DIYers - Drill recommendations

To follow up. Home Depot makes it easy to check out the different brands and models. I ended up liking the 12 volt Dewars the best. It felt the lightest for my wimpy wrist. I did get overwhelmed by all the drill bits. Which kind would be best for wood and/or plastic? Also what sizes are the handiest?

drill bits made for wood will wreak havoc on plastic and destroy acrylic sheets. I found step bits work great for thin gauge plastic e.g. sterilite containers, rubber maid etc etc. Plus it's like 10 drill bits-in-one. Also tapplastics.com sells drill bits designed for plastic or acrylic..I've used those too and they worked out nicely (super clean holes that look laser cut) As for wood, take your pick..any name brand set will get you there. *btw* when I say 'wreak havoc' or 'destroy' I simply mean the hole they leave behind will look kinda shabby..thin plastic and acrylic sheets tend to 'ride up'(and get stuck) when using a wood drill bit.

Thank you JButera. Hope you are spared the snow a comin’. NYC does not exactly sound fun in that situation. Except maybe Central Park.

no problem and I'm actually looking forward to the storm.lol looks like you might get hit even harder, stay safe.

Actually I have found the drill bits from Harbor Freight to actually be pretty good. At least for light duty stuff.

I used to have to cut a bazillion or so holes in plastic sweater and show boxes that I housed critters in. The best drill bits I could find that would cut clean holes but wouldn't melt the plastic from the heat, or crack the plastic by trying to pull the bit through it were actually two flute milling bits.

Of course, I was using a drill press at the time, and I think using those bits with a handheld drill might be kind of tough to do.

Heck, there are all kinds of specialty bits out there, so check around....

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/s...drill_bits/161

So what size bit are useful for enclosure work? Is it better to get a package- they all have one bit that is too wide for the chuck or is better to buy them separately. Another really dumb question how do you know which size screw to use and what size bit to make a hole?

Originally Posted by JButera

no problem and I'm actually looking forward to the storm.lol looks like you might get hit even harder, stay safe.

JB, This is the absolute worst area for handling even a drizzle let alone snow . Two nights ago there was a light dusting and i brought traffic to a standstill. I grew up in NJ, that level of nonsense did not happen.

they're predicting between 1 - 2 feet for MD

Originally Posted by JButera

they're predicting between 1 - 2 feet for MD

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Yep: Things may be pretty impassible for a while. Yesterday I got a few more heat packs for the snakes. They say that they can get too hot but I can put them in clay orchid pots so my critters can't touch them. The BP I could always keep under the coat if needed.

Originally Posted by WebSlave

Actually I have found the drill bits from Harbor Freight to actually be pretty good. At least for light duty stuff.

I used to have to cut a bazillion or so holes in plastic sweater and show boxes that I housed critters in. The best drill bits I could find that would cut clean holes but wouldn't melt the plastic from the heat, or crack the plastic by trying to pull the bit through it were actually two flute milling bits.

Of course, I was using a drill press at the time, and I think using those bits with a handheld drill might be kind of tough to do.

Heck, there are all kinds of specialty bits out there, so check around....

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/s...drill_bits/161

I have 4 step bits, 3 from HF ($9.99) and one off ebay ($9)..all considered 'chinese junk' yet they work great and leave holes in plastic and acrylic like a cnc mill. I also had (lost it) a $59 Uni bit, tbh I couldn't see much of a difference; if any..between brands as far as the finished work was concerned.