Broke the pilot drill bit for a 1/2" hole saw, need replacement

[JR_Charger]

Is there a source for these short little bits? I'd hate to buy the whole tool again because I broke a bit.

 

[493 Mike]

You should be able to buy one at most hardwire/big box store. It they are too long a cutoff wheel can fix that!
Mike

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Also called jobber bits. Fastenal has them

 

[Cranky]

And if you find one without the flat, it's no big deal to grind one in.

 

[ckessel]

Not helpful in your bit quest but maybe down the road, look into adding the Blair Rotabroaches to your arsenal. The individual cutters can be had on their own when needed. Can be had on Amazon too. I have three sets of their cutters ranging from 1/4" to 2.5". Love them.

 

[Lefty71]

Lowes has (had) 10 packs

 

[AR67GTX]

I went around town in search of a 5/8” hard metal hole saw Friday to use to remove swerdging on lug nut studs to separate hubs from the drums. Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware - none of the had anything smaller than 3/4”. Went home and ordered off Amazon. Waste of gas.

 

[Cranky]

I went around town in search of a 5/8” hard metal hole saw Friday to use to remove swerdging on lug nut studs to separate hubs from the drums. Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware - none of the had anything smaller than 3/4”. Went home and ordered off Amazon. Waste of gas.

All the old hardware stores around me that had just about anything I wanted are all gone these days.

 

[JR_Charger]

Found a set of 12 "jobber length" Drill Hogs on eBay. I'm not sure they are as long as the PowerTec bit, standard size appears to be 2 5/16" "flute length." I guess, as long as it sticks out a little, it will work? I can drill the pilot holes separately if need be.

 

[JR_Charger]

All the old hardware stores around me that had just about anything I wanted are all gone these days.

People getting worked to death have no time for physical stores . . .

 

[Cranky]

People getting worked to death have no time for physical stores . . .

Well, people quit going to the mom and pop hardware stores for the big box stores that were supplied by cheap China made crap and the mom and pop stores couldn't compete....plus, too many 'do it yourselfers' didn't want to do it yourself anymore.

 

[JR_Charger]

I've got to do it myself, but factory doesn't leave much time and few other jobs make much money.

My local mom-and-pop is getting wiped out by the new 4-lane. All the traffic used to go right by the front of their store, now you'll never find it if you don't know about it. The 4-lane is pretty nice though.

 

[33 IMP]

Buy any old 7/32 single drill bit (but a quality one, maybe Hansen) cut to the length you want , grind a flat or two in it, done.
(I have drilled tens of thousands of holes with hole saws in 1/4" steel, changed a bunch of pilot drills in my time)

 

[JR_Charger]

Fewer steps = more better. My laundry list is too damn long. In fact, I still have to do the laundry.