Thanks for all the good ideas. Part of my problem is buying the on-sale bits at the local store and part of my problem is previously not accepting the fact that they are disposable items.

I do use speeds somewhat correctly as I recall my school shop metals class. (But vaugely since it was over 40 years ago.)

I will be getting some proper cutting oil and a couple sets of bits. One being some of those DeWalt titanium bits for metals and a new set of cheaper bits for wood and soft materials. And, I can clean out a drawer in the basement that contains numerous dull bits that I "knew" I would sharpen one day.