ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Multi-purpose drill bit

I saw an ad in a trade magazine (EC, or EC&M) for a drill bit that cuts masonry, wood, and, I believe steel.
Any help would be appreciated.

I bought a set of these under the name "Bad Dog Bits" at an electrical trade show. Yes, they do work and fairly well at first. The smaller sizes burned out real fast on masonry. I believe you can now buy them at Home Depot under the Irwin trade name. I wouldn't buy the set again ($80), but I would buy an individual bit if I needed it.

I don't know about those bits, but I bought a Greenlee "Flex" bit...3/8" x 60"..auger style, and used it to go thru 3 joists.. separately of course, and the darned thing is all worn and pitted already...and they charged me about $44.00 for it...I am NOT a happy camper...if anyone does alot of old work high hat cut-outs in old plaster ceilings, the Greenlee 6" grit blade hole saw is pretty good..don't get the 'toothed" one tho'...burned that out in 2 holes...
AR

Eagle,
I got a set of those bits too. Real handy when you're drilling wood with masonary behind it. You can send the burned out ones in for free replacements. I wish instead of a whole set I would have just gotten a few popular sizes.
Brian

AR,

I've used those long Flex bits too, with the same complaint about them not lasting long.

But if you think about it they do save money for the customer in that more can be done without patching and painting. You should figure on including the price of a bit on each job that it's used on. That way it doesn't hurt so much when they become unusable.

Bill

So is the general consensus on these bits that they're one of those "too good to be true" items?

Reminds me of that all-size ratchet wrench socket with the springloaded pins inside.
Remember that one?

It was full of spring loaded pins so that it was essentially a one-size fits all nuts and bolts. Did anyone ever try one out?

Sven,

I have one of those multi pin sockets that I received as a gift. Can't say that I've ever used it. Sure looks pretty though.

As for a multi-purpose drill bit, I find that my 2 Terra-watt laser works just fine. Only problem is that the cord for it is so darn big.

Tom

I can imagine the 2 terrawatt laser has some depth adjustment problems, too.