Astro turbostep vs Viking vortex point

[Newfie_1986]

So looking for some thoughts. I already have the astro set and am looking at getting some spare bits from them. With that being said i am also debating picking up a set of Viking vortex as well. It seems to be a little easier to access replacement bits in Canada for the Viking set.

Have any of you guys used both sets aide by side ? It would be nice to know if astro ever plans to release these in cobalt as well ?

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have both, and both work well. The cobalt Viking have the edge because of material though, they have seemed tougher to me. If I had to choose, I'd go Viking cobalt.

 

[GeoBruin]

I thought Astro OEM'd the Hyper Step bits for Matco (which are available in Cobalt) and so Astro was prohibited under their agreement from selling the Cobalt version? It's hard to know because Astro is tight lipped about it but that's the reading between the lines version.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I thought Astro OEM'd the Hyper Step bits for Matco (which are available in Cobalt) and so Astro was prohibited under their agreement from selling the Cobalt version? It's hard to know because Astro is tight lipped about it but that's the reading between the lines version.

I actually have the Matco mechanics length version also....they are Cobalt and NICE!

 

[Newfie_1986]

I have both, and both work well. The cobalt Viking have the edge because of material though, they have seemed tougher to me. If I had to choose, I'd go Viking cobalt.

Are all of the viking vortex bits cobalt ? I had thought they were all regular hss. Perhaps I missed it when reading through product literature ?

 

[WhataTool]

Viking Vortex is HSS, not cobalt.
As are the other import "Tungsten Cobalt" advertised ones that later in the material or features point out the material is M2, which is HSS.
A lot of brands are leaning into the coatings and bronze color and misdirection on the verbiage to separate themselves from the Astro set at its price.

I have both, and both work well. The cobalt Viking have the edge because of material though, they have seemed tougher to me. If I had to choose, I'd go Viking cobalt.

Placebo

 

[Buckgnarly]

Are all of the viking vortex bits cobalt ? I had thought they were all regular hss. Perhaps I missed it when reading through product literature ?

Just looked it up on HJE, the Viking Vortex are listed as moly....I guess I just assumed they were Cobalt from the color. In any case, they have defiantly seemed to be a bit tougher than the HSS marked Astros I have at school.
Guess it also should be mentioned the Animals at school have access to the Astros, so they do NOT live a good life....but have held up so far!

 

[drokihazan]

No experience with Turbostep/Hypersteps here, and I don't buy a lot of drills in sets. Drills, taps, dies, I just buy the ones I need, they're consumables. I own quite a few Norseman Vortex Point in random sizes though, and have really enjoyed them. They're excellent drills and very durable. They don't really do anything on a drill press with proper feeds/speeds vs a regular HSS bit, but they sure do feel great in a hand drill.

 

[Newfie_1986]

I figure im going to pick up the Viking Vortex set. Emailed astro tuesday for a quote on replacement bits. I was looking for a price list on all sizes. Just to get an idea and decide what extras id like to have on hand. Anyhow I get an email back asking what sizes id like quoted. So I respond with some sizes i may be interested in, and I havent heard from them since.

I have purchased a few astro tools. Some good and some junk.

The 1128 astro ratchet, broke within a month or so. Got in contact they wanted it sent back, I was working as a mechanic at the time pleaded my case and they sent me a new one. It broke too within a month. I then went and bought an sp air. Which has been flawless.

Astro thor gen 1 impact. Fwd rev switch failed. I took it apart. Lost parts and bought a new one, got a snapon pt850 as back up. The new thor hasnt failed.

Exhaust expander. It galled the threads even with the supplied grease and jammed up. It was outside of warranty when it did this, but it wasnt used much.

Wheel bearing press kit and rotor/drum/hub puller kits. They have been great and I use them hard. If the exhaist expander was built as tough as these it would be great.

Big nasty air hammer has been great.

Turbostep drill bits are good bits. But will probably be replaced with the Viking Vortex.
Its just easier to get replacement bits without having to email for quotes.

It the guy Chris from Astro reads this you guys really need to set up so people like myself can order replacement parts right through the site without having to email...

 

[dnschmidt]

I figure im going to pick up the Viking Vortex set. Emailed astro tuesday for a quote on replacement bits. I was looking for a price list on all sizes. Just to get an idea and decide what extras id like to have on hand. Anyhow I get an email back asking what sizes id like quoted. So I respond with some sizes i may be interested in, and I havent heard from them since.

I have purchased a few astro tools. Some good and some junk.

The 1128 astro ratchet, broke within a month or so. Got in contact they wanted it sent back, I was working as a mechanic at the time pleaded my case and they sent me a new one. It broke too within a month. I then went and bought an sp air. Which has been flawless.

Astro thor gen 1 impact. Fwd rev switch failed. I took it apart. Lost parts and bought a new one, got a snapon pt850 as back up. The new thor hasnt failed.

Exhaust expander. It galled the threads even with the supplied grease and jammed up. It was outside of warranty when it did this, but it wasnt used much.

Wheel bearing press kit and rotor/drum/hub puller kits. They have been great and I use them hard. If the exhaist expander was built as tough as these it would be great.

Big nasty air hammer has been great.

Turbostep drill bits are good bits. But will probably be replaced with the Viking Vortex.
Its just easier to get replacement bits without having to email for quotes.

It the guy Chris from Astro reads this you guys really need to set up so people like myself can order replacement parts right through the site without having to email...

Some comments on your comments:

Just call Astro rather than Emailing them. This will get you immediate results. And as incredible as it sounds, some American will answer the phone typically on the first on second ring.

The 1128 has known problems, Kuani Gear is the OEM and they tried to get around SPAir's patents with very limited success. Yep, it's a dog.

The Thor Gen 1 I didn't like that either. The two phase trigger sucked. That's why Astro introduced the Gen 2 which is considerably better. I prefer cordless Milwaukee to air impacts anyway. The Thor balance is fairly poor as well.

I know nothing about the exhaust expander as I've never used one.

Wheel bearing stuff is great.

Turbostep are as good as any high speed steel bits I've ever used. When the exclusive agreement with Matco expires they'll be able to introduce the Cobalt variant.

Big Nasty is very Nasty but the .498 Thor has a much better trigger. Big Nasty is either on or off and that's about it.