Irwin Unibits apparently on clearance at HD

Ign · Sep 3, 2013

My HD has the Irwin uni-bits in their clearance section. There was a price tag stuck on the shelving for some sort of a combo pack with a "bonus" something-bit, regular price $48.98 on clearance for $24.97. None of those kits actually existed tho, but there were two #4 and one #9.

I took the #4 up front and asked for a price check (because as is so common w HD clearance stuff the one item you want has no indication of price whatsoever) and it came up $16.98. I still wasn't persuaded to buy at that price and decided against it.

On my way up I took a look in the drill bit section and it looks like they've transitioned to Milwaukee unibits. IIRC a #4 Miwaukee was $38 so I guess the $17 for an Irwin was not bad.

For the time being I'll stick w the HF unibits altho I must admit it seems quality of these has declined in the past few years; they just don't seem to stay sharp as long as they used to.

I know some people are Irwin unibit fans so maybe this will help you.

edit: and if you can convince me the Irwin uni-bit is super mega kick-*** and ALL steps will stay sharp for a long time, I'd consider going back and snagging one.

zer0cell · Sep 4, 2013

Hmm, must be a local thing. I'll look next time I go.

240sxguy · Sep 4, 2013

I need to check that out, thanks for the tip!

Theelblue · Sep 4, 2013

I think this is the three piece combo the OP mentioned. $24 in my HD for a #1, #4 and a Cobalt #2.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

zer0cell · Sep 4, 2013

Where are they made? USA? I'm pretty sure the Klein ones still are.

Theelblue · Sep 4, 2013

My package says USA with global components, which seems strange since its a hunk of metal. Does this mean made in US with Chinese steel???

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Ign · Sep 4, 2013

Sure doesn't look like clearance there, just normal pricing. My store had it back in the clearance section and specific yellow price tag. It definitely said regular price for that combo kit was supposedly $48-ish, but again the $24 pictured above just looks like regular pricing.

So perhaps just a regional thing, perhaps bigger stores will continue to stock both Irwin and Milwaukee while smaller stores (mine's gotta be about as small as they come) have to ditch one of the brands. IOW my store is not gonna re-stock them so they stuck them back in clearance just to make them go away but did not lower the price.

fivespdcat · Sep 4, 2013

Ign said:
Sure doesn't look like clearance there, just normal pricing. My store had it back in the clearance section and specific yellow price tag. It definitely said regular price for that combo kit was supposedly $48-ish, but again the $24 pictured above just looks like regular pricing.

So perhaps just a regional thing, perhaps bigger stores will continue to stock both Irwin and Milwaukee while smaller stores (mine's gotta be about as small as they come) have to ditch one of the brands. IOW my store is not gonna re-stock them so they stuck them back in clearance just to make them go away but did not lower the price.

HD has done this before, think of it as a "silent" clearance. They did it with the channellocks last year. The regular price shows up on the Home Depot website as $52.47:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Irwin-3-Piece-Unibit-with-Cobalt-2-Unibit-15506SM/100375597#.UifT4su9KSM

4BT · Sep 5, 2013

Theelblue said:
My package says USA with global components, which seems strange since its a hunk of metal. Does this mean made in US with Chinese steel???

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

USA Scrap sent to china, processed and resold to USA Irwin

allinon72 · Sep 5, 2013

These seem to have generally good reviews. At least made in the USA, might have to pick up the set at this price.

4BT · Sep 26, 2013

Bump!

Hit the local HD tonight and picked up a USA #9 UNIBIT for $11.00. Guess someone found some in the overhead. 3 were laying on the bottom of the rack with no tag or hang spot; packaging dated 2007.

Thanks GJ!

eddie1278 · Sep 26, 2013

I use the cheap Neiko unibits and they work just fine. I drill my own KOs in panels and they hold up well.

http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Titanium-Step-Drill-Bit/dp/B000FZ2UOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380249374&sr=8-1&keywords=neiko+unibit

4BT · Oct 6, 2013

Just found a #1 for $4. Hidden on the back of the rack

G_P · Oct 6, 2013

I have one of these I bought for a project a few years back. They're good bits.

Sent via carrier pigeon

elronin · Oct 7, 2013

I've used Drill Master Step Bits. I got them at Harbor Freight over two years ago. I've drilled through mild steel, aluminum and they have been great. They still work and cost about 10 bucks. Don't see the need to buy Irwin since the label says Made In The USA with global components. "Global?" Just say China or Taiwan it doesn't matter just don't charge twice the amount of a Cheap Chinese Harbor Fright set that can do a good job too.

I have a small review on my site Link

TheToolReviewGuy

Ign · Oct 7, 2013

elronin said:
I've used Drill Master Step Bits. I got them at Harbor Freight over two years ago. I've drilled through mild steel, aluminum and they have been great. They still work and cost about 10 bucks. Don't see the need to buy Irwin since the label says Made In The USA with global components. "Global?" Just say China or Taiwan it doesn't matter just don't charge twice the amount of a Cheap Chinese Harbor Fright set that can do a good job too.

I have a small review on my site Link

TheToolReviewGuy

Go buy another set today and lmk what you think. Seriously. I believe quality has dropped in the past 2 years. And try the Warriors too; HF considers them interchangeable but I'm not sure if one is worse than the other.

Lots of $7.99 coupons out there for the 3 pack.

katotter · Oct 7, 2013

Sheesh, these bits are expensive all over globe, mine also retails for that price.

4BT · Oct 7, 2013

Ign said:
Go buy another set today and lmk what you think. Seriously. I believe quality has dropped in the past 2 years. And try the Warriors too; HF considers them interchangeable but I'm not sure if one is worse than the other.

Lots of $7.99 coupons out there for the 3 pack.

I won't need to buy replacements every year with the Irwins

Brownsfan · Oct 7, 2013

Yep. I agree. I own the HF and the Irwin's. I have an Irwin step bit that is at least 7-10 years old. I used it all the time to drill through fire walls.

eljefino · Oct 7, 2013

I blew out an Irwin first time using/ abusing it.

Have some HF bits that are about 4 years old, hanging tough.

The smile factor is high no matter which one I use, so I might get more.

elronin · Oct 7, 2013

Ign said:
Go buy another set today and lmk what you think. Seriously. I believe quality has dropped in the past 2 years. And try the Warriors too; HF considers them interchangeable but I'm not sure if one is worse than the other.

Lots of $7.99 coupons out there for the 3 pack.

I will try that, That maybe the case. I remember some people talking about Harbor Frights 6' digital caliper they brought years ago being good, but now they are **** Link

Some times they change suppliers in China to save even more and the quality goes down. Gonna get another set, or if I'm lucky I'll find some Irwin Unibits deals at HD.

TheToolReviewGuy

tarbellb · Oct 7, 2013

I have owned several different brands of step bits, as I do a lot of metal fab work on a daily basis. Drilling mostly 3/8" and larger holes through mild steel 1/8- 1/2" thick often.

My first set was a 8yr old set of Irwins- Lasted 6 yrs with lots of abuse

2nd- Lennox - Still have them, reliable but maybe not as long lasting?

3rd- HF set- 1 broken shank, 1 totally blown out, 1 has half the steps blown out within a couple months.

4th- Irwin newer set- Still have them but seem to be dying?

Yes HF step bits are a good deal for the price, they are NOT EQUAL to either Irwin or Lennox bits.

At these prices for the Irwins I would likely pick up a extra set. Thanks for the heads up.

Ign · Oct 7, 2013

tarbellb said:
{snip} Yes HF step bits are a good deal for the price, they are NOT EQUAL to either Irwin or Lennox bits.

Nope, but they can be your beater bits. Don't know if something is maybe hardened? Break out the HF bits. Stainless? Maybe use the HF bits. Dirty oilfield pipe? HF bits again.

My issue with any of these step bits is that ONE dull step essentially renders the whole bit useless (or annoying as you have to remember it'll only drill to "this" step), so if I'm gonna fork out $30+ for a bit it damn well better keep ALL steps sharp even if I abuse it 'cause I can't re-sharpen it.

As for broken shanks that's just learning how to use them. You can't use them in "low" on a cordless drill or in a 1/2" corded drill at all. Like a Dremel they need speed, not torque. Just speaking of the 1/4" hex shanks.

4BT · Oct 7, 2013

Guess mine will last a while since I only use them on auto sheetmetal and PVC

tarbellb · Oct 7, 2013

Totally agree with Ign with using the HF bits on things you wouldnt want to subject your nicer bits to.

And yes perhaps your right about how I "use" the HF bits and breaking. Had it in my impact drill and with the force of impacts the shank broke......
BUT Ive also done the exact same to my Lennox and Uni's and they my friend are just fine. I also drill slow, fast, and everything in between with them and they are still intact.
HF steps have their place (read beat/neglect/abuse) but its not in the quality, long lasting drill bit drawer.

cheechi · Oct 8, 2013

Thanks for the info about the speeds/tools Ign. That's useful.

Irwin Unibits apparently on clearance at HD

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member