Pocket hole bit - equivalent to the UJK one?

[BearTricks]

I'm cladding the interior walls of my workshop in 'reclaimed' (crap wood that no one wants) wood. I'm making panels screwed together with pocket holes for speed however I've made one panel, hit a knot and the end of the drill bit has snapped off. I've just glued it back on with some serious metal glue but I'm not holding out hope. This was maybe 12 holes in. I'd guess I have at least a hundred to go.

Is there a more dependable bit? The Axminster ones cost a bomb and judging by the reviews I got double the average use out of it. It's a 10mm bit. Surprising considering how dependable Axminster usually are.

From somewhere that does next day delivery or that I can travel to tomorrow within Greater Manchester or surrounding area would be a bonus. Drilling pocket holes is about all I can do while I'm recovering from an arm injury. (not sustained woodworking thankfully).

 

[OM99]

what brand is your pocket hole jig?

kreg drill bit are 9.5mm you can them from ebay quite easily.

 

[BearTricks]

The jig is the UJK basic one. Some eBay users are selling HSS drill bits incredibly cheaply but of course they're in China with a two week delivery.

 

[Eric The Viking]

I don't do a lot, but my Kreg spare drill hasn't yet been necessary .

The Kreg ones are 3/8" nominal. I've just measured it: 9.48mm approx, so it might fit UJK. The narrow part is 4.15mm diameter approx. which is fairly chunky. I've certainly had no problems with it.

Kreg also do one with a hex shank to go in screwdrivers.

 

[moosepig]

I had one of these bits snap like this last summer, Axminster replaced it with an upgraded product (better materials) at no extra cost (I had, of course, bought it from there in the first place!), it arrived the next day.

The UJK bits are 9.5mm (it's an imperial size!)

I believe the key to protecting the narrow end is to withdraw the bit frequently while drilling to clear out chippings. However, Axminster did imply that the one they originally sold me was an inferior product, a view supported by the fact that it was already discontinued when I came to ask them to replace it. It'd only drilled a dozen test holes or so before it went bang.

Since getting the new one I use the vacuum extraction attachment and withdraw the bit several times for each hole. That bit must have drilled a good 300 holes by now with no issues.

Are you using a cordless drill or a mains one? I've heard that mains drills can kill these bits if the speed is too high.

 

[BearTricks]

I'm using cordless. I believe that the bit I have is the newer model because I actually wanted the older one as it was cheaper (I didn't realise it was made of inferior materials) but while my local Axminster had it in stock according to the website, they wouldn't sell me it in store. Unless they've upgraded again in the last few months I think I'm on the current one.

I'll give them an email and see what they can do.