseas
BUT out of the set i got from SMac ( orange plastic packet)
..the 1/2 bit will drill a 3/4 elipse .

Only to be excelled by their fret crowning tool
(the non diamond variety)
as the worst POS tool I have ever purchased for any purpose whatsoever
(actually it might work for removing plaque from my dogs canines)

I don't know if Lee Valley has stores or many of them if they do. I've always ordered from their website.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=42247&cat=1,180,42240

I use a 1/4 inch forstner bit for dots and a 10mm forstner bit for drilling the back of the holes for Gotoh/Gotoh-style tuners. Then I drill from the top using a 5/16 inch brad point bit. (I first drill a pilot hole all the way through the headstock with a 1/16 inch twist bit.)

My experience is that forstner bits are better used in a drill press.

My memory is telling me that I used a 7/16 inch brad point bit to install the bushings for a Schaller wraparound bridge.

Lee Valley Tool has stores all over Canada. I like to drive the 2 hours up to there London, Ontario store.

I know that these are good. The "5-Star" ones are very good but the twin land are pretty good also, they just won't hold up as long.

http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/m ... l_bits.htm

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I have individual bits from here, they are fine by me.
http://woodworker.com/25-pc-hss-bradpoi ... 20-332.asp

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I bought a brad set quite a few years back now from your average hardware chain store (Slegg Lumber)- we didnt have a LV around at the time and I wasnt aware of our fine tool store Tools&Space at the time - they came in a puke yellow case, had a sticker on the window looking into the case... gold coated .. they obviously werent the best quality however I was building my workbench and jigs and things at the time and wasnt quite building guitars yet,
They have worked just fine over the years and cut true right off the bat,,,,but its time for a new set for certain, LV is the place to get em I believe .... to echo the sentiments of practically everyone here...
I think you just got a really crappy set by the sounds of it - even the sub par one you seem to get around here work reasonably well... as long as you dont get em at the dollar store..
Cheers
charliewood

So I picked up a 7 piece Craftsman set that I came across to try out. They all say "Germany" and "CV" on the shafts. 20 bucks.

I was disappointed to see that the tips on some of them, particular the 1/4", go somewhat out of focus when using. I see two very close tips on the 1/4" bit as it spins. It drills a hole that is .005 or .006 over. The 3/8" bit drills .008 over.

My Milwaukee standard bits drill far tighter holes than any of the brad point bits I've tried recently. What's up with these shitty bradpoints? Are they difficult to manufacture or something? I just can't figure out why so many of them are sub par when precise standard twist bits are found everywhere.

If they are craftsman take em back - all craftsman tools have a lifetime guarantee... appearantly..
worth a try..
Cheers
Charliewood

Yep. Take 'em back. All their hand tools are lifetime guaranteed. IME, they won't even ask why.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.