Affordable Step Drill Bit

[gdocktor3]

I have never ever in my life needed a step bit and always survived with the sets I have, but thought maybe it would be nice to have one. Then I started pricing them out. $40, $50, $72, $99 and those are for Milwaukee bits. (I briefly used on at work and was surprised how well it worked. Plus it was made in the USA) So I could imagine the cost of one on a truck

Anyways, can anyone recommend an affordable step bit from 1/4"-1" maybe? If I wanted HF **** I wouldn't be here asking this question. Maybe an Irwin/Hansen or an oem manufacturer. I like to go direct to the source as often as possible. I'm looking to spend around $30-40. Any more, and I'll keep using my trusty old Matco bits. I prefer USA made. Thanks

 

[PelicanPines]

Dewalts aren't bad. I own irwins

 

[gdocktor3]

Anyone know where Ruko bit's are made?

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I got a get of Greenlee or Irwin… can't remember, but they were only $15-20 a piece. Their awesome for making "finished" round holes (especially larger ones) in aluminum plate and thin sheet-metal. I also use them to quickly deburr the inside of pipes after cutting.

 

[djjsr]

I've been using the HF **** that you mentioned. They have worked well for several years. I didn't know they were **** until you told me. I guess I shouldn't be using them. I do have one made by Irwin. Funny thing is, whether I use the HF **** or the Irwin, the end result is the same. It's a hole.

 

[Ign]

The Neikos are popular here and good reviews on Amazon.

I've all but given up on HF, too inconsistent these days but they USED to be nearly bombproof.

 

[az45]

I've used the HF steps for several years in addition to quality standard bits, I think they are a great value.

If I were depending on the bits to drill a safe before the cops show up or need them to get me back from the moon, I may be more concerned about them failing.

 

[sberry]

I got to triple back the HF, I have others, cant tell which is which.

 

[DirtyJersey]

Sometimes the HF **** is a diamond in the ruff. Rarely, lol, but it happens.
Count me in for the crappy step bits

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[uart]

I don't know about the HF ones (we don't have HF here), but I've got a very similar looking "cheap junk" 3 piece set from ebay and they seem to work fine.

If you've got to drill anything much harder than mild steel on a regular basis then it's probably worth paying big bucks for some really good ones. If you're only using them for mild steel and plastic like I do then the cheap ones seem to hold up fine.

There are some jobs that are definitely more suited to these than anything else. A couple of weeks ago I was in the middle of a job that needed about a dozen steel washers, and I was sure that I had the correct size ones on hand, but when I went to use them the ID was too small. Public holiday and nowhere I could get the right sized one, so I had to drill them out.

I put one of the cheap step drills in the DP at low speed, and it reamed out all the washers I needed to the correct ID in about two minutes flat. Every one went through as smooth as can be, with nice clean shavings peeling off and no binding or grabbing. I know that in past when I've had to do this I've eventually got the job done with a rats tail file, or maybe trying to "squeal" a regular drill bit though them, and it's been a total pain in the backside. It was so nice to get the job done quickly and easily with the right tool.

 

[...]

I use unibits a lot and have greenle, irwin, and the HF bits... I leave a "good" bit in my drill press, but usually use a HF one on a hand held drill 90% and they work great...I will agree that they do dull faster though

 

[383 240z]

I've got a few nice Irwins and Greenlees, I don't know how well they drill, because I always reach over them for my HF step drills. Yes, I've had to sharpen the pilot drill, but not often. I grab a set when I catch them on sale. The nice ones honestly have never been used. I know what to expect from the HF's and I don't want to pay to replace the "good" ones!

 

[Pettydev]

HF all day, everyday. I've gone the $90 step bit route a few times; the curiosity was killing me...I wasnt impressed enough to justify the $85 difference. I just always keep a fresh HF set ready to go.

 

[gdocktor3]

More than once I've read the HF bits won't start a hole. You need to drill a pilot hole first. Unnecessary extra step.

 

[nh_yota]

I had a couple of new Lenox step bits that I bought cheaply from a neighbor when he was cleaning out his storage unit. They seemed pretty stout and were Made in USA. There were still in the original packaging and I never had a use for them since I don't do much work with metal. I sold them on eBay last year because the $50 I got for them was worth more to me than holding onto them.

 

[the gypsy]

I use the Unibit many times and they work great. Then one day I bought a step drill with 2 cutting edges instead of the single cutting edge of the Unibit. Well low and behold the double edge bit would jam up every so often, so I decided the single cutting edge is the way to go.

So when the cheap step drills showed up at Canadian Tire, I picked up a few and must admit they work just as well as the more expensive Unibit.

 

[nh_yota]

I thought step bits were best used for enlarging an existing hole rather than starting a new one? So you would start the hole with a regular twist bit and then enlarge it with a step bit.

 

[white 450]

Count me in on the HF 3 pack as well. When I used to do mobile electronics installs I used everything and you simply can't come close to the performance per dollar that these give. I try to buy as much US quality as I can but I can't justify the expense of other step bits compared to the HF. Go get the 3 pack and drill a few holes you'll see what we're talking about.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I have a number lower cost step-drills (can't remember what kind) and showed them to my contractor neighbor who was installing the light fixtures in the race shop ... he wasn't aware of them (?????).

If you don't use them often (like me and probably the neighbor contractor) I think you can get buy with the less expensive ones. But if you use them daily in your work or hobby and especially drilling through thick steel, you probably get what you pay for!

 

[Sine Swept]

A centre punch should be used whenever possible, keeps the bit from wondering.

I have used the cheapy's, Irwin and I have a big *** Ideal for anything over 1/2".

I watched as my friend broke the end off my Irwin last weekend, d'oh!

The Ideal I own does not have a tip and therefore can't be broken easily.

Of the remaining 6 cheapy's I have I believe there is only one with the tip broken off.

 

[uart]

I thought step bits were best used for enlarging an existing hole rather than starting a new one? So you would start the hole with a regular twist bit and then enlarge it with a step bit.

In sheet metal and plastic they (the cheap ones) work just fine for starting a hole. If you're going though something a little thicker (especially steel) then they're not ideal for starting the hole. In my experience they will still do it, but it's easier to just run a 3/16" or 1/4" pilot through. It might be an extra step, but it makes things easier.

Anyway, if you are drilling something thicker and you're not just expanding an existing hole, then you've got to stop and ask yourself why the heck are you using a step bit in the first place when a regular drill bit is the right tool for the job.

 

[gdocktor3]

A few years ago I was in a pinch and had to buy a set of bits from HF. The bolts pulled through an attachment on a machine and we had to drill new holes. The bit literally made 2 holes before it dulled. I don't want to hear I was pushing to hard, to fast, should've used oil. It was maybe 1/4" steel and we were on a job with minimal supplies. Because of that experience and a few others, I decided to forget HF for cutting, power, or mechanical tools that get regular use. I just prefer not to get caught with my pants down again. The reliability isn't there.

 

[notlob]

HF step bits FTW! Maybe not for extended pro use, or if you push too hard, too fast, or use too little oil.

 

[sk farmer]

A few years ago I was in a pinch and had to buy a set of bits from HF. The bolts pulled through an attachment on a machine and we had to drill new holes. The bit literally made 2 holes before it dulled. I don't want to hear I was pushing to hard, to fast, should've used oil. It was maybe 1/4" steel and we were on a job with minimal supplies. Because of that experience and a few others, I decided to forget HF for cutting, power, or mechanical tools that get regular use. I just prefer not to get caught with my pants down again. The reliability isn't there.

there is a huge difference between hf drill bits and the step bits.

in general

hf drill bits = pretty sub par performance

hf step bits = pretty good performance at an excellent price

the ones i have, although not used a lot have done everything i asked of them. i would not hesitate to buy them again.

 

[lilcraigford]

I've recently been looking for a smaller size (1/8" - 1/2") step drill bit. Irwin Unibit step drill bits seem to have a solid long-standing reputation and the prices aren't bad. There is also a brand called Drill Hog that I might take a gamble on. For what you're (OP) looking for, Drill Hog has a 9/16" - 1" for $14.99 shipped or 1/4" - 1-3/8" for $19.99 shipped.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

I have had the exact opposite of most of you guys with the HF step drills. I personally think they are awful and are hardly usable. They are very dull out of the package and require a ton of tool pressure.

I have several Irwin unibits and love them. WAY better of a tool, last long and make a nicer hole with less work.

 

[RRmech]

I cannot tell you how many aluminum tube amp chassis, I've used an IRWIN step bit on.
Just use cutting oil, and they are good-to-go for many years.

Steve

 

[Ign]

I have had the exact opposite of most of you guys with the HF step drills. I personally think they are awful and are hardly usable. They are very dull out of the package and require a ton of tool pressure.

I have several Irwin unibits and love them. WAY better of a tool, last long and make a nicer hole with less work.

This. But really it's just that the QUALITY CONTROL isn't there. Just today I tried to use one of my questionable HF bits. Of course the 2nd or 3rd step was dull. I've had this happen w increasing frequency; one step will dull prematurely and then the bit is largely useless. They used to ALL stay sharp for a long time, now any random step will give up within a couple of uses.

 

[gdocktor3]

I've recently been looking for a smaller size (1/8" - 1/2") step drill bit. Irwin Unibit step drill bits seem to have a solid long-standing reputation and the prices aren't bad. There is also a brand called Drill Hog that I might take a gamble on. For what you're (OP) looking for, Drill Hog has a 9/16" - 1" for $14.99 shipped or 1/4" - 1-3/8" for $19.99 shipped.

I've bought impact extensions and adapters from them before. Pretty good stuff.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have had the exact opposite of most of you guys with the HF step drills. I personally think they are awful and are hardly usable. They are very dull out of the package and require a ton of tool pressure.

I have several Irwin unibits and love them. WAY better of a tool, last long and make a nicer hole with less work.

This. But really it's just that the QUALITY CONTROL isn't there. Just today I tried to use one of my questionable HF bits. Of course the 2nd or 3rd step was dull. I've had this happen w increasing frequency; one step will dull prematurely and then the bit is largely useless. They used to ALL stay sharp for a long time, now any random step will give up within a couple of uses.

My point exactly. They aren't reliable. Thank you to every one who actually read the post and answered my questions about what USA made bits are affordable.

 

[tarbellb]

Has anybody mentioned the HF bits being good for the cost yet?


No but really, they are. But if you truly need USA made step bits look at Lenox. Probably some of the best USA made ones and they sell a triple pack for a decent price.

 

[WhiffySpark]

More than once I've read the HF bits won't start a hole. You need to drill a pilot hole first. Unnecessary extra step.

Yep. Everyone I've tried from HF did the same thing

 

[jeffmoss26]

I've had an Irwin for years and like it. Would probably try Drill Hog if/when I need a new one!

 

[winlinmac]

If you want to save a trip to your local hardware store, try out Neiko's Step Drill Bit for less than $10 over at Amazon

 

[gdocktor3]

I don't know about the other posters, but I would appreciate it if next time you start a thread you just say explicitly that you only want USA bits instead of saying you prefer USA made. "Prefer' implies an open mind along with a lean towards one particular side when all else is equal, not that it has to be one way and anything contrary is dismissed and talked down to. Doing that would have saved many of us the hassle of responding to your thread. Just because some of the recommendations weren't US made doesn't mean it was because we didn't have the intelligence to read your OP properly. I did read your OP and I brought up the HF bits purposefully because your OP was heavily biased against HF bits even though you have never used one yourself, and one single past use of a unibit does not usually mean that you now truly need the slight extra capabilities of a $20+ US made higher end bit. A $3 step bit in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing, along with a few drops of cutting fluid will most likely last longer than a high quality bit run dry in the hands of someone with lots of opinions and little experience using it. Having more bits vs one good bit at the beginning allows you to learn their use and make mistakes without it costing you so much. Please try to embrace the gray a little bit more, not everything is so black and white. There are actually a few great value items at HF, and the US does actually dramatically overprice things and/or produce junk sometimes. Sometimes price differentials are worth it, sometimes they are not.

Anyways, those Drill Hog bits do seem pretty nice for the price. I might try one out myself some day. Thanks goes out to lilcraigford for mentioning them. The company does seem a little seedy in how they market their stuff as being USA though. I almost feel like they are Neiko USA all over again, but there are a few places online where it is mentioned that the bits are made here, so hopefully there is no deception going on.

Last but not least, Irwin unibits work fine, but they do dull a little faster than some of the other popular US brands and if you are someone with DIY sharpening ability some of their offerings are harder to sharpen because they give the cutting edge a curved shape from top to bottom. Most other brands use a straight cut that you can sharpen easily by just running a fine grinding wheel (angle grinder etc.) along the flat cutting edge from top to bottom. You have to be a little more careful and/or creative for a satisfactory result sharpening curved Irwin unibits.

I didn't bother reading past the first few sentences. The point is I don't want HF, but that's all I've gotten other than USA. So the rest of this ramble is most likely irrelevant. I just don't like it. I don't care about the cost. A few of their products have failed in my hands and that put a bad taste in my mouth. Just like people had bad experience with a Ford, so they only buy Chevy now. IDGAF About HF any more. Why people care so much where I shop and what I buy is beyond me. Thanks anyways. Not to mention, it's filled with ignorant employees who know less than HD employees.

Edit - I felt bad so I read it. I don't have time to sharpen bits and Don't always have the luxury to use oil. I don't work in a machine shop. Drill hog USA is made here in country, but out of chrome vanadium and other materials commonly found in Taiwan stuff. As mentioned, I have quite a few of their impact stuff and it is right there with sunex.

 

[lilcraigford]

Anyways, those Drill Hog bits do seem pretty nice for the price. I might try one out myself some day. Thanks goes out to lilcraigford for mentioning them. The company does seem a little seedy in how they market their stuff as being USA though. I almost feel like they are Neiko USA all over again, but there are a few places online where it is mentioned that the bits are made here, so hopefully there is no deception going on.

Actually credit goes to another member who mentioned them in an older thread: Step Drill Bits

I have one on the way, so we'll see if these are the real deal or not!

 

[jhelrey]

I bought a three pack of Irwins cheap off of Ebay. I bet I have had them for 6+ year

 

[Richard Cranium]

Another harbor freight step drill user, I know you didn't like harbor freight, But I believe this is one of their better tools.

 

[gdocktor3]

A centre punch should be used whenever possible, keeps the bit from wondering.

I keep a center punch in my drill bit case for that reason. It saves time and energy not fighting the drill.